Seiko Divers watch; orange face; SKX781

C

cutter17

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May 16, 2006
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I am giving serious thought to buying this watch. I don't dive but love the style and the orange face just strikes a chord in me! This has a 21 jewel automatic, selfwinding, mechanical movement. It is waterproof to 200m, not that it matters to me, has a 44mm case, a stainless bracelet, a Hardlex crystal, and Lumibrite markers. The price is $224.00 and that is an online price. I'm wondering if anyone has one or has anyone got an automatic movement like this one has? I would like to know how well this movement works (accuracy). Also; is the Hardlex crystal the same as a sapphire or mineral crystal, and how well do the Lumibrite markers show up in the dark? Finally, what are some thoughts on this watch in general and is there something better out there close to that price point? Any and all help is appreciated!:thumbup:
 
Its called a Orange Monster. You can buy them on Amazon.com for around $169...

Great watch but not the best time piece..they lose about five minutes a week...you will have to adjust weekly..
 
Thanks Ren. After posting I did a search, sorta bass ackwards as I should have done the search first, and found a post about the Black Monster which is the same watch as the orange monster. It did look like there were some accuracy issues with it. I did read that there was an adjuster that could be used to regulate it. Have you used that Ren? Just curious if the adjuster can get the watch keeping good time. I like the idea of an automatic movement and this will be a day in day out watch I wear so it will get plenty of auto winding.
 
I have a Black Monster which I love the look of and when I get the chance will use it diving.

It however gains 2 minutes per week. It drives me crayz but so far I have put up with it.

Sean
 
Do the training, buy the required tools and learn to adjust (regulate) it yourself! Then daily variation of less than 5 secs. become quite possible.:thumbup:
 
i like them and have seen them on the 'net for less than $150 FWIW.

imho the best looking diver around for less than $500.

i have an older seiko auto diver from '79 and though its always lost a minute a week or so its been going strong since '79 without the back ever being off, only con was its gone thru 3 different nylon straps, i would get the SS band myself.

i am gonna get a 'monster myself.
 
I wear my Black Monster night and day. It gains about a minute a week so I reset it weekly. I like the watch enough to accept the limitations of its mechanical movement.

If I could get my way, Seiko would offer a Kinetic quartz version using Traser illuminated hands and markers. It would then be the perfect watch for me.:D

I can read time fairly well for a few hours after lights out but it dims considerably in the last hours before dawn.

AFAIK, Hardex crystal consists of a saffire coating over glass giving the same scratch resistance as solid saffire.

One of the features I like alot is the off center crown. Wearing the Monster causes no pain.
 
Thanks for all the info guys. I have looked at another Seiko that has the kinetic movement, is a divers watch, and has the orange face. It does not come with the stainless band, but I guess that could be replaced with one from Seiko. It is a SKA291.
 
cutter17 said:
I'm wondering if anyone has one or has anyone got an automatic movement like this one has?
Click to expand...

This movement is a tried and true Seiko movement which will run for 20 years with out service.

cutter17 said:
I would like to know how well this movement works (accuracy).
Click to expand...

This movement can vary wildly out of the box for accuracy but it can easily be adjusted with a toothpick. Instructions abound on the net.

cutter17 said:
Also; is the Hardlex crystal the same as a sapphire or mineral crystal,
Click to expand...

Hardlex is quite good. A lot of Seiko-philes don't like it but I haven't had any problem with it.

cutter17 said:
and how well do the Lumibrite markers show up in the dark?
Click to expand...

Lumibrite is incredibly bright. After being charged it will glow bright enough to see by. It does lessen in brightness as the night wears on but still is easy to read.


cutter17 said:
Finally, what are some thoughts on this watch in general
Click to expand...

Go to the Seiko and Citizen forum http://www.network54.com/Forum/78440/ to read all about this watch.

Chad
 
I have 2, one black face one orange. One rubber strap on SS. Wear one everyday. Can't beat the price point! Nobody close. Mechanical watch some nylon? parts. Doesn't keep great time, ball park. Gotta wear em to wind em. Crystal is durable, mineral basically. Good watch, lots of fun. An Omega it is not!
 
I've owned Seiko mechanical automatics for over 20 years.

The first one was an automatic 5 I purchased at a yard sale for 0.50, lasted for 2 or 3 years and and a couple of bands until the 5 on the face broke off and damaged the hands.
Vietnam era Seiko automatic 200m diver [like SKX009] with a black and red ring no day/date 4 years in the auto winder movement loosened up and started making ring like sounds. Sent if back to Seiko where it was repaired, 4 years later did the same and now won't keep time. Nice 10 year run.
Seiko Kinetic 200M Sport around 1993. Wore it for 5 years without a problem. Took it off to do an oil change, found it a year later in the same spot. Wouldn't keep a charge at that point and sent it back to Seiko who repaired it gratis. Eventually the band wore out and local repair shops did not have the parts to repair it and it stopped keeping a charge and time.
Just purchased a SKX171K, another automatic 200M diver with Seiko's heavy rubber band and very happy with it after a month of use. Have noticed that it quickly loses it's power when not worn.

Common wisdom at the Watch forums is that mechanical watches NEED TO BE SERVICED by a watchmaker at least every other year of ownership to clean and adjust them. They feel that electric watches need attention too but as they are cheap and service is expensive tossing them when they break is no great loss.
 
I have the Black Monster and LOVE it. I have never gotten so many compliments on a watch, either. Everyone says, "Ooohhh... NICE watch!" FWIW I got mine virtually new (can't tell it was ever worn, but the seller called it used) on eBay for $91. LOVE it. I have to reset it every 4-7 days, but it takes 10 seconds and I could care less.
 
I got a Black Monster from overstock.com at a good price. Mine too runs a bit fast, and I was happy to learn recently that it can be adjusted.

Like any auto, it will die if you don't give it attention. Mine needs to be worn about every 2nd or 3rd day to keep the self-winding mechanism alive.

These watches also have huge chunks of glow-stuff on the markers, so they will really glow in the dark.

cheers
 
Thanks for all the responses to my questions about this watch. I think I'm going to go ahead and "pull the trigger" on this one and get the orange monster. I will fiddle with the adjuster, if needed, to get the time right. You know, this just might lead to a black monster also!:thumbup:
 
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