After Two Years of Heavy Wear, All Is Well with the Seiko SNF53 "Mini Black Monster"

A little over two years ago, my wife's aunt asked me for a recommendation for her daughter's son, Kevin, who has strapping 9 inch wrists. At a price point of $170, the Seiko SNF53 Mini Monster got the call. I knew it offered a lot at that price. Its dimensions appear to be the same as my Black Monster's, so I don't know where the term "mini" comes from. We're talking about 43mm bezel and 45mm case. 

The watch wears big on him. There is something substantial about the styling. The lume is topnotch. He plays with his two daughters in the pool, letting the watch sink to the bottom while they find it. So far it has no scratches. I'd say in person the watch looks more black in color than the lighter shades that show up on internet images. 

I saw him wearing it at Thanksgiving and I said to myself, "Now that is how a watch should look. Bravo!" 

He rather likes it and says he feels funny without the heavy weight of it on his wrist. 

Comments

[jonnybardo]

I really like that watch except for the orange markers - I'd probably get it otherwise. Still, all-black (or nearly all-black) monster for <$200 is very tempting.

[herculodge]

Orange markers are more subtle in person than in photos. Plays more like an all black watch.

[jonnybardo]

Damn you, Jeff, very tempting. There's one for $190 on Ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Seiko-5-Sports-23-Jewel-Automatic-100m-BLACK-MONSTER-SNZF53K1-/150936964204?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item23248b4c6c

But then I found this one which fits my desired scheme of black case, silver bracelet - for only $170:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Seiko-5-Sports-Auto-100m-23-JEWEL-MONSTER-SNZF51J1-MADE-IN-JAPAN-/150837650648?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item231e9fe4d8

Both ship free from New Zealand.

[jonnybardo]

I just posted about that second watch, the SNZF51J1, on my blog. I should probably wait until I get my Black Monster, but the SNZF51J1 just jumped to the top of the wishlist. $145? I'll take it.

[herculodge]

Amazon sells the one featured here for 169, very good.

[Matt]

Orange mini-monster (SNZF49) on eBay for $99.99; item number 290814461948.