Should It Have Stayed in the Depths? Phoibos Leviathan Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2020
- Another Thank You to Phoibos for gifting this watch to the channel.
Phoibos Leviathan: phoiboswatch.com/categories/l...
You can also use the discount code relativetime for 10% off anything from Phoibos
--Straps Used
Dassari Grey Pilot Strap (on Amazon): geni.us/ahuQOx6
Vario Cordura Zulu: vario.sg/collections/cordura-...
Beige Nato
--Other Watchers shown
Orient Star Outdoor: • The Best Premium Diver...
Axios Flagship: • Every Fleet Needs A Fl...
Phoibos Proteus: • A Frosty Sea God : Pho...
Phoibos Voyager: • A Kraken Cocktail : Ph...
Phoibos Eagle Ray GMT: • The Flying Kraken! Pho...
Phoibos Great Wall: • Monster of the Deep: P...
Today is a look at one of the Boldest watches I've seen from Phoibos. It's a larger bronze piece with one of the beefiest buckles I've seen. Along with a semi-clean bezel, matte fume gradient dial, and an open heart. It's kind of a beast, so I guess it's fitting they named it the Leviathan.
Reference: PY027C
Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links, I am an Amazon, AVI-8, Armilla, Aliexpress, Spinnaker, eBay and Phoibos affiliate so I would earn a small commission on qualified purchases. But most of the time Amazon is just the best source to link something just to get a look. I always encourage you to shop around and find the best price.
#relative-time #Phoibos #20K - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
I'm just gonna say it, this is one of the best watch channels on TH-cam, if not the best. Love these reviews!
Agree
Agree
I have it. It's my first Phoibos. I absolutely love it. I haven't put it on the rubber strap yet. I have an almost 8" wrist and it fits perfect on my wrist. I am going to switch it to the rubber strap tonight just to try it. I love the crystal and open heart. I like the grey dial
Hi shane nice review.
Just a heads up apparently Gary at I Like Watches (for now you can still get updates at ILW2) has had some significant issues with Corgeut and Manbu regarding his review if the Corgeut Black Bay homage (particularly his water pressure test) which they are not happy with (indeed claiming that the watch they send him is fake) and in retaliation getting his channel I Like Watches cancelled. Corgeut says they are trying to resolve the issue but as of now TH-cam (without listening to Gary's evidence or explanation) are sticking by cancelling his channel from the complaint.
Of course this set a bad precedent if a company's dislike of a review can so easily lead to an unsubstantiated complaint, without a reviewers opportunity to respond and the cancelling of their channel.
I love an open heart or a display case back, but I'm also pretty new. I also like the diver aesthetic less than most people, so a different take on it is more interesting to me. Add a bronze case, and you can color me intrigued.
Love the watch!
Great review 👍
Hmm... I think the open heart and the gradient on the dial just push it over the top. All the other elements work really well together.
I feel the same sir as I also have the bold blue version of the Phoibos Great Wall. While I loved some elements of the watch like the size for my 7.5" wrist. It didn't fit seamlessly like the Great Wall did and the design didn't resonate with me.
Thanks for another superb review though, I was happy to see it pop up on my notifications and always thoroughly enjoy your content.
I like Phoibos, they’re taking risks with their designs- and I appreciate that.
This watch is just too big for my wrist size, but if they release a version that is 38-40mm, I would very seriously consider it.
I have their original Eagle Ray- I wear it often and still love it.
I love this design!
It’s gorgeous 🤩
Excellent review! Not my taste in particular with this watch but an excellent review!
i really love that case,looks really beautyfull to me.and i think its a matter of find the "adequate" strap to obtain something really amazing.
in any case,the supplied strap looks great,mainly because the bronze pieces,but i think it laks something on the ends,where atached to the case,something to embellish the gap,or just a bronze plate over the rubber ends.
Another great, thorough review, Shane. The only thing I like about this watch is the open heart......too much other stuff for my taste. I like the Proteus better.
I can't stop wearing this watch. I have a 8" wrist , so it fits easily. It's my first Bronze watch and has great wrist presence. I was wearing it on the leather, but tried the rubber strap and its definitely a dive strap. It has plenty of length to fit over a dive suit. I have about 4-5 notches when wearing it , so anyone less than a 71/2" wrist and the rubber strap will be to long. Seeing it in a video doesn't do it justice
I have a two tone submariner homage with NH38 open heart from M.G. Orkina. At 40mm I love it. The Leviathan would be very interesting if it was scaled down to 40-41mm IMO.
This thing is obviously a beast. And I think that was the design concept really. They wanted it to be more badass than an actual diving watch. I also think that an important element here is the price! Try finding anything bronze for under a thousand dollars. That, plus the water resistance make the watch an incredible value for the money.
I am under the impression that there are perhaps dozens of bronze watches available for under $1000.
@@dparis2172 you might be right. I was mainly thinking of Oris when I made that comment. Do you know of any others?
@@seanengel3647 Cronus, Steeldiver, San Martin and Steinhart, off the top of my head.
I think if you are into big case watches ..you will do well with this model ,it's a bold watch it's different and it's for trendsetters not basic every day people .. everyone can't pull off a bigger case and it actually looks good I actually can ..I recommend the blue one
I’d love to see Phoibos iterate and improve upon previous models. They are so close to perfect!
They have improved on a few models in the past, but I haven't seen them do it lately. The aged Steel Proteus just came out, but not sure what they are looking at next.
They seem to be trying to satisfy all market segments. I have yet to see a watch I'd wear in their catalog, but maybe I'm too old to appreciate their innovative aspects.
Thank you for the review, awesome video as always!
Love the review. I purchased the black model. I agree the buckle on the leather strap is annoying . I put it on the rubber strap it was much better as you said. I found it best on the single pass black Zulu strap from Helm . This really made it for me. I enjoy larger watches . Taking the buckle off the leather strap to put on the rubber was not fun.
Getting it off the leather strap wasn't too hard, but getting it on the rubber was a pain. You are 100% correct in that. Damn thing just didn't want to go in or line up. In retrospect, I think I should of put a drop of water(or maybe gun oil) on the screw to help it go through the rubber.
@@RelativeTime exactly what I thought after the fact ! 😂
Wow im loving the green dial version!
Ps my Eagle Ray GMT has old Radium Lume and it is rather disappointing to be honest.
I bought the bronze green one
I just got an Aragon Divemaster 2, which 2 oz heavier. It’s on a massive bracelet, so it balances well, but I think I’ll give the Leviathan a shot!
Aragon's are always on the big and heavy side. It's been a while since I had my divemaster, but I wanna say that the Leviathan is a little more comfortable on the wrist.
@@RelativeTime it probably balances better, even without a bracelet; I’m more of a strap fan.
Colour scheme is nice, like the grey with the gold and old lume, hand design works, ....from there It’s just to blocky and chunky for me, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder if you want a big chunky diving bell on your wrist this could be for you.
Love the Hands
Good review Shane. Question for you. Are dive watches more durable than other watches, or do they just not look as bad after getting scuffed up?
Theoretically they are, just from the idea that stricter manufacturing tolerances are needed when making the components to ensure water resistance. But appearance wise I think it's more about having brushed surfaces vs polished.
Brushed doesn't seem to show near as many scratches, where as a lot of the Seiko watches I've got with polished sides show everything. My Alpinist is a great example of that.
@@RelativeTime thanks for the reply. I’ve only had an Alpinist for a couple of months and it’s pretty scratched up already.
I like a lot about the quirks of this watch, but wish they would have changed a few things that prevent it from being a decent tool watch.
The case shape somehow reminds me of the newer Grand Seikos, with the very wide, sharp angles and the lugs. The helium release valve is a nice contrast look to the plain case side. And I love a heavy watch, it's the only reason why I prefer stainless steel to titanium. And that crystal is unique, I like that a lot.
The negatives for me are the open heart on the dial, no numbering on the bezel and a lack of a day/date window.
You're right that the Old Radium doesn't have the pure candlepower of C3, but I think they used OR because the dull khaki color of the paint goes better with the bronze than the white C3 paint would.
The watch didn't do anything for me, however your description and presentation made it more intriguing.
I love it 👏🏻
Like most Phoebii (😉) it's a ridiculous manga style characuture of a watch. Maybe a bit too big for my taste (although Im currently wearing a Hamilton Khaki X Wind automatic), I'd prefer less w/r & maybe 44x14x47 max size and loose the He valve... But I guess it wouldn't live up to its name then 🤣!!
Excellent review, Cheers mate 👍🏻👍🏻
Ok. I failed. I've bought a black one. I can't say yet whether it's worthy of the name, but I'm certainly glad it rose from the depths. Your very well photographed video was partly to blame for my giving in and purchasing it. None of your perceived negatives regarding this watch were deal breakers for me. In fact a lot of what you said about it going a bit too far in fact appealed to me. I have a large wrist so it certainly won't be too big. And I was very glad you displayed it on a green khaki band. Imagine this watch when it gathers patina and is sitting on that band. I've purchased a green khaki velcro band with black PVD hardware from Strapcode to go with this watch. Thank you for your excellent review. I used your discount code, by the way. Many thanks.
That's why I always try to show what I'm talking about, as different people have different opinions on it. That way they know what they are getting into. That strap should look great with it. Hope you enjoy it.
@@RelativeTime Thank you. It probably won't get worn that often. I've recently bought a G-Shock GWG-1000 Mudmaster as my new everyday watch. I've put that on the same band, only a black one. The Phoibos is something that will be saved for certain occasions and is to be the subject of aesthetic admiration more than anything. Plus it's the first automatic watch I've owned, so that will be novel. Keep up the good work.
@@RelativeTime Hi Shane. The LEVIATHAN arrived yesterday. It is everything you said it is. I love the weight. I love the bronze. The leather strap was only just barely long enough. I was on the last hole. And the buckle prong got stuck just the way you said it would. I installed my velcro strop on it immediately. I have an eight and a half inch wrist and so I consider the LEVIATHAN to be just big enough. Lovely bezel action. I enjoy wearing it, and I enjoy holding it. At first I was worried I'd spent too much on something unknown. (The exchange rate is a bit of a bugger). But now I'm not worried. The Mudmaster is for uncivilised days, which is most of the time, and this unit can be for when I'm in civilised company. Others here obviously consider it too much. I consider it just right. Again, thanks for the honest and accurate review. Now.......about this weathered steel Proteus...........🤔
@@Plexcom60 Awesome to hear. I'm glad you like it. Enjoy it. 👍
Kind of different but I kinda like it.
Hello Shane! In this review you mentioned that this watch had Radium Luminova. I thought Radium was outlawed years ago for watch production. Could you clarify on this?
Good question. You are right Radium is no longer used, but one of the characteristics of it is that it turns more of a yellow as it gets older. This uses a type of regular lume that's just called "old radium", which is made to have a similar yellow tone. As opposed to "C3" lume which looks white and glows green.
Does that make sense?
@@RelativeTime yes thank you. In other words the word Radium is used to designate the color, not the chemical content.
@@seanengel3647 Yup, that's just the name of the crayon so to speak.
I like it...
Not really a fan of open hearts but on this I think it looks great. (oddly enough🤷♂️) Not really sure why it's on a 500m diver but it's different for me to be interested. My only concern is the 54 mm lug to lug sitting on my 6.5 inch wrist. LOL Over all I think it's a hit.
I'm Back.
I like it. Seems too big for me. I love divers but I've dived to 30-40 meters max. 500m? At least there is comfort knowing my watch will still be ticking when I'm not.
Welcome back. I think the vast majority of divers stop at 30m. In fact I think you need an advanced diving certificate before they let you down deeper.
@@RelativeTime I've been wearing my Ice Monster all week. Just giving it some love. That's a large watch. Had to take it off as after a while it hurts my wrist like I've sprained it. It's going to get flipped. I love this new bronze one. But I feel it world do the sane.
100 units? Wow!
And I have just succombed to the distressed blue one
I do like the dial, but the case is so big. It’s bigger than the Millennium Falcon.
If I had a bigger wrist and more money I would buy this for sure.
I think the design is great I think the watch is good looking but I have these things against it I’m not crazy about the open heart and disappointed in the lime I actually think it’s a better design in the Proteus but not sure if I need to add it to my collection
I think the lume performance is because it's "old radium" instead of C3. I just got in the new Aged Steel version of the Proteus, and it also has "old radium". Same as this one, initially it's nice and bright, but not as much staying power.
When I put Texas instruments LEDs then I’ll buy one
I like it. Take 5mm off the key dimensions, reduce water resistance to 200m, and it's a winner. Far too big in its current form.
It would be interesting if they made a smaller one.
I think the open heart design put's a lot of people of this watch , including myself
For sure its a matter of taste , I think its one of the weirdest release from phoibos
Does it come come with big shoes , a red nose that honks and confetti in buckets with ' water ' written on them ?
Love every single aspect of this watch...aside from the open heart. Doesn't quite do it for me!
My latest 2 watches are 36mm. There's no need to tell you what I think of the Leviathan.
That pretty much says it. Did you happen to catch the Axios Flagship?
What's the movement ?
Seiko NH38
10:19
Shrink the watch face to 41mm and get rid of the open heart display. Then, it becomes my watch !
I feel the open heart look has been ruined by use in so many cheap chinese watches. Also, I agree with many others that it clutters what is supposed to be a tool watch look
Trying really hard not to buy one of those.
Nice review.
I really don’t like it. However, it’s not the size.
Lots of things I would always aviod. Bronze case for me is always a no go. I also really am not a fan of anything they did for this particular watch.
I am actually a big fan of 500m and up divers, but many are done much better, like their own Great Wall.
The 'clean' bezel and 'clean' dial... just makes it look sterile. I've never been a fan of open hearts, but that is off-putting for me too. Especially on a diver. Pass for me as well, but always thanks for the look and review!
I like it. As a whole, from far to be looked. But then again, when I realize the dimensions of it, I immediately picture it dragging me 500m deep... For a foot size watch is fine though, still would drag me in... LOL
PS Don't know what's going on with these lousy paint on dials lately (did somebody in China had an enormous ammount unsold?) but this sandpaper style has to stop!
Still unsure about the "everything but the kitchen sink" approach. Not for me for sure.
I have two Phoibos watches (Sentinel and Proteus) and they are great. This design? Well, bronze is ok with me, dial color: I like it. Case shape: fine too. Open heart design? Never! I've said it before and this is totally a personal preference, but an open heart dial to me, are like crotchless panties. Just nope! If they had this design without the open heart I'd buy one...
I'm going to stick with my Eagle Ray.
The Eagle Ray is by far a better all around watch.
Other than the open heart it looks like they copied the design of the Boldr Oddysey. It’s not a one for one copy but there is a similarity.
I'm not a fan of this one. I don't think the overall chunky dive watch look goes with the more dressy looking open heart.
Not a fan of open heart watches. But I'm also not a fan (generally) of skeletononized watches either, so make of that what you will.
It hurts my eyes. If it were a gift, I would get rid of it ASAP.
I don't know.. I kinda like it.. Yeah its huge, but it seems like all these damn micro brands are heading back to giant watches.. I dont know why!? Anyway, its kinda cool looking.. I like it. I didn't hear what it costs? Maybe I missed it with my skipping and rewinding and all that, but how much are we talking?
On the spec sheet it was down at the bottom. Around 370 dollars.
Yah, I was trying to streamline a little and forgot to talk about price. It's about $370 msrp, $332 with discount code. Which I think is a bit high with that seiko movement.
Go grab one up...
@@RelativeTime .. Yeah, just a tad.. Well, about $100.. Ebay has way too many seiko powered Chinese specials that look pretty damn nice for $120 to $250..
At first I look at an open heart diver and think... What? In my mind it should be clean and easy to read. Skeletonizing IMO should be left for a display back. But seeing as the vast majority of dive watches will never even see a pool... why not an open heart? Because something like that belongs in the case back.
Great review, Shane. This one is a pass, for me. I guess I am an "open heart" hater. That aside, Phoibos makes better watches than this model. The Great Wall, for one. I like the bronze and the heft. But, the less than stellar lume and the open heart just wouldn't be for me.
If this puts some watch wearers out of their comfort zone those watch wearers must be agoraphobes
Not the best aesthetics, seems they've gone out of their way to create a pointless tank ..& 500m wr..i mean c'mon what really is the point? All for brands trying things new but personally it just too dang ugly.But as always i do enjoy your delivery .
Never liked open-heart designs, just not my cup of tea. I think they should've gone all the way and make it sort of skeletonized - no dial, just the markers ring.
I really like Phoibos, but.........to be kind, let’s say niche. To be realistic, let’s say old school Invicta. I respect you for trying so hard to be objective. Your immaculate photography , can’t make this look good. Gary off I Like Watches, put one up for sale. Guess what? No offers. Not one. Nuff said.
Really? I saw his first take and he seemed rather excited about it.
Although I find it interesting that this is the first real review. I got this about the same time as Gary. So I guess other reviewers turned it down or just aren't overly excited to make a video on it.
orient watch does open hearts better. and those indices remind me of seiko's gen 2 monster. i don't get a unique identity vibe w/ this watch.
What do you think about this Orient Open Heart Diver?
www.orient-watch.jp/orientstar/prod_semi-skeleton_sports.php
@@RelativeTime those hands definitely give the watch character. the unit w/ the white dial especially because it's not too in -your-face
It'd be the perfect watch... if my wrist were another 1+ inches in diameter... =(
Relatively well done. But too large and the open heart are simply distrators. Prefer date to open heart which is a gimmick. It's not a tourbillon so why pretend? Colors look good. Thank you.
There is so much wrong with this. A gigantic heavy diver, which is supposed to be purposeful, with an open heart, no timing digits, and yet another NH3X less than accurate movement. I don't understand what Phoibos is trying to do anymore.
This one I think is a straight up experiment to see if they should look at bigger watches. Only 3 colorways and says limited to 100 unites each. I've had a few comments from people that like it, but I think it will be a pass for most.
HARD pass. I don't mind a well done open heart on a dress watch, but this is straight up Invicta territory. I love my red dial Eagle Ray, and thought the Voyager was pretty slick, but this thing looks like it was designed by a drunken toddler.
Open heart on a 500m diver..............really?!
Yup. It's not the first diver I've had with an open heart either. Had an Aragon Dive Master with one. Can't remember the WR on that, but I think it was bigger and heavier then this.
Phoibos needs to hire an actual designer rather than just chucking doodads onto a dial. Starting with the ultra-kitschy Great Wall, things have plummeted downhill. The Proteus looks like they blindly reached into a bag full of modder parts and went with it. The Leviathan continues this trend, albeit in an even more egregious manner. They started with unimaginative rip-offs, leaped over developing a coherent design language and cannonballed right into utter design chaos.
looks ok but no am not a fan cheers
not feeling this one dude
No bueno
Looks like Phoebus is drifting into Spinnaker territory with this one. Maybe I'm too conservative, but I can't imagine anyone wearing this watch more than once, or twice.
Hi Shane, I really like and enjoy your very unique style of watch review videos. But my true opinion is, this watch is an abomination. Plus, I've never seen such a useless rotating bezel.
Man!!!! ... Not for me sir.
I don't care for it. It would look much better without the open heart.
Ugh, that Great Wall looks like crap. Leviathan is way nicer IMHO.
It's kind of like the Seiko Monsters, not for everyone. Which also explains why it's one of the few that haven't sold out (that and the price), but it's still my favorite. Plus best lume I've seen.
Maybe it’s time Phoibos reigned it in a little bit. I love the brand but this one is just too much. Three words come to mind. Beetlejuice .. Bettlejuice .. Bettlejuice ........
Wouldn’t buy it. If it was given to me I would rarely wear it. There are just too many awesome watches that deserve that wrist time more than this not so attractive watch.
Kitsch.
Not an open heart fan. Pass.
phoibos all over the place at the moment, real shame. why not just revisit and refine or offer different colour ways of the successful models. beyond me..
No from me phoibos are losing the plot
12:25 Phoibos Great Wall one of the ugliest watches ever.
It's sort of like the Seiko Monsters, not for everyone. Although spec wise and quality I think it out monsters the monsters.
@@RelativeTime I would cut my arms rather than wearing that.
Ummm, no thank you.
These are about the only watches that are available in all variants on their website, which tells you something!. I have 4 Phoibos watches which are outstanding, but these ones do nothing for me!
That's a good point. Probably a sign they won't make a larger watch for a while. Right now I have no idea what's coming out next from them. Haven't heard anything, or seen anything on their Facebook group.