Side by side

CWC SBS Black Ice Quartz WatchvsPhoibos Narwhal

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

SBS Black Ice Quartz Watch
CWCSBS Black Ice Quartz Watch
MSRP $666
Narwhal
PhoibosNarwhal
MSRP $509

At a glance

8 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
SBS Black Ice Quartz Watch40mm
Narwhal38mm
Power Reserve
SBS Black Ice Quartz Watch40h
Narwhal40h
Water Resistance
SBS Black Ice Quartz Watch300m
Narwhal200m
MSRP
SBS Black Ice Quartz Watch$666
Narwhal$509

Full specifications

Case

3 specs
Diameter
40mm
38mm
Thickness
12mm
11.5mm
Water Resistance
300m
200m

Crystal & Dial

2 specs
Dial Color
CWC SBS Black Ice Quartz Watch
Malachite
Lume
None
Super-LumiNova

Movement

2 specs
Caliber
Ronda 517
Miyota 9015
Type
Quartz
Automatic

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$666
$509

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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.

CWC SBS Black Ice Quartz Watch

Owners widely praise the CWC SBS Black Ice Quartz Watch for its legible, uncluttered dial, excellent Super-LumiNova lume, and robust build quality, noting its comfortable 12mm thickness and durable PVD coating. The bezel action is described as having zero back play, and the fixed lugs are appreciated for easy strap changes. One owner reported the lume is readable throughout the night, while another flagged a faulty mechanism requiring replacement and poor retailer customer service. The £700 price is considered high by some compared to similar quartz divers, leading to questions about its value. Overall, owners rate the CWC SBS Black Ice Quartz Watch highly for its bombproof, toolish design and practical aesthetics.

Phoibos Narwhal

Owners widely praise the Phoibos Narwhal's 38mm size and slim 11.5mm height for a 200m diver, noting it wears well on smaller wrists and its case shape resembles an integrated bracelet. The aventurine and Howlite dials are described as captivating, and some appreciate the contrast finishing and retro looks. However, some owners criticize misaligned markers and a tilted date window, with one owner finding the hands thick and popsicle-style. The value proposition is debated, with some finding it a good buy at $390 but others considering $480-$490 too much due to a slabby design and difficult-to-size bracelet. On balance, owners find the Phoibos Narwhal appealing for its design and wearability, though quality control and pricing are points of contention for some.

From video reviewers

The unique stone dial is a significant strength. The bracelet's refinement is a weakness. Reviewers disagree on the dial's appeal, with one highlighting its sunburst effect and applied indices, while another focuses on the natural stone variation.

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