Spinnaker Fifty Phantoms Blue First Impressions Review

Having ordered this Spinnaker in the dark days of November I had almost forgotten about it!

It was only a few people posting on watchcrunch in the last few weeks that reminded me to keep an eye out . Then came a confirmation email from Spinnaker stating delivery was starting shortly and would complete by the first week in April.

Still the parcel appeared unexpected on the doorstep and I was pleasantly surprised.

This is not intended as a detailed review as we have only had the watch a day so this is more about initial impressions and a first wearing experience.

I say "we" as this was actually bought for my wife who fell in love with it on first seeing the launch details.

I was hopeful until she tried it on that it would prove too big for her 6" wrist but sadly for me she can get away with it! It fits my 7 and a bit inch wrist just right but hey ho! She said I can borrow it!

I will briefly mention specs. They are good. 150 m ( 82 fathoms?) water. Saphire crystal. Display caseback ( guarded by the Boss Phantom), signed onion crown, comes on blue leather ( with luminous stitching) and blue tropical rubber ( our preference), glass bezel, 22mm lug width, 43mm case and 51mm lug to lug.

It looks and feels smaller than that though. Also 13mm thick so relatively slim. That onion crown is 7mm, tactile and feels good when winding.

The lume is spectacular! Multicoloured and lasts a good long time...

The movement is the solid NH35 and everyone will have an opinion on that. At the price point ( which from distant memory of the order was around 350 quid?) this movement does the job in unspectacular fashion. I haven't yet tested it in terms of accuracy. Seiko movements of this type can be all over the place. I will take a look after a couple of weeks of wear. I won't be surprised if it's +- 20 odd seconds in fact I will be happy with that. If they had put a Miyota or similar in it the price would be heading north certainly.

This is my first Spinnaker in the metal and I'm pretty impressed! Everything aligns. It looks and feels well put together.

It's also my first collaboration piece although my knowledge of seconde/ seconde is the square root of bugger all!

Spinnaker are Hong Kong based and seem to offer a great variety of good designs at a good price. Plus they are always having sales which is a bonus for us enthusiasts!

I'm impressed with this blue 50 Phantoms. I think it's a fun and clever design!

I know its really a homage but it's clearly very much not a copy ( unless you disappear the 50 Phantoms!)

The litmus test for me was the reaction of my young grandchildren on seeing the watch and they were absolutely fascinated by it. So it's a keeper I would highly recommend!

What do you think?