New in 2022 from micro-brand Phoibos Voyager
Friends, I welcome everyone, Stanislav, Feeltime.com.ua online store is in touch and today we will have a long-awaited 2022 model from the Phoibos microbrand on our review.
This model belongs to the Voyager collection and today it is already the 3rd restart of the series. The first Phoibos Voyager watches were so in demand that on the official website all the colors were sorted out in just a month.
At that time, we had not yet worked with the brand, and after the start of cooperation, I constantly wrote to them: “Guys, when will you re-release Phoibos Voyager?”. As a result, almost a year after the launch of the first model, the manufacturer still pleased the fans with the launch of the second version of Voyager, which actually did not differ from the first. As Phoibos themselves stated, the thickness has slightly decreased.
As a result of the second launch of Phoibos Voyager, I became the proud owner of this beauty in a blue dial. This is one of my favorite watches to date. With their fairly affordable price, they are of such quality that I often receive compliments, which, I will not pretend, is very pleasant.
But apparently the generation of old voyagers is gone forever and they will be replaced by a new one in 2022. What has actually changed? Let's figure it out!
New Phoibos Voyager watch
In the new Phoibos collection, 6 new dial colors have been introduced. In stock, I ordered only 2. Classic black and light mother-of-pearl. I also really wanted to order a green one, but with this war and a bunch of restrictions, I just didn’t have time and it was dismantled.
There are also blue, yellow and purple colors, which seemed rather strange and ambiguous to me, and I decided not to order them this time.
What changed?
Of course, the very first design change that catches your eye is the bezel. In the old version, it was all stainless steel, and to be honest, when I bought the watch, I had the idea to replace the insert with a bezel insert from Seiko SKX or Rolex Submariner. They fit perfectly and the watch can be customized.
But in the process of wearing it, I realized that this bezel is just the coolest feature of the watch. And the guys who know a lot about watches have paid attention to this more than once, noting that the matte insert looks really very expensive.
In the new version, we can see an updated scratch-resistant ceramic bezel insert.
Of the pluses - this made it possible to play with flowers, of the minuses - that very zest was gone. That is, the clock began to look something more ordinary. But this is of course my personal opinion, and therefore you can have your own about it, and do not forget to share it in the comments.
As for the quality of the bezel itself, there are no questions. Comfortable grip, confident move, good clicks, and no backlash.
In addition to the bezel, there are changes in the coating. The cases are made of stainless steel, but if in the old version the side parts are mirror polished, then in the new version of Phoibos Voyager we have satin finish.
It's a strange feeling, but in the past I would say that satin is definitely a plus, as it requires less maintenance and is less prone to scratches. But having taken my watch for a long time, I understand that a well-distributed mirror polishing gives volume and high cost to the appearance of the watch. So it's all an amateur thing.
Looking at the watch from the side, I caught that the length from lug to lug of the new model is definitely less than its predecessor.
Watch sizes
In my watch, the voyager is 46 mm, but in the new version it is 45 mm. The diameter has also changed. In my watch - 40 mm, in the new version - 39 mm. Changes are also announced in the thickness: the old version is 14 mm, the new one is 13.5 mm.
Unfortunately, my tool shows slightly different numbers, but I can just not stick perfectly.
The weight of the old version is 173 grams, the new one is 168 grams.
That is, whatever one may say, Phoibos is still minimal, but somehow tries to reduce the size of these watches.
Watch on my hand
I cannot say that this is somehow drastically reflected visually when you measure the watch by hand. Well, maybe a little watch and more accurate.
In general, on my hand of 18 cm in girth, the watch looks great.
watch bracelet
There are absolutely no changes on the bracelet, and this is definitely good, because for its price it cannot be better. Chic geometry, expensive rustle, cool quality finishes in a combination of mirror polishing and satin finish.
Plus a bracelet with screws, which is also a plus, of course, and my favorite clapperboard clasp goes with it. Fully molded and very comfortable.
On the back of the watch, there is invariably a deep and stylish engraving of the Phoibos brand logo - an octopus.
Characteristics of Phoibos Voyager watches
According to the characteristics, only water protection has changed. It was 300 meters, reduced to 200 meters. The head is still screwed on. In fact, this does not play a special role, but I am sure that this is what allowed us to reduce the size of the watch a little.
On board the Japanese mechanics with automatic winding Seiko NH35A. We can say that this is a really reliable and proven classic, which is used by almost all microbrands today.
Sapphire crystal with triple anti-reflective coating and 15 layers of Swiss Super Luminova on the hands, hour markers and bezel markers. Here, another plus of the ceramic bezel just surfaced. There is no glow on the old version, but here it’s just royal.
Clock face
In the dials, except for the colors, nothing has changed. And they did it right. Why touch something that already looked gorgeous. Tall hour markers add volume, very beautiful shapes of both hands and marks, plus a very neatly framed date at around 6 o'clock.
Moreover, the brand bothered and in each version the date has its own color of the substrate and the color of the numbers to match the tone of the dial, so as not to stand out from the crowd. It's such a nice attention to detail.
Results
The price of a black watch today is 12480 UAH, and mother-of-pearl is a little more expensive - 12870 UAH. For this price, you get a really cool watch, with a recognizable design, expensive finishes and chic features.
If you are wondering how I feel about this restart, then I will answer that the previous version is still closer to me. But I have been wearing this watch for a long time and they are like family to me, so my opinion is somewhat emotionally colored to some extent.
In general, Phoibos just gives you the opportunity to feel the good old model in new versions. Why not. Everyone will find their own.
With us, as the official representative of the brand in Ukraine, you buy only original Phoibos watches with a 2-year warranty. Do not forget to read detailed reviews in our blog about Feeltime watches, but that's all, Stanislav was with you as always. See you again. Bye!
