Side by side

Phoibos Wave MastervsZelos Helmsman 3

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

Wave Master
PhoibosWave Master
MSRP $309
Helmsman 3
ZelosHelmsman 3
MSRP $529

At a glance

12 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Wave Master42mm
Helmsman 340mm
Power Reserve
Wave Master40h
Helmsman 340h
Water Resistance
Wave Master300m
Helmsman 3200m
MSRP
Wave Master$309
Helmsman 3$529

Full specifications

Case

6 specs
Diameter
42mm
40mm
Thickness
14mm
11.5mm
Lug-to-Lug
48.5mm
40mm
Lug Width
22mm
20mm
Material
Stainless Steel
316L Stainless Steel
Water Resistance
300m
200m

Crystal & Dial

4 specs
Crystal
Sapphire
Domed Sapphire
AR Coating
Yes
Inner
Dial Color
Black
SS - Frost
Lume
Super-LumiNova
None

Movement

1 specs
Caliber
SII NH35A
Miyota 9015

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$309
$529

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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.

Zelos Helmsman 3

Owners widely praise the Zelos Helmsman 3 for its exceptional finishing and polishing on the titanium case, with some noting it feels nicer than previous models. The unique Titanium Crystalline Dial and Damascus Titanium dial are frequently highlighted as aesthetically pleasing and head-turning features, especially considering the price point. The brushed beads of rice bracelet is described as fitting well, and the on-the-fly clasp is considered amazing. Lume is also noted as great, with lumed crowns being a positive observation. However, some owners report the watch can feel top-heavy with sharp edges, making it uncertain as a daily driver for some. The meteorite bezel is seen by one owner as not adding significant value, and the stock strap's keepers and stitching were considered to detract from the watch's appearance.

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