The Titanium Kraken : Phoibos Apollo Review
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.ค. 2024
- Once again, a huge thank you to Phoibos for giving this watch to the channel.
phoiboswatch.com/categories/c...
Use the discount code relativetime for 10% off anything from Phoibos.
----Straps Used
Brown Leather (on Amazon): geni.us/CgSLl
Cordura Single Pass: vario.sg/collections/cordura-...
BluShark Sharkfin Bond: www.blusharkstraps.com/collec...
----Other Watches Shown
RZE Endeavor: • A Serious Endeavour : ...
Phoibos Nebula: • A Phoibos Sports Watch...
Helm Komodo: • Dragon at the Helm : H...
Orient M-Force: • Seiko Antarctica Monst...
Today we are looking at one of the more interesting watches to come out of Phoibos. This is the Phoibos Apollo, a Titanium tool watch with a bit of an odd dial design. The best way to describe this is that its sort of a Titanium SKX combined with a Helm Komodo, and the M-Force I unboxed a bit ago. Kind of an odd combo, but it seems to work.
Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links, I am an Amazon 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.
In Addition, I'm also an affiliate with AVI-8, Armilla, Aliexpress, Spinnaker, eBay, Jomashop, Meranom, and Phoibos.
00:00 Intro
01:11 Specs
02:00 The Case
02:56 To Infinity and beyond...
03:56 Back to The Front
04:49 The Dial
08:17 Design
09:23 Lume
11:30 Movement
11:48 Bracelet
12:54 On the Wrist
13:18 Value
14:16 Final Thoughts - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
In a world of homage watches this is a breath of fresh air, good job phoibos 👍🏼
Phoibos is the microbrand .
I like the look of that dark gray dial with orange accents. The white looks super cool too, though I usually prefer a bit more contrast.
Thanks for your video. I have the Phoibos Apollo with gray dail and i´m very happy with this watch.
A beautyful watch, Phoibos design is unique
Received the Grey Dial version in the mail. My third Kraken for my collection. Love it! 👍
Got one on order, Thanks for the review and Coupon Code!
Another insightful review. Thank you.
Great share, and comparisons. Nice job!
I have the white dial Apollo as well I love it 🤍 the materials and fit and finish are excellent. I love the design and appreciate that it’s not cookie cutter. I like that the bracelet doesn’t tapper but that’s just my preference. It is one of my favorite watches.
Interesting and excellent, unique dial. This color variation looks much better than the tan one I’ve seen video of. Love the “house” hour hand, and tie-in of the same on the inside of the indices.
Great looking watch. Thanks for the review!!!
Any time!
I like the low stereo typical approach, and the message of the Rocket man. The hour hand reference to looking like a shovel is apparent😛. The review is well done and brings good interest to the watch 👌.
Nice design great size too lovely review as usual
I recently received this white dial version. They really did a great job for the most part. They also did an excellent job with the vessel action. Sometimes Titanium bezels feel tinny, this feels like a regular Bezel.
I like the space theming even though it’s a diver. The rocket man on the back is pretty cool. Lots of nice details, like the lumed date frame.
I think the case back is cool and fun too, enjoy 👍
@@james241ish Thanks. It’s a very well done product, and there is usually a code to get it for a discount.
The brown and grey ones. 🤯
Nice watch. I like the opening in the minute hand which does not block the date when the time is "a quarter after , , ." I'm interested. I really like the lumed date window opening as well. Good vid. Keep at it!
Currently waiting for two to arrive courtesy of Long Island Watch Co, white for myself and a black for my son, can't wait to see it in the flesh.
That caseback is odd, but it does bring a smile to your face I guess. They definitely should have just laser etched their normal logo instead.
Overall though I really like it. Especially that dial. It's so interesting. I'm with you Shane, this is my favourite colour option too.
Nice review, Shane. I like everything about it except the minute hand. That minute hand is borderline deal killer.
I see many space themes on this watch, it sorta reminds me of Space Invaders. Yet, I also get many medieval cues from it. To me, the hour indices look like shields or a family crest; the hour hand an arrow; the minute hand a sword. In any case, I'm thrilled Phoibos took some risk on this one. Cheers!
Ordered my white dial Phoibos Apollo yesterday 9/18.
I thought about the pre-order special which expired last week, but I just wasn't too sure about the very few those shortcomings.
I'm sure about the design of the dial though, I think it's great to have something different and unique with a bit of a twist and it does it without looking tacky or incohesive.
I bought the grey one and used your discount code which worked fine. They shipped it today which is a 24hr turnaround. Sure beats waiting for them to make the watches from kickstarter 😝. I have a monster with 22mm full width bracelet and I really like it, I have ones that taper as well so I get your comments. For your review I have to say initially I felt you lacked passion for watches, but then you picked up at the end of the review with even a splash of dry humour (!). So then I had to watch it again and I realised you used gloves, did pocket shots, went to the effort to get the beast on different straps, and pose the watch in some very nice settings. All of which took planning and thought. Not a wham-bam-thankyou-maam like a lot of others 🤪. So just thought I'd say thanks and I appreciate the effort. Good job 👍😁
Thanks... these vids take a while to put together, so it's always nice to hear they are appreciated.
I guess you could say I'm an acquired taste. A long time ago I tired doing the "Wassup EVERYONE!" high energy intro... but it just didn't feel right and felt fake. So I said screw it, and just decided to be me. I think it takes people a little while to realize that I'm doing things a little differently here, but once they do they appreciate the time I put in.
Phoibos king octopus kraken is very cool, one of successful trademark achieved for micro brands. But it is more suitable for aqua or diver watch. This watch colour matches your Relative Time logo perfectly.
This white dial version is the one I contemplated going for, I say contemplated because the only thing that stopped me was that the pre-order discount expired before the reviews started to come through and I really wanted to see some reviews first before comitting to buying one.
Me too 😭
I 2nd the change to an octopus in a space suit!
Or maybe have the guy planting a Phoibos Flag on the moon.
Really like Phoibos brand as a whole. Their designs, including this one, are right up my ally. Unfortunately most of their models are a bit out of my price bracket. Also I'm not a fan of titanium. I see the draw for those that prefer a lighter timepiece. For me, I enjoy the weight of a solid, well built, stainless steel tool watch. I've also read quite a bit about people having trouble with the screws stripping out in all titanium bracelets. I must say though, that when it comes to Phoibos designs, I have yet to see one that I didn't at least find interesting. I like your sense of style. We share some common design interests. Great job Shane
Great to see a new design, but I see a lot of sharp edges. Together with a non-tapering bracelet, I think this is a pass for me. If the case design was inspired by the SKX (6105 maybe?) they forgot all the soapy smooth curves. My other niggle is the minute hand - the solid area at the tip needs to be bigger. Speaking of the hands - maybe a touch of the BFK?
Some other watches... everyone seems to be climbing on the Reverie Diver bandwagon, but that silver dial is sweeet. The Raven Airfield is supposed to be shipping too - the white dial looks very nice.
It's goofy, in a really cool way. Somehow it brings to mind the more colourful, whacked out designs of the 70s which is odd because there is nothing in this Phoibos even remotely like those, except perhaps both are way off the beaten path. As for colourway, I like the pale blue face.
I do agree with you Shane on the bracelet without tape - I have an Orient Lexington with wide bracelet and no taper, and it gets quite uncomfortable after a few hours; the big clasp is just too big. No taper also looks odd and just looks wrong.
This looks interesting, and I have been wanting to add a Phoibos to my collection for a while. I have to admit that I am actually looking at the Proteus, which has a great dial as well, or the Nebula, because of the Miyota 9000 series movement in it, but I really like the look of this sandwich dial and getting a full titanium watch for $400 is a great deal. Not sure what I will do. Maybe get one of each. 😁
I'm on the hunt for a white dial diver, this one is definitely interesting 🤔
i cannot unsee the shovel hour hand
Can’t unsee the shovel hour hand once mentioned hahaha.
Great review!
Please try and review the Seestern Doxa Diver homage..looks very very good 👍
The "shovel" handset!!
"Odd" it's good 😂 I hope to see the blue dial version in a video. That's the one I want..
That's Beautiful Shane , i would be concerned with the legibility of the hands at a distance or at a glance on the white dial.
Still want one though Haha
Hour hand Apollo Command module perhaps??
Love it. Don't care about case backs since you don't really see them. My only niggle is the skeletonized minute hand. Generally not a fan.
Sometimes they can be cool, but maybe it's just too much here.
Couple of ideas for Phoibos ... the 'Engineer' or 'construction worker' with antimagnetic case and where the hour hand is an orange cone (instead of the shovel) ... or a giant Phoibos Octopus in the center of the dial ... where two or three of the tentacles are the 'wavy' hands. 😉
Mornin,' Shane.
Morning!
I bought an Eagle Ray in blue a couple years ago, thought it was going to be my daily, love it to death watch, but ... despite excellent specs, smooth bezel, brilliant color way, clean look, and yes, a groovy logo IMHO, I've never loved it. actually about to sell it and have been clinging to my skx daily for comfort-despite it always being 30 sec + or - w its no hack personality. But I do like that Phoibos takes risks, does it different, and has great specs always ... but I'm struggling to find the love. With re: to this Apollo, I'd have to get a Zelos first, and I'm not sure if that would hold my heart long. Sometimes, the one you love comes in plain, comfortable clothes, sans the shoes and make up. Crazy hobby we have.
This is true. Sometimes you never know until it's on your wrist.
Nice looking watch. I like when microbrands design something different 👍
"An odd little bugger" - made me laugh
Looks great for the cash I'm still bit scared to have a titanium watch as I have manual job and have damaged couple of Orient watches in past
When I first saw the dial design it hooked me, I like all the options, downsize of course is the minute hand lume but that isn't a deal breaker....the case back took me by surprise, I'm very much on the fence with that as I would have rather seen a Phoibos there but again not a deal breaker....
I am a fan of Phoibos overall, except for the great wall brickwork, bricks or squares on dials just set me off....other than that they're really going from strength to strength with each new design....I am a fan....🏴⌚🏴⌚
They seem to keep getting better with every model.
A Titanium Phoibos? Interesting and attractive, in my book.
I really like non tapered bracelets. Wish they had drilled lugs though.
That would be nice. Maybe it's harder to do with Titanium.
I have the sentinel. I ended up with two long story the guy was selling them eBay he sent me the wrong one like the other one too and I made him an offer so ended up with two. Thinking of letting the black one go I don't wear that one I always go to the green. I do think I'm going to pick up one of these guys I like it I need something all titanium other than Bertucci.
The Sentinel was one I never got to see. Looked very cool.
I think the back was meant for meteor models that use meteorite for the dials.
It's a beautiful watch. That dial is great, I love the kraken logo and I don't mind the caseback! Only thing from experience is that the hardened coating on titanium watches can be scratched and does not last, it wears away. I have a Seiko titanium diver with diashield hardened coating and it scratched on a quartz outcrop during a dive, the very first dive with it. I love Phoibis, I have a stainless steel one, but titanium is just not a good material for diving, mountaineering etc. 316l Stainless Steel is the best option, and honestly who will feel the extra few grams of steel on the wrist? The lume is great! I'd order this same watch with that dial in steel in a second!
Supposedly the extra Scratch Resistant Coating should help prevent any marks from showing. but time will tell.
@@RelativeTime Yes, the diashield on my Seiko was supposed to do that too, but it didn't. It's put me off titanium a lot as it depends on how thick the coating is, and how long it lasts, all coatings wear off over time. For someone who doesn't dive or involved in rugged environment activities I'm sure it's very good but a few microns of hardened coating doesn't inspire confidence if using it diving etc.
I have an Invicta titanium submariner rip off. Yes I know I know. Anyway it's light and has zero scratches.
@@suserman7775 Nothing wrong with an Invicta my friend! There are some very nice ones! It depends maybe. I'm a dive junkie myself so I use my dive watches as a backup to the dive computer on deep dives or just the watch on shallower dives around reefs and titanium scratches far more easily scrabbling around on the bottom, sharp quartz rock and dead coral is murder on titanium. In a normal environment it's perfectly fine, but it's not an ideal material if you use it diving. It's lightweight which is an advantage on land maybe but it means nothing in the water. Anyway, enjoy your Invicta...no watch snobbery here!
@@brianmsahin ah I see. Yeah I admittedly only desk dive with mine. I do snorkel and skin dive but I've always had an unjustified worry of flashing bright reflections underwater. Plus on lung power alone I don't need to track time lol. As to that Invicta while I do appreciate its light weight and different metal color, I'm not a fan of its lume. Still use it on occasion though and it's over a decade old with probably many more decades to go. Glad I bought it in Automatic.
Are the triangular and pentagonal tips of the hands dirty? There seems to be a lot of black blemishes around the inner edges...
I don't think so. Each has a raised outline, and the small amount of black appears to be on the inside of each outline. So I wouldn't say it's dirty. It could be that it's a black base, and the light blue was painted over that. So perhaps it couldn't get into those inner corners as easily. Or it could be done on purpose as it does help define that ridged frame a bit. I'm not sure, but I see what you mean.
Grey, brown, blue for me please, in that order.
Almost pulled the trigger but ultimately went with Zelos
The new Ti Swordfish?
I ordered a TI40 swordfish too, in frost, but looking at one of these as well.
@@RelativeTime I bought a Swordfish Ti and a Mako Ti with coating. Very nice watches. I also have a stainless Hammerhead. Zelos has made me a fan. I do have a Phoibos Leviathan which I like. I’m just not a fan of some of the styling of some of their watches including this Apollo. I enjoy your channel 👍
Really...this isn't that different. It is different enough for me to like it. It's on the list.
Reminds me a lot of the hamtun kracken.
Was thinking the same, got the white dial Kraken2. The Hamtun has more legible hands, and mine has a Selita inside... for pretty much the same price.
Great design! Well done, Phoibos. As to the cartoonish rocket man on the case-back: WTF??? WHY ON EARTH???
wondering if you can just switch it out with a sister model's caseback? Hmmm
@@frankquarters If the sister is waterproof as well, I see no problem with that.
What watch are you wearing in the video (yellow dial)? Any plan to review that watch too?
It's a newer Aragon. Review coming soon.
Do the hands resemble a rocket when they are lined up? I think there is a Seiko that does that. Maybe that explains the odd hand shape.
I think that's the Monster handset that does this. I think each hand here looks like a rocket on it's own. Although I think the hour hand looks more like a shovel.
I'm sure one review of the video already said it comment but the great wall had a different logo on the back
You are right. I just checked mine. It has a depiction of the great wall. I think the first watch they made, the one thats a subby homage, also had a different caseback.
Neat watch, nice materials and interesting design, but the hands aren't to my liking. Completely agree with your comment on the case back logo. Maybe they could have asked a dozen people to choose one from a variety of contenders - doubt that one would have won! Thanks for another interesting video.
Is this an Island watch reference🤔
@@dosprompt5418 nope, but that was really smart of Marc to have a logo contest - some really neat designs came out of it, and I'm sure a good one will be chosen 🙂
Someone mentioned that they showed it off on the Phoibos Facebook group... yet it still made it through. So I don't know.
@@RelativeTime Interesting. Maybe that group was one where they didn't learn anything about world history or something because we all know what it kinda looks like
Nice watch design but I don't like white dials or the octopus logo. White doesn't seem to pop. Prefer blue or black. Phoibos does make a quality product though.
It has an anti-scratch resistant coating?
So it basically resists any scratch resistant coatings anyone tries to put on it?
Curious feature
It's useful as titanium tends to show surface marks more then steel.
Already seeing these on the secondary market so I'm guessing some weren't to keen for it . I would have to try it out in person first . Which isn't possible unless Marc opens up to walk-in 's 😁
Interesting... Are they on Ebay? It could also be from people who bought two different colorways and are selling the one they don't want. I know a lot of the Zelos crowd seems to do that.
@@RelativeTime Yeah , could be color choice as you say . Was posted on Reddit by a TH-camr so your prolly right . 👍
@@RelativeTime But with Zelos you'd probably get your money back or a few bucks more since they sell out fast and have a good following.
@@VersedNJ True, which is one reason it's happening more and more with Zelos and they are selling out faster and faster.
I saw the post on reddit, and I'm curious if it's actually a youtuber.
Actually digging around a little more and I figured out who it is. I'm not sure I should say who it is, but this irks me on a couple different levels. I don't think a reviewer needs to keep a watch forever, but to sell one so quickly is bad form. Heck he had it up for sale before he even published his review. Let alone it's listed as only being worn twice... which shows they barely spent any time with it before putting a review out. 🤦♂️
looking for that same exact model and unable to find that. Looking to sell?
I've thought about it here and there, but right now not planing on it. shoot me an email sometime, and if I change my mind I'll let you know.
Hahaha, that case back looks like a Nazi astronaut attached to a V2 rocket. Great review as always!
Nazi´s are not "left hand" like the rocket man on the back of the watch ;-)
I'm wearing my IWC Top Gun Miramar.
That's a gorgeous watch. I'm still sad that Top Gun is no longer in Miramar. I grew up in San Diego and the Navy moved it somewhere into the desert a while ago.
@@RelativeTime Yeah, my uncle flew Top Gun in the 90s during Desert Storm. The F-14 and 15, I believe. I got to tour the Fighter Weapons School with him in '94. He runs the Predator program for Ratheon, now. They do the Reaper x2's now, as well.
They should really redo that case back looks like it’s given a cough cough a certain salute.
Rocketman should have raised his arm a bit further, now it looks like a 1939-45 popular greeting. But i appreciate the original dial.
A few people have mentioned that. I think it's the wrong hand, but still that's just one more reason they should of done something different.
It's a Mario watch! Look at all the little mushrooms on the dial.
If the case back is made of titanium, over time, it will fuse with the case and you will not be able to open it to service later.
Could you remind me what is your wrist size?
About 7.25"
@@RelativeTime good to know! The watch fits you well so I giess it won't be great with my 6.75 inches wrist.. meh
⭐️👍⭐️👍⭐️👍⭐️👍⭐️👍⭐️👍
Most of their watches, I simply don't get. Best described as a hodgepodge of unrelated design elements or in another word - kitsch.
Is it just me or are you seeing the Apollo man saluting to Hitler in space suit? 🤔
A few people have mentioned that as well. It wasn't the first thing I thought of when I saw it, but I can see it now. Technically I think it's the wrong hand, but that's another reason they should of done something else.
Skeleton hand and a Q-Tip hand!
Hard pass.
Just strange. Trying too hard to look unique. The skeletonised minute hand is a disaster.
Do you think it looks better on the other colorways?