Side by side

CWC (Cabot Watch Company) 1980 RN Divers Automatic Re-Issue WatchvsPhoibos Wave Master

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

Wave Master
PhoibosWave Master
MSRP $309
What people say

Owners + reviewers, side by side

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

CWC (Cabot Watch Company) 1980 RN Divers Automatic Re-Issue Watch

Owners widely praise the CWC (Cabot Watch Company) 1980 RN Divers Automatic Re-Issue Watch for its faithful homage to vintage military divers, highlighting details like the dial markings, luminous acrylic bezel, vintage logo, and well-proportioned hands. One owner reports accuracy under +2 seconds per day. However, some find the "faux patina" lume too gold and glossy, and the polished case unusual for a military watch. The fixed lugs are noted as a potential drawback for some, though others appreciate them as a tool watch feature. Opinions on the value are split, with some questioning the $2.5k price point due to the ETA movement, while others see it as a strong alternative to more expensive watches. On balance, owners and reviewers rate the CWC (Cabot Watch Company) 1980 RN Divers Automatic Re-Issue Watch well for its vintage aesthetic and tool watch capabilities, despite some reservations about its price and specific execution details.

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.

At a glance

10 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
1980 RN Divers Automatic Re-Issue Watch45mm
Wave Master42mm
Power Reserve
1980 RN Divers Automatic Re-Issue Watch40h
Wave Master40h
Water Resistance
1980 RN Divers Automatic Re-Issue Watch300m
Wave Master300m
MSRP
1980 RN Divers Automatic Re-Issue Watch$3,747
Wave Master$309

Full specifications

Case

5 specs
Category
Diver
Diameter
45mm
42mm
Thickness
12.7mm
14mm
Lug-to-Lug
47mm
48.5mm
Lug Width
20mm
22mm

Crystal & Dial

3 specs
AR Coating
Inner
Yes
Dial Color
Black
Lume
None
Super-LumiNova

Movement

1 specs
Caliber
ETA 2824
SII NH35A

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$309
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