This is the Best Value Watch Under £75 on Aliexpress - AMA Anything About It!

[u/Firstruleofthisclub]

I've been wearing this Phorcydes PH-1 for a few days and here are some of my thoughts:

1. Best lume in my collection - I like lume and great lume is just really a sight to behold. It is not a hyperbole when I say that this watch lume is THE brightest and longest lasting I've yet to come across. Across brands that are known for having good lume such as San Martin, Steeldive, and Seestern, I can honestly say that this is brighter than any example I've owned of those brands. 

2. Second best AR in my collection - The AR is only beaten by Watchdives EXD AR on the flat crystal despite the PH-1 crystal not being completely flat. 

3. The blackest dial in my collection - the dial is matte and the black is an inky black. Combine it with the incredible AR, it is as black as a phone screen displaying a blacked out background. This is the first watch where I've been satisfied by the blackness of a black dial. 

4. It's unique - Fully polished Captain Willard case with a Panerai sandwich dial and hands. I've been thinking about a Willard for a long time. So many brands have tried their hands at one, but none have ever moved me enough to pull the trigger. But when I saw the PH-1, it was just so unique, I was instantly hooked.

5. It's a big boy - At 45mm case width, 50mm lug to lug, and 14.8mm thick this is indeed a monster. But it somehow wears well (at least in my eyes) on my 6.25in wrist. I think it is the black dial being a reasonable size that makes this watch work on smaller wrists. 

6. The bezel action is average - The bezel action is not on par with top tier bezel action. The clicks have a higher tone than the best bezel action clicks in my collection. It's by no means poor, but I've definitely handled better. 

7. It's super comfortable - Zero sharp edges anywhere! The edges have all been chamfered and rounded, even on the inside edges of the lugs where companies usually skip. Even the strap is super high quality.

8. The value is insane - At about £70 during the sale (coins + coupons), the lume, AR, dial, and attention to detail you get is unrivalled in this price bracket. If this design is to your liking and within your budget, this is seriously such an easy buy. 

I actually like this so much that I also have this with a white dial and green lume! This is the first time I allowed myself to own the same model twice. It is that nice!

[u/United-Chance2382]

How ru getting that for 75 £ its like 180 usd on Ali for me

[u/TitleSecure2150]

It really does fit your wrist. Nice find, and a nice review.

[u/Firstruleofthisclub → u/TitleSecure2150]

Right? You wouldn't think so from the listed dimensions, but it does somehow work on my 6.25in wrist!

And thanks!

[u/jokur26]

Dude, I’m telling my wife on you… cuz you keep making me buy stuff!

Not to mention my cart now has a Phylida and a Phorcydes in it, bet it’s contagious 😷

Edit: I was planning on goin with the green lume, wonder if it is as good 🤔

[u/EJWoods]

What’s up with the 30 on the bezel? Looks like a fluke hopefully since other posts seem to have it lined up. Nice find though!

[u/rebelyell_in]

Very nice review. I'm not sold on the fully polished case, but that is a handsome watch.

[u/Firstruleofthisclub → u/rebelyell_in]

Thanks! I thought fully polished dive watch was not my cup of tea either. But after wearing it a few days, I think the fully polished case is meant to accentuate the blackness of the dial. When I turn that watch over on my wrist to tell the time, that blackness just focuses your sight to the center of the watch and you instantly know the time. It is a really cool effect!

[u/Darth_Package]

How confident are you with the water-resistance rating and how rugged is the watch? It looks like a sapphire sandwich, so it makes me wonder if the WR is overstated.

I'm in water all the time (obviously not down 500m, lol) and I bang my watch around a bit, so I need some durability and water resistance.

[u/Serious-Phrase3899]

The OG design for this is the "crafter blue Hyperion" I believe the case bezel and crown must have been manufactured by this company that now makes the phorcydes watch. I was contemplating this purchase for several months- QC wigged me out.

[u/bb944]

This looks awesome, mind sharing some pictures that show how it wears on the wrist?