Seiko

Seiko Men's SKX779K3 "Black Monster" Automatic Dive Watch

• Quality Japanese Automatic movement; Functions without a battery; Powers automatically with the movement of your arm
• Hardlex crystal
• Case diameter: 47 mm

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Known as the Black Monster, this 21-jewel, automatic watch winds itself with the motion of your wrist, so you'll never need to change the battery. It has a stainless steel case and features a black dial with three-hand function, easy-to-read bar markers, and an English/Spanish day/date window at the three o'clock position. Additional features include a screw-down case and crown, a scratch-resistant Hardlex crystal, and a one-way rotating bezel that safely keeps track of elapsed time. With its Lumibrite hands, markers, and bezel, this watch is easy to read in both light and dark conditions. The watch secures to a comfortable, extra-long, pressure-vented rubber strap that fastens with a buckle closure. Designed for diving, this watch is water-tested to 200 meters. It meets ISO standards and is suitable for scuba diving.

Product Description

Stainless steel case with a stainless steel bracelet. Unidirectional rotating stainless steel bezel. Black dial with luminous hands and index hour markers. Minute markers around the outer rim. Luminiscent hands and markers. Date and day of the week display appears at the 3 o'clock position. Automatic movement. Scratch resistant hardlex crystal. Screw down crown. Screw down solid case back. Case diameter: 44 mm. Case thickness: 13 mm. Double locking push button deployment clasp. Water resistant at 200 meters / 660 feet. AdditionalInfo: skx779, skx779-1, skx779-p1, skx779p1, seiko-skx779, seiko-skx779-1. Seiko Diver Steel Black Mens Watch SKX779.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B0006IHHMU
• Item model number: SKX779K3
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (225 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,381 in Watches (See Top 100 in Watches)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

105 of 109 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Family Values, February 13, 2006

By 

Michael Horn "mikie" (US Army Combat Support Training Center, Dublin, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Seiko Men's SKX779 "Black Monster" Automatic Dive Polyurethane Strap Watch (Watch)

The Seiko "Black Monster" is making watch history right in front of our eyes. Everyone interested in an automatc dive watch should look at this or its Orange, Blue or Yellow brothers as a "must have" watch. Every collector I know - no matter how expansive or selective - has a Monster in the watchbox.

I am the owner of the Orange, Blue and Black Monster watches. The Blue is a "Limited Production" model - only so many made each year -- the Yellow Monster is already a legend -- only 300 made in it's Limited Edition and is no longer available through retail channels. Be prepared to bid at auction for this model.

So - what makes the "Monsters" watches of legend...?

The Black Monster's 43mm case is 316L stainless steel - featuring the Seiko made 7S26 21 jewel mechanical movement - not the best timekeeper in the world -- but accurate enough for most of us -- 15sec +/- daily. The movement is not able to "hack" and is not manually windable. Either you wear it every day or put it on a programmable watchwinder to avoid resetting the time/day/date. With screwdown crown at the 4 o'clock and screw-in back - the Black Monster easily is rated at 200M water resistance.

The day/date is at the 3 o'clock and gives a good clear read - the watch face offering no magnification window. The change of day date can take up to 3 hours - not good for folks working the night shift. The plastic day/date wheels are of a self lubricating plastic and should give many years of trouble free performance.

The stainless steel unidirectional scalloped bezel moves freely at 120 clicks to the minute. A perfect match to the sculptured case - the bezel also offers protection to the watch crystal.

Seiko's "Hardlex" treated mineral glass crystal is scratch resistant - but not nearly so as the preferrable sapphire crystal found on the Blue or Yellow Monster. It is convex domed to not protrude above the bezel. The black watch face neatly sets off Seiko's patented lume material set on indices on the watch face and hands. The monster series is famous for it's torchlight lume - making every other diver in it's class pale with envy. The white watch hands are readable in low light, but might have been black outlined around the lume material (as in the Yellow Monster) for even greater visabiliy and readability in poor lighting conditions.

The triple safety clasp stainless steel pinned link bracelet is already a legend. A great looking and most comfortable design, it also features a wetsuit deployment clasp - not always found on a watch of this price. Recommend a thorough rinsing of this band after diving in salt water. With solid end links and unique Seiko pattern - it is a thing of beauty.

Available in either a ss bracelet or rubber strap - the Black Monster is a fantastic value when purchasing it with the stainless steel bracelet - an after market rubber strap from Seiko is available... but you save up to $50 in value by buying the ss bracelet over the rubber strap model.

A boldly designed heavy watch - you should have no hestitation wearing this or it's Orange Monster brother (see my review) as an everyday watch or water sport diver. Manufactured in either Singapore or Japan (Japanese model is always preferrable - so always ask before you buy), this under $200 watch from Amazon vendors is a must buy for any diver, boater or swimmer. You cannot buy a better watch for the money.

This watch is not sold as Seiko USA stockage - this is a gray market watch that most Seiko dealers will not service. Buy from reputable vendors that WILL servive this timepiece in the unlikely event anything goes wrong. To learn more about affordable watches from Amazon I recommend WisTalk.com or InvictaTalk.com - places where your watch questions can be answered.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chunker, March 23, 2006

By 

J. Collins (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Seiko Men's SKX779 "Black Monster" Automatic Dive Polyurethane Strap Watch (Watch)

I used to make fun of my friend who collects automatic watches. Then my wife got me a nice titanium automatic dive watch for Christmas a couple of years ago. It's as big as a clock and as heavy as a door knocker. Sound similar to anything we might be discussing here?

The other day I dropped my beloved watch (made by an obscure German firm that specializes in "instrument watches"). Much to my horror, it fell off the nightstand and the hands froze. I figured I'd be without it for at least a month while the service center fixed it, so I took that as an opportunity to browse a few web sites to look for a temporary substitute. Wound up spotting this chunker.

The Black Monster. Cool name, strong reviews, three year warranty, well known brand, unbelievable price, what's not to like? I considered its Orange Monster sibling momentarily, then decided to go with basic black.

The Black Monster arrived today. Let me tell you, the pics on the site fail to do justice to this bad boy. It is one shiny big hunka steel, even more manly than the titanium timepiece my wife picked out. It took just a moment to set the date/time and adjust the stainless band. I put it on and really started to appreciate the heft of the thing and the huge glow-in-the-dark hands that contrast with the elegant black dial. (Must confess I have yet to try it with a dress shirt; might be a tight fit at the cuff.) I think I have a new favorite watch. Don't tell my wife.

Epilogue: After I had placed the order for the Monster and it was too late to cancel it, I picked up my other watch--the titanium one--and much to my surprise and delight, it sprang to life! Of course, I couldn't bring myself to send the Monster back. I rationalized my unplanned purchase as costing much less than the now-unneeded repairs on the other watch...though now I have to buy a watch winder since I can only wear one at a time. And so it begins. I will no longer laugh at my friend. And one of these days I'll take this thing diving.

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Watch - Excellent Quality, April 23, 2005

By 

Shopper Dad "Shopper Dad" (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Seiko Men's SKX779K3 "Black Monster" Automatic Dive Watch (Watch)

The 'Black Monster', as it is officially called by Seiko, is a fantastic, durable watch. Be advised that the size of it may look deceiving. It is a large watch - bulky and big. The band is large and can fit those who have a hard time with standard size watches. The face is magnified so it is very easy to read with the glow features. This watch puts any bulky Breitling or similar overpriced watches to shame, for the simple reason that the watch is a durable great looking watch and its better to save a few THOUSAND dollars.

I like that the bezel is off center so its comfortable and doesn't get in the way of your wrist.
Everything about this watch is durable. I never plan to wear it for scuba diving but the quality is there. It's obvious.

The only con is that I did not buy it sooner.
Make a smart purchase and save the money over those overpriced competitors. Get rich in 20 years putting that money away. Your Black Monster will probably still be working too.

Good Luck!