Citizen Series 8 831vsPhoibos Kraken

Owners widely praise the Citizen Series 8 831 for its finishing, with one owner noting it exceeded expectations. Reviewers highlight the textured Ice Blue dial and the bracelet's play of light, contributing to a comfortable and luxurious feel on the wrist. The watch features a 40mm ion-plated stainless steel case, a sapphire crystal, and 100 meters of water resistance. It is powered by the in-house Miyota Caliber 9051 automatic movement, which has a 42-hour power reserve and an accuracy range of -10 to +20 seconds per day. On balance, owners and reviewers rate the Citizen Series 8 831 highly for its impressive finishing and dial design at its price point.

Owners widely praise the Phoibos Kraken for its excellent lume, dial production, and the thinness of its Miyota 9015 movement, all at a sub-$500 price point. Specific positive mentions include the case and bracelet finishing, with one owner calling the bracelet excellent. The 40mm size is considered ideal by some. However, some owners find the crown guard execution awkward, and the hands have been described as resembling "veiny penises." There is also a concern that the dial's appearance in natural light might not achieve the desired color-shifting, smoky metallic effect. Overall, owners rate the Phoibos Kraken highly for its impressive dial and finishing at the price.