I have this one and regret nothing! Yeah, Seiko could do a lot of things better but I'm infatuated with the whole Save The Ocean theme and its execution. Its genius. What other watch brand is going to give you something so unique? People ask about the watch and I show them the little penguin feet or the rays on the other watches and they're completely intrigued. Silly? There hasn't been something this clever done with a watch since slapping Mickey Mouse on a dial.
Shane, you hit the nail on the head with this video! Tons of pros and cons, like almost every other Seiko I've ever touched. And, it's interesting how you can really dislike the cons, and not shy away from saying how bad they are, yet still enjoy the watch overall. I too have experienced this with most of my Seikos. In fact, that's been the ongoing theme of my experiences with Seiko. I often say that they are good, but not great. btw, I think the penguin tracks in the dial are awesome too, and I loved hearing your personal story behind getting this watch. Great vid!
Well done Shane. I saw this watch at a Seiko dealer in Cleveland and loved it. Seeing this watch online is a niceity. Seeing it in person made it a necessity. Absolutely stunning! Loved the reference to SeaWorld. Penguins rule! Thanks again!
I still love this one. Still needs a good nickname. I've still been calling it the Antartica Monster, but I recently heard someone refer to it as the "Ice Chicken".
I have one (with the blue/green dial). This is by far the best and most comprehensive review of this watch I have seen on the net. Well done. I totally agree about the bracelet and the fact that for the price range, it should really have a sapphire crystal.
Thanks for the review. Haven't watched your reviews in a while, and this could just be me, but I appreciate the faster cadence of speech in this review which makes it much more enjoyable to watch for me.
I adore this watch. So much so I bought it. That dial texture and the 'happy feet' feature is unique and beats virtually anything in the price range or way above it. I also find the whole esthetic of the monster just a hit. I agree about the day/date could be usefully reduced to date only but I am a fan of the cyclops and also the bracelet. I will never get rid of this watch. Top review, as ever 👍
Thanks! Even with the misaligned bezel, I won't ever get rid of it either. I knew I wanted it from the moment I saw it online, and bought one as soon as I could.
Sold off my Seikos and bought an Aquis - lovely watch, but really not that much better than the Seikos I sold - so bought the Turtle manta Ray & genuinely prefer it, so seiko divers are back on my "must have" list again - & this is certainly on that list. Very helpful review, thank you Shane 👍🏻👍🏻
Another on point review Shane. You never fan boy, point out the good and bad clinically, and yet still ultimately infuse your personal feelings with each video. Cheers Sir.
I really love the 4th gen monster. I have the padi version and it goes with nearly everything. Also as far as value goes, you can easily save $100 off MSRP if you look often.
Great review Shane. Love the camera work on the watches, very well done and it is a feast for the eyes (and ears, audio is very good too). Appreciate all the setting up and editing you have to do! The different straps looked great too, especially that dark blue NATO.
I'm all in for a monster, plus the penguin part was true to the heart. Although "gummy" after gen 2, these are always nice watches. As for the QC issues, hey it's a Seiko... Enjoy Shane, be well mate.
Fantastic balanced review Shane. I'm a big Seiko fan myself with a number of Tunas and Turtles. Lately I wanted to get a pristine 2nd gen pointy teeth Monster but at €1420 on eBay, it was too much. So got a red dial Heimdallr Monster with sapphire crystal, milled clasp, solid end links, lined up, and was fine when I took it down to 80m and later 100m. The dial on that watch is definitely stunning, but I'm looking at the Heimdallr I've got on now for €100 and I can't help thinking that I've got a better watch.
The quirky quality control issues are almost fun on a Seiko. For no good reason, Seiko gets a pass on this because some owners grow attached to the minor flaws. Even Timex wouldn't get away with misaligned parts, but Seiko buyers keep lining up for them like me.
Made in Japan and still with AliExpress bezel alignment. The review perfectly epitomises Seiko in that they are flawed and yet still very attractive. It was a tough choice but I went for the Tuna version. Thorough and very watchable review.
I recently picked up one of these Seiko Monster Antarctica and i would say that the Dial is stunning. Great thing about it is that this time, the indices and chapter ring is well aligned. And we all know that Seiko is Notoriously known for thier quality control issues when it comes to alignment.
Ordered today for $262. Have seven or eight older Monsters but this limited edition dial sets it apart. Only buy Save The Ocean editions now that prices have gone up the last few years. Nice seeing this on different straps
I got this watch about two months ago. Wore it maybe 3 times cause of the way the bracelet feels. Wasn’t sure about a silicone band, but looks good with it in the vid. Going to order one right now.
Great review. A few months ago I bought a brand new SRPD27 Monster, and had no qc issues at all. The thing is a gem. The value was amazing as I paid $259.99. I have considered the Antarctic Monster, but have not yet made the purchase because specwise, I have it already. It looks fabulous though. And at the same time, I love my regular Gen 4 more than I anticipated. Winner! Thanks for the review.
Glad you went through all of the pro's and con's, and what watch collecting is all about for you. Glad you're happy overall : ) I've had some pretty unfortunate experiences with Seiko lately: 2 SPRD's (5KX's) that had bad QC issues; 1 had awful misalignment of bezel and chapter ring, and the other, a movement that runs 1.5 minute per day fast from the factory! Funny though, I've got an SNK809 that's practically perfect: No cosmetic defects even with a 10x loupe (hands are aligned properly, thick, even lume, clean printing on the dial, no rough edges on the raised Seiko logo or badge), and runs +1 to +3 seconds per day reliably - and because it's so unobtrusive and light, its become my preferred daily driver. Would I like a nice shiny Seiko diver with greater wrist presence to be the one that so perfect, reliable and wearable? Sure! But this SNK809 has really grown on me, and because it's so functional and not a fingerprint or scratch magnet, it's kind of the perfect watch for most occasions.
Just got a Baby Tuna save the Ocean(the dark blue version) and I love it…The dial is really nice. This is my first Seiko since I bought my 7002 in 1988, which I still have…
The Hardlex is the thing that bugs me. In Europe this watch sells for between 450€ and 550€ and for that sort of money it's just plain indecent not to give us a sapphire crystal.
The 1st (7S26) and 2nd (4R36) gen monsters did have day-date, only the 6R15-equipped JDM 3rd gen one was date-only. 2nd gen was the only one with the tooth indices. It's funny, my Antarctic Monster had tight and snug endlinks, whereas the SRPD25 I had was loose like yours. I didn't mind it though, they're not exactly designed to look one with the case.
Also, I didn't think the lume was very good at all for a Seiko diver. It's on par with the regular 4th gen monsters, but those have blue lume. I have no idea why they went with green on this one - blue would have been much more appropriate - but it doesn't hold a candle to say a regular Turtle with green Lumibrite. I dunno if the indices are too shallow for a good coat of pain or if the current formulation isn't that great. It is very white in daylight, though.
I noticed the lume color was off as well. Mine looks a little dimmer then my turtle at first, but in my comparison test it lasted just as long. So I can't complaint too much.
Thank you Shane. I think that you've just sold me a Heimdallr which is a lot more aggressive in the dial and enough of a monster to chew off my index finger. Apart from the dial the difference in quality would be interesting. I would be unhappy buying the Seiko given the issues that you've pointed out. These quality problems have been going on for a while, they must know about it, yet it seems that they just don't care. Great review and as always informative attention to detail. 👍
Long island also has their own versions of monsters too. Not sure which is better quality wise, but the Heimdallr I got was impressive. The one think I prefer with the gen 4 Seikos (not sure if the homages have it) is they changed the case where the crown hits. Previously, it had a little slot cut out for it. Which had sharper edges that my finger always hit. Now it sits on the outside of the shroud, so you don't have that issue.
@@RelativeTime Thank you Shane. I'll check out Long Island watches. The Heimdallr homages have a recessed crown it looks like, although I'm no expert on any monsters, Seiko, Heimdallr or otherwise.
Love this gen4 Monster, I really do. It's going to end up in my collection at some point. I own about 10 Seiko divers, just one "Save the Ocean" version, and that's the Seiko King Samurai "Dark Blue Manta Ray". Man, that dial, it's just as fascinating and beautiful as this Monster. Fell in love with them when I had them in my hands at my local Seiko reseller. Funny enough, none of them have alignment issues. Just saying. ;-) With regard to the price compared to other Monsters, don't forget that Seiko donates money to the Save the Ocean projects. That money comes from the higher price we as a consumer pay for the watch. To conclude things; I like this nice objective and informative review! Although I do have one remark with regard to the Hardlex crystal, which is a mistake many people make. As far as divers go, you absolutely never, EVER, want sapphire. The reason for that is simple. Sapphire shatters into a million pieces when you hit something hard. When diving, your live depends on time, so that's something you don't want. Hardlex scratches, but never breaks. A handy feature on a dive watch. ;-) For desk divers, scratch free sapphire is great, but I dive, and even with a dive computer on my right wrist, I always have a regular dive watch on my left. Redundancy saved my live once.
Super watch, very beautiful, brutal, masculine. When a husband puts them on his hand, you understand how they suit him. I never thought that such an accessory as a watch can emphasize real masculine qualities.
Despite all of the wtfs I absolutely love my Monster Save the Ocean. I have the deep blue and ponder picking up the Antartica now that I see it slipping around $300. Still, everything you mention is why I have not. It's hard to justify two with no sapphire and this stupid candy bar. I know some people have torched it off but I tried that and it didn't budge.
Good review. I have this watch as a working watch. I am working at sea and can say you this watch are exellent. Actually, I am Omega and Breitling fan. I have both Omega's legendary models , but to compare seamaster and this watch, I can say this watch is good to compare with iconic Omega seamaster 300. How did Seiko with this price level, I have not understood. From my side, only one minus , this is thicknesses of the watch. Rest things are really good, not excellent , but really good.
Ma786sai Dua Happy Feet, I bought this piece because of this Happy Feet. I also got the darker Night Antartica Penguin model. My other monsters are 3 Gen-3 Monsters. Jade, Blue coral Reef and Navy blue as well.
I got the one with the blue dial and black bezel and I love it. I always thought the monster was too big for my small wrist, but saw one at a store and the size was not big on my small wrist. It’s a beautiful more refined monster and I’m glad I got one finally .
I also like having an imagination with this particular watch. You can look at it as penguin feet or dinosaur feet or even a space watch with extra terrestrials and the rocket ship landing on a moon rock. Just so much fun 😁
Seiko's with bezels are one of the rare instances in life where if you _do_ buy it, you really have no room to complain; reviews aside. I prefer to show my thoughts on Seiko's QC with my wallet.
Great in depth review,and excellent photography. My wife likes your calm voice 😁. I love the foot prints on the dial and it is a beautiful watch, but such a shame the quality control lets the watch down.
I hope QC improves. I can justify a purchase that is slightly overpriced but not with quality control issues. If this is acceptable now I hope it doesn't get worse.
I agree completely. I started collecting with Seiko, and I love the design of this watch in particular. However, I live in a place where it really isn't feasible to purchase a watch at a brick and mortar store, so I'm left having to order watches online sight unseen (sure you can see photos of the model, but you never get to see the specific watch that will be delivered to you). As a result, I have been completely turned off from buying Seiko as I know how disappointed I would be when it finally arrives and the bezel/chapter ring is misaligned. These and other QC issues have been an issue with Seiko for quire some time now. I don't mind paying more for a design I really love, but I just can't bring myself to buy Seiko who has proven that they just don't care about fixing these issues. Which is a huge shame because they make some great looking watches.
I have been infatuated with this watch since it came out. Just ordered a new one for 400 from island watch. So not as bad as the regular price tag. Can't wait!
After several month swith this watch there's one big con I noticed: the white/silver watch hands melt into the snow/ice back ground and at some angles you can't actually tell what time it is without flexing your wrist to get a good view. Time telling, kind of important in a watch in fact I'd posit it's the reason watches exist. Stunning revelation I know.
Thanks for the review. Ive been eyeballing this for a little while as well. Im a monster fan in general. Still looking for a good quality 2nd gen orange monster. Amazon had 1 pf these left at $80 off so just pulled the trigger. Thanks.
Love this review!!! No mention of the bracelet having less taper than other seiko monster’s…. I own the jdm model antartica and a 2011 night monster (thailand only). The night monster has more taper and is 2mm narrower at the clasp…. Will never sell the antartica, better dial than any other seiko in my collection. Do need an other oem seiko bracelet with more taper for it 😇
Great to know. This is my first real monster, so didn't know the bracelet had a different taper. Although most of the time I wear it on a hybrid strap from Barton. Still one of the best dials I've seen.
I have owned a regular 4rth gen monster for several years now, the black dial version with the rubber strap. I got it as a birthday gift and it is one of my favourite watches. I might be in the minority but I love the candy bar cyclopes. I don’t mind mineral crystal and would even prefer it over sapphire that has mediocre AR coating. I love everything about what this watch is… which make the QC issues drive me all the more insane. On mine I have a nice big chunk of dust or something under the crystal. Enough to see with the naked eye. And the chapter ring… it is so off it looks like someone threw it in there from a distance. Basically, everything negative for me about this watch could have been avoided. I can live with these because of the uniqueness of the watch, the sentimental aspect as a gift and the love of the design. But I sure don’t have a lot of confidence buying another Seiko anymore. One Seiko with the “authentic” Seiko issues is going to be enough in my collection I am afraid.
I know what you mean. I would really like a Grand Seiko some day, but if they can't get the simple things here right, why would I trust them with more money.
As you say, nice watch, but too much for too little. Also, I agree completely with collecting the watches you like and can connect with, rather than the ones you think others will be impressed by, or the ones that are perceived as luxury.
Great video of a mostly great watch, Shane. I must admit to not initially liking this particular Seiko line, but then after owning a couple, the second being a lovely grey-blue V4 that I purchased at a fabulous pre-owned price and, after finding it didn't fit my 6.5-inch wrist as well as my V2, flipped within days for another great deal on a heavily modded SKX007 that someone spent much to much $$$ on; and the second the just-noted V2 (SRP307K1) that I picked up (head only) for about $80 ($100 CAD) because of a clouded crystal (although the slightly scratched bezel actually lines up!), which I immediately swapped out for domed sapphire, I haven't been able to shake the V2. I wore it on a couple of silicone Barton straps that I occasionally throw back on when I'm planning on getting dirty, but it was a beautiful sparkling grey stingray strap that caused me to fall head over heels for this watch once again, and now it might never leave my collection. Funny how a strap can make a watch, something I never understood before, but now I'm a believer. I recommend this option for its heft (needed for a Monster) and comfort, plus waterproof nature. Again, a thorough and well-thought out review. Best regards
@@stefpix If done properly, it will keep water out properly. It's best to get it pressure tested before diving, however. Most watchmakers will have one and it won't cost you much to verify.
i have the dolphin back version. I wanted the happy feet but ended up with the dark green maybe I have different mood at the time but always thinking of taking this color.
Torn between this Penguin Feet Antarctica and the 2022 edition, the 'Swimming Penguins' Night Antarctica. SRPH75K1. Really hope you can do a review comparing the 2 dials.
As a 3rd Gen monster owner (with the 6r15) I have to say that design is a home run. I loved the design but wanted a better movement so it was a perfect fit. Now after having bought more seikos withe the 4r I see no reason to pay for the extra power reserve. Thank you for the video it's a great summary of the pros and cons but the bracelet is not a finger print magnet.... The brushed bits protect the polished bits and the straight end links fit so close that fitted end links are not required at all.
For me it's also the Driver that stays in my collection. What a spectacular watch/dial. The bracelet is ok, but I wear it mostly on a light blue with grey sides NATO strap. Not from Armilla because I'm still waiting for their NATO's... Enjoy the Pinguïn Shane!
@@RelativeTime No Shane. I wich they responded on my messages per email, Facebook or Instagram.... Still waiting for 3 NATO's or a refund... I'm not the only one...
Good review, Shane. In a way, you lucked out a bit. From what I could see in the video, your cyclops is relatively straight. Most of the ones I have seen from this series are not even close to straight. You are 100% right, buy this one in person. Seiko is moving trying to move upmarket, yet continues to have these problems. You are also right about their manufacturing division. The one in Malaysia is using 1960's technology. Continued success will require addressing these very well known issues. However, I have considered buying this very watch myself. If I can get out and find one I can check in advance, I could see getting one.
I do really like seikos, but the competition is fast closing the gap and offering same or better quality for less money. They're on the way to be overtaken soon, but can't beat that heritage so easily. Nice work with the review 👍
@@Bob_Smith19 not the Chinese micros no. There's plenty of companies that offer better specs and quality for less. Zelos is a prime example, Orient is better value too now seikos are becoming more expensive. But speaking of Chinese, San Martin offer watches that are better spec for spec too. Yeah not arguing that they don't have heritage, but from a pure value point, Seiko just isn't the best anymore.
@@WesWatchRoom 😂 c'mon, chinese copy cats are not even close to compete with A REAL manufacturer like SEIKO, what the heck are you talking about? Shall chinese copy cats with their ROLEX copies be a problem for ROLEX??? A genuine piece is a genuine piece, end of discussion.
I own an SKX009, and an Alpinist with a mountain glacier dial. I love them both, but at the same time realise they aren't actually that good, and the Alpinist is over priced. The Heimdallr or Seestern will cost a fraction of the price, and won't have any of the QC issues.
It's pretty impressive what Heimdallr can do for the price. They have a frost version now, but I'll be curious if they try to do one of these. Those little penguin feet might make it harder to make.
I totally agree Shane ....bezel misalignment is inexcusable at this price ..it's just sloppy and lazy from Seiko...plenty of microbrands have great bezels and sapphire crystal with milled clasps....for alot less.
It seems like affordable models from all big manufacturers include atleast a date, many even have the day. Especially the day-date in my eyes makes the affordable models look cheap. I wish there were more no date models available. The no date seems like a thing of microbrands and high end brands.
Good job watch enthusiasts are attracted to pretty shiny things as it allows Seiko to continue riding the money train whilst ignoring their QC issues or improving quality of materials.
Excuse Would you be willing to tell me if this watch has a tempered glass or sapphire crystal? Please answer me as soon as possible, many thanks and appreciate Perhaps I would like to buy
Option #3: purchase the Heimdallr "Sharky" a.k.a. Monster "homage" for less than half the price. LOL, I almost thought that you really weren't going to mention the penguin feet. Great review
Good point. Mark does produce some well made timepieces from what I see and hear. See this is why I come here. Thank you for taking the time out of your day to respond to me. Much appreciated
I never liked a traditional date cyclops and don't own a watch with one. My Bulova "Devil Diver" has an internal date cyclops which I like. For some reason, I do like the "candy bar" cyclops of the Monster.
h Shane, first time longtime if you know what I mean. I almost pulled the trigger on this one myself as it ticked most of the boxes but for me the feet pattern, as subtle as it is, was the deal breaker. The texture and colour way works well but I think, would be best served without that extra detail. Keep up the good work
