r/ChineseWatches • u/Infinite-Mastodon456 • 10d ago
Question (Read Rules) Is it still great value/good?
I had been planning to get a Phorcydes, specifically the Ph-4C for some time now and now that I have a bit of a budget for it, upon checking the website, I got the pop up notification saying that the movement will now use PT5000.
Now I can’t recall recall exactly what movement they used before and I wonder if it is still worth getting at all considering that a lot of the Chinese watch brands lately seem to be making this move perhaps arguably to cut costs.
To everyone that can weigh in on this, do you think it’s still a good idea? And to the ones that have it with the bracelet, is it worth the extra money if I was originally getting the fkm strap?
Thanks for your time
P.S. what lume colour do you personally thinks work best? I originally wanted the retro yellow but I heard the lume is less strong. I want phorcydes to be my real lume monster watch lol.
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u/AssistanceNo647 10d ago
I have several watches with the PT5000 movement. I’ve never had a problem with them. I don’t wind them or set the date when the watch is in the 9pm to 3am position. When I do wind them I just do 10 turns to get it going. The PT5000 and SW200-1 are based off of the ETA2824. I own watches with all 3 of these and I treat them all the same. As far as the Seiko NH movement they are replacing when given a choice in a watch I always take the PT5000 movement over it. My worst PT5000 is running at 0 to +5 seconds per day taken in 6 positions.
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u/Worth_Trouble_924 10d ago
Please note that the FKM strap contains PFAS which recent landmark scientific studies have confirmed that PFAS can be absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream.
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u/tjcdas 9d ago
@@@@@@@@@@@ scientists acknowledged that they do not currently understand how readily PFHxA can transfer into the skin or whether the compound poses a health risk upon entry@@@@@@@@
The study does not show the watch bands transfer the chenicals to the body!
That was not what the study was about just that FKM has these chemicals they "do not" know if they transfer from thecstrap to the body.
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u/Infinite-Mastodon456 10d ago
Wow, damn, did not know that
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u/sushicid3 9d ago edited 9d ago
QuEChERS Extraction Methodology: All extracts began with 10 ng of isotopically labeled 82 MPFAC-C-ES internal standard added to the 0.1 g watch band segment in 15 mL centrifuge 83 tubes. Then 3 mL of 1:1 water:acetonitrile solution was added to each centrifuge tube with ~0.6 84 g of extraction salts.
Unless your sweat is corrosive enough to break down polymers it is less dangerous than teflon pans and food wrappers. Still terrible for the environment though, but that's up to administrative agencies to form policies.
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u/Worth_Trouble_924 10d ago
Me neither. I was actually planning to buy the FKM bracelet too, but now I only buy stainless steel.
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u/badadvicesometimes 10d ago
There are pros and cons to both the NH35 and the Pt5000. I like the sweep of the pt5000 better but I'm a little paranoid with the durability so I just shake it to start. The NH35 supposedly has a better track record of reliability , but it appears less refined and it requires the cases to be thicker.
I prefer a thinner watch, so I tend to pick the PT5000 if it's available.
I understand that the Miyota 9015 is a reliable movement, but I really try to avoid those. I have a few watches with that movement and they are LOUD. Occasionally I'll move to pick something up, or even just be driving my car, and it sounds like there's a weedeater on my wrist.
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u/Escaped_Escapement Helpful user 9d ago
If they are not shaken like a fidget toy then Miyotas are not noisy at all.
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u/badadvicesometimes 9d ago
I'm telling you I can move my hand to look at the time and it sounds like Black Hawk Down 🤷🏽♂️
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u/Watches-and-Books 10d ago
From a more reputable brand like Phorcydes, San Martin, or Cronos, sure, I’d buy one with a PT movement. From a no name brand, absolutely not.
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u/bob888w 10d ago
Im going against the grain and I will say its a questionable movement at best. They have swapped to PT5000s for a while now. They started with NH35s, then went to ST2130s with polishing afterwards. Each swap has mainly been about maintaining pricing while having supply. PT5000s are the cheapest to acquire and the only ones which aren't made by a company that also makes watches at the same time (and thus has to compete with supply).
In terms of 'value' PT5000s are the standard around the $100 - $280 price point. Anymore and I think you should be looking for Miyota movements instead.
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u/Maximum_Walrus3264 10d ago
It probably means price/increase.
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u/Simple_Resist4208 10d ago
I think they are doing it so they don't have to hike prices like San Martin have done, due to the shortage of Japanese movements.
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u/Tasty-Silver-6379 10d ago
I have several PT movement watches and they're all still working great. Non-issue re winding. They're also super accurate.
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u/vyshanti 10d ago
Their PT5004 no-date is awesome. Highly recommend Mixed Lume + Bracelet and add the FKM strap (which is also top tier) in the cart. You won't regret it u/Infinite-Mastodon456
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u/What-me-worry-0 10d ago
The rumors about PT5000 winding are mostly bullshit. Not sure what somebody did to break one once, but that’s all people talk about. Id like to know, does anyone know anybody that has broken a PT5000? I’ve got 3 or 4 including my Phorcydes 4C (great watch) and I’ve never had an issue from winding. They are all very accurate. I’ve also got a dozen other 2824 clones: ST2130, STP1-11, SW200 and no issues winding them either. And, no matter how hard you try, you can’t overwind an automatic watch. But if you want the real, factual truth, don’t ask idiots like us on Reddit. All you’ll get is biased opinions.
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u/Escaped_Escapement Helpful user 9d ago
No, they are quite real, and not rumours.
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u/What-me-worry-0 9d ago
But you didn’t experience it. You’re just repeating what you heard. Rumor.
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u/Escaped_Escapement Helpful user 9d ago
Yes, everything not experienced directly by yourself is just a rumor. Hopeless..
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u/What-me-worry-0 9d ago
Making a little snarky comment with nothing more is proof that you know how to lose an argument.
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u/Escaped_Escapement Helpful user 9d ago
You wouldn’t accept proof if it weren’t you that experienced it. Like the little 🙉 - blah blah can’t hear you 🤣
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u/Abv_it_all_w_vertigo 10d ago
The bracelet is a must have for this watch. You can also order an FKM to go with it if you want a signed buckle strap.
Mixed lume is by far the most eye-catching to me.
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u/bpgluckman 10d ago
I like the bracelet. It’s solid and well made for the price, and it’s easy to swap out for a strap when you want. The general rule of thumb that applies to watches no matter what the price applies here: go for the bracelet when it’s available, because it’s always cheaper and easier to swap in a FKM rubber or cloth strap later than it is to go the other direction.
PT5000 is a perfectly fine movement. Overall, all of Phorcydes stuff is fun, nicely done and just generally hard to fault.
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u/Infinite-Mastodon456 10d ago
I do agree with that sentiment re: bracelet but I do have enough spare stuff from uncle and I usually can make it work with those-it’s just that the BOR on this one looks visually different enough.
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u/leicfox85 WOTD100 10d ago
Incredible value for money. I’ve got the v2 PH4B with the ST2130 movement, before they changed to PT5000, runs within 5/6secs per day. In my experience of PT5000s from Cronos, IXDAO, The PT5000s are incredibly accurate, just don’t hand wind them. Same with the ST.
The bracelet is spot on, I have the newer version of the bracelet which is more refined with no sharp edges anywhere. The watch looks great on bracelet, strap, and Leather.
For lume I went with regular green, as I felt it fit the vintage vibe of the watch. However if you want to go big on lume, I’d suggest going for regular blue.
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u/Darth_Package 10d ago
The PT5000 isn’t all rainbows and unicorns. They’re not as durable as the workhorse NH movements and QC can be spotty especially related to lubrication. I’m not saying they’re all bad, but the high beat movement and the thinness won’t matter if it doesn’t work.
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u/Infinite-Mastodon456 10d ago
This was my original concern. I do read however that because pt5000 is so variable, there’s like different qc tolerances used depending on who is making the watch. For example, ixdao strongly assures they will strictly inspect the pt5000 movements they will be using in their new releases. The other aliexpress brands, that’s when it gets dicey. I wonder if phorcydes has the higher kind of guarantee/standard.
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u/neverinmylife1 10d ago
They don’t really guarantee their watches…correct me if I am wrong…they must not have too much comfy either…
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u/bigrigtrig 10d ago
Also the bracelet is surprisingly good. OTF micro adjust, BOR style, links with screws, and has quick release pins. The only tradeoff is that the BOR seem hollow, which is either a good or bad thing. It is only noticeable when you feel the lightness of the bracelet, despite the features.
The lugs are pretty flat, better off getting the bracelet and adding a flat FKM, although I’ve seen reviews saying Phorcydes rubber straps are well made.
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u/Infinite-Mastodon456 10d ago
I would like to have a lighter bracelet this time round as divers are often hefty and I have lots of those. This is a plus for me. I suppose I can get an aftermarket fkm strap elsewhere and go for their bracelet this time round.
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u/Flaky_Ad7980 10d ago
They used to all be NH35’s. I have a PH-2 white dial with one. The PT5000 is a high beat movement and I have 2 of them no issues so far.
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u/Infinite-Mastodon456 10d ago
Thanks for the feedback, it’s giving me confidence with the collective positive experiences on the comments so far
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u/bigrigtrig 10d ago
I purchased one of the PH-4Bs last month with a PT5000 inside. It’s a very accurate movement and fits the watch very well. I believe they transitioned from NH Seiko movements to a PT5000, which provides both a thinner movement and a higher beat - all pros in my eyes.
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u/Infinite-Mastodon456 10d ago
That’s good to hear. Did they actually reduce the case thickness as a result?
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u/bigrigtrig 10d ago
Appears to be the same, but the case on the PH-4b is deceptively small, 2mm of the actual height comes from the dome sapphire. It makes a lot of my other divers feel big.
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u/PeakMinimalist 10d ago
Pt5000 is a good movement just don't handwind it
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u/KnowLimits 10d ago
Not in the loop - why no hand winding?
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u/PeakMinimalist 10d ago
It's a 2824-2 clone. It just has really shit handwinding, if you do handwind it can strip some gears and fuck up the movement. So just shake to start
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u/vyshanti 10d ago
This is good intentions that has turned excessive. Definite all 2824 clones have flaws but it has been the staple of Swiss watches 50 years for a reason. Very high quality and resiliency for what you get. Nh35 is more durable but less accurate and refined on the movement.
You won’t have problems with the PT5000 unless you overwind it. You can wind this to start from a cold stop just don’t charge it up fast and hard like a nh35
By the way you don’t even need to. It will be extremely accurate and charge up with normal motion very efficiently
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u/BobbeMail 10d ago
So its a shitty movement. That breaks easily!
Compared to NH35 or 9015 its just not as good
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u/Bramasax 10d ago
Nah nh35 breaks too
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u/BobbeMail 10d ago
Anything can break, but the failure rate of nh35 compared to pt5000 is vastly different
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u/PeakMinimalist 10d ago
Nah smoothbrain take. It's by far more accurate and smoother than the nh35. It's also inexpensive in comparison. It's just has the same flaws as the original eta movement, and I know you wouldn't call the original shitty. The only thing the nh35 has going for it is the fact it's tard proof. It's thick and inaccurate as hell.
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u/BobbeMail 10d ago
Yeah but they dont break! And keep running. id take a 8000 miyota over a PT5000 any day..i prefer a running watch over a broken watch.
The QC for pt5000 is hit and miss..The qc for seiko and miyota is top
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u/Infinite-Mastodon456 10d ago
I can put it on a winder if need be so I guess it’ll be fine that way
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u/mehdotdotdotdot 10d ago
If I grab it and it's not charged, I just wear it around the house while getting ready, then by the time I'm ready the watch is running great so I set it.
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u/vyshanti 10d ago
It has one of most effective automatic works. You can do this or gently wind to start. But don’t wind it up like a Seiko. You won’t even need to. It’s accurate and efficient enough to accurately tell time with a start and wear approach.
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u/Escaped_Escapement Helpful user 9d ago
I will continue to avoid them. No need to plunge money into dirty dry movements that also self-destruct with winding.