http://www.ablogtowatch.com/seiko-srp313k1-new-monster-dive-watch-review/
In the Watchnerd world, few watches signal your progress out of the
department store and into the forums like buying something from the
Seiko
SKX range. Something of a dive watch "rite of passage," the drug of
choice is often the SKX779/SKX781 (orange and black, respectively)
dubbed "The Monster." Years ago, after buying and very much loving an
SKX007, I was on the hunt for my next diver and came across the unique
and rather un-pretty SKX779 "Black Monster".
Featuring the same simple but reliable 7S26 automatic movement, this
cheap Seiko was exalted by my fellow dive watch forum brethren as being
THE Seiko diver to own as it represented huge value thanks to an
excellent bracelet, good bezel action, and stupendously bright lume.
Being a relatively cash-poor student at the time, I looked at this sub
$200 Seiko diver with much excitement and soon took delivery of my very
own SKX779 Black Monster.
Since this is not a review of the SKX779, we will fast forward many
years to the present to find that I had sold that older Seiko Black
Monster as I eventually felt it to be technically similar but
aesthetically inferior to my Seiko SKX007 watch. The Monster was
everything I was promised to me, but the relatively out-dated movement
(no hacking or hand winding) and very casual "tool-ish" design meant it
would often play second string to one of my other watches Having said
that, we still feel that it was/is an extremely good "first mechanical
watch choice."
Today still, many years after its release, you can still buy an SKX
Monster for less than $200 and it is one of the best automatic sport
watches I can recommend at that price point. Solid, reliable, nicely
built, famously bright lume, great bracelet, and it doesn't look
anything like a Rolex Sub. Seiko must have noticed the widespread online
fandom for the Monster as they released a cheaper Seiko 5 version (the
7S36 powered SNZF range) and then more recently they began teasing the
existence of a full-fledged Monster update which we review in this
article.
Thanks to a leaked photo, Seiko fans learned months ago that we would
see a new Monster. Seiko would be releasing a follow-up to their forum
darling and not only would it retain much of the original styling, but
it would also now be powered by their 4R36 automatic movement which
features both hacking and hand winding. With general availability
starting to appear this past August 2012, we were eager to learn how
this new Monster stacked up against the original?
The new Monster can be had in a total of five versions spanning a
standard black dial (SRP307K1), orange dial (SRP309K1), black case with
an orange/brown sunburst dial (SRP311K1), black dial with red markers
(SRP313K1), and lastly with a black bezel and chapter ring over an
orange dial (SRP315K1). All models are water resistant to 200m, feature a
unidirectional countdown bezel, screw-down crown and a
Seiko-traditional day/date display.
The SRP313K1 featured in this review, can only be had on the rubber
strap. I chose to order the SRP313K1 as I felt its red hands and markers
were a good fit for what would be at most a weekend and water sport
watch. I do very much wish this model could be had with the bracelet,
but it should not be too difficult to source the bracelet later as the
new models can fit a legacy 20mm SKX779/781 sourced bracelet. Moving
on...
From the moment I received the watch in the mail, I could feel
rose-colored glasses lowering over my eyes. I removed the new Monster
from its box and was surprised by how well it fit my memory of my SXK779
Black Monster. Seiko has changed very little from the original design,
retaining the case size, hallmark bezel and hardlex crystal that made
the original so great. Still featuring a 43mm case, the SRP comes in at
13mm thick and only 47.5mm
lug to lug - so this is good
for those small-wristed types out there (even though it is not a small
watch per se). Furthermore, on the rubber strap, the SRP313K1 weighs in
at a reasonable 113 grams.
Seiko has massaged the dial design towards a more simple layout by
deleting the minute numbering and opting for triangular tooth-shaped
indices that I rather like as they compliment the legacy hand design.
The SRP313K1 is characterized by a red outline treatment on the hands
and hour markers which really pop on this otherwise colorless watch.
Seiko has also opted for a knurled crown on the new Monster that is
similar in look and feel to the crown fitted on the Marathon TSAR/GSAR
divers. While the new crown allows an excellent grip, I do feel the old
crown was a bit better looking.
One of the hallmarks of the original Monsters was the very bright and
long-lasting luminous treatment on the hands and markers which use
Seiko's own LumiBrite compound. As I do not still have my old SKX779, I
cannot offer a direct comparison of the lume on the hands and markers
but rest assured that it is exceedingly bright. Longevity is excellent
with the color being a bit lighter than than the SKX models. The user
experience is the same, very bright, quick to charge, excellent
legibility and it will easily outlast a movie screening and will be
faintly glowing many hours later.
The main reason for Seiko to update the SKX Monsters (which are still
quite popular) was to include a new movement as the caliber 7S26 had
grown a little old and many owners wanted hacking (where the second hand
stops when the crown is pulled out) and hand winding (rather than just
automatic winding). The new SRP range is powered by the Seiko caliber
4R36 which is a step up from the 7S26, featuring both hacking and hand
winding, while still retaining the day and date display of the 7S26. The
4R36 is a 24 jewel movement which runs at 21,600 vph with a power
reserve of 41 hours.
My example appears to be running about +5 s/day. Note: I do not have
any legitimate timing equipment, the 5 s/day measured is averaged out
over a series of days with the watch on a winder. Your results may (and
most likely will) vary. Winding is smooth and the crown is easily
manipulated to change the time or date. Unlike the French/English day
wheel on my SKX007 diver, the SRP313 has options for a roman numeral or
an English display (see the included video above for more on that).
The included Seiko rubber strap is fine, if not a little too long for
my uses (it is designed for diving). If you have had a Seiko dive strap
in the past, this one will not change your opinion as it is still
cheap, kinda rough, and fairly stiff. I would recommend either buying a
model with a bracelet (SRP307K1, SRP309K1, SRP311K1), or simply sourcing
a bracelet from one of the online communities or possibly checking
eBay. Regardless of the model, the Monster is good on a leather or NATO
strap, but excellent on its distinctive bracelet.
A quick note for those who have never owned a Monster: be very
careful sizing the bracelet as it features pin-and-collar fittings and
there is a tiny metal collar used to secure the pin within each link.
You don't want to lose that collar as a replacement will be a pain to
source. I suggest sizing the bracelet over a large bowl or length of
rolled tape to ensure none of the bits escape.
As with the previous SKX Monsters, the SRP Monster range is
well-priced. I was able to order the SRP313K1 seen here for $260 USD
about a month ago, though in that time the average online price seems to
have risen to roughly
$290. The price will likely
continue to fluctuate as more vendors begin to offer the SRP range. With
the legacy SKX779 Black Monster (with bracelet) available for ~$200
online, the updated model is more expensive but you get more for the
additional cash. If you plan on using the Monster as a weekend beater or
a dedicated dive watch, then the SKX range is still a pretty good buy
as the hand winding and hacking may not be worth the additional funds.
Alternatively, if you want the best possible version of a notable Seiko
design, the new SRP Monster range boasts an updated and
more useful movement, along with a range of new color options.
The Monster is a great watch that exhibits a recognizable style,
tough dive-ready qualities and a very appealing price point. I know that
the original Black Monster was one of the first watches that ignited my
love for dive watches and I have no doubt that the new SRP family will
have the same effect for many future watch nerds. It is great to see
Seiko increase the value in their entry level divers and I will keep my
fingers tightly crossed with the hopes that
Seiko offers the same 4R36 movement update to more of the SKX range, especially the SKX007 and 009.
