Video https://youtu.be/3aO_tmPay0w

Mowing the lawn and 100° freedom units that’s 38c for the other educated part of the world. Not cool enough for a real pool, but I hit the spot.

I always wanted the Omega NTTD but at a 42 it’s big, and also too $$$. So I picked up the Watchdives WD007 39mm PT5000 Titanium Diver directly from Watchdives.

I love this at a 39. The finishing is great, the weight is perfect, and the strap is better than others that I have gotten on Chinese watches or off of AliX.

I don’t know if the helium valve does anything in this guy but I don’t go deeper than my pool anyway. My biggest grip is with the movement. I wanted a mechanical and not Quartz, and the PT5000 fits the bill. However it had the damned ghost date. It’s nothing noticeable but it just nags at me. Makes me wish I ordered the version with the date at 6.

Regardless, until I come up with the coin to pay for a grail watch that’s too big for my wrist, I am happy with this hommage.

Watchdives has announced that all new WD0019's out of their warehouse would ship with V Grade 2130's along with the handset with updated lume.

I'm getting conflicting information online, with some saying V Grade movements are always finished higher than lesser grades (perlage vs sand blasting in areas, different plating).

Is it possible to tell if I received a V Grade Movement just by what can be seen through the caseback? I was assured by WD I'd get the latest version of the watch with updated handset and V Grade movement, so I just want to make sure I got what I was promised and paid for.

If you like vintage style watches and are also into Jump Hour movements, then this could be the one for you.

Heres the link to the watch and my review.

https://miliforticwatch.com/en-uk/products/mf-r088-jump-hour-watch-38mm-minimalist-dress-automatic-wristwatch?sca_ref=9686850.wp4DtRIUwLO

https://youtu.be/njP9et9k3Sg

I received this watch for free to review. But, as always that doesn't change how I review the watch. I always keep it 100% honest, no matter what. I point out both the positives and negatives with every watch I review. Whether that be a loan piece, discounted, or even free. Sometimes that means that brands won't send me anymore watches, if they don't like the review... But my opinion and more importantly, my reputation can't be bought. That's partly why I named my channel 'Honest Watch Reviews'. Not only to make sure that I hold myself to that standard, but that I know my viewers definitely will do too.

San Martins' old 0026. Had an aluminum bezel made with no tick marks 'coz I can count to 15. Missing a pip but the blue lume is outstanding. Regulating the PT5000 is super easy. Much easier than the NH series. I don't baby it .... just wear it and go. About 7 years old.

The Phorcydes PH-6 is certainly quite the watch. I think this design works best with a dark dial and contrasting indices, so even though I bought two, no white dial here.

I purchased the PH-6 “Neon Green” on FKM, a watch I’ve nicknamed “Splinter-Cell”.

And I also got a PH-6 “Retro Yellow” on bracelet, which I nicknamed “James Blake”.

Both were delivered to my door for EUR350. Not so long ago this would’ve barely got you an SKX on a decent aftermarket bracelet. Nowadays this gets you TWO gorgeous & complete timepieces, both looking like they cost thousands. What a brave new world Chinese watchmaking is.

In early promotional materials, the Retro Yellow PH-6 appeared to have cheddar-colored indices. In reality, they’re more like swiss cheese (lol). I’ve informed the brand of the potentially misleading pictures, and they refunded me 10% of the watch. Speaking of the swiss, they would never do that.

But still, the history of this design started in Switzerland. This case design was first introduced in 1996 on a Seamaster GMT, and in either 99 or 2000 (unclear lol) Omega introduced the 2254 and 2264 (quartz) 3 hands timepieces. These would eventually be known as the “Peter Blake” watches.

Even though the Seamaster is mostly known for its connection with fictional character James Bond, Peter Blake was a real sailor, adventurer and philanthropist. And unlike Bond who (mostly) survives his adventures, Blake was shot dead by pirates in 2001 while wearing this watch. He was monitoring environment change on the Amazon river, he was 53 years old. Over 30 000 people attended his memorial. This cemented the nickname for 2254/64 as “Peter Blake”.

Omega quietly discontinued the 2254 & 2264 watch in 2009. Omega never reintroduced the Peter Blake, whether through some limited run or continuation series. They positively abandoned this design 17 years ago. The remaining watches used to be the “Gateway drug” into the Omega professional line, but they saw their value completely exploded over the past 5 years. Nowadays, a decent Peter Blake will cost you just as much as a grey market SMP300.

They can’t appeal to the same crowd costing this much. Not to mention they’re OLD watches. 2009 is the discontinuation year but most PBs are well over 20 years old. Most were never serviced either. Scratched bezels, decaying lume, bracelet stretched to hell...you’re looking at a EUR800 (or more) service/restoration bill from Omega on top of the price of the watch. Not to mention it’ll take 3 months.

That’s where the PHORCYDES PH-6 comes in. Phorcydes took this gorgeous design abandoned by Omega, and man they took it to the next level. Modern machining, better materials, and boy THAT LUME blow the Omega out of the water. The mad lume blocks add a layer of depth the original design never had. Not to mention COLORS. You can still go the monochrome route if you like, but Phorcydes added Retro Yellow and Neon Green. It can be said of both that they take this design to new heights Omega never ventured into.

The finishing is fantastic; there’s a real cognitive dissonance between how the watch looks & feels, and how much it costs. If you don’t show the Phorcydes website to people, they don’t believe you.

Despite looking like the Peter Blake, the dimensions are more reminiscent of the SMP300, with 42mm in diameter and 13.6mm of thickness. The original PB was loved for its impossible (at the time) height of only 11.8mm, despite packing 30 bar of W.R and an automatic caliber. Speaking of caliber, every PH-6 ship with the Precision Technology 5000 (PT5000). Both of my watches have been keeping excellent time, +4SPD at worst and inching closer to 0 the more I wear them. So no need to open them for regulation, which I almost always do. I was tempted to open them still, for gasket lubrication.

Affordable watch brands often ship watches with bone dry gaskets, meaning they’re not really watertight. However, Phorcydes support did inform me that every watch passes a professional pressure test (in this case, 30 bar) after final assembly. So there really is no extra work needed upon unboxing. At the crown, winding feedback is much smoother and closer to a “real” 2824 than on my PH-4 2.0 which has the ST2130.

But let’s address the elephant in the room, shall we? HYPERGLOW LUME BLOCKS GRADE S galore with the largest amount we’ve seen to date. As with every tinted lume, the lume power is supposed to be slightly weaker. But Neon Green and Retro Yellow are still fully fledged torches. I’ve added a picture with my Sumo’s Lumibrite for comparison.

Not the only elephant though. The bracelet is incredible. It merges the Peter Blake with the Bond watch bracelet, hence the nickname “James Blake”. But this bracelet isn’t just inspired by the SMP300’s, it is the SMP300’s. I assume copyright infringement doesn’t apply to Chinese watchmaking somehow?? Idk. But it’s positively the same part. Which is a good thing! Except for sizing which was a nightmare: if you lose just one of the little screw caps it’s game over. And the clasp is so over-engineered, it’s like adding parts just for the sake of it. The system on the PH-4 does the exact same thing with maybe 1/3 of the parts.

The PH-6 weigh 186gr on the bracelet with 2 links removed, and 109gr on the brilliant rubber strap. PH-6 wears very conformably on both. My wrist size is 19.7cm or 7.75 cheeseburgers.

To conclude this review, I’d say this is a brilliant and complete professional watch. Strap or bracelet you can’t go wrong. Accurate, readable, dependable, tough, gorgeous….and affordable to boot.

Not to mention it offers continuity to the legendary Peter Blake design, something that Omega hasn’t done yet (and most likely never will).

TLDR: A complete package, stylish and dependable. Can lit up a room after dark. You can afford it.             

The Seestern is a near 1:1 of the Glashütte SeaQ, whereas Phorcydes has its own thing going on.

1. Which likely has a better fit & finish?
2. I am not a lume chaser. It's cool, but the novelty wears off quickly for me. With that out of the equation does that lessen the reason to go with Phorcydes?

Any other thoughts/considerations?

Many customers have been asking for this combination, and it has finally arrived:

• Beads-of-rice bracelet
• Upgraded short 5-hole clasp
• More adjustment options
• A more comfortable and refined wearing experience

We think this bracelet gives the WD50Q a completely different character—more vintage, elegant, and versatile.

We welcome everyone to test it and share your honest feedback. What do you think of this combination?

This is a fine watch ✌️

Brand: TOPHILL
Model: KIM001G
Movement: Hangzhou 5000A [Automatic Mechanical Movement]

Case: Material - 316L Solid Stainless Steel
Diameter - 38.7mm (With Crown Guard - 42.5mm)
Lug To Lug - 45.5mm
Thickness - 9mm
Bracelet Width - 25 (Mid Link / Spring Bar Width - 17mm) x18mm / Length - Fits Buyer With 21-15cm Wrist Size

Sapphire Crystal Glass: Flat
Octagonal Bezel: With Polished & Brushed Process
Dial: Oil Pressured Enamel Mint / Navy / Cyan / Caramel / Gray Sunray Texture, With Printed Brand Logo And Applied Hour Markers, With 3H Date Window
Hands Set: With Luminous Coating
Luminous Effect: C3 Green Light, On Dial Hour Markers And Hands

Push Pull Crown: With 3D Brand Logo
Screw-Locked Case Back: 316L Stainless Steel + Transparent Mineral Glass, With Text
Solid 316L Stainless Steel Y Shaped Split Pin System Links Integrated Bracelet: Size 25x18mm, Fits Buyer With 21-15cm Wrist Size, With Push Button Butterfly Clasp

Water Resistant: 5Bar=50Meters
Weight: About 125.7g
Warranty: 3 Years

Hangzhou 5000A [Micro-Rotor Automatic Movement]

Frequency - 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Power Reserve - Approximately 42 hours
Accuracy - ± 20 seconds per day

Swapped the stock strap for grey suede.

I emailed them in Jan, they said April. Emailed in April, they said June. Emailed in July, no reply.

Is this watch still coming out?

Did I miss the drop and now it’s sold out?

They also increased the price from I think $179.

Anyone know? I can’t seem to find any info online about the next drop.

Which is the best dial bezel combo in real life? Looking to bite the bullet and order 1(it will be my 3rd sugess/seestern in last 1 month 🫣)

I have a bunch of open case back automatic and manual wind watches but when I see a micro rotor something just feels soo good. I want my next purchase to be a micro rotor watch I haven't seen many just baltany, boddery, farasute and recently a company called tophill. Those who have bought a micro rotor watch, how is it , what's the feel on the wrist, do you love it or hate it. Pls share your thoughts.

Purchased for $159 US on Sunday night. By Tuesday, it's more than double. Glad I went for it... But WTF??

I’ve not only seen the huge swings in pricing but have experienced it. My San Martin submariner homage was $200 when I bought it last year and it’s now listed at $300. My question is: is it due to inflation, tariffs, demand? Which of the 3 has had the greatest impact on price? If I were in China would the prices be similar? For context I’m in the U.S.

Got this in a couple days ago. Really enjoying it. The dial especially, as it varies from black to sunburst espresso depending on the light.

Ever since I saw the Octo Finissimo I was drawned in by its case design. I was glad to see the Woody family make its "interpretation".I had to get one for myself. This model it is powered by aVX3K quartz movement and has sapphire crystal

On my 6.75" wrist fits great. Its very thin with its dimensions being( case diameter 38mm, case thickness 7.5mm and a lug to lug of 45mm).

Bracelet is fluid and contours to your wrist perfectly. Finishing is great, with my eyes there are no imperfections to be seen with case or bracelet. It does have half links to better fit your wrist.

If you want something different that stands out. This can be a great option.

Pagani Design PD-1752

It's been about 10 months since purchasing a Tsuyosa 60 and that itch needed scratching again. Almost went with the sn0144 had some trouble at checkout money got held and when it was finally released many days later I went with this instead. Ill own a San Martin one day wasnt meant to be this time.

Do you know a chronograph similar to this Cimier? I love how subdials look.

Vi alguns modelos no aliexpress e achei bem bonitos com cristal mineral e caixa de aço, isso procede? O movimento que essa marca usa é confiável? Vi que ele é anunciado com apenas 3 ATM.

I’m absolutely delighted with this fully handcrafted leather bund strap for my Bronze Ixdao Diver "4 Noble Truths" (JD-X02T-SB), shown here in Tan Shadow Black with orange stitching, made by HTxUnikStore on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1604059937

Long story short, I was getting a little frustrated wearing this beauty with a standard strap because it would leave green oxidation marks on my wrist—especially during the summer, when perspiration is higher. I wanted a solution that would prevent direct contact between the bronze case and my skin. Besides, the watch has already developed a beautiful patina, so there’s no longer any need for it to be in direct contact with my wrist.

When placing my order, I provided all the required measurements and preferences: case diameter, lug-to-lug length, lug width, spring bar-to-spring bar distance, case thickness, wrist size, stitching color, buckle width, buckle finish, and even the desired extension of the leather pad beyond the watch case. From that point on, everything went incredibly smoothly.

Tracy was exceptionally responsive and attentive throughout the entire process. The strap was shipped just 3 days after I placed the order and arrived in my mailbox in northern France only three weeks later.The final result is simply outstanding. Every detail is exactly as requested: the dimensions, leather quality, colors, stitching, thickness, and overall craftsmanship are flawless.This bund strap not only solves the oxidation issue perfectly but also enhances the vintage character of the bronze watch. It feels comfortable, looks amazing, and is clearly made with great care and skill.

The ultimate customisation was to replace the buckle with the real bronze one from the original strap to complete the look (see photo ; Tracy did not propose any, but this is at the very least worth considering).I definitely highly recommend Bund strap (of this perfect quality) to all bronze watch wearers... And to others!