r/LumeMonsters

Purchased a San Martin SN0012-GB in preparation for the arrival of my Monta Noble 40.

I know, that's weird, right?

It's actually not. I'm trying to reconcile in an objective manner our mostly subjective take on "finishing." What do I mean? Well, when was the last time someone wrote/said that a watch had "awesome finish," and then you ask them for some details, and they came back with "it plays so well in the light!"

Is that objective? Does that actually tell you *anything* at all about how the watch is finished?

No, and absolutely no, right? That's what I mean - I want to kill that 7-word platitude. I want to get beyond.

San Martin's evolving their watches as fast as their profits will allow. It's like asking Old Man Ferrari which of his cars he likes best: "....the next one." There's no rhyme or reason to the references for us hobbyists and collectors. It's just catalog numbers for their contracts. They don't care at all. The SN0012-GB is the newest revision to their product line ( https://www.reddit.com/r/ChineseWatches/comments/1thamml/san_martin_upgraded_toolwatch_with_1200hv/ ), overhauling a watch that's approximately 7-8 years old in their catalog, by their own words: https://www.reddit.com/r/ChineseWatches/comments/1trvwrr/san_martin_sn0012gb_production_process_overview/ (I'm a native speaker of Mandarin Chinese), with heavy focus on the bracelet, for which they tout some of the tightest production tolerances they've had, to-date.

I wanted to get it for my Monta comparison because my own SN0144 Jian Zhan is now some 2 years old. In a sector of the business where products are evolving by the day, I wanted to make sure the Monta got a fair fight on its card, and the SN0012-GB at least fulfills the brushing and bracelet tolerances part of that equation.

But of-course what also interests me is the lume, I want to see how its lume blocks look under my scope ( https://www.reddit.com/r/MicrobrandWatches/comments/1rnh0x8/lume_blocks_what_genuine_rctritec_superluminova/ - more, soon), and I wanted to see how it stacks up in performance against today's best, too ( https://www.reddit.com/r/ChineseWatches/comments/1sph6bb/phorcydes_ph5_lume_comparison_wph4_ph2_and/ ).

So, here we are....

I told myself I was done buying divers for a while, and then this showed up.

First impressions:
The proportions are spot on.
The BOR bracelet is ridiculously comfortable.
The lume is absolutely insane.
I knew that it had a reputation for lume, but I wasn’t expecting this…

Anyone else here own one? How’s it holding up long-term?

Oris Divers Date
(39mm)

Just thought I would drop in and say 👋

Big fan of anything glowy, especially if it goes on my wrist!!! From Lume to Tritium and everything else.

Glad I found a place with like minded folks!!!

When I received my PH-4B last month, it was the v2 with the polished ST2130, but an early version with the older bracelet without an etched clasp or crown. After the negative feedback my original post received for Phorcydes' omissions, I was contacted by Phorcydes regarding a resolution. I ended up getting an entirely new bracelet and keeping my original one too. I compared them and found some interesting disparities between them--and my PH-2 bracelet as well. I also received and installed the signed crown they sent me. I photo-documented the process and will be posting a followup to this photo review if anyone is interested.

I took down my original PH-4B post for a couple of reasons, one being that I planned to upgrade my watch, and I wanted to re-show it in its best light. I took a lot more time this time to provide us with some what I hope is pleasing eye candy.

Though the monster lume is the initial draw to this watch, there are so many other great details, it is hardly its only standout feature. For instance, the dense array of markers on dial and bezel all align perfectly. This is not always the case with complicated dial/bezel combos. Speaking of the bezel, the action is pleasing and precise with zero play. The case is compact and feels like it was made for my right wrist. Icould comfortably wear it for business as much as recreation. Truly my GADA.

The new bracelet is heavier and more refined than past versions, so they were not exaggerating about its increased quality. I haven't highlighted it here, because I am preparing an in-depth look at the three I own. They are all differently finished, likely from three sources. You can be the judge.

Although the Phorcydes brand is synonymous with lume block technology, I want to stress this watch is not a "one trick pony." It is competent in every way. This is why half of these photos do not show lume.

Before I let the photos tell the rest of the story, I wanted you to know I included many good lume shots this time around. They are not in the dark, because I find it to be cumbersome to shoot in the dark and my phone constantly increases the luminosity of every in-the-dark lume shot anyway. I used my UV torch to light the PH-4B up prior to each shot, so the lume shots are to be considered "lume porn," and not representative of the typical wearing experience (unless you carry a UV torch with you like I have been known to do ☀️).

As always, please, let me know what you think.

What is good to wear.

One of my favorite nightshift watches.

Legible all night every night.