Side by side

CIGA Design TIME CIPHERvsPhoibos Wave Master

The numbers, the dial colors, the calibers — laid out so you can stop flipping between tabs.

TIME CIPHER
CIGA DesignTIME CIPHER
MSRP $899
Wave Master
PhoibosWave Master
MSRP $309

At a glance

12 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
TIME CIPHER45mm
Wave Master42mm
Power Reserve
TIME CIPHER42h
Wave Master40h
Water Resistance
TIME CIPHER50m
Wave Master300m
MSRP
TIME CIPHER$899
Wave Master$309

Full specifications

Case

5 specs
Category
Skeleton
Diver
Diameter
45mm
42mm
Thickness
11.8mm
14mm
Lug-to-Lug
48.5mm
Water Resistance
50m
300m

Crystal & Dial

3 specs
AR Coating
Inner
Yes
Dial Color
Carbon
Black
Lume
Swiss Super-LumiNova
Super-LumiNova

Movement

3 specs
Caliber
CD-08
SII NH35A
Power Reserve
42h
40h
Jewels
24
25

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$899
$309

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What people say

Owners + reviewers, side by side

Synthesized for each watch independently from owner discussions, enthusiast forums, written reviews, and video reviewers.

CIGA Design TIME CIPHER

The CIGA Design TIME CIPHER is praised for its fun and conceptual execution of a wandering hours display, offering a unique spectacle in a slim and wearable 45mm case. Reviewers highlight its intuitive complication, comfortable strap, and the striking "Super Black" dial designed to make the moving elements appear to float. The CD-08 automatic movement, based on the Miyota 9015, provides a 42-hour power reserve, with stated accuracy of -10 to +20 seconds per day. Some legibility challenges are noted due to the stencil-style numerals between 15 and 45 minutes past the hour. Overall, reviewers consider the CIGA Design TIME CIPHER a compelling and well-executed conceptual watch offering a good balance of spectacle and wearability at its $899 price point.

Phoibos Wave Master

Owners widely praise the Phoibos Wave Master for its attractive wavy dial, bright lume, and comfortable engineer bracelet, with many considering it one of the best-looking watches under $300. The watch features a sapphire crystal and ceramic bezel, and owners report good quality for the price, with a subtle wave pattern on the dial appreciated for its unique style. While some minor finishing flaws like slightly crooked hour markers or an off-center outer ring have been noted, these are generally considered not visible during wear. One owner experienced a clasp breakage after four years, but Phoibos replaced it free of charge. Some owners wish the watch were larger than 40mm, and one notes the GMT hand and other details may not hold up under extreme close-ups. Overall, owners rate the Phoibos Wave Master highly for its distinctive dial and value, especially considering its build quality and features.

From video reviewers

The unidirectional ceramic bezel action is praised. The lume brightness is noted as a weakness. Reviewers disagree on the water resistance rating, with some stating 300M and others 200M.

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