Side by side

Phoibos Wave MastervsKUOE ROYAL SMITH 90-012

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

Wave Master
PhoibosWave Master
MSRP $309
ROYAL SMITH 90-012
KUOEROYAL SMITH 90-012

At a glance

12 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Wave Master42mm
ROYAL SMITH 90-01237mm
Power Reserve
Wave Master40h
ROYAL SMITH 90-01245h
Water Resistance
Wave Master300m
ROYAL SMITH 90-01250m
MSRP
Wave Master$309
ROYAL SMITH 90-012

Full specifications

Case

6 specs
Category
Diver
Chronograph
Diameter
42mm
37mm
Thickness
14mm
14.3mm
Lug-to-Lug
48.5mm
44mm
Lug Width
22mm
20mm
Water Resistance
300m
50m

Crystal & Dial

3 specs
Crystal Shape
Flat
Dome
Dial Color
Black
Navy
Lume
Super-LumiNova
None

Movement

2 specs
Caliber
SII NH35A
TMI NE86A
Power Reserve
40h
45h

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$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.

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.

KUOE ROYAL SMITH 90-012

Owners widely praise the KUOE ROYAL SMITH 90-012 for its elegant 37mm size and symmetrical bicompax layout, with the silver dial described as "insane" and highly readable. The chronograph pushers are noted for their crisp action and satisfying reset. However, reviewers flag the 14.3mm thickness as chunky for the case size, and one owner finds the date window difficult to read due to its small size and deep setting. The TMI NE86A movement offers a 45-hour power reserve and accuracy between +25 and -15 seconds per day. On balance, owners and reviewers rate the KUOE ROYAL SMITH 90-012 highly for its retro charm and attractive dial options at its price point.

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