Seiko Watch Resource
Discussion
Hi,
Does anyone know of a good Seiko watch resource on the web? Or are there any Seiko experts on here? I'm thinking of collecting a few as they are affordable to me. I have a Premier Automatic and am hoping to get a Monster (can't decide what colour) before the end of the year. There are people advertising all manner of Seiko diving watches as Monsters which has prompted me to learn more Seikos as awhole so in know what i'm looking at.
I'm interested in the details of the different automatic movements and which watches they are found in. I'm also interested in the different models sold around the world. Seiko's various websites are not much use because they seem to ignore a large portion of the watches they make. Neither the .co.uk or .com site even mention diving watches or the Seiko 5 range.
Does anyone know of a good Seiko watch resource on the web? Or are there any Seiko experts on here? I'm thinking of collecting a few as they are affordable to me. I have a Premier Automatic and am hoping to get a Monster (can't decide what colour) before the end of the year. There are people advertising all manner of Seiko diving watches as Monsters which has prompted me to learn more Seikos as awhole so in know what i'm looking at.
I'm interested in the details of the different automatic movements and which watches they are found in. I'm also interested in the different models sold around the world. Seiko's various websites are not much use because they seem to ignore a large portion of the watches they make. Neither the .co.uk or .com site even mention diving watches or the Seiko 5 range.
Try this forum
http://www.network54.com/Forum/78440/
or this if you are interested in divers
http://www.makedostudio.com/watches/seiko-divers/i...
http://www.network54.com/Forum/78440/
or this if you are interested in divers
http://www.makedostudio.com/watches/seiko-divers/i...
Rgee said:
Try this forum
http://www.network54.com/Forum/78440/
or this if you are interested in divers
http://www.makedostudio.com/watches/seiko-divers/i...
Thanks, i think the first link could be most useful http://www.network54.com/Forum/78440/
or this if you are interested in divers
http://www.makedostudio.com/watches/seiko-divers/i...
. It's not the easiest on the eye though that forum is it? This page pretty much points out which ones are the 'Monsters' though they have such a distinctive bezel that there aren't really many others that look like them. The bezel should be concave - getting taller with distance from the centre of the dial. Virtually all other watches' bezels slope down, or are flat.
Should be easy to acquire a Monster, though they don't sell them in this country. I ordered an Orange Monster (love it!) from the States using eBay (and I have to *really* want something to use eBay as I don't trust it) - and it arrived just as specified, with a cheap toolset to adjust the bracelet (which is pin connected, rather than screws like Rolex, etc. use). However the Monster is made of very good stainless steel and feels a *hell* of a lot more of a quality item than its price tag would suggest.
It's one of my favourite watches and can take any punishment (within reason - it's still an automatic mechanical movement) I'm likely to give it. It's a big watch but the case - bracelet interface seems to let it look just about OK on my wrist, whereas an IWC doppelchronograph (which is nominally the same diameter) looked stupid on my narrow wrists. Anyway, I love my Monster and it's not going anywhere
The size vs. my narrow wrists may be alleviated by the crown at 4 o-clock design, which is used a lot on Seiko divers.
Orange and Black are surely still current models and easily available - though the Yellow may be hard to find (there aren't any on eBay for example). The Yellow Monster also seems to have a much smaller face (and much heavier bezel) due to the colour... I'm not sure about it - looks 'too chunky' in a watch which almost epitomises 'chunky'.
It's a shame but Seiko's full-on top-end movements aren't sold over here, since the brand doesn't have the necessary cachet that's demanded by the majority of purchasers of expensive watches
AFAIAC, Seiko is a proper Manufacture, since they make all the parts and design all the movements in-house. Few Swiss houses can claim that any more (Rolex, perhaps, and the Swatch Group consolidation will probably put most of their brands in there). Even Patek use quartz movements in some watches. Seiko make every last screw themselves IIRC, which puts them in the top category for me.
The only missing bit is that Seiko are committed to automated assembly... and there's that undefinable 'soul' aspect of knowing that your watch was put together lovingly by a watchmaker somewhere in Switzerland.... sounds silly, since that watchmaker will have been supplied with a box of parts made by CNC machines just like Seiko's operation. Also Seiko have no snobbery about materials used within movements, whereas no Swiss 'haute horloger' would consider using plastic parts anywhere in the mechanism.
That said, Seiko have a bunch of patents themselves relating to mechanical movement accuracy (magic lever rings a bell, may be wrong) - if they just wanted precision then they'd go all quartz. The fact that they still make the proper mechanical movements is the only reason I like them. The Monster is a bit of a cult piece but if it was a quartz electric thing then I doubt I'd own one. But even though it doesn't have Seiko's best movement inside, it still has a proper automatic mechanical.
However, out of my small 8-watch collection - if you asked me 'which one is fastest to tell the time with' - it'd be the Orange Monster. I have a thing for chronographs and complications and most of the others have multiple dials or other clutter. The Monster is *very* clear and the day and date is surprisingly 'essential' (I notice the lack of it as soon as I swap to a watch without a date). The different colours for the weekend days is a nice touch as well.
You *have* to own a Monster, even if your regular collection consists of Vacheron, Patek, Breguet, Blancpain, Rolex etc. It's a classless watch for some reason...
Should be easy to acquire a Monster, though they don't sell them in this country. I ordered an Orange Monster (love it!) from the States using eBay (and I have to *really* want something to use eBay as I don't trust it) - and it arrived just as specified, with a cheap toolset to adjust the bracelet (which is pin connected, rather than screws like Rolex, etc. use). However the Monster is made of very good stainless steel and feels a *hell* of a lot more of a quality item than its price tag would suggest.
It's one of my favourite watches and can take any punishment (within reason - it's still an automatic mechanical movement) I'm likely to give it. It's a big watch but the case - bracelet interface seems to let it look just about OK on my wrist, whereas an IWC doppelchronograph (which is nominally the same diameter) looked stupid on my narrow wrists. Anyway, I love my Monster and it's not going anywhere
The size vs. my narrow wrists may be alleviated by the crown at 4 o-clock design, which is used a lot on Seiko divers.Orange and Black are surely still current models and easily available - though the Yellow may be hard to find (there aren't any on eBay for example). The Yellow Monster also seems to have a much smaller face (and much heavier bezel) due to the colour... I'm not sure about it - looks 'too chunky' in a watch which almost epitomises 'chunky'.
It's a shame but Seiko's full-on top-end movements aren't sold over here, since the brand doesn't have the necessary cachet that's demanded by the majority of purchasers of expensive watches
AFAIAC, Seiko is a proper Manufacture, since they make all the parts and design all the movements in-house. Few Swiss houses can claim that any more (Rolex, perhaps, and the Swatch Group consolidation will probably put most of their brands in there). Even Patek use quartz movements in some watches. Seiko make every last screw themselves IIRC, which puts them in the top category for me.The only missing bit is that Seiko are committed to automated assembly... and there's that undefinable 'soul' aspect of knowing that your watch was put together lovingly by a watchmaker somewhere in Switzerland.... sounds silly, since that watchmaker will have been supplied with a box of parts made by CNC machines just like Seiko's operation. Also Seiko have no snobbery about materials used within movements, whereas no Swiss 'haute horloger' would consider using plastic parts anywhere in the mechanism.
That said, Seiko have a bunch of patents themselves relating to mechanical movement accuracy (magic lever rings a bell, may be wrong) - if they just wanted precision then they'd go all quartz. The fact that they still make the proper mechanical movements is the only reason I like them. The Monster is a bit of a cult piece but if it was a quartz electric thing then I doubt I'd own one. But even though it doesn't have Seiko's best movement inside, it still has a proper automatic mechanical.
However, out of my small 8-watch collection - if you asked me 'which one is fastest to tell the time with' - it'd be the Orange Monster. I have a thing for chronographs and complications and most of the others have multiple dials or other clutter. The Monster is *very* clear and the day and date is surprisingly 'essential' (I notice the lack of it as soon as I swap to a watch without a date). The different colours for the weekend days is a nice touch as well.
You *have* to own a Monster, even if your regular collection consists of Vacheron, Patek, Breguet, Blancpain, Rolex etc. It's a classless watch for some reason...
Excuse my ignorance regarding watches and what may seem like an obvious question.
Are the Seiko Orange & Black Monster watches that are discussed the same ones that can be purchased on ebay from UK sellers for £140, or are these a UK market look a like rather than the one with the good quality movement.
Just curious as if so I fancy getting an orange one.
Are the Seiko Orange & Black Monster watches that are discussed the same ones that can be purchased on ebay from UK sellers for £140, or are these a UK market look a like rather than the one with the good quality movement.
Just curious as if so I fancy getting an orange one.
cyberface said:
This page pretty much points out which ones are the 'Monsters' though they have such a distinctive bezel that there aren't really many others that look like them. The bezel should be concave - getting taller with distance from the centre of the dial. Virtually all other watches' bezels slope down, or are flat.
Should be easy to acquire a Monster, though they don't sell them in this country. I ordered an Orange Monster (love it!) from the States using eBay (and I have to *really* want something to use eBay as I don't trust it) - and it arrived just as specified, with a cheap toolset to adjust the bracelet (which is pin connected, rather than screws like Rolex, etc. use). However the Monster is made of very good stainless steel and feels a *hell* of a lot more of a quality item than its price tag would suggest.
It's one of my favourite watches and can take any punishment (within reason - it's still an automatic mechanical movement) I'm likely to give it. It's a big watch but the case - bracelet interface seems to let it look just about OK on my wrist, whereas an IWC doppelchronograph (which is nominally the same diameter) looked stupid on my narrow wrists. Anyway, I love my Monster and it's not going anywhere The size vs. my narrow wrists may be alleviated by the crown at 4 o-clock design, which is used a lot on Seiko divers.
Orange and Black are surely still current models and easily available - though the Yellow may be hard to find (there aren't any on eBay for example). The Yellow Monster also seems to have a much smaller face (and much heavier bezel) due to the colour... I'm not sure about it - looks 'too chunky' in a watch which almost epitomises 'chunky'.
It's a shame but Seiko's full-on top-end movements aren't sold over here, since the brand doesn't have the necessary cachet that's demanded by the majority of purchasers of expensive watches AFAIAC, Seiko is a proper Manufacture, since they make all the parts and design all the movements in-house. Few Swiss houses can claim that any more (Rolex, perhaps, and the Swatch Group consolidation will probably put most of their brands in there). Even Patek use quartz movements in some watches. Seiko make every last screw themselves IIRC, which puts them in the top category for me.
The only missing bit is that Seiko are committed to automated assembly... and there's that undefinable 'soul' aspect of knowing that your watch was put together lovingly by a watchmaker somewhere in Switzerland.... sounds silly, since that watchmaker will have been supplied with a box of parts made by CNC machines just like Seiko's operation. Also Seiko have no snobbery about materials used within movements, whereas no Swiss 'haute horloger' would consider using plastic parts anywhere in the mechanism.
That said, Seiko have a bunch of patents themselves relating to mechanical movement accuracy (magic lever rings a bell, may be wrong) - if they just wanted precision then they'd go all quartz. The fact that they still make the proper mechanical movements is the only reason I like them. The Monster is a bit of a cult piece but if it was a quartz electric thing then I doubt I'd own one. But even though it doesn't have Seiko's best movement inside, it still has a proper automatic mechanical.
However, out of my small 8-watch collection - if you asked me 'which one is fastest to tell the time with' - it'd be the Orange Monster. I have a thing for chronographs and complications and most of the others have multiple dials or other clutter. The Monster is *very* clear and the day and date is surprisingly 'essential' (I notice the lack of it as soon as I swap to a watch without a date). The different colours for the weekend days is a nice touch as well.
You *have* to own a Monster, even if your regular collection consists of Vacheron, Patek, Breguet, Blancpain, Rolex etc. It's a classless watch for some reason...
Cyberface - A most helpful chap you are. First you help with my Mac issues and now all this great stuff about Seikos Should be easy to acquire a Monster, though they don't sell them in this country. I ordered an Orange Monster (love it!) from the States using eBay (and I have to *really* want something to use eBay as I don't trust it) - and it arrived just as specified, with a cheap toolset to adjust the bracelet (which is pin connected, rather than screws like Rolex, etc. use). However the Monster is made of very good stainless steel and feels a *hell* of a lot more of a quality item than its price tag would suggest.
It's one of my favourite watches and can take any punishment (within reason - it's still an automatic mechanical movement) I'm likely to give it. It's a big watch but the case - bracelet interface seems to let it look just about OK on my wrist, whereas an IWC doppelchronograph (which is nominally the same diameter) looked stupid on my narrow wrists. Anyway, I love my Monster and it's not going anywhere
The size vs. my narrow wrists may be alleviated by the crown at 4 o-clock design, which is used a lot on Seiko divers.Orange and Black are surely still current models and easily available - though the Yellow may be hard to find (there aren't any on eBay for example). The Yellow Monster also seems to have a much smaller face (and much heavier bezel) due to the colour... I'm not sure about it - looks 'too chunky' in a watch which almost epitomises 'chunky'.
It's a shame but Seiko's full-on top-end movements aren't sold over here, since the brand doesn't have the necessary cachet that's demanded by the majority of purchasers of expensive watches
AFAIAC, Seiko is a proper Manufacture, since they make all the parts and design all the movements in-house. Few Swiss houses can claim that any more (Rolex, perhaps, and the Swatch Group consolidation will probably put most of their brands in there). Even Patek use quartz movements in some watches. Seiko make every last screw themselves IIRC, which puts them in the top category for me.The only missing bit is that Seiko are committed to automated assembly... and there's that undefinable 'soul' aspect of knowing that your watch was put together lovingly by a watchmaker somewhere in Switzerland.... sounds silly, since that watchmaker will have been supplied with a box of parts made by CNC machines just like Seiko's operation. Also Seiko have no snobbery about materials used within movements, whereas no Swiss 'haute horloger' would consider using plastic parts anywhere in the mechanism.
That said, Seiko have a bunch of patents themselves relating to mechanical movement accuracy (magic lever rings a bell, may be wrong) - if they just wanted precision then they'd go all quartz. The fact that they still make the proper mechanical movements is the only reason I like them. The Monster is a bit of a cult piece but if it was a quartz electric thing then I doubt I'd own one. But even though it doesn't have Seiko's best movement inside, it still has a proper automatic mechanical.
However, out of my small 8-watch collection - if you asked me 'which one is fastest to tell the time with' - it'd be the Orange Monster. I have a thing for chronographs and complications and most of the others have multiple dials or other clutter. The Monster is *very* clear and the day and date is surprisingly 'essential' (I notice the lack of it as soon as I swap to a watch without a date). The different colours for the weekend days is a nice touch as well.
You *have* to own a Monster, even if your regular collection consists of Vacheron, Patek, Breguet, Blancpain, Rolex etc. It's a classless watch for some reason...
. I know what you mean about automating the assembly process, but for me this doesn't matter with Japanese manufacturers as much it would with Swiss. I think it's because part of the appeal of Japanese stuff is the culture they have of making things better and cheaper than the competition. Just like they have with cars/bikes and electronics.If I could have any Monster I'd like the ltd. edition blue one, I believe it has a different movement and the glass is sapphire crystal. http://www.watchreport.com/2005/12/the_seiko_blue_... I also prefer the white-on-black of the day and date display. That is also why I would be tempted to go for a black faced one. However, part of me feels I should have an orange one as that's the most famous and I still love it. Plus there is presently only one blue one on ebay and it is significantly more expensive than black or orange, and it's an overseas trader. Orange/Black Monsters can be had for about £100 plus postage from uk traders so no tax worries.
I currently have Seiko Premier Auto with power reserve which I love.
Incidentally, does anyone know if the 'K' or 'J' in the Seiko product code indicates whether the watch was made in Japan or Korea?
PH5121 said:
Excuse my ignorance regarding watches and what may seem like an obvious question.
Are the Seiko Orange & Black Monster watches that are discussed the same ones that can be purchased on ebay from UK sellers for £140, or are these a UK market look a like rather than the one with the good quality movement.
Just curious as if so I fancy getting an orange one.
These are the Monsters I've been looking at. They look like the real deal and are from a uk seller.Are the Seiko Orange & Black Monster watches that are discussed the same ones that can be purchased on ebay from UK sellers for £140, or are these a UK market look a like rather than the one with the good quality movement.
Just curious as if so I fancy getting an orange one.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SEIKO-AUTO-MONSTER-SCUBA-DIV...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SEIKO-AUTO-MONSTER-SCUBA-DIV...
PH5121 said:
Thanks blueST those are the ones, and they are cheaper than I found too!
Paul
If you take the plunge, let us know what you think of the watch and the seller, whoever you buy from. I'm itching to buy one but it'll have to wait til the end of the year. There's always a really positive reaction whenever these are mentioned on here.Paul
and the Monster gets worn more than most of themblueST said:
PH5121 said:
Excuse my ignorance regarding watches and what may seem like an obvious question.
Are the Seiko Orange & Black Monster watches that are discussed the same ones that can be purchased on ebay from UK sellers for £140, or are these a UK market look a like rather than the one with the good quality movement.
Just curious as if so I fancy getting an orange one.
These are the Monsters I've been looking at. They look like the real deal and are from a uk seller.Are the Seiko Orange & Black Monster watches that are discussed the same ones that can be purchased on ebay from UK sellers for £140, or are these a UK market look a like rather than the one with the good quality movement.
Just curious as if so I fancy getting an orange one.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SEIKO-AUTO-MONSTER-SCUBA-DIV...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SEIKO-AUTO-MONSTER-SCUBA-DIV...
Just one thing - if you buy one off the net, then you'd better have big arms, or a bracelet pin pusher to adjust the bracelet. Or a friendly watchmaker to do it for you of course.
I bought mine off eBay with a small servicing kit (spring bar remover, bracelet link pin pusher, etc.) and adjusted the bracelet myself (I need to take links out of all my watches!!!). Easy job, but don't even think about it without the correct tools.
Incidentally the limited blue with the sapphire crystal - the crystal was Seiko's hardened glass on purpose - first because the concavity of the bezel protects the crystal from most scratching, and secondly because sapphire crystal is more brittle and prone to shattering - not what you want underwater. They think of everything, those Japs
I have yet to scratch the glass on my Monster and it gets worn when there's a chance it'll take a knock - because I know it'll take the knocks and laugh at them Surprisingly, it also looks half way decent with a tailored suit. (bracelet, not rubber strap). And only £100 or so. One of the things that sounds too good to be true, but actually is....
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