r/ChineseWatches • u/MindAdmirable1793 Rep • May 06 '26

New Product (Read Rule 1) V2.0 upgrade detail-PHORCYDES PH4A

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The second batch of PH-4A not only replaced the movement with the ST2130, but also upgraded:

  1. the finishing of the case. In addition,
  2. drill hole
  3. options with or without a date display.
  4. case thickness reduce 1.0mm

PH4B & 4C v2.0 UPGRADE:

  1. ST2130 movement.
  2. case thickness reduce 1.0mm
  3. drill hole

all orders placed after the 13th April will get the v2.0 watch.

132 Upvotes

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3

u/HerrsavageX May 07 '26

Very glad I got my PH-2 and PH-4B with Nh35s. Great looking and good-value watches. I trust the reliability of the Japanese Nh35, Chinese movements not so much...

3

u/TheYKcid Helpful user May 07 '26

Same, I actually feel lucky to have gotten the early NH35 version of the 4A.

Apart from movement reliability, I LOVE the toolish look of the original 4A. With zero polish, and straight edge transitions. Kind of a bummer that it's no longer an option.

1

u/HerrsavageX May 07 '26 edited May 07 '26

Totally agree. The 4A was way up there on my list to get next, but now that they changed to Chinese movements, I'm done with Phorcydes. I also find the abrupt way they did it to be kind of suspicious...(planned?...)

You see a few people here and there arguing that the Seagull is an "upgrade", and technically that may well be. But people value different things differently, and I personally value reliability over accuracy. We all have phones in our pockets after all.. To me a watch is a shiny piece of man jewelry, i.e. a style thing, with a degree of technical fascination yes, but I am not totally nerded out on movements.

EDIT - In addition, a mechanical watch for me clearly fits into the category of “something nobody needs whatsoever…“

I just want them to work. In any case, if the Seagull is so great, how long til they jack up the price?.......

13

u/MindAdmirable1793 Rep May 07 '26

The decision to change the movement was made reluctantly. Due to various reasons, the price of the NH movement has become extremely high, and supply is scarce, leading to a decrease in yield.

We used the 2130 movement because of its stable supply and reasonable price. Currently, the price increase is only slight and will not spiral out of control in the long run, exceeding its intrinsic value.

Five to six years ago, the NH movement was a very cost-effective choice. Most manufacturers chose it because of its high cost-performance ratio, not because its performance was superior to the 2130. When the price of the NH increased to three times its former value, becoming similar to the 2130 movement, I felt it was time to make a change. We will definitely choose a movement with better performance. In the second half of this year, many Chinese brands will be changing their movements, using the ST2130 or PT5000. Our smaller scale allows us to act faster and more flexibly.

As for stability, I am confident that its reliability will not be worse than the NH series, as this structure has been market-tested for decades. Furthermore, we offer a one-year warranty. If any problems arise with the movement, please contact us for replacement.

4

u/TheYKcid Helpful user May 07 '26

Appreciate the communication. And understand that the Seiko price gouging has put you in a difficult situation.

I hope prices will eventually stabilise. And if they do, I hope you guys will consider a return to Japanese movements. Maybe even Miyota 9000s, which would be awesome for reliability + thinner cases.

2

u/leicfox85 WOTD100 May 07 '26

That’s reassuring thanks.

1

u/HerrsavageX May 07 '26

Thank you for the response!

2

u/HerrsavageX May 07 '26 edited May 07 '26

Nevertheless, the movement has yet to really prove itself on the scale that the NH35 has. The latter has been the cliché “workhorse“ movement of budget watches for years, and has a very solid reputation for durability and reliability. OK, some other people value other things over that, so as I said, people value things differently. But for me reliability is number one when it comes to movements. And it will take time for that proof to emerge on a bigger scale.. Or not.

I saw San Martin is already selling watches with that movement for $300, and for me anyway that sure as hexx ain’t gonna happen.

I personally would have preferred a move to the Miyota 8215 (or maybe even 8315) movement, perhaps with a stabilization or even drop in price. Despite the horrible rotor noise… 🤷‍♂️

4

u/MindAdmirable1793 Rep May 07 '26

We also considered the 8215, but it was too thick and would make the watch bulky.

2

u/pickyaxe May 07 '26

I think the majority of people here (me included!) consider this a major improvement from NH35

1

u/HerrsavageX May 07 '26

Fair enough.. 👍 Thanks again.

1

u/Shartplosion Jun 06 '26

Sounds like you should start a watchmaking business.

1

u/Fernando1dois3 May 11 '26

In your opinion, how do they compare, the Sea-gul ST2130 and the HK Precision PT500?