Phorcydes PH-4C (V2) Blue Lume - First impressions.
Ordered on 13 Apr, after watching Jody’s Just One More Watch review on YouTube. Had a delay in shipping as they made some improvements (V2). From what I can tell it now has drilled lugs and a SEAGULL ST2130 movement.
Arrived 19 May well packaged in the travel case shown and they included a 1.5mm watchmaker screwdriver to adjust the bracelet (Nice touch).
Quick release bracelet with screw pins, double push clasp with insignia and OTF one touch 5 point adjustment is very well finished/functional at this price point.
Crystal, bezel, bezel action, case, crown guard, crown, dial, indices and hands all high quality and function very well. Everything aligns and is well applied and has a high quality finish. AR coating seems sufficient.
Movement feels smooth, is quiet and was easy to adjust with the grippy crown, which is signed with the Phorcydes logo.
LUME… WOW! Very well applied blocks on numerals, indices, hands and what is on the bezel. The blue looks almost white in daylight. But in the dark it’s like nothing I’ve seen! Amazingly legible in all light conditions.
I paid £170 for this, initial comparisons with watches I own for an overall rating.
On par with or exceeds:
•SEIKO (£520 RRP) Prospex 4R All-Black SRPL15K1.
•SEIKO (£660) Prospex ‘Pogue’ Solar Chronograph 1969 SSC947P1.
•Henry Archer (£580) Nordso Iris. Probably the closest match overall, bearing in mind these sell for around 3.4 x the price!
About even:
SEIKO (£1300 RRP)
Prospex 1965 Heritage Diver’s 60th Anniversary Limited Edition SPB511J1. Crazy, as these sell for around 7.6 x the price!
Close but not quiet:
Christopher Ward (£1255 RRP)
C60 Trident GMT 300 (Consort). Has lots of similarity’s to the light catcher case.
Amazing value for money!
I will be wearing this watch for the next 10 days which will include a week away in Spain (Pool, beach, activities etc) so will see how it fairs. Will probably switch out to a rubber & leather strap at some point also.
Will come back with my thoughts upon my return.
If you are thinking of ordering one, do it before the prices inevitably jump up!