Watch Boxing! Ten Rounds! Phoibos Wave Master v. Seiko SKX 

I bought a Phoibos Wave Master and I can say the band is pretty difficult to size. Some pins came out very easy, others were nearly impossible to remove. I've gone through a few 0.8mm screwdrivers trying to get some of the pins out. That being said, I reached out to Phoibos and asked them if they had any advice since I was struggling with it. They responded within 5 minutes and offered to size a new bracelet at their shop and send me it. You can't beat that kind of customer service!

Brand cache = who cares? I like beautiful, well crafted items. Brand names are meaningless. If someone asks you what kind of watch the Phoibos is just show them the octopus, lean over and whisper "Hail Hydra" into their ear.

Personally, I rather have a watch that I prefer stylistically and better build quality than name recognition. Seiko sure is famous but I am more inclined to push for a small lesser known brand that makes quality products.

Your video cofirms that Phoibos is gaining better name and quality in every new model. I own two Phoibos and enjoy them as dayly users and beaters. Excellent price value options.

The only thing I would ad would be the availability of aftermarket parts and upgrades for the Seiko. That has to be worth a couple of points.

I really like the Phoibos' dial

Great comparison! Fair and to the point.

Great & fair review mate, and calling it a head vs heart decision is very astute observation. I personally have never understood the loyalty & reverence the Seiko SKX holds among many in the community, as I can't get past a mvt that's also in the $50 SNK, no sapphire, etc. But then again, many don't get my love of Vostoks!..lol...

I always thumb up the video before the ad finished playing and I've yet to be wrong. Another great video man!

Phiobus is killing it. I do agree with you on the hands. I don''t wear Seikos. I prefer my Mako 2 Pepsi over this Seiko. Got to get this wave. My Quartz Phiobus is a favorite.

After watching your other Phoibos vid and then finding this head to head, both my head and my heart is set on the Phoibos Wavemaster. It's such a beautiful watch to look at. Everything screams Tudor, but without the price tag. And as for someone seeming rather perplexed by the brand name? there is also a good chance they'll be asking as to where they can buy one. I'm not perplexed, I'm head over heels in love!

Nice match up. Agreed after market parts bring the Seiko up to par and past. Maybe in time Phoibus climbs up the brand name market. Thanx for the review.

Keep up the good work mate. Love my skx

The 2021 Wavemaster has undergone a few changes: New folding clasp, the case is no longer polished and now satined. The lume has been significantly improved. I like my Wavemaster and have swapped the watch strap for a sporty Hirsch Performance watch strap model Robby 22 mm made of rubber. The orange accents of the strap go great with the watch.

They both have their own identities and different enough for the collection. Great video, thanks. Make it so 😋

Phoibos Wave Master vs. Orient Mako USA II would be an interesting matchup.

That Phoibos is gorgeous! Gotta admit though, every time I look at the SKX009 on my wrist, I can't help but smile. She's just so darn special!

I like that some of the watch RU-vidrs are starting to use the same chart/ table set up for watch reviews/ comparisons. Makes everything much easier to under stand and view!

Great review, mate! I like the objectivity with which you treated both the Phoibos and the SKX. I own a couple of Seikos with the 7s26 movement. While they are most definitely outdated because they do not hand wind or hack, they are also a workhorse movement that last forever, and their accuracy is, as they say, "good enough for government work." Even without the convenience of hand winding, that will never be a deal breaker for me. Cheers, and keep up the most excellent work!

I have bought both : A phoibos with no date and I wear it on a nato. Watch is quite heavy but very original. A nice casual watch. I own an skx and I have put a sapphire and have upgraded the movement for a 4r15 ;-) I have changed the dial so it looks a little dressier. Possibilities for modding are huge with an skx

Have two divers, Orient Ray Black dial with a sapphire Blue AR crystal and a Phoibos 300m PY006B no date in Blue. Both are nicer than the Seiko.

I am wearing the Phoibos and hands down it is better than the Seiko. The sapphire crystal and solid folding clasp links give it a big edge over the Seiko.

I'm glad I gave this a rewatch, I was thinking of buying and modding an SIX. I realized that what I'd end up with is a Phoibus. Yeah, it has no resale value really, but honestly I find it way more interesting than the sensible hum drum Seiko. If you don't dive you can save a lot of money and get a Seiko 5 with the same movement. No hand winding and no sapphire is a deal breaker for me at this price point.

Sale value, Customisation. I'd buy another skx, if mine (boosted with miltat bracelet, Sapphire crystal, bezel & lumed insert) fails at some point.

Every time you show the Phoibos the closer i get to buying it!

This was a really great video! Very fair and objective comparison. I think the head vs heart intro aptly summed it up right at the start!

I own 4 Seikos. Love, love them. But I’m taking delivery of the Phoibos wavemaster today. Hoping to be happy having it in my collection

I have an SKX007 and an Orient Ray Raven II. Overall, the Orient is a better watch. Better bracelet, better bezel, hand winding/hacking and keeps better time. But for the money, you really can't go wrong with an SKX. I bought my SKX specifically to mod it and I will love it even more once that's done. I do have my eye on Phoibos, though! Thanks for the comparison! Cheers!

Your videos also have a certain je ne sais quoi. Well done on this one too sir. A very fair and honest opinion is always refreshing. Thought maybe the 7s26 is worth a 6 or 6.5 due to it's robustness. Overall and brand aside I'd be perfectly happy with either watch.

So happy to see this vid posted!

Geek points awarded for stylishly nerdy Star Trek t-shirt. Oh, by the by, very informative video. I never understood brand loyalty simply for the sake of brand reputation. So when/if I decide to upgrade from my Invicta Pro Diver 8928, I'd definitely go for the Phoibos.

Great video, as always! But it seems that your "brand" rating should have better reflected the fact that Phoibos uses an upgraded seiko movement when compared to the SKX.

Tempted by this Phoibos as an upgrade to the Mako 1 and Ray 2 I have been using as beaters. Even with a domed sapphire crystal upgrade the aluminum bezel gradually gathers scratches, at least on my wrist. The ceramic bezel/sapphire crystal combo seems like it would look good longer than most anything offered at this price point. Good scratch resistance per dollar without going quartz. Bracelet scares me a little though.

SKX wins for me and im gonna get one, since it has lots of versatility with all the replacement bracelets and mods and its respected brand.

Outstanding video! Thank you for the comparison. I have had a seiko skx for 20 years and it has never let me down. There's something about the skx that to me is just more appealing than the Phoibos. It's kind of like wearing your favorite old comfortable sweatshirt, the skx is that old buddy that always works but is a bit quirky.

Helloooooo Jody. This is a great idea! you've inspired me to make a similar video. Once I post it I'll comment back here. Cheers

Far too generous Jodie with the final two categories. Everybody, excluding the fanboys, knows the SKX should be pensioned off. If Invicta can put an NH35 at half the retail price surely Seiko could do do the same. What's that I hear, Seiko's accountant passing out because of all the profit they'd lose.

I like the care of thought and analysis used in your scoring. I guess already end if 2018, Phoibos may have added a point to their brand. Give it another 2-3 years and I think they will be much better known. Still impressive that this new company is already comparable with the legendary Seiko.

I agonised,writhed and beat myself up about which one was best and then I had an epiphany - why not buy 'em both!!!! atb. snack

Great comparison. I’m glad you said what would have earned a “10” for the price in many of the categories. It gives context and legitimacy to the ratings.

Great review. My daily wear is a SKX013 and I like it a lot, but I don't love it. The lack of hacking and hand winding is a major let down.

SKX is loveable. I have seen other youtubers mod them heavly with a Strapcode bracelet £70, Sapphire crystal £40, NH35 movement (unsure of cost, guessing £60) bezel, dial and hands replaced and your very own personalised watched speced to personal preference and quality for £500 including price of the watch and labour.

I own a 007j and I've been doing a lot of research on watches. I was looking for a white dial diver. Right now I'm smitten with the Steinhart Ocean 2 Premium (white). The conundrum/paradox that I find myself in is that I'm so in love with my SKX. I can't really explain why. Especially when it comes to specs. The chapter ring is slightly misaligned, the 7S26 isn't known as the most accurate keeper of time, it's not ceramic or sapphire or hackable or windable. I think the best explanation that I see and most importantly what I feel is that those are the very traits that bring this piece to life for me. I'm actually quite compulsive when it comes to having a device or machine running as close to perfection as possible; whether it be a phone, computer, car or you name it. I could get a ceramic or sapphire bezel insert or a nice coin edge bezel or a domed sapphire crystal; heck, I could even put an NH36 windable and hackable movement in it. I think that for a compulsive person like me - not touching the personality of this watch is cathartic. I find myself not REALLY wanting another watch. A nice feeling for someone like me. In short... Literally nothing compares or could ever be what the SK is to me.

BEST T-SHIRT EVER!

I really like the bracelet on the Phoibus

That beautiful smooth transition across the face of the Phoibos from the bezel and over the crystal is architecture at its finest. And that AR added to the Sapphire makes it look a foot deep looking into the watch to see the time. The pale blue, even far from my favorite colour is like an oil painting in a gallery. They Seiko is the guy behind you laying on his horn! Kinda loud compared to the Phoibos. I'd rather have my date in the usual 3 o'clock but I would also prefer my crown at 3 also. Never did like that 4 o'clock crown. Or my 5 o'clock shadow. I would wear the Wave Master as a dress watch but, I have always been a little, crude. ;-) Thumbs up on the video!

Haha you're right about Redfords hair, i was pleased to find out it was all his own.I was convinced it was a syrup!.

Totally fair review... but what sticks out to me is that while the 2 watches lie on table, the SKX is much more legible. The dial on the skx is better. It’s a classic.

Wow! This is a fantastic head to head video. You summed it up perfectly, "head or heart." Brilliant! :)

Please can you do this Phoibos vs Orient Mako/Ray II

This is the battle that my money was held up by. In the end I bought a Wavemaster simply because the look of the watch gets it. I've always loved dive watches and watches with "proud" crowns. I absolutely despise crowns at any position other than the 3 o clock because it looks out of whack. Ive never been a fan of crown guards in any form and since the Tudor Black Bay is one of my all time favorites I couldn't go wrong with the Phoibos. At the end of the day all Im losing by going with Phoibos is the name and Im not mad at that at all. I have plenty of Seiko time pieces anyways.. Cheers!

I have to say i had my doubts about the SKX bracelet prior to getting a 009 for xmas, and while it does rattle it is SO comfortable. I love it!

I bought a skx and I loved it ...until it stopped charging properly after 31 days. Thankfully Amazon allowed a return and I purchased a Ray 2 which I enjoyed just as much and was cheaper. Now my Ray 2 after being dropped on my hard tile floor runs about 1.5 hours fast a day. I will replace it with a Phoibos soon. Although I'll be getting the quartz movement so I don't have to worry much about it and wear it daily.

Great head to head. I had to acquire an SKX, because of all the mutual admiration on line and frankly not impressed. No hack or hand wind 20 year old, plastic crystal, stiff as a board rubber band and by the time a decent Strapcode is added, the price is over $300. The one thing nobody ever mentions is the odd shaped and solid enough but not particularly well finished case.

I think the Phoibos looks nicer but it seems a little bit too big.

Nicely done. Being a value and "head" buyer... well...hasta la vista SKX.

The skx going up against modern watches is like a boxer from the 20s going up against Mike Tyson

Great review, as usual. I'll have both watches any day !

I must say that in reality Phoibos looks much more robust and luxury (I can't say more quality, because we need to let the time decide), really great watch!

Brilliant review two perfect watches for putting against each other

Every time I see that Phoibos I want to order it. Can't say the same for the skx I'm afraid. Heretical, I know. I'm kind of obsessed with accuracy. The nh35 is fantastic and very easy to regulate, whereas the non hacking of the 7s26 is a deal breaker for me.

Very nice video, thank you!

That time chart showed up some pretty major variance with your copy of the Phoebus. None of my nh35 devices vary as widely as shown, although some did slowly accelerate over a couple of months so I eventually had to stick them on the timegrapher, which I don't enjoy having to do because of the possibility of reducing the water seal quality. (I can't abide autos losing time)

Try selling a phoibos

If you take out the brand and X factor categories, the Phoibos kicks ass.

2 points advantage for the Phoibos in the end, if you discard brand and x-factor it's 8 points.

You are missing an important factor: value! Skx are keeping or increasing value overtime, could you say the same about that particular phoibos model? The skx model shown in this video can’t be found (new) for that price anymore.

My SKX 173 has quality control issues. The chapter ring is loose and the movement was -40 seconds/day. Adjusting the timing wasn’t difficult and there are plenty of aftermarket mod parts; however, for the price there are plenty of other better alternatives to consider.

Love the Seiko case

solution? maybe one of each (and as of today the best price i could find for the skx was 190 and the phoibos 009 $219). a very good review of both--very helpful! THANKS!

Now I am going to be thinking about getting a domed crystal all day.

If only the Phoibos had a DAY and date. That is a big deal to me, along with the crystal like you rightly pointed out. I have the Orient Mako II instead, which also needs the sapphire. Does the perfect watch exist? Probably not, that is why you need .. just one more watch.

I ultimately went with the Phoibos (no date blue version) because I like the styling. This is actually my first time going with a big watch I've only worn 38mms to this point as I have a small wrist. But I don't care if it looks huge on my 6-inch wrist because I just love the style too much. Now I do love SKX as well but since I'm not paying for the Phoibos and its style is so unique it was a non-factor. My girlfriend is buying me the Phoibos and she got a great deal. $80 off the original price plus an additional $45 off with the Black Friday code! So that put it at a seriously cheap $179 USD! Can't wait to get it, though I could be waiting a long time since Canada Post (at the time of this comment) are on strike, and getting anything coming from Asia through customs takes a LONG time.

Great head to head review Jody!

Phoibos for sure,looks like more effort went into the making of it,looks nice the Seiko is a great watch but it's old now time they update the watch abit

Owning three Phoibos makes me hesitate to get an Skx due to the lack of saphirre. Phoibos is a better option for dayly beaters in my opinion. I havevto admit that both brand make very versatile watches. Thank you for the video.

Put Phoibos strap engineers bracelet on the Seiko..love that strap..and I'd buy that now!..Seiko straps kinda suck the big one

Try this one again in 2020, Phoibos pulls even further ahead. Brand, a point more and bracelet another point (they put slightly bigger screws in), x-factor another one. I personally couldn't care less about lume, I have a bedside digital clock. UNBELIEVABLE that Seiko are STILL persisting to put garbage Hardlex crystals on their watches, Sapphire is getting cheaper by the hour and is WAAAAAAY better. They could plonk them on most of their watches, charge a few bucks more and sell HEAPS. Absolutely love your all of reviews - best on the 'net, Jodi. Except for the fact that you have already cost me a bunch of money, with more to come!

I think both of these watches have increased in popularity since the time of this video. Amongst a lot of the Seiko fanboys are starting to feel betrayed by Seiko always fun to come back and revisit some of these old videos at the time I would have bought the skx today I would buy the Phoibos hands down

Just for information I have one of these Phoibos and have been wearing it off and on over the last 7 to 8 months, one thing to make you aware of is that the loom on the bezel has basically all come off (Watch has definitely not been abused). I have purchased a new insert from Phoibos 25 dollars Not sure how I am going to fit this, so my opinion is these make very good beta watches but does not have the deep down quality control/engineering of something like an SKX.

A worthy winner. Sorry - I don’t get the SKX. It looks dated and plain, has no sapphire, no hacking, no hand-winding, is not especially precise in keeping time, has hollow end links, a cheap looking bracelet and there are plenty of watches out there that are (on paper) better quality for a similar price. Yet - this diver is considered legendary, iconic etc etc . it is super popular (in fact ubiquitous in the watch community) and most people absolutely rave about it as if it is one of the great horological masterpieces of all time. Or maybe I need to own and wear one to experience that SKX magic/x-factor slowly working on me and winning me over. I guess they say never judge a watch until you have tried it but I would like to know what is is people love so much about it. EDIT: see my reply below : I have since acquired a wonderful Seiko Snk809 for £51 on the recommendation of this channel and have now fallen for the 7s26 movement!

I've had 4 SKXs and the 7s26 movement is inferior to the Miyota 8215 in accuracy. Also I like to be able to hand wind as I can with the 8215. Still the Xfactor on the Seiko which I feel is all about that case design keeps me coming back to it. If Seiko ever put the 4R movement in the SKX, they'd really have something!

Resale Value! Seiko wins. In the last year Seiko SKX has gone un from $189 to $246... 30% increase in 1 year...

Super review. I have the Seiko SKX007 on a really nice curved end, super soft, thick silicon strap that transforms it. I’d love the Phoibos though, too or a Helm Vanuatu. My grail is the Tudor Pelagos, but seeing these amazing value Chinese makes, you wonder whether you’re getting ripped off paying over 3 grand for a timepiece!

I’d like to see the Phoibos go up against my long islander “turtle “ seeing they are both micro brands! My “turtle “ has nh36 movement, dbl domed sapphire crystal, ceramic bezel with lume, drilled lugs,although at the time it was only offered with a NATO strap. It offers 200 meters so not afraid to get it wet. I love both watches you reviewed here and appreciate how you scored them but couldn’t help but wonder if the long islander would have scored better,? I did pay $299.00 for my islander which is an incredible price for what you get!

You shoulda given the Seiko a few extra points for have a day/date movement!

I have to agree with your head to head scores great video

The heart wants what the heart wants... I'm a seiko fan and although the phoibos got a lot of checkboxes in my list it's kinda of lacking the charm of the skx... Nice video pal, very polemic. Saludos!

In the end, it comes down to the movement. All these other brands such as Invicta use the Seiko NH. They know it’s a great entry level movement. Then there’s Seiko who haven’t upgraded the SKX. With the SKX heritage, one wonders why they don’t put more pride in this very popular line.

Its a tough one, I have both, for me the wavemaster is more of a weekend watch whereas the skx is a weekday watch 😊But as I mentioned on the Phoibos members page my model has a few imperfections sadly I still adore it but i'm now leaning towards my skx more for build quality

Watching this while wearing my skx009, clearly a better watch in every way possible.

Thx for this fine battle😀The 009 though iconic with safire on this bracelet costs 290 Euros were I live. I've paid 199 for the Phoibos with a superior Seiko movement. If the Seiko was 150 Euros I would consider it. My mum liked Robert Redford. I feel more like a modern day Steve Mc Queen in a Gulf Porsche when wearing my Wavemaster on a Nato strap.

Love your reviews. I would like to ask would u please think about getting a tester to test the watches. Unfortunately the start of my watch collection are riddled with fakes. Or watches claiming thing that are not real. Again good revews. Love the cheap watch review and have bought most of them.

Seems like a lot of heads over hearts in the comments, I'll bolster the heart side... I love my SKX009. Yeah the Phoibos has the specs, and I do really like the wave face, but the 009 is the style I like. Something about the Pepsi bezel, the font, and the dot markers make it interesting to me. There's no sense explaining it really, it's a style (heart) choice! And that's why there's always one more watch eh? Enjoy the Phoibos and the 009! Fun review.

Well ... the people have spoken. Well rounded and relatively objective opinion of an experienced watch collector. I couldn't agree more. Just remember what some famous characters used to say about experience: “Experience is simply the name we give to our mistakes.” ~ Oscar Wilde

Much as I love my SKX, I have to say that the Phoebos is the better watch in terms of build and value. I think this was a fair comparison of two great watches! Well done, sir!

With proven substandard QC, the SKX shouldn't get more than a 2 for the dial. It's not a "quirk" or "brand tolerance", it's awful defect, no less. Great video.

You need to.do more of these

when it comes to timepieces you have to go with heart!

oh man you just made me want to buy a phoibos