Seiko MONSTER - First Generation | A legendary & divisive dive watch: SKX779

[@1koolkat76]

Great review of the 1st Gen Seiko Monster. I got mine for $150 a few years ago. Complete with box and papers. It’s been a great and dependable watch. Very well built.

[@TiMEworn]

Thanks for sharing! That's an amazing deal you got there in my opinion, especially with box&papers (which I'm missing)!

[@nestux6978]

Nice review, I just got mine to complete all generations and I love it.

[@TiMEworn]

Wow and thanks for the feedback! I think they did a good job with each iteration, making them stand out every time. All in black/one color or did you get different colors with the generations? Both ways would be interesting for a collection.

[@nestux6978]

@@TiMEworn Yes, I went a little bit crazy with that haha. For gen 1 I have this black one; Gen 2: Dracula, black, black ion and orange; Gen 3: Jade and Coral Reef; Gen 4: black bezel and blue dial. I'm in the hunt for a Gen 1 and 3 in orange.

[@TiMEworn]

Phew, that covers a lot of ground considering the coolest Monsters! Congratulations!!

[@M3LTUP]

Good video. I have bought+sold many watches. But my Monster Gen 1 always stays in my collection. Such a unique watch.

[@TiMEworn]

I love it when a bold design can make it's way into so many collectors' hearts disregarding price/overly prestigious brand name etc. The Monster is just one of those designs! Thank you for sharing your comment & appreciation of the watch!

[@sunset-eq7rf]

Back in late 2013 I purchased a 2nd gen orange monster. I was so impressed with the watch, I purchased the black second gen a few months later. As pleased and satisfied I am with both watches, I still very much regret to this day not buying the first gen monsters when they were available.

[@TiMEworn]

You have two amazing ones then 👍🏻 Have you considered getting a 1st Gen pre-owned then? Even though the prices increased, I still see some fair offerings, at least in Europe. But If you're not looking to build a Monster-collection, I think you have your ground covered with the two 2nd Gens! Thanks for your comment!

[@modelandrei6599]

Very nice review! Seiko monsters are great watches, first and second generations especially, in my opinion. Thank you for all your reviews, i am really enjoying your channel. It is very refreshing to see a european point of view. All the best from Romania!

[@TiMEworn]

Thanks a lot! I am happy that you enjoy the videos and that there's some love out there for the early Monsters! All the best from Germany!

[@amnsbharath]

Beautiful watch.. Best looking monster 👾

[@TiMEworn]

Thank you!! I agree, but there are so many out there that look great as well. But I'll leave it at one Monster, I think 😄

[@RedSplinter36]

My first intro into the watch world has been my Orange monster gen 1... I bought from an army buddy of mine. The watch has seen two tours of combat and the world over... through literal war. He sold it to me saying he'd rather it be with someone who would appreciate it, and man do I ever appreciate and love this piece. Seiko is an amazing legacy and brand.

[@TiMEworn]

That's a very personal and amazing story for a watch! Quite the wrist companion you got there and a memorable thing to pass on! I do tend to wear this watch for tougher jobs, but nowhere near as tough as this! Guess it can endure much more! Thanks for sharing!

[@Rongho9]

Thank you so much for your review! I received this watch from a long lost buddy 15yrs ago (without b&p, he had it then gave it to me). I was looking for the "origins" of this watch and then bump into your video! It definitely add to its value to me now that I know this is the first generation of the 'Monster' Keep the good work, you've earned a sub!

[@TiMEworn]

Thank you for the kind words! It lifts my spirits to know that my video added value to your watch journey and your Monster seems to hold some proper sentimental value! Thanks again!

[@1968jpy]

Just recently purchased the 2021 Save the Ocean Antarctica Monster with the penguin feet . I was so impressed with this watch that I went back to my A.D. and had him order me the newer 2022 save the Ocean Antarctica Monster with the blue dial. It should be in by Friday. I love this watch and am blown away by how awesome this watch is 👍🏻

[@TiMEworn]

Wow, I have to admit, I totally missed the release of the 2022 Save the Ocean Antarctica Monster release 😯 that blue/teal fumé is amazing. Looks very fresh. Thanks for pointing it out!

[@cliffbrown9367]

Love this watch. Great quality at an affordable price. Puts Rolex on the run!

[@TiMEworn]

Thanks, love it as well! Each Generation has sth going for it, but I prefer the 1st Gen personally. Typical Rolex-people will disagree with you 😅 I wouldn't put this watch up there in terms of build quality even though I am not really into Rolex. I consider the Monster's movement very solid, especially for the price, but not as elevated...they punch in different weight classes! Appreciate your comment 🙌

[@ianmunro3770]

Thank you for a very thoughtful & interesting video. Well presented & very informative. And a great watch described very well. Great stuff thanks again regards Ian

[@TiMEworn]

Hi Ian, thank you for the comment! Glad you enjoy the content!

[@josephpowelliii9169]

Very nice review..very thorough. I gotta get one!

[@TiMEworn]

Thank you! Hope it helped and didn't just pull you down a rabbit hole 😄👍

[@alexrios4064]

Thanks for your chronology of models,clear explanation. I bought it about 5 years ago, I would confidently place it on a par with Rolex, Heuer , or a Hublot quality and ruggedness !!

[@TiMEworn]

Thank you! I'll definitely agree on the ruggedness, it even exceeds those you mentioned and for once and on this model, Seiko aligned the bezel perfectly 😄👍 Best regards!

[@Justthinkin502]

Great channel

[@TiMEworn]

Thanks! Appreciate the support!

[@xhames61x]

I bought mine in 2000 after I started wearing an older Seiko for work offshore when I went through various Timex like watches that were NOT NEAR rugged enough. Is that a run-on? Anyway, my Monster developed a slight fog that comes and goes depending on the temperature outside. Inside in the air conditioning, the crystal is clear. Any anyway, I'm definately a fan. Thanks Mr Seiko.

[@TiMEworn]

If it survived 22 years with your intense job offshore, it did good, I think 😄 if there's condensation, there's moisture inside. Guess your gaskets are done for. I would recommend (if you care 😅) a service before it finally breaks down. Thank you for your story! A true out-in-the-field Monster!

[@hantms]

I never liked them so much although for the longest time tried getting the 2nd gen orange monster 'when prices would go down again'... but of course they never did. :) I recently got the 4th gen arctic edition (the one with the icy dial with penguin footprints). Very interesting watch and unlike almost anything else; especially unlike any other diver.

[@TiMEworn]

They grew on me as well! I had to look up the version you got, because it was totally new to me! Thanks for your comment, that's a wild new addition and with a good cause as well (Save the Ocean Antarctica). Love the color gradient and the tiny details on the dial!

[@Jason-hv4eu]

Good review 😊

[@TiMEworn]

Thank you! I appreciate the support!

[@octaviussludberry9016]

My friend Phil, died in 2016. Among the 30 or so watches he owned, was a 1st generation Monster. It had no strap. I thought it was very ugly, but, as I was going to sell it (I was tasked with selling his effects for his mum) I put the only spare strap available to me - an 18mm Bond NATO strap - on it. I wore it, to see how it looked and felt. If I liked it, I would give his mum the money for it. I hated it more. The weight of it pulled the strap this way and that. It looked awkward on the flimsy strap. I managed to acquire the black dive strap. Fitted it. It still looked weird. It had been up for sale, with not takers (2017). I then saw it had a stainless dive bracelet, which I though looked good in pictures, so I found one on eBay and fitted it. Needless to say, I gave his mum the money. It's now one of my favourite watches. It's ugly, but I love it.

[@TiMEworn]

"It's ugly but I love it!" Should be a marketing phrase for the Monster! Thanks for sharing your path with this Seiko. Quite a personal connection to this watch and nice to hear you kept it after what sounds like several reasons to sell it. I've grown accustomed to its design as well and now cherish the weird looks very much. I also think it is not a strap monster...

[@masafelipe7033]

Your voice reminds me of Autogefuhl channel.

[@TiMEworn]

I hope that's a good thing 😅! I just looked them up, maybe there are some similarities due to dialect. Greetings!

[@masafelipe7033]

@@TiMEworn In my opinion yes it is since they have 500k subs. Cheers. Mild german(ic) accent allways helps😁

[@TiMEworn]

Yes, those are insane numbers, they are pros! Appreciate your comment!

[@Lowdown13blues]

Mine doesn’t match any gen … but the first gen is the closest looking one.

[@TiMEworn]

Sounds interesting! What distinguishes it from a First Gen then?

[@jonirwin7316]

1st gen had horrible accuracy.

[@TiMEworn]

I think the 7S26 was not known for high accuracy from the start (so I agree) and it is only ticking at 21,600Aph, but it is robust. Just checked mine, which took a beating since its last service 7 years ago (!) and I can confirm that it is behind 27seconds/day.