Make up your mind, dude. I'm talking about the Seiko Black Monster. In spite of its name, it's the smallest watch in my collection, 41mm across the bezel, 46mm including the crown.
It's my only automatic watch. This is not the self-winding variety either. You have to move it. What a baby. But it's nice to have one automatic. You hear car enthusiasts talking about being one with the car when driving a manual. Similar to having a watch that requires kinetic movement.
The good news is the movement is famous for its sturdiness and is known to need little servicing if any at all.
What's embarrassing is my current Seiko Black Monster is my third. I got rid of the first two, but keep coming back to it. It's one of my favorite watches of all time in terms of looks and build quality.
This one I'm keeping. What's different this time? Part of is I realize how much I like it. Another part is I had my watch dealer remove only one link, not the usual two. Looser is better on these. In the past, the two-link removal made the belly of my wrist sensitive to irritation at the clasp point. I'm experiencing no irritation with only one link removed.
I purchased this one from a reputable eBay dealer from Florida. The cost was $200. The Seiko arrived with bracelet and came with the rubber strap as well.
Much of this watch's appeal is the non-radioactive lume on the dial. You can't beat it in terms of looks and performance.
Man, do I love Seikos. I'd love to get some Arcturas and a Velatura in my collection. Time to sell some more Invictas maybe? Or face the irony: Invicta sometimes uses Seiko movements.
I sold a nice old Seiko watch on E-Bay----and I still have a Seiko that belonged to my wife's father----one of my favorite watches (currently in need of a battery). For accurate timekeeping, reliability and durability---at a reasonable price----it's very hard to beat Seiko. For style----at least style I'm currently interested in---I keep finding my way to Tauchmeister and Aeromatic.
Posted by: Angelo | August 26, 2012 at 05:38 PM
Nice watch. I like the Velatura SNAE17 - the all black one with the rubber strap. I also really like some of the Anantas, especially the SRQ015, but they're thousands of dollars and if I'm going that high then I'm looking for a Breitling Super Avenger.
I've considered a Black Monster but there are a half a dozen watches or so that I want more so it will have to wait. One of those half a dozen is the Venom II, which I finally bought on Ebay tonight for $200 - new without tags, but an amazing deal - I bargained a "Make an Offer" down from $299 to $200 (they're almost never less than $300). Let's hope this works out.
Posted by: jonnybardo | August 26, 2012 at 09:14 PM
The Seiko has a high quality fit and feel that eclipses my Invictas. You have to compare them in person. The lume alone is ten times better.
That Venom II is supposed to be more comfortable than the Venom I. Let us know.
Posted by: herculodge | August 27, 2012 at 06:33 AM
I'll do a post about the Venom II on my blog, although it will be my first Venom so I won't have the same comparison. It hasn't shipped yet but I'm hoping I get it by the weekend. Maybe I'll post about it then.
But yeah, I hear you: my Seiko SNAD61 and my Citizen Black Eagle both seem like better made watches than most of my Invictas, except for the Reserves.
I'll probably get a Black Monster someday.
Posted by: jonnybardo | August 27, 2012 at 03:48 PM
I've seriously considered getting an Orange Monster, but I already have two Seiko automatics. I can't justify getting the third one.
Posted by: Scooby214 | August 27, 2012 at 05:53 PM
I hear you, Brian. Autos can be pricey to fix, often more than the value of the watch. I'll stick to one Seiko Black Monster. I love that thing.
Posted by: herculodge | August 27, 2012 at 07:36 PM