WATCH POP

Hello everyone.

I'm a newbie here, and i've never owned a dive watch. I currently own a movado museum watch, a timex ironman, and an inexpensive watch i bought at macy's.

I used to associate the Seiko brand with being cheaply made. I quickly disspelled that by reading up on people's opinions/facts about the brand.

I was originally looking up names like oris/tissot, as i was looking for a bang-for the buck type of watch, and noticed people bringing up the black monster, and the 200 metre dive watch , and comparing them to the tissot, and oris as a great buy for the money.

I think i'm leaning toward purchasing a seiko , as it will be a daily wearer.

Now the reason for my post. If you guys could please help me decide on either the black monster, or the 200 meter watch (the skx007). I would really appreciate it.

I've noticed they can both be had for a little over 100 (as long as they're not yao models), so i thought i'd ask the experts on their opinions (strengths/weaknesses) of both watches.
Your help is greatly appreciated,

P.S. if anyone here has either model for sale, please let me know

Thanks a bunch!
J.T. While they are divers, they have completely different looks. I have both and really like them both too.

Scott I was in the same situation a few months ago. I have a quartz Seiko chronograph, a fat leather strapped Nixon, a few Kenneth Coles. All good watches, but nothing that I was very attached to. One problem I had with these watches was that the nighttime lume was not very good (except for the Nixon, but it's a digital). Looking for a new watch, I stumbled upon this forum and found a huge following for Seiko divers. I liked the 779 because of it's rugged looks and incredible illumination at night. At the time I thought the 007 was too boring looking. Then again, almost all divers look boring next to the 779. Anyway, I decided upon the 779 Black Monster and instantly fell in love with it. It has been my daily watch ever since. I thought that I would not need to buy another watch for some time... boy, I was wrong, this forum is addicting and I have been looking at the 007 more and more. I am on the brink of buying one as we speak as a matter of fact. The quality of my Seiko diver is so good, so impressive given the price I paid ($115 roughly) that I cannot help but to want more Seiko automatic divers for my budding collection.

Now, I am a college student and don't have much money, but having an appropriate watch for every occasion makes a lot of sense to me... on dates, just hanging out. The little detail of having a cool watch speaks volumes. My 779 is perfect for almost every occasion except for the formal ones... at least in my mind. It's kind of funky (in a good way), chunky, big, and sporty. All good qualities. But I have seen the 007 in this forum (I believe) with a nice brown leather strap and it just looks classic. Perfect for the more formal occasions and yet still a classic diver and not out of place as a daily watch, perfect for just lounging around. This is very appealing to me. Also, I have heard mumblings that the 007 will be discontinued soon. The fact that so many people swear by this model (Yao even uses it for one of his custom models because of it's durability and good looks), makes me want it more before it's no loger available at the current prices.

I have looked at the Samurai as well, but I like the design of the titanium version a lot more than the steel one and the price is just too high. I just keep coming back to the 007. I want to believe that once I get the 007, I will finally be satisfied (this is really becoming an addiction!), but I have a feeling that another Seiko diver will catch my eye and i'll end up doing this all over again. Anyway, that's my story. I got the 779 but now want the 007. If I got the 007 first I would probably want the 779 right now. Either one you choose, you'll be happy. Good luck! I'm waiting for a package... If you want to make your 007 look even more interesting, I suggest putting it on a NATO Bond strap. Mine looks 10 times more expensive than what I actually paid for it (less than $100).

Please pay a visit to the Omega Speedmaster 376.0822 Owners page... ...and leave a message if you own one of these great chronographs! WOW!! that watch with the bond strap looks great!!! I just sealed a deal with someone from this site. $100 dollars for the 007.

You all are right, i'm going to buy the monster as well. I mean for a little over 200 bucks you get two sweet watches (mind you i was going to purchase a tissot seastar 1,000, or an oris tt1).

Thaks for the input and the sample images. Really, i appreciate it.

I wouldn't say i'm bit by the bug (yet), but man, this is the most comprehensive watch connoiseur site i've ever seen. I mean you guys cover every price range, are patient (with the newbies) , and willing to help a guy out. (save cash).


Now i have another question.
After drooling uncontrollably at yao's website, i really want to get a yao piece.

Here is my dilemma.

Would you say it's better to get the monster straight from yao? (i read in the fine print that once the watch is "modified" by yao it voids the manufacturer's warranty).

So i don't see any sense of paying yao $300 some odd dollars for the base of the watch, then have to pay extra for add-ons. (now this is my rationale,hence me asking).

Would it be better to purchase a monster from ebay, or even this message board, then send it to yao? seems it would be somewhat less expensive. (I want to change the dial,hands,chapter ring, and a nato, as well as a bond strap). Would the difference be substantial, or negligible.

I'm new to this so i'm just trying to see which way is best.

Muchas gracias amigos
J.T. then I'd get one of the big three Seiko modders to mod it a bit for you (PM or email me for their names & email addresses):





Lynn Little I'm in the same boat. I wanted a Yao Monster. Spoke with Bill (email really) for the lowdown. Ultimately the $$$ was about $40 less to provide my own watch. I bought a Hong Kong Monster not to save any money really but because I wanted to wear it first and enjoy (or not) in stock form. It arrived this morning and I now I cannot wait to get the facelift. Lead time from Yao is approx five weeks so I will probably wear it for the rest of the week and then send it off. Should be back in time for Labor Day weekend! Thanks everyone! I've got the 007 on its way, and i'm working up a deal with someone for the black monster. I think the two watches ought to keep me busy for some time, and satisfy my watch needs (at a bargain price no less).

Your help was greatly appreciated,
J.T.

is a great watch. I own the Black Monster & will have an OM on the way this week. I don't know much about the 007, but if it's anything like the Monsters, then I'm sure it's fine. IMHO, you can't beat the value that the Monster offers. I looked at a few different Seikos before deciding to get the OM. It's become one of my favorites in the rotation. "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same."-Ronald Reagan Got the 007 today. Haven't changed straps (i'm gonna put the NATO on it). I like it!!! what do you all think?