Atomic
24 December 2005, 03:22 AM
Black Monster Review
The Seiko Black Monster SKX779K has been available for about five years and is a tough dive watch that is waterproof to 200m, has the 7S26, automatic movement and comes on a solid stainless steel bracelet and/or a rubber dive strap. It’s 42mm across and 13mm thick and for a mere US$190 give or take, it’s the best value watch available today.
It comes with a solid stainless steel unidirectional bezel with engraved numbers. The watch comes with a black or orange dial (with limited editions available in yellow or blue dials).
The 7S26 movement is a 21 jewel, non-hacking movement that cannot be manually wound. By non-hacking, I mean the second hand cannot be stopped to set the time to the absolute second. This could be problematic for some who are particular about precise accuracy. It beats at 21,600 beats per hour, so a tad slower than a standard auto, which usually beats around 28,000 bph.
The fact that it cannot be manually wound is a drawback as it means if you’re not wearing the watch for more than it’s 42 hour reserve, you’ll have to rotate it to keep it going, or keep it on a winder, or reset the date/time. It’s a minor drawback given how good this watch is. The movement also has a day and date function. Personally I can do without the day function as in my opinion it clutters the dial. I would rather have a manual wind function than a date function, but this is splitting hairs.
Down to the actually use. I really like this watch. As most divers are modelled after the Blancpain 50 Fathom (yes, including the ubiquitous Rolex Submariner) the Monster goes against the tide with a unique design that really lives up to it’s name. It’s a love it or hate it design, as it is pure function and very much a tool watch. I would not wear this watch with a suit at all.
That said, despite it’s size it is very comfortable on the wrist, with the heavy case nicely balanced by the heavy bracelet. The clasp on the Monster is a double deployment with a fliplock. The deployment is released by two spring driven buttons on each side of the clasp. It is very robust and feels solid. That baby won’t leave your wrist. I don’t know how it feels on a strap, but other Monster owners swear by the OEM Seiko rubber strap. The bracelet also has a diver suit expansion, which is pretty cool and easy to use. The only drawback I have read about this watch is the sizing. It uses pins with sleeves, and it can be a pain to get the sleeves over the pins. Best to have a dealer size it for you.
The watch is mostly brushed stainless, with some polished surfaces making for an interesting combination. The small part of each link (that the pin goes through) is polished, giving a nice contrast, but unlike the Yachtmaster, it is not over bearing and more tool like than the bling of the YM.
Accuracy-wise, it’s pretty good. I haven’t done a precise test, but generally over a period of five day of keeping it running, it was within +7 seconds a day. Not COSC standards, but for a watch costing less than $200 that’s damned impressive.
The lume is outstanding on this dial. The markers are large and easily readable as are the hands. The lume requires some charging but once lit up, it’s almost like holding up a candle in a dark room. It’s that bright!
The bezel rotates smoothly and solidly as well, with solid clicks all the way around. The case has two bezel protectors on the top and bottom so if you’re diving and knock your watch on a rock or a rusty hull, the bezel shouldn’t move.
The crown is a screw-in type and is easy to use, however, it may be the weakest point of the watch as it doesn’t have the same solid feel that a Rolex crown does. But then again, it doesn’t cost $7,000 either. This is only a concern for me since I don’t have a winder and will likely be resetting the time frequently over the life of the watch. Time will tell but it does screw in nicely... it just feels a tad wobbly when it's fully unscrewed.
Overall impressions of this watch are very positive. I think it’s the best watch you can buy for even less than US$1,000. I would highly recommend a Monster to anyone interested in a tough, no nonsense dive watch.
Photo courtesy of Dman
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b224/bytownpassat/DSCN0038.jpg
The Seiko Black Monster SKX779K has been available for about five years and is a tough dive watch that is waterproof to 200m, has the 7S26, automatic movement and comes on a solid stainless steel bracelet and/or a rubber dive strap. It’s 42mm across and 13mm thick and for a mere US$190 give or take, it’s the best value watch available today.
It comes with a solid stainless steel unidirectional bezel with engraved numbers. The watch comes with a black or orange dial (with limited editions available in yellow or blue dials).
The 7S26 movement is a 21 jewel, non-hacking movement that cannot be manually wound. By non-hacking, I mean the second hand cannot be stopped to set the time to the absolute second. This could be problematic for some who are particular about precise accuracy. It beats at 21,600 beats per hour, so a tad slower than a standard auto, which usually beats around 28,000 bph.
The fact that it cannot be manually wound is a drawback as it means if you’re not wearing the watch for more than it’s 42 hour reserve, you’ll have to rotate it to keep it going, or keep it on a winder, or reset the date/time. It’s a minor drawback given how good this watch is. The movement also has a day and date function. Personally I can do without the day function as in my opinion it clutters the dial. I would rather have a manual wind function than a date function, but this is splitting hairs.
Down to the actually use. I really like this watch. As most divers are modelled after the Blancpain 50 Fathom (yes, including the ubiquitous Rolex Submariner) the Monster goes against the tide with a unique design that really lives up to it’s name. It’s a love it or hate it design, as it is pure function and very much a tool watch. I would not wear this watch with a suit at all.
That said, despite it’s size it is very comfortable on the wrist, with the heavy case nicely balanced by the heavy bracelet. The clasp on the Monster is a double deployment with a fliplock. The deployment is released by two spring driven buttons on each side of the clasp. It is very robust and feels solid. That baby won’t leave your wrist. I don’t know how it feels on a strap, but other Monster owners swear by the OEM Seiko rubber strap. The bracelet also has a diver suit expansion, which is pretty cool and easy to use. The only drawback I have read about this watch is the sizing. It uses pins with sleeves, and it can be a pain to get the sleeves over the pins. Best to have a dealer size it for you.
The watch is mostly brushed stainless, with some polished surfaces making for an interesting combination. The small part of each link (that the pin goes through) is polished, giving a nice contrast, but unlike the Yachtmaster, it is not over bearing and more tool like than the bling of the YM.
Accuracy-wise, it’s pretty good. I haven’t done a precise test, but generally over a period of five day of keeping it running, it was within +7 seconds a day. Not COSC standards, but for a watch costing less than $200 that’s damned impressive.
The lume is outstanding on this dial. The markers are large and easily readable as are the hands. The lume requires some charging but once lit up, it’s almost like holding up a candle in a dark room. It’s that bright!
The bezel rotates smoothly and solidly as well, with solid clicks all the way around. The case has two bezel protectors on the top and bottom so if you’re diving and knock your watch on a rock or a rusty hull, the bezel shouldn’t move.
The crown is a screw-in type and is easy to use, however, it may be the weakest point of the watch as it doesn’t have the same solid feel that a Rolex crown does. But then again, it doesn’t cost $7,000 either. This is only a concern for me since I don’t have a winder and will likely be resetting the time frequently over the life of the watch. Time will tell but it does screw in nicely... it just feels a tad wobbly when it's fully unscrewed.
Overall impressions of this watch are very positive. I think it’s the best watch you can buy for even less than US$1,000. I would highly recommend a Monster to anyone interested in a tough, no nonsense dive watch.
Photo courtesy of Dman
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b224/bytownpassat/DSCN0038.jpg