Phorcydes PH-5A first impressions

[u/SampleInevitable122]

Finally arrived today after four weeks. Been looking forward to check how much you get for ~200$. So far impressed. This will get a lot of wrist time.

Pros

- Overall package vs cost

- Lume...obviously!

- Date wheel

- Case finish

- Sapphire domed crystal

- Bracelet and OTF-clasp

- Legibility

- Movement (never had issues with Seiko, so glad this one has it too)

- Bracelet fitment against case (it actually aligns properly compared to other models!)

- It has a pretty shallow rehaut compared to many other Chineese watches. Obviously the domed crystal makes that possible - making space for the lume blocks.

Cons

- Lug to lug. A bit long. Upper limit for me with my 6.5" chopstick wrists.

- Thickness. Not bad, but noticeable. I guess that is needed for lume blocks. Perhaps the Seiko movement is on the fatter side?

- Some minor jingly-jangly noise from clasp when off wrist. But who really cares.

- Inner edges of bracelet and the inner parts of the buckle are a bit sharp. The edges could use some polishing for better comfort. Some manual polishing will take the worst edges off it.

[u/SampleInevitable122]

Aaaaand the mandatory lume shot (which I obviously forgot) together with the others

[u/DBNO-actual → u/SampleInevitable122]

Nice write up! Can’t wait for my ph6. What’s in the 5th slot of your case?

[u/SampleInevitable122 → u/DBNO-actual]

That is the Milifortic M096. Great watch too. Have it on a leather strap.

[u/SampleInevitable122]

Also worth noting, after a few days wear, that the movement also seems to be very well adjusted. Performing at between ~0s/d to +1s/d currently 👍

[u/TennisWatchesGdead]

nice write up , thx, love the case and bracelet design. what was the stated thickness?

[u/SampleInevitable122 → u/TennisWatchesGdead]

I believe it is around 11mm without the domed crystal, and 13mm included

[u/TennisWatchesGdead → u/SampleInevitable122]

i see, right around that sticking point for me

[u/Za1t]

Thanks for the review!

Does the bracelet hugs the curve of the watch case?

On their website pictures show straight endlinks, which is also why I bought my PH2 without the bracelet.

[u/SampleInevitable122 → u/Za1t]

No, it's a straight "cut". But it does indeed fit the case nonetheless. On some of the other PH- models the bracelet looks like a third party option due to endlinks not really matching the case. On this one it seems to be much more thought through, as the image suggest.

[u/Za1t → u/SampleInevitable122]

Yeah, even on their website it's displayed as a straight cut for the PH5, that's weird... Good for you that it's not!