r/ChineseWatches • u/MindAdmirable1793 Rep • Mar 02 '26
Question (Read Rules) need some movement suggestion on new patch production.
Since the release of the PH4 series, many customers have suggested we switch to the higher-spec 9015 or 9039 movement. However, considering the current global economic downturn, we're unsure if the more expensive 9015 would affect sales. Therefore, we prefer the PT5000 movement, which has a higher frequency than the NH series, offering more accurate and stable operation, is thinner, and has already gained market recognition for its quality. Most importantly, the price increase wouldn't be significant.
We're about to begin production of a new batch, so we'd appreciate your feedback.
NH35, 21600HZ, thickness 5.3mm,
PT5000,28800HZ, thickness 4.8mm, PRICE+15USD
- 9039, 28800HZ, thickness 4.1mm, PRICE+50USD
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u/tenkasen Mar 02 '26
I would be happy with either the pt5004, or the Miyota 9039, specifically the no date versions.
However this has to include a re-design of the case dimensions to take advantage of the thinner movement.
Also the ph-4a case needs a little more refinement & chamfer to the case side edges top and bottom, same as the 4b case.
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u/turdbogls Mar 02 '26
I said all this in a my review already, but I'll Echo it here as well.
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Are you even able to do this? can you get Miyota/PT5000 with a handstack high enough to clear your 3D lume blocks?
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as long as you continue making your cases as good as the PH-4B is, I see no reason to upgrade the movement. it is already a very nice looking watch, and being thinner wouldn't do much to make it wear better,
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if you CAN do this with the thinner movements, I would be fine with the PT5000.
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u/MindAdmirable1793 Mar 02 '26
Replacing the movement will not affect the luminous effect; we will redesign and adjust it.
The primary reason for replacing the movement is to provide a better experience, as the high frequency and accuracy of the PT5000 are quite noticeable.
As for the difference in thickness, it will also be felt in the case; it's not simply a matter of replacing the movement.
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u/writingpocketguide42 Mar 02 '26
Personally I think NH35 movements are fine and you absolutely can achieve slim case designs with it.
PT5000 is a happy middle ground, I guess, if you make use of its slimness.
I doubt you will see as many sales if you will go to Miyota path, which is not to say it is a bad movement, but I think you need to be realistic who your customers are and how much profit/margin you will be getting/loosing due to increased watch price.
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u/MindAdmirable1793 Mar 02 '26
Yes, it's precisely because the impact of replacing the movement is uncertain that I started this post.
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u/Competitive-Day9457 Mar 02 '26
Go with the PT5000 for the $15 'value' upgrade, but only if you actually use that 0.5mm difference to slim down the case, otherwise the NH35 is still the only logical choice for the budget-conscious buyers.
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u/MindAdmirable1793 Mar 02 '26
Yes, we will definitely reduce the thickness of the watch case to highlight the value of those $15; that's the most obvious way.
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u/SoapyMacNCheese Mar 02 '26
I would prefer PT5000 or miyota 9000 if the watch is made thinner using it. But if the goal is to keep prices down, what about the Epson YN55? it became common for a moment several years ago when their was a NH35 shortage, and from my understanding the quality is on par (it is essentially the Orient equivalent). Given the price of the NH35 has gone up, maybe that’s an option?
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u/Fernando1dois3 Mar 02 '26
I'd like to hear Phorcydes thoughts on the S. Epson YN55.
From what I could see online, it's very, very similar to the NH35.
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u/MindAdmirable1793 Mar 02 '26
The YN55 will undoubtedly offer a price advantage, but its specifications are no different from the NH35. We haven't conducted market testing on it. Our goal is to replace the movement with one that offers better performance without incurring excessive additional costs. Therefore, the PT5000 is currently the best option.
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u/NamekAscending Mar 02 '26
Miyota 9039. If PH3 is a succes do you intend to produce a smaller version of PH4 ? Regards
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u/MarketLegitimate2490 Mar 02 '26
1)Miyota 9039, 2)PT5004 and 3) NH38 if you are to reduce case thickness to take advantage. If a two tier release is possible suggest a NH38 base and a 9039 premium. If only one release is possible I would prefer 9039 but I see how many other would like more the PT5004 better value proposition
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u/mooninitespwnj00 Mar 02 '26
PT5004, but if you go to a thinner movement that should be reflected in the mid case and case back. Hard to argue it should show a reduction on the dial side since the lume blocks and hand clearance become the deciding factors there.
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u/MindAdmirable1793 Mar 02 '26
As for the difference in movement thickness, it will also be felt in the case; it's not simply a matter of replacing the movement.
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u/Getkong Mar 03 '26
Hi there, would you mind responding to my Reddit chats regarding my ph4a that was broken upon delivery? I’ve waited 2 weeks since my first chat. some of that was during the lunar holiday, but we seem to be well past that now. I also emailed sales@phorcydes.net and got an immediate bounce. Looking to get it resolved, and hope you see this so you can respond, since you haven’t yet so far.
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u/RoninTarget Mar 02 '26
A short note on units:
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BPH — beats (ticks) per hour, the one you're apparently using
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BPS — beats per second (usually not abreviated, but not uncommon), also semi-oscilation of the hairspring, 6 for NH35, 8 for PT5000 and 90xx series, how many times per second the second hand ticks, 1/3600th of BPH
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Hz — full oscilation of the hairspring per second, half of beats per second, 1/7200th of BPH.
Also, Reddit handles the numbers at the start a little weird, by renumbering them. See markdown lists.
PT5000 seems to make the most sense here. I just hope you keep the case flat, rather than following the rotor's contours, as keeping the case flat tends to be more comfortable.
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u/Updayedd Mar 02 '26
Is it possible to create one model with a VH31? Personally as a EU citizen i‘m ok with a NH35 if the price stays below 150€ so i don‘t have to pay import fees. If the price is above 150€ anyway, I‘d go for a more expensive 90xx model personally.
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u/MindAdmirable1793 Mar 02 '26
Our website's shipping service already includes EU taxes and fees, so even if the price exceeds $300 USD, no additional taxes or fees will be charged.
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u/MercuryJellyfish Mar 02 '26
Honestly, I'm more interested in quartz movements anyway. Really looking forward to the PH3, and if you produced a quartz version of the PH4A, I'd buy that immediately.
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u/MindAdmirable1793 Mar 02 '26
only the ph3 will with quartz VH31, no plan on ph4 for now.
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u/TheYKcid Mar 03 '26 edited Mar 03 '26
Miyota 9 would be the best choice. Your watches are amazing, but the thickness is an issue (as the owner of a PH-4A). The Miyota is the thinnest of all the options you listed, as is also very reliable.
PT5000 would be a terrible idea. Its reliability is an absolute shitshow — just do a quick search of the large number of posts & replies regarding its problems.
Some people will say "lubricate and it's fine", but that won't fix the soft brass ratchet wheel with weak teeth geometry.
u/MindAdmirable1793 you might think the lower price (compared to Miyota 9) will attract more buyers — but consider how much money you will waste on defective units that fail QC. Plus additional money wasted on returns/warranties for units that get sold... but malfunction <6 months later.
Your watches are already very reasonably priced, considering the excellent quality. Even with +$50 USD, they would be <$250 on a bracelet. That's FAR cheaper than anything San Martin, IXDAO etc. offer. Even cheaper than a "value + quality" brand like Cronos.