Great video - I recently learned Seiko is cancelling the MONSTER so I went on eBay and picked this watch up for $250 still in the box. The crown on mine seems a bit tough but I think it'll wear in - I mainly bought it in hopes it'll be worth more in the years to come, we'll see....
This is the only monster I have and I love it! I put it on a blue rubber dive strap to match the dial which looks a lot better than the included bracelet. I’m not a huge fan of how the bracelet tapers down at the clasp. Great quick look, Nick!
I only discovered the monster this year and already have 2 and the blue dial save the ocean version on the way to me as I write this. I can’t believe this model was unknown to me for so long it’s really a watch enthusiast model I guess.? I have used eBay so prices have been around the $350 ish level so very fair and more in line of what the price should be. I see myself now buying probably a couple of these every year now because they really come out with new variations all the time. I don’t know if you still have one but enjoy it if you do.!!
Good overview. The new Monster is really good looking, but they have really jacked up the price. About 5-6 yrs ago you could get a Gen 3 on Amazon for around $160. It is a dive watch that is different in design than almost every other dive watch you see, which has certain appeal. The accuracy of the standard Seiko watches is pretty poor no doubt. When they were going for under $200 you could kind of excuse that. Now with many going for $500-1000 it is a tough pill to swallow.
Nick S good to know. That is more reasonable, but in general the prices of Seiko have really gone up. They are still good for the money, just not as good as they used to be.
I am usually a pilots/military chronograph kind of guy, but this Monster is definitely growing on me (eyeing the "Save The Ocean" version at the moment), one thing I don't get about the cyclops - you would think that the day/date would probably be the least important information to a diver, but yet, they seem to have the biggest emphasis on this watch.........
I've got a second gen. "Bloody Monster" (SRP313 J1) that annoyed me so much I stopped wearing it. Part of the reason is the accuracy tolerance: for the first year I wore it it would lose around 25 seconds per day, I could live with that but at around the one year point it started GAINING almost exactly 1 full minute per day, so by the end of the week it'd be 7 mins. ahead - regardless of what position I set it down in: face up/down, crown up/down, etc. That's unacceptable for a watch of this price (I paid $350 for my "Made in Japan" example). The even bigger gripe is that, regardless of whether I wore it all day, every day or left it sitting on my night stand for a day, if I didn't wind it daily it stopped running. It's supposed to be auto winding NOT mechanical! It's my second Seiko, my other is a mid-range quartz that keeps good time but has no lum, so it's useless in the dark - it's still a nicer watch than my Monster. I'm seriously considering a Marathon Navigator next time around, the tritium seems interesting. Also interested in Hamilton's offerings.
I walked into my watch shop around the corner the other day with my Turtle and mentioned it running off a bit after two days - I put it down on the counter and started talking with his son (family business) and didn't notice that he had picked it up, took the back off and had adjusted the movement, all within a few minutes... Didn't even charge me for that - I got it used and beat up, he mentioned I should leave it for a servicing soon.... My point is, the accuracy can be easily dialed in by someone who knows how to do it and it's not brain surgery
Great looking watch, but you would think it would keep better time.. My $100 Invicta Pro Diver only loses about 10 sec a month. I enjoy your videos Nick.
Have owned and used a few Seiko's over the years for diving and the two things I came to dislike is the strap/ buckle (not very robust) and the Mineral crystal (Hardlex) as it scratches easier than you would think. Pretty big downside if you put the watch to work....
I have SRPD29K1. All coated with the same coloured plating as the bezel. As much as any of the watches I own is a 'keeper'; this is a keeper. Great point about their advertised margin of error for accuracy at the price. Mine has an average of +5.4s/day tracked over 16 days but their advertised 'acceptable' tolerance does not inspire much confidence. It says to me that it's to allow for instances of poor quality control and that they don't have great faith in their own production facilities (as if to say: you buy at your own risk). Which kind of ties in with their notorious, recent, history of misaligned chapter rings, too. Those things, considered alongside the upwards tragectory of their pricing policies these days, are not good. Not good enough, at all. They have a past reputation for value for money (which they now comprise, rather than improving upon) and a large following of fanboys and Seikoholics but I believe that they know this and are starting to take the mickey out of them. Which is just business, in some cases, I suppose (capitalising on what they can capitalise on) but when viewed from another perspective (mine as a prospective customer), it seems slightly scandalous. Anyway, I've had my Seiko fetish. Past tense, having flipped a few. It's not them I will be looking to for any future purchases from now on, I don't think.
I don't like the changes to the bezel, color aside the monster needs to have the classic aggressive bezel! Anyway, maybe the next gen will get the "king" treatment.
Earlier models had triangular hour markers all around and they looked like monster's teeth... hence the monster nickname.
4 роки тому+2
No, the first generation did have rectangular'ish markers like this one so the name monster was already established when the shark teeth markers were introduced.
Yeah it got the monster title from the overall look and unique case shape then the second generation had the teeth markers, it was the only generation for them
4R Monsters used to be a good value when they sold for $200. Then, practically overnight, Seiko doubled the price in exchange for removing the day. Then restored the day, but the price continued up. Same laughable accuracy and horrid bracelets and clasps.
Not even close to the same thing the older monster also had the shark teeth style hour hand markers. Seiko got rid of everything that made the monster a monster
I called Lewis Jewelers and asked for DK. The moment I mentioned your name, he blew an airhorn into the phone and hung up on me.
a tip: watch series at flixzone. I've been using them for watching all kinds of movies during the lockdown.
@Gael Angelo yup, I've been using Flixzone} for since december myself :)
@Gael Angelo Definitely, I have been using Flixzone} for months myself :)
Great video - I recently learned Seiko is cancelling the MONSTER so I went on eBay and picked this watch up for $250 still in the box. The crown on mine seems a bit tough but I think it'll wear in - I mainly bought it in hopes it'll be worth more in the years to come, we'll see....
This is the only monster I have and I love it! I put it on a blue rubber dive strap to match the dial which looks a lot better than the included bracelet. I’m not a huge fan of how the bracelet tapers down at the clasp. Great quick look, Nick!
I own the SBDY115 and SBDY105 Save the Ocean Antarctica Monsters and love them . Amazing 🤩 watches 👍🏻💯
Your watch reviews are leagues better than most of those proffered by the big watch channels. Keep ‘em coming, Nick.
When this watch first hit the market it was huge. So combined with the styling, for the time period it earned the name.
You mean the first gen. or this model?
$500 for a decent automatic is not unreasonable.
I agree with the accuracy gripe
I only discovered the monster this year and already have 2 and the blue dial save the ocean version on the way to me as I write this. I can’t believe this model was unknown to me for so long it’s really a watch enthusiast model I guess.? I have used eBay so prices have been around the $350 ish level so very fair and more in line of what the price should be. I see myself now buying probably a couple of these every year now because they really come out with new variations all the time. I don’t know if you still have one but enjoy it if you do.!!
I'll stick with my original Seiko Black Monster SKX779, been wearing it for the last 15 years now and it's still going.
@Tim No service yet.
Good overview. The new Monster is really good looking, but they have really jacked up the price. About 5-6 yrs ago you could get a Gen 3 on Amazon for around $160. It is a dive watch that is different in design than almost every other dive watch you see, which has certain appeal. The accuracy of the standard Seiko watches is pretty poor no doubt. When they were going for under $200 you could kind of excuse that. Now with many going for $500-1000 it is a tough pill to swallow.
You can buy these all day long for well under $350.
Nick S good to know. That is more reasonable, but in general the prices of Seiko have really gone up. They are still good for the money, just not as good as they used to be.
I am usually a pilots/military chronograph kind of guy, but this Monster is definitely growing on me (eyeing the "Save The Ocean" version at the moment), one thing I don't get about the cyclops - you would think that the day/date would probably be the least important information to a diver, but yet, they seem to have the biggest emphasis on this watch.........
yeah, it's a fashion watch intended to be worn out-and-about BUT for those who want a tough watch
❤️ The one I received ! Everything lines up and is running @ +2.5 spd . Paid $260 + tx. Was literally lost at the Post office for 2 weeks tho .🥂😂
Damn the way he flexed his Grand Seiko Spring Drive was classy. I tip my hat to you Nick Shabazz that was classy.
I really like everything about this watch aesthetically, except the cyclops
Yeah, I dislike the cyclops also
I bet it’s easy to remove.
I've got a second gen. "Bloody Monster" (SRP313 J1) that annoyed me so much I stopped wearing it. Part of the reason is the accuracy tolerance: for the first year I wore it it would lose around 25 seconds per day, I could live with that but at around the one year point it started GAINING almost exactly 1 full minute per day, so by the end of the week it'd be 7 mins. ahead - regardless of what position I set it down in: face up/down, crown up/down, etc. That's unacceptable for a watch of this price (I paid $350 for my "Made in Japan" example). The even bigger gripe is that, regardless of whether I wore it all day, every day or left it sitting on my night stand for a day, if I didn't wind it daily it stopped running. It's supposed to be auto winding NOT mechanical! It's my second Seiko, my other is a mid-range quartz that keeps good time but has no lum, so it's useless in the dark - it's still a nicer watch than my Monster. I'm seriously considering a Marathon Navigator next time around, the tritium seems interesting. Also interested in Hamilton's offerings.
When it started gaining a minute a day, it didn’t get magnetized, did it?
I walked into my watch shop around the corner the other day with my Turtle and mentioned it running off a bit after two days - I put it down on the counter and started talking with his son (family business) and didn't notice that he had picked it up, took the back off and had adjusted the movement, all within a few minutes... Didn't even charge me for that - I got it used and beat up, he mentioned I should leave it for a servicing soon.... My point is, the accuracy can be easily dialed in by someone who knows how to do it and it's not brain surgery
How do I open up the bracelet extension?
I’ve already ordered 4 extra bracelet links but this little piece of info would be much appreciated.👍🏻
It takes a little force but it flips open and snaps back.
Grand Seiko looks phenomenal! Did I miss your review?
Great review! I completely agree with your assessment. Great watch but the accuracy does get to me...
Great looking watch, but you would think it would keep better time.. My $100 Invicta Pro Diver only loses about 10 sec a month. I enjoy your videos Nick.
I thought about getting this exact model, but ultimately picked the black waffle dial Samurai instead. I feel like this one is not “monstrous” enough.
Great review. Nice Monster. The public names Seiko watches, though. Not Seiko.
Hi Nick. I actually think pin and collar is a good reliable solution. I believe GS still uses it.
I was just wondering which one of these knives do you think is better CJRB Small Feldspar are the CJRB Cutlery Centros
Nice review!
Is it an idea to also weigh in grams for the rest of the world?
Have owned and used a few Seiko's over the years for diving and the two things I came to dislike is the strap/ buckle (not very robust) and the Mineral crystal (Hardlex) as it scratches easier than you would think. Pretty big downside if you put the watch to work....
The buckle design is as old as using ounces to measure mass!!! It must look amazing on a Waffle Strap.
Nice watch and nice review!!!
can you recommend a good or great replacement bracelet? thank you for the review!
I have SRPD29K1. All coated with the same coloured plating as the bezel. As much as any of the watches I own is a 'keeper'; this is a keeper.
Great point about their advertised margin of error for accuracy at the price. Mine has an average of +5.4s/day tracked over 16 days but their advertised 'acceptable' tolerance does not inspire much confidence. It says to me that it's to allow for instances of poor quality control and that they don't have great faith in their own production facilities (as if to say: you buy at your own risk). Which kind of ties in with their notorious, recent, history of misaligned chapter rings, too. Those things, considered alongside the upwards tragectory of their pricing policies these days, are not good. Not good enough, at all.
They have a past reputation for value for money (which they now comprise, rather than improving upon) and a large following of fanboys and Seikoholics but I believe that they know this and are starting to take the mickey out of them. Which is just business, in some cases, I suppose (capitalising on what they can capitalise on) but when viewed from another perspective (mine as a prospective customer), it seems slightly scandalous.
Anyway, I've had my Seiko fetish. Past tense, having flipped a few. It's not them I will be looking to for any future purchases from now on, I don't think.
yep
I don't like the changes to the bezel, color aside the monster needs to have the classic aggressive bezel!
Anyway, maybe the next gen will get the "king" treatment.
Cool watch this one,the seiko with the most original style and a real evergreen(i like this even better then the 007,the other classic from seiko)
What the RAT II D2 of the Watch World?
Get the Certina DS Action with 80 hour power reserve and sappire crystal.
Nick can you recommend a 3rd party buckle
It’s nice I just prefer my srp309 more
Good review!
If you want OMG Value!, pick up a Helm Vanuatu. Of course, in order to do that, you'll have to first deal with OMG Scarcity!
Earlier models had triangular hour markers all around and they looked like monster's teeth... hence the monster nickname.
No, the first generation did have rectangular'ish markers like this one so the name monster was already established when the shark teeth markers were introduced.
Yeah it got the monster title from the overall look and unique case shape then the second generation had the teeth markers, it was the only generation for them
You are the man nick
Collecting mine later
4R Monsters used to be a good value when they sold for $200. Then, practically overnight, Seiko doubled the price in exchange for removing the day. Then restored the day, but the price continued up. Same laughable accuracy and horrid bracelets and clasps.
This guy sounds like a bad impression of Jay Leno
Not even close to the same thing the older monster also had the shark teeth style hour hand markers. Seiko got rid of everything that made the monster a monster
I wish they offered it without the cyclops
Stop reviewing watches! You provided me incentive to buy two models of the Citizen Pro-Master Tough monocoque watches.
The new monsters are so ugly they have the stupid cyclops and the details on the side of the watch are no where near as nice as the second gen monster
Pins are better than screws!
*seiko pin and collar ones
What? this guy talks fast.
Automatics are great if you want to be late for everything
Or early.
45 seconds per day? Nah!
looks unexciting