Seiko

Seiko Men's SKX781 "Orange Monster" Automatic Dive Watch

• 21-jewels automatic movement
• Functions without a battery; powers automatically with the movement of your arms
• One way rotating elapsed timing bezel; screw-down crown and case-back; strong Hardlex crystal

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 5.9 x 5.9 inches ; 7 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 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: B000EPLR2G
• Item model number: SKX781
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (227 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #583 in Watches (See Top 100 in Watches)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

94 of 99 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Seiko Orange Monster Automatic Dive Watch April 15, 2006

By Shaka Zulu

Amazon Verified Purchase

Bought the watch from Amazon Sunday evening and it arrived on Thursday evening with the 5-day delivery service. I've had it for a few days and I am extremely happy with it. I also own a Rolex Submariner, Breitling Chronomat, Omega Seamaster Chrono, Citizen Nighthawk, and some assorted Casios and Timexes. This Seiko automatic watch ranks just a hair below the $2000+ Swiss watches, but for under $200, it's an unbelievable value. The quality and workmanship are excellent for a price in this range. For example, the second and minute hands line up exactly with the hash marks; when the second hand hits 12, the minute hand is algined precisely with the minute hash mark. Wow, I've seen $1000 Swiss quartz watches that don't do that. The assembly of all the components look top notch. The rotating bezel has a precision feel and the click-stops align exactly with the hash marks on the dial. The alphanumeric markings, Lumbrite markers, and hands appear of high quality. Seiko's cost savings is in the omission of hacking of the second hand, but slight backwards pressure does stop it for setting the time. Also, the black-on-white day and date although easy to read appears to be imprinted on cheapy white plastic. The bracelet has solid stainless steel links, but the weight and chrome finish are slightly on the budget side. The watch appears to run fast by about 1 second each day, which is pretty good for a mechanical watch since I had a Timex quartz with an analog face that ran fast by about the same increment. I love the orange face and chrome bezel with recessed, black painted numerals and hash marks. The watch supplied by Amazon came with a Seiko box, instructions and warranty and does not appear to be a gray market watch.... I saw the watch for cheaper on eBay but they were coming from overseas, so I paid a few bucks more from Amazon located in the US. All in all, I am very satisfied with this Seiko watch and Amazon service. Read more ›

84 of 92 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars "Orange Monster" Collectors Watch June 14, 2005

By Michael Horn

Amazon Verified Purchase

Seiko's SKX781 "Orange Monster" is achieving cult status among automatic sports watch collectors and avid SCUBA divers. Along with a similar style in black, Model SKX 779 (Black Monster) and the 300 lucky owners who collected a limited edition "Yellow Monster" some years ago - Seiko has produced a classic sports watch for the ages.

Even those who collect automatic sports watches or chronographs that cost into 4 figures view this watch as a MUST HAVE for their collections (along with the Invicta Pro series dive watches). Like my commuter car Toyota RAV4 - a "beater" for everyday travel to the office - a "beater" watch with style, elegance, color and practicality for $200 or less is a rare find. This is a watch that makes a clear statement on your wrist!

As an avid SCUBA diver - a water resistant watch to 660 feet is almost a standard when looking for dive watch purchase features. When the stainless steel band has a triple lock, a deployment clasp for wetsuit, softly rounded comfortable links coupled to a massive free uni-directioinal rotating bezel - most of us take notice. Combined with a "flamethrower" glow in the dark dial - beautiful orange face and overall massive sculpted stainless steel case - you have a winner.

The WOW factor on this time piece is way up there. This watch is not Seiko of America standard stockage - but must be dealer ordered from Seiko Japan or Gray market wholesaled from Japan or Singapore dealers. It is also made for the China and Far East Market from a Seiko factory in Singapore. Both Japanese and Singapore factories turn out highest quality timepieces. Amazon's vendor sponsor - where I bought my watch - charges a fair price and has provided excellent service (sent me the Japanese factory made model)....

The day, date feature ("complication") is clearly readable without the "Rolex" type magnifier bubble (aka "cyclops"). The 42mm stainless steel case (43mm with crown), uni-directional bezel can be joined either with a stainless steel bracelet or a rubber strap. The bracelet is a 70.00+ separate order item - while the Seiko rubber strap is only a $25-30 saving when choosing your order. Make no mistake - this is an imposing timepiece. Many prefer the Black (Monster) version as the orange dial is an aquired taste for some of us.

Internally- the 7S26 automatic movement is the one found in all styles of the under $300 Seiko diver watch model range. While not Seiko's premier automatic watch movement - it is a tried and true lifetime (with proper service) movement. It has a smaller than average weighted rotor - can be immediately charged with just a few brisk shakes before mounting on your wrist - and can be put on all watch winders to keep it fully charged and ready to wear. This movement - to save money in manufacturing - cannot be manually wound. Day date must be adjusted on all months not 31 days long. Use of plastic day/date internal rotors are self lubricating and will stand a lifetime of wear. Any criticism of the watch can be found in this area - the mechanism taking up to 3 hours to change the day/date at midnight.

Possible downside of this watch:
1. NOT a quartz - but a spring wound auto-wind.
2. Thick and heavy - not suitable to all folks who like a THIN, light watch. Tough to fit under a shirt cuff - unless you're a pirate.
3. Not Seiko's most precise auto-wind movement. Still - a tried and true reliable performer - but not a chronograph time keeper.
4. Crystal "Hardlex" watch face not as scratch resistant as Sapphire watch face from dive watch competitors (such as Invicta).
5. Can't manually wind movement (as in Invicta 8926 series).

Available from Amazon vendors (where I purchased mine) or other US dealers - prices vary $40 or more. Gray Market from Hong Kong or Singapore may save you up to $80 from authorized US dealers - but may present the owner with warranty and service acceptance problems from authorized Seiko repair facilities here in the states should something go wrong.

[I'm a contributing member of InvictaTalk.com, InvictaWatchForum.com, and TimeTechTalk.com and invite all affordable watch lovers to learn more about Seko, Citizen, Invicta and other fine watches sold on Amazon.com] Read more ›

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A fine precision instrument March 10, 2007

By Andy Apple

From the moment you first hold this watch in your hand, you realize it is a quality timepiece. The first thing that strikes you is its large size and heavy feel, yet despite that, it feels comfortable on the wrist due to its fine balance.

BRACELET:
The bracelet end links (those that attach to the watch case) are solid rather than formed sheet metal like you will find on most other watches in this price range. The pins holding the bracelet to the watch are the sturdiest I have ever seen. Each of the bracelet's subsequent links is also made from a solid piece of steel, not folded sheet, each component being feather-edged to prevent it digging into the wrist. Its removable link pins are of an unusual machined pin and collar design which, though fiddly to remove and replace, nevertheless ensure that the pins remain under-flush and secure when correctly installed. The bracelet is perfectly flush on the side that contacts your wrist making it feel very smooth during wear.
The clasp is very high quality, having both a fold over security buckle, which deploys with a satisfying click, and an Omega style double button catch. The security buckle closes onto a spring pin whose ends are spherical thus ensuring a tight fastening which should not wear with use. All in all these features add up to a watch that is very quiet on the wrist, the only faint sound coming from its automatic winding mechanism.
Finally the bracelet incorporates a clever hidden diver's extension (to allow the watch to be worn over a wet suit).

CASE:
The watch case, back and bezel are made from stainless steel. The case has an attractive mix of polished, brushed and machined finishes which all add to the feel of quality and function.... The overall impression is that this is a precision instrument rather than a fashion piece; that's not to say though that it would look out of place with a dinner jacket any more than a wet suit.
The unidirectional bezel is of a heavily scalloped design, protected by bezel-guards which extend upwards from each of the lug pairs. The lower guard also functions as a crown guard and, all in all, the impression is of a case machined from a solid billet of steel. The bezel sits slightly higher than the domed crystal, thus providing protection from scratching and the crystal itself is of a proprietary Seiko material "hardlex" which, as I understand it, is better at resisting scratches than mineral glass but less susceptible to shattering than sapphire.
The luminosity of this watch is astounding due partly to the use of Seiko's proprietary "lumibrite" paint but also to the large coated areas on the hour markers and hands.
The bezel only turns one way, as a safety feature for timing dives, and feels silky smooth, the best I've experienced on any Seiko or Invicta diver. It has 120 clicks per revolution and is nicely aligned with the face.

MOVEMENT:
The watch uses the 21 jewel Seiko 7S26 movement running at 21,600 bph (that's 6 ticks per second). It is non-hacking which means that the second hand does not stop when the crown is pulled out. Although this makes it difficult to synchronize, if a slight backward pressure is applied to the fully extended crown, it is possible to stop the second hand. The watch can not be hand wound but the self winding mechanism is very efficient and I have found that it has a power reserve of at least 24 hours. The 7S26 has been around for many years and has a reputation for ruggedness and reliability.

ACCURACY:
There are several reviews where people complain of poor accuracy. Typically, when new, automatic movements will be set to run fast at the factory because they tend to slow down after a few weeks of use. I own three watches with the 7S26 movement and after their breaking in period all are now keeping time to within 10 seconds per day.
I have a few thoughts on accuracy. You have to ask yourself how accurate does your watch need to be? If it is running 10 or 20 seconds fast per day then set it one minute slow and you will only need to re-set it once every week or two when it has advanced to one minute fast. If you need more accuracy then, unless you are willing to pay at least five times as much for a swiss watch, then buy a quartz.

Finally, if you do a search on the Seiko Monster you'll quickly come to realize that in its various colours, these watches are firm favourites amongst those who frequent the many watch forums. I would highly recommend that you purchase one and see for yourself! Read more ›

Product Description

Amazon.com

The 21-jewel, automatic Seiko Men's "Orange Monster" Automatic Dive 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 an orange 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 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 durable, stainless-steel bracelet band. Designed for diving, this watch is water-tested to 200 meters. It meets ISO standards and is suitable for scuba diving.

This is an automatic mechanical watch. Automatic watches do not operate on batteries; instead, they are powered automatically by the movement of the wearer’s arm. If the main spring in your automatic watch is not wound sufficiently, timekeeping may become less accurate. In order to maintain accuracy, wear the watch for 8 hours or more per day, or manually wind the main spring by turning the crown. When not in use, automatic watches may be kept charged with an automatic watch winder – a watch storage unit which may be purchased separately.

The Seiko Story

From Humble beginnings, Kintaro Hattori’s Vision for Seiko has become reality. A consuming passion for excellence - imprinted in our Corporate DNA passed from generation to generation. Seiko, for 125 years committed to the art and science of time.

A culture of innovation connects a 19th century Tokyo clock shop with 20th century advances in timekeeping to an extraordinary 21st century "quiet revolution." Continually driven by dedication and passion, established a multitude of world’s first technologies… transforming the principles of timekeeping.

The first quartz wristwatch – changed the history of time.

The first Kinetic – marked a new era in quartz watch technology.

In 1969, Seiko Astron, the first quartz wristwatch - was introduced.

In an instant, Seiko exponentially improved the accuracy of wristwatches –And Seiko technology firmly established today’s standard in Olympic and sports timing.

1984, another celebrated first – Kinetic Technology – powered by body movement.

Kinetic – a quartz mechanism with unparalleled accuracy –the driving force behind more world’s firsts.

Kinetic Chronograph – the next generation of high performance timekeeping.

Kinetic Auto Relay – automatically resets to the correct time.

Kinetic Perpetual - combining the date perfect technology of perpetual calendar with the genius of Kinetic Auto Relay.

And now Kinetic Direct Drive – move, and the watch is powered automatically. Or hand wind it and see the power you are generating in real time.

In the realm of fine watches, time is measured by Seiko innovation – A heritage of dedication to the art and science of time.