The third generation Seiko Monster (GEN3 Monster) sparked my revival of interest on the Monster line. The SZSC005 is my choice over the others in the series. Reviews on my GEN1 (Click here for the review) and GEN2 (Click here for the review) Monsters are already on the blog.Seiko seems to have a very interesting marketing strategy for the Monster series. For the GEN1, Seiko launched 11 models, seven of which were available internationally while the other four were JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) only. For the GEN2, Seiko launched 12 models, six of which are standard production while the other six were limited editions. Honestly, after getting my GEN1 years ago, the number of available models was overwhelming and it actually put me off from getting another Monster. However, I must say Seiko read the market sentiments well and the Monster series became a collectors item despite the various examples available. In fact, the Monster has become a watch icon in a similar vein like a Rolex Submariner is to a serious (and rather well-to-do) watch collector. This accolade is seldom given to any watch as it is not dictated by a standardised award or regulatory body (such a GPHG or Fondation du Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève) but purely by the legions of fans.
For GEN3, four obvious changes were made. The first is the hour markers; Seiko has reverted back to the same design as the GEN1. The second is the upgrade of the movement to the higher-end 6R15. The third is the elimination of the day complication. The fourth and final is the additional of a magnifying cyclops over the date aperture.
I half expected Seiko to replace the Hardlex with a sapphire crystal but on hindsight, this would ballooned the price of the GEN3 beyond the price point of Seiko's target consumers. As it stand, the Hardlex crystal is very capable. Definitely stronger than mineral glass yet cheaper than sapphire.
I chose the SZC005 model for my collection, the Monster with the luscious emerald green dial. Nickname the Jade Monster, this model has a dial that is mesmerising and it is also my favourite colour 😀.
The Dimensions
Made out of stainless steel, the watch has a width (excluding crown) of 42.3 mm. Its lug-to-lug is 47.5 mm with an overall height of 13.1 mm. Lug width is 20.0 mm. The watch comes standard with a stainless steel bracelet with the recognisable "H" links, similar to the original GEN1 and GEN2 versions. The whole package is approximately 184 gm.
The Dial
Like the GEN1 and GEN2, the chapter ring on the GEN3 is in the shape of a curve wall. Painted green with matte texture, line minute markers surrounds it. Bold white lines for every 5th minute and normal white lines for the rest. Generally, the design of the peripheral minute markers is similar to the GEN1 and GEN2 Monsters.
The applied main hour markers is next. Shaped like a trapezoid and framed with polished steel and lavishly covered with LumiBrite luminous paint, this change from the standard rectangular hour markers on the GEN1 Monsters and the shark tooth shaped hour markers on the GEN2 Monsters. The GEN3 Monster looks softer compared to the more aggressive and menacing looking immediate predecessor.
Two of the hours markers are different. The 12 o'clock hour marker is large triangle with a frame line in the center while the 3 o'clock marker has been replaced by the date aperture. Unlike the GEN1 and GEN2 Monsters, a square aperture with rounded corners has been cut from the dial and framed with white paint. The date wheel uses negative print styling with the numbers in white over a black background. This helps maintain some cohesiveness with the rest of the dial.
The texts on the dial is similar to the GEN1 and GEN2. The three lines of texts are printed in white. This is a 'Made in Japan' model, hence the word "JAPAN" in small font can be found between the 7 o'clock and 8 o'clock hour markers.
The hands on the watch are also similar to the GEN1 and GEN2. The hours hand is short and looks like a pointed spade. The minutes hand is long and thick while the seconds hand is thin with a small reference triangle in the middle of it. The hands are generously painted with the ultra sensitive LumiBrite. For the seconds hand, the upper half of the hand is painted with white while the lower half is painted black.
The dial is painted in sunburst emerald green. My favourite colour and the way it was presented is mesmerising. This is why fans calls it with a few names such as the Jade Monster (this one gets my vote) or Emerald Green Monster among others.
The dial is capped with a Hardlex crystal. Note the bevel edge of the crystal which gives a nice diffuse transition from the clear crystal to the bezel. Unlike the previous generations, Seiko added a magnifying cyclops over the date aperture. Personally, I don't feel having it gives additional advantage to the usability of the watch.
The Casing
The bezel is similar to the previous GEN1 and GEN2 Monsters. Unidirectional with 120 click increments for a complete turn. The crown too is similar to the previous two iterations.
The crown location and design is similar to the previous iterations. Located at 4 o'clock, the screw-down crown has crisscross patterns on the side with a sterile top.
The scallop cuts on the sides of the watch casing is visually intriguing especially when aligned with the deep cut sections on the bezel.
The lugs are of the same design as the previous two Monster generations. The lugs have pass-through holes for easy access to the lug bars and are also short and curved downwards facilitating wearing comfort.
The Bracelet
The bracelet is the classic Monster styling with the traditional "H" styling and connected together using a pin-and-sleeve system. Particularly difficult to resize as you need to keep you eyes peel as the small pin sleeves are prone to being misplaced. They are also notoriously hard to manoeuver to get it aligned just right for the pin to slip through. Note to Seiko: can the Company replace this with the friction pin system instead?
The stainless steel 20 mm diver's bracelet flairs out immediately to 22 mm near the lugs and gently tapers down back to 20 mm at the clasp. There are no half-links but the clasp does provide four micro-adjustment points for better resizing. Meanwhile, the clasp is a fold-over with button release and safety latch with a diver extension system attached at one end of it. The diver's extension mechanism gives an additional 25 mm of length to the bracelet.
The Movement
Where the GEN1 uses the 7S26 caliber and the GEN2 uses the 4R36 caliber, the GEN3 takes another step up with the use of the 6R15 caliber.
The 6R15 family was introduced in 2006. It has 23 jewels and operate at 21,600 BPH or 3 Hertz. Thanks to a Spron 510 mainspring, the 6R15 boasts 50 hour of power reserve,
Unlike the GEN1 and GEN2, Seiko decided to drop the day complication from the specifications of the watch. I suspect this is an unfortunate consequence of using the 6Rxx caliber. Currently, the only other movement under the 6R series with a day complication as well is the 6R20. However, this movement also comes with a power reserve indicator. To maintain dial consistency, Seiko decided to sacrifice the day complication. This allows them to use the basic 6R15 caliber.
Apart from the longer power reserve, the movement is also protected from magnetic interference up to 4,800 A/m or 60 Gauss.
The Illumination & Accuracy
Similar to all Monsters, the illumination is bright. The copious amount LumiBrite paint used on the dial makes it glow even even in bright conditions. As you can see from the photos below, the glow is obvious even when one is in a bright room. When the room gets dark, the illumination really shines.
The replacement of the 3 o'clock marker with the date window is telling when one views the dial in the dark. The lack of any illumination around that part of the dial breaks the symmetry of the dial. This is one aspect of the Monster (GEN1, GEN2 and GEN3) which should have been addressed.
I also had the chance to test the accuracy of the watch straight out of the box. It recorded an impressive +2.7 SpD (in the first test I must have botched the recording as the number generated was quite ridiculous. The second test more was more believable).
The Wearing Experience
Nothing peculiarly different than the previous Monsters. It wears well and is a greater beater watch. Below are some photos of the watch on my wrist.
Meanwhile, here is a video of the same.
The Monster design has gone through the test of time. Since the original series was first launched back in year 2000 (the GEN1), the basic shape remains. Yet, it does not look dated or out of place even after 19 years. This is the ultimate testimony of an icon.
I was made to understand that Seiko will be doing a major revamp of the series. I just hope they find another winning formula for the future iterations.
The Third Generation Seiko Monster Series
The GEN3 consist of seven models (at the point of this review). All are Made in Japan versions with the first two, having the classic Monster styling in either an orange or black dial with some slight modifications. The rest have unique dial colours of green, metallic blue, frosty, metallic orange and navy blue.
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Specification
Brand: Seiko
Series: Prospex Diver Scuba
Release Date: 14 February, 2018
Drive system: Mechanical self-winding (with manual winding) 6R15
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Dial: Emerald Green
Glass Material: Hardlex with Cyclops Lens
Waterproof: 200 m
Anti-magnetic: 4,800 A/m (60 Gauss)
Accuracy: Average daily rate +25 seconds -15 seconds
Power Reserve: 50 hours
Size: H 47.5 mm × W 42.3 mm × T 13.1 mm × L 20.0 mm
Weight: 184 gm
Photo Gallery
Are you gonna sell it? Looks really good.
ReplyDeleteI am a fan of Seiko watches, have owned and own a select few that really speak to me. The New Monster is a really nice refined version of the original monster. I was not a fan of the first three versions mainly because I don't like the bare stainless steel bezel. The bezel on the 2019 Monster is more of a gray than dark black and give a good contrast next to the blue face. I like the over all case design with the more subtle fangs and don’t mind the candy bar magnifier for the day and date. Overall the 2019 Monster is a nice watch that keeps time within a few seconds a month and looks nice on the wrist. The only reason I rated at four stars is the lume is weak compared to my other Seiko divers, I prefer the green Sekio glow over the more subtle blue that seems to lose intensity much quicker.
ReplyDeleteI have a jade monster that I've kept for a while and want to let go, covid financial pressure is getting to me. Any offers?
ReplyDeleteHow much ?
DeleteSeiko seems to have a very interesting marketing strategy for the Monster series. For the GEN1, Seiko launched 11 models, seven of which were available internationally while the other four were JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) only. For the GEN2, Seiko launched 12 models, six of which are standard production while the other six were limited editions. Honestly, after getting my GEN1 years ago, the number of available models was overwhelming and it actually put me off from getting another Monster. However, I must say Seiko read the market sentiments well and the Monster series became a collectors item despite the various examples available. In fact, the Monster has become a watch icon in a similar vein like a Rolex Submariner is to a serious (and rather well-to-do) watch collector. This accolade is seldom given to any watch as it is not dictated by a standardised award or regulatory body (such a GPHG or Fondation du Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève) but purely by the legions of fans.
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ReplyDeleteThe GEN3 consist of seven models (at the point of this review). All are Made in Japan versions with the first two, having the classic Monster styling in either an orange or black dial with some slight modifications. The rest have unique dial colours of green, metallic blue, frosty, metallic orange and navy blue.
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