Fifty Phantoms Blue first impressions

So I just received this little number today in what I have been referring to as the Apology-Blue color way. Before I go on about my first impressions I have to reiterate this: I admire anyone who is brave enough to start their own business, then create something and then put it out there for the world to see and purchase. My opinion is just that, and so here it is...

I've been having alot of mixed experiences with watches lately. Even the expensive ones to be honest, sometimes don't hit the way I expected. And so I've gone back to obsessing about straps and building some pieces of my own. All that to say, this watch was no different in how I felt. It was good, it was meh, it was confusing.

To start with, when I was unpacking it I noticed the bezel was not exactly aligned. So I tried turning it, and man let me tell you, this is not an easy one to turn. You really have to go for it, not very practical, but then again it's not like I need it to be. Anywho, once I got it in place, I noticed the alignment was still not exact. So I did what any normal person would do: open the case back and start poking around....

In case you haven't read my posts in the past, that was a bit of sarcasm, most people don't open up a watch before they even try it on! But when I did I found the gasket was a bit of a mess and the dial and movement is held in place with a plastic keeper. Well this is the culprit; this kind of design results in a bit of a "floating" dial which means it can move ever so slightly to the sides giving an impression of not being aligned. But really it's just slightly offset. I've seen it in other watches. Is this outrageous? No, not at all. Remember, I'm not the average consumer here.

So after I fiddled with that a bit I tried on the different straps. Once again, not what I expected: kinda thick, kinda stiff, too bulky for my wrist. Even the rubber one, I've never had such a thick strap. It probably works for a person with a beefy wrist, but I'm quite average or below average at 17cm here. So I promptly put the straps away and threw on a random blue nato I had lying around.

I actually appreciate the nato look on this watch alot more. Despite the added height, it wears better IMO. Later in the day I switched once more to another nato.

I also recently discovered CNS straps (I don't why it took me so long) and have been ordering from them a bunch. After some deliberations I bought a couple of new straps to try on this piece. I hope that will endear it a bit more. Even the onion crown, once again, not my jam tbh.

Now all that said, this is not the kinda watch I would buy anyway, so I wasn't too surprised with my niggles. I looked at the Fleuss a few years ago and I didn't buy it because I felt it would not jive with me. Let's be honest, there is one reason and one reason alone I bought this watch:

That dial and lume is awesome! Frankly, I actually considered recasing this watch into something smaller without a bezel. Like a Presage style case maybe. The dial is what this piece is all about for me. But alas, I don't think the effort is worth it. And it will just devalue the watch which I don't want since I'm not even sure I'll keep it. I will at the very least give it a few more shots with the new straps. Maybe even wear it to a pool in summer. Definitely will look at getting another crown if it survives that long in my collection.

This watch also made me realize one sad but true fact about myself: I'm becoming a grumpy old man hahaha. I know this because I'm stuck in my old ways. I got more joy out of an overpriced new GShock than this very unique watch. Why? Because it feels familiar, it's what I'm used to, an old friend.

So don't take this a critical review of the watch, but more a critical review of myself. You all go out there and keep enjoying the things you like. Even an anal guy like me will force himself to try something new, so you have no excuse!