Seiko Men's "Black Monster" Automatic Dive Watch #SKX779K1 Reviews



Amazon.com Customer Reviews

Great Dive Watch - Review written on July 11, 2008
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Rating: 5 out of 5

This watch is solid as a rock and works great. It currently is my personal favorite and I wear it everyday. I get compliments on it all of the time. I recommend the Black Monster to anyone wanting to wear a serious time piece.
Seiko Monster - Review written on June 30, 2008
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Rating: 5 out of 5

This watch is everything you can ask for a diver's watch. I love it! It's a heavy watch as well.
Black Monster - Review written on June 11, 2008
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Rating: 5 out of 5

For the money, this is the coolest watch I have seen. If you want a watch that will impress your friends, look elsewhere, because most non-watch people won't appreciate it. Most people don't realize that Seiko makes excellent quality watches. I love mechanical watches, and this is the best bargain around. My watch is almost perfectly accurate (unheard of for a mechanical watch). I simply adjust the position I leave the watch at night, and it speeds it up or slows it down slightly as needed. Very high quality for little money.

By the way, you will probably never see another person with this watch, because Seiko dealers don't sell this in the United States.
Great diver for little money - Review written on June 02, 2008
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Rating: 4 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful.

I have the orange version (Orange Monster) of this watch, as orange dials as well as yellow dials work better in low light or murky water conditions. I have other divers as well (Citizen "Eco-Zilla" 300 metre, as well as some Omega 300 metre Seamasters). For around $200 (or less) this is a typical good quality Seiko diving watch. The bezel is 120 click, works smoothly, and is very readable. The lume is very good, even rivaling my Omega Seamaster watches.

It has a slightly domed crystal, which aids in reducing reflections under water. The accuracy is OK, but not great. I suspect that if it was worn more, it would settle down a bit, but it spends a fair amount of time on one of my winders rather than my wrist.

The band is really well made and very substantial. It does have a divers extension, but I replaced my band with an orange "Zulu" nylon divers band, as it is easier to use over a wetsuit, and isn't as heavy as the SS band supplied by Seiko. This watch takes a 20 mm band.

The dial is very legible, well made, and uncluttered. I wish that they would make one with a yellow face, but the orange looks great too. The finish on the case and bezel is good, and the watch really looks more expensive than it really is.

This is a great beater, and is a good addition to your dive computer as a timing back-up device. This is my second Seiko diver. My first was a 150 metre diver that I bought over 30 years ago, and that one still runs to this day. If that is any indication, this one should give years of service with only a few trips to the watch maker for adjustment, cleaning, and lubrication.

Again, in typical Seiko fashion, you certainly get your money's worth out of this watch. I would not hesitate to recommend this, or any other Seiko diver, for actual diving use or for those "desk" divers out there.
Great bang of the buck watch !! - Review written on May 23, 2008
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Rating: 5 out of 5

At first, i disliked this watch when i saw it in the internet. Looks ugly and big, dial looks flat, bracelet looks bland, but i did the right thing on ordering this watch. When i received and put it on my wrist for the 1st time, i said WOW this is looks so much better than in the picture. This is definitely a watch which you have to see and try yourself. Nice bracelet for such a low cost watch, the lume can't be better in fact it is by far the most brightest lume i've ever had. The bracelet, bezel and casing makes the watch feel really solid and can take "abuse" without problem. The movement is great, out of the box it gains +15/day, after 1 month it has slowed down to +3-5/day. Very happy with it ^^.
Seiko-addict with three sons - Review written on May 09, 2008
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Rating: 5 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful, 1 did not.

We bought one to "try" - as this was our first Amazon watch purchase. Because of the insane savings we were skeptical...Well, what a watch!!! It's a real looker. Luxurious weight...beautiful glimmer...it's a watch with attitude: The Perfect Watch for the three sons! So, a few days later a courier delivered three more to the door. They are all so proud wearing the Monster...it looks FANTASTIC on all of them...and the performance is great. It's not worn to bed at night and in the morning still has kept time...so, so far so good!

Will DEFINITELY order another Amazon.com watch. Oh! And the bonus, as well, is that this particular watch cannot be bought in stores in Canada (where we live), we were told.
I could beat large men to death with my watch - Review written on April 30, 2008
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Rating: 5 out of 5
6 customers found this review helpful.

Somehow, I've managed to avoid owning a watch for most of my adult life. I've generally worked in places where there was always a clock nearby. Now a days, through the miracle of the mobile office, this is less true, hence, my need for a watch. Being afflicted with higher education, I am a klutz, so I needed something sturdy and functional that I don't have to think about. I wanted a watch that winds itself, because batteries are stupid. I wanted a watch which was waterproof, because sometimes I might get caught in the rain, or forget to take it off. I also wanted a watch with hands, which glow in the dark, so I could see it at night, and because proper clocks have hands on them. This gizmo perfectly fits the bill. Sure, it's a dive watch, and I am not a diver, nor am I James Bond. If I were James Bond, however, I would prefer this to an Omega, because it is both more manly and more awe inspiring in its massive chunkiness, and it would probably make a more handy improvised weapon if I stuck it in a sock and used it as a flail. I looked at Omegas, Doxas, Invictas, Rolexes and a couple of other low end dive watches. Personally, I liked this one much better than any of the others. It was sturdier, was a nicer size and shape, had a better band than even the Omega or Rolex, and it had better, brighter phosphorescent material in it. Maybe a Doxa would be better if I were a real diver. Maybe it wouldn't. Either way, it doesn't cost $150 like this thing did, so if I should actually manage to break the thing (I don't know how I would do this: maybe if I shoot it with a high powered rifle), I will not be terribly sad. It is a tremendously satisfying and sturdy object; a veritable Colt-45 or Zippo lighter of watches.
Great watch - Review written on April 27, 2008
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Rating: 5 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful.

Excellent watch. Better quality (less "clangy") than the Invicta diver I had. In fact, I'd rate the quality on par with Omega, but not Rolex. My bezel doesn't line up exactly at 12 o'clock, but neither did the $4000 Omega Seamaster PO that I tried on at the store. Incredible lume... better than the Omega 2254.50 that many people consider has the best lume... they've obviously never met the "Monster"!

The reason I bought this watch is that it does not try to imitate any other watch. It's got it's own style. I'm so tired of all the watches that copy bits and pieces of Omega and Rolex watches.

Highly recommended.

everything great but the bracelet pins - Review written on March 29, 2008
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Rating: 4 out of 5

Great, durable attractive watch, great dark viewing, but the bracelet's pin and sleeve system is a large pain and may prove to be unreliable since the pins can poke out a little sometimes. I push 'em back in, knowing there could be a failure ahead. Otherwise very attractive and sturdy. Tough to size by yourself, much better to be done at a shop. It deserves the superior Rolex screw-type assembly. Or just have an alternate diving band for safety since the watch will probably last forever!
Whatta Monster of a watch! - Review written on March 27, 2008
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Rating: 5 out of 5
2 customers found this review helpful.

I admit I had a bit of a buyer's remorse after I had hit the BUY button to order this watch. This was, after all, the first Seiko automatic movement watch I was purchasing. But from reading the many excellent reviews here and elsewhere, I felt that I was making a pretty good bet on this watch. I don't think I can add more to the reviews here, but I do want to help others make a good decision on the watches they are adding to their collection. I can see why others are saying that this is going to be a classic. The watch has a very aggressive design, and the heft of it makes it feel like a very substantial watch. Granted, the 7S26 movement leaves something to be desired as a great movement, but I think it serves its purpose here at the price point we are talking about and the kind of watch in question. It is a tank of a watch, and it will be noticed. I don't dive, so I won't be able to test the watch for what it is made for, but from what I have read, the watch easily exceeds the 200M water resistance rating. Adjusting the bracelet was not too much of a problem, but I did think that the pins and retaining sleeves were a bit flimsy and hard to work with; be careful when you are using a the link tool with this. That said, the bracelet is actually pretty comfortable to my wrist and looks very nice with the watch. As the others have said, do buy the steel bracelet version over the rubber strap version. The rubber strap is available from strap retailers for around $40, and the ease of which you can change out the bracelet will give you more options. A great watch to start your Seiko auto collection with.
Black Monster - Review written on March 07, 2008
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Rating: 5 out of 5
1 customer found this review not to be helpful.
I really like the Black Monster. It is super solid and feels like it cost alot more that what it did.

Great watch, great value. - Review written on February 27, 2008
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Rating: 5 out of 5

I love this watch. It looks even better when you get it than it does in the pictures. I read some complaints about the watch keeping innacurate time, but that hasnt been a problem for me. The watch lost about 5 minutes the first month I had it. This was definately a great purchase - especially since they are still sold at the local mall for around $400. Overall a really great watch that I am very happy to own.
Seiko Black Monster - Review written on January 22, 2008
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Rating: 4 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful.

I have owned my black monster for 1 month now. I am completely statisfied with the operation and comfort of the watch. As others have stated, with proper sizing; the bracelet is very comfortable considering the fact that this is a rather large watch. The power reserve is between 28 and 32 hours as i have observed. Overall, I would purchase this item again.
Seiko Black Monster Review - Review written on January 19, 2008
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Rating: 5 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful, 1 did not.

I took delivery of a Seiko Black Monster January 14th ordered and shipped from Amazon. I was happy to see the package delivered as promised on time by UPS. I was nervous when I heard the rather large box make a rattle from inside when turned from side to side. The packaging could have used a couple more air pillows, and allowed side to side movement of the watch box inside. The watch was brand new, never worn, and started right up when activated as directed. The quality is amazing, the watch is heavy and well finished. It keeps great time for me, (I am not one to worry about seconds lost or gained), and is more than I expected. I would definetly order from Amazon again, having no issues with them with this or any past order I made with them.
great watch but somehow hard to adjust the time - Review written on January 16, 2008
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Rating: 4 out of 5
1 customer found this review not to be helpful.
It's a great watch. My boyfriend loves it. It looks fabulous and tough. But somehow it is hard to adjust. But anyway, it's a one time work, so we make it work. It worthes the money.
Great Watch that stopped after 6 months - Review written on January 12, 2008
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Rating: 5 out of 5
3 customers found this review helpful.

My husband loves this watch. He never takes a watch off so this is perfect. A nice weighty watch that not only works great but looks fantastic. Being a sea captain, the watch has really been put to the test and has passed with flying colors!! It has kept perfect time! Don't hesitate!

I should have waited a while before I posted the above review. If I had known, I would have given it 1 star!! It stopped working after 6 months - not as sturdy as it looks. Oh well, live and learn. I'm going back to the Citizen Eco-drive watches!!!!
Disappointing Seiko - Review written on January 01, 2008
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Rating: 1 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful, 6 did not.

My Seiko Black Monster purchased through Amazon has been the single most disappointing Seiko product that I have ever owned. It will not keep time accurately and will run down within one hour if not worn constantly. Sent to Seiko for repair. They sent it back "fixed." It still doesn't work as advertised. Save your money, or go Kinetic, or Eco-Drive.
a must buy for anyone in need of an indestructable watch - Review written on December 23, 2007
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Rating: 5 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful.

simply the best dive watch you can buy in this price bracket. the bracelet is my favorite part of the watch, and it is made better than many more expensive watches. the lume on the face is also one of the best, i can still see it when i wake up! the automatic winding works great if worn daily and the watch keeps really good time out of the box. the bezel rotates with ease and the screw down crown easily engages its threads. all in all the monster is one of the best seiko divers you can get.
Nice bargain in a big automatic diver - Review written on December 10, 2007
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Rating: 5 out of 5
2 customers found this review helpful.

Anyone not familiar with the issues of inexpensive automatic watches should pay careful attention to the reviews and do some research. Mine gains about 2 minutes a week, but I don't mind setting the time every once in a while. Practical enough to wear every day.
Best watch I have ever owned - Review written on December 08, 2007
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Rating: 5 out of 5
4 customers found this review helpful.

Great watch! Hands down the best watch I have ever owned. I love the fact that I never have to buy a battery - ever again! Keeps great time and is really comfortable on my wrist. I was worried when I ordered it, it would be to large (I have smaller wrists) but it looks great and fits perfectly (I had to remove a couple of links ). Can't comment on using it with scuba gear - yet but have had it on a couple times in the shower without any problem.

Overall I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS WATCH!
Massively Impressive! - Review written on December 04, 2007
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Rating: 5 out of 5
3 customers found this review helpful.

This is an incredible deal for the money! The Seiko Massive Dive Watch is tough, dependable, and well designed. Automatic, so it never needs batteries, this watch is a "massive" chunk of steel, which may take little while getting used to wearing. The face and hands are extremely well designed for easy readablity... day, night, underwater, on dry land, skydiving, whatever. The large luminous markers and fat luminous hands make for very quick reading. The domed mineral crystal prevents the "mirror effect" that many dive watches experience underwater. The sweep second offers a nice "touch of class", and day (in English or Spanish) and date are quite legible.

I have more expensive watches (Swiss Army Men's Maverick II Chrono watch #24144 for example) and "classier" watches (Citizen Men's Calibre 8651 Gold-Tone Watch #AP1022-51A for example) and "cooler" watches (Black Ops, Khaki Dial, Black PU Strap and Technomarine Men's Marvel Comics The Punisher Black Rubber Watch #TSMVP for example), but the Massive "Black Monster" Dive watch is my everyday "go to" watch.
Don't think twice! - Review written on December 03, 2007
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Rating: 5 out of 5

I really enjoy this watch. The value,look, and nuance is unbelievable. It just gives that impression that you can side with legendary watches out there.
Great looking watch! - Review written on November 30, 2007
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Rating: 5 out of 5

This is everything I wanted in a watch - great looking and so far keeps great time.
vendor price too good to be true-beware - Review written on November 16, 2007
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Rating: 1 out of 5
4 customers found this review helpful, 7 did not.

if price is too good to be true, it most often is - even from an amazon listed vendor's deal offering this watch at $23.97. if an item is priced & listed here & order isn't fulfilled by an affiliate vendor, amazon should require them to make good on the price. regardless, if a vendor cancels an order, amazon should allow account members to make vendor comments. vendor comments are not an option to choose if the order doesn't fulfill! order wasn't canceled by the mister company(trying not to name them here) until 5 days after placed & i suspected the price as a leader/come on. i ordered it anyhow & am disappointed not to receive this watch nor an offer from the company to make it right.
1 1/2 lb of polished stainless - Review written on November 16, 2007
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Rating: 5 out of 5

The Black Monster is a great, big watch. During the dark months it is easy to read the big glowing hands. Getting started and setting couldn't be easier. This compares favorably to the frequently nonintuitive programming for electronic movements. I couldn't be happier with the purchase. If it said "Swiss" instead of "Seiko" it would cost 10X.
BAD MANUFACTURING BAD FAITH FROM AMAZON - Review written on November 10, 2007
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Rating: 1 out of 5
2 customers found this review helpful, 3 did not.

Looks cool. Stopped working after 3 months.
Amazon said we'll ship you a new one,
then said you gotta ship it to us, then said it's off
our warranty.
Buyer beware.
No problems, Solid watch - Review written on November 10, 2007
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Rating: 5 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful.

Has a nice weight to it, and once you figure out how to set it the first time, its never a problem again. The recessed face, and domed glass, adds great depth to it. No matter what, some part of the watch will catch the light, making it really stand out well. Heavy, definitely but I prefer the weight to a plastic feeling Ti watch myself. Solidly built, I've had it for a few months now and there's only one scratch on the face (which is totally my fault) the offset crown is more convenient and easy to use. Overall a simple nice looking, durable watch for any occasion!
Best Watch I Ever Owned! - Review written on October 26, 2007
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Rating: 5 out of 5

I recently purchased this watch from a jewelry store and I am very happy with the watch. This watch is a classic for many reasons.

Every now and then, a company produces a product that stands out from the other items they produce. The newer products may perform better, but the classic will retain its loyal following. An example of this is with golf club companies. I have heard golfers say that such and such clubs are the best clubs that the company Ping ever made. They continue to make changes to their clubs, but they cannot duplicate the impact of that certain model. Although the newer models may actually be improved versions, they will never have that certain feel of the original. The "Black Monster" is such a product.

Casio has the original G-Shock watch that is another classic. The newer G-Shocks may have more features, and be more user freindly, but they will never replace the original when it comes to the faithful.

Anyway, the "Black Monster" is a heavy watch. To me, that is part of the charm of it. It's also pretty shiny by my standards. Again, part of the charm. It's cool how the second hand moves around the dial like how all of the watches used to before quartz watches came along. Also, for people like myself that are farsighted, it is very easy to read the time.

If you can afford it, and you want to get it, you should go ahead and get it. You'll love this watch! It is so different from any other watch out there. It is a simple watch with classic styling.
A STRONG AND VERY NICE DEVICE - Review written on October 08, 2007
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Rating: 5 out of 5
3 customers found this review not to be helpful.
The"Black Monster" is every days operational and we know it because the nice loading in our arm -right arm .
Outstanding watch - Review written on September 24, 2007
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Rating: 5 out of 5

Thank you for selling me this fine watch. I have read about this Seiko diver (the Black Monster)on a lot of the watch forums, and it lives up to its reputation.
1. Delivery...sent over in a few days.
2. Package...kept very simple to keep prices down.
3. Watch face...great design...fun watch.
4. Bezel...nice and smooth. Solid stainless...tough.
5. Band...very solid and tough.
6. Time...good time.
7. Worksmanship...very good.
8. Price...compares to watches $500 to $1000. Makes it hard to understand pricing. This watch makes prices appear topsy-turvy.
A three hundred dollar watch should be two times as good as this
watch. I doubt if such a watch exists.
I love this watch!! - Review written on September 16, 2007
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Rating: 5 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful.

What a great watch. I mean, what a GREAT watch!!!! If you are even thinking about buying this, go ahead. You will not regret it. Be sure to get the metal band and buying the rubber strap later on. This thing is a hunk of watch. The lume is like a flashlight. I just think the watch is beautiful and for the price, an amazing deal. Go for it. GREAT!!
No better watch value to be found. - Review written on September 13, 2007
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Rating: 5 out of 5
3 customers found this review helpful.

This thing is a big hunk of metal, reasonably -- a few seconds, daily -- accurate and the photos do not do it justice. Compares favorably, in weight, appearance and impressiveness (sorry, but it IS) to watches 10x more expensive. There are a variety of reviews on the web that go into far more detail than I can, so look for them, but my metaphor comes straight from the watch's design homeland of Japan: this thing is a Honda Prelude. It will perform beyond machines costing much more, is bulletproof and sharp enough to go anywhere.

One more thing to recommend. GET THE STAINLESS BAND. It's design, heft and sturdiness add much to the overall piece and presentation. To get this watch, in any face colour, without the thick stainless band is foolish, unless you're getting it all for 1/2 off. Kudos to Seiko!
Very Very Nice Diver for the Price - Review written on September 10, 2007
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Rating: 5 out of 5
2 customers found this review helpful.

First off, I was concerned about the grey market versus the regular market. I researched for a week before making this purchase. This is a grey market watch. It is all Seiko, an original, but when you receive this watch form Amazon, the Seiko warranty card is blank. "Supposedly" you cannot take/send this watch for service to an authorized Seiko repair center and have the 3yr warranty honored. Typically the card is filled out when you purchase the Monster from an authorized dealer. There is an Amazon 1yr warranty that comes with this watch which is reassuring.

That being said, this watch is awesome. Very heavy and well designed. The stainless steel band itself is very nice to look at. It's wide and rugged. I have a big wrist and I'm still going to have to have it resized. As another reviewer stated, "this is a nice chunk of metal." The Lume on this watch is amazing. Wore it one day in good sunny conditions and the Monster glowed all night and into the morning after 8 hours of sleep.

As far as keeping perfect time, I'm not so concerned with that as I'm not a diver. Just a lover of dive watches. However my Monster has been keeping perfect time once the movement was exercised. Had no problem taking it off over night and setting it on the side stand. Kept time as far as I can tell.

Summary: I was concerned about the warranty when purchasing this watch but so far it is performing well and it's one of the nicest "Diver's" I've ever owned. I have no idea how Amazon can offer it so cheaply but in my opinion it was worth the purchase. One other negative besides the warranty. I would've preferred that the day and date were painted with the Lume. You can't see it at night. Not a big deal but would've been nice. I give this purchase 5 stars.
Seiko "Black Monster" - Review written on September 08, 2007
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Rating: 4 out of 5
3 customers found this review helpful.

The watch is quite heavy but an absolutely solid timepiece. Date offers english or spanish option, but you have to reset the calendar each month not adding up to 31 days. I have not yet had a chance to use it underwater, but read a plethora of reviews by owners who had and claim it to be suitable for diving. The hour-hand does tend to run a few minutes fast. However, keep in mind you are going to have a similar problem with any "automatic" watch wheather it be Seiko, Tissot, TAG, Rolex, Movado, or even Omega. The reason being is simple: any "automatic" watch is never going to keep time to the absolute second like a quartz movement or kinetic style system. I would go as far as to say that most watch enthusiasts tend to have 3 or 4+ watches, each for different occasions, and match their watch with whatever the need or lack of need they may have for any particular setting. If you need impecable time then try a Seiko Contura Kinetic Perpetual which never needs a battery, can keep time up to 4 years without being worn, and will automatically adjust from time to date until the end of the 21st century. However, if you want an inexpensive yet durable and aggresive "automatic" dive watch then the black monster is a good route to go.