Side by side

Hamilton American Classic Boulton QuartzvsPhoibos Wave Master

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

American Classic Boulton Quartz
HamiltonAmerican Classic Boulton Quartz
MSRP $845
Wave Master
PhoibosWave Master
MSRP $309

At a glance

13 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
American Classic Boulton Quartz27mm
Wave Master42mm
Power Reserve
American Classic Boulton Quartz40h
Wave Master40h
Water Resistance
American Classic Boulton Quartz30m
Wave Master300m
MSRP
American Classic Boulton Quartz$845
Wave Master$309

Full specifications

Case

6 specs
Category
Dress
Diver
Diameter
27mm
42mm
Thickness
7.8mm
14mm
Lug-to-Lug
46mm
48.5mm
Lug Width
18mm
22mm
Water Resistance
30m
300m

Crystal & Dial

4 specs
Crystal
Mineral
Sapphire
AR Coating
Inner
Yes
Dial Color
White
Black
Lume
None
Super-LumiNova

Movement

2 specs
Caliber
980.163
SII NH35A
Type
Quartz
Automatic

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$845
$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.

Hamilton American Classic Boulton Quartz

Owners praise the Hamilton American Classic Boulton Quartz for its classy, formal aesthetic, historical inspiration, and Art Deco design, noting its sinuous case hugs the wrist and contributes to a premium feel. Some find its small and thin size perfect, with one owner highlighting the 27mm x 32mm dimensions. The blue OEM strap was considered low quality, prompting an immediate swap. The retail price of $695 is considered worthwhile for the design and reliable movement by some, while others find it expensive for a quartz watch. Overall, owners rate the Hamilton American Classic Boulton Quartz highly for its heritage styling and elegant design at its 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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