Category: Seiko

Value Proposition – Review of Seiko 5 SNK809 – A Lot of a Mechanical Watch for Less than $100

A few years ago, we published a story named “The Cheapest High-End Watch“. We searched for the most affordable high-end watch, comprising a mechanical movement, in-house manufactured of course, from a brand with an undisputed pedigree, preferably family-owned, and the watch should be (relatively) small and elegant. And guess who won the title… not Patek, not Vacheron, not even Rolex or Omega. It was a Seiko 5! While pretty much everyone thinks of Switzerland when we’re talking about high-end watches, we felt that one specific brand was often missing in the discussion… Today that’s changing already and certainly since Grand Seiko has been positioned as a separate brand, this Japanese giant is taken very seriously. Japanese movement are gaining traction in general, and despite being cheap (the word affordable doesn’t even work anymore), Seiko 5 watches are true mechanical, bang-for-the-buck “high-end” pieces. Time to demonstrate this, with the not-even-100-dollar Seiko 5 Military SNK809.

6 years ago

Buying Guide – The 10 Best Watches of 2018 from EUR 2,000 to 5,000

As the end of the year is fast approaching, it is time for us at MONOCHROME to take a look back at the main novelties of 2018 and to decide what were the best watches we’ve seen. As we did with our best watches below EUR 2,000, here’s our second buying guide, this time with the best watches of 2018 priced between EUR 2,000 and EUR 5,000. And this has been a tough selection, as this category is crucial for luxury brands – there’s a huge competition in this price range, as “accessible luxury” companies are fighting with entry-level models of more established names. But here is our top-10, just to give you an idea of what you could get with your hard-earned money this year.

6 years ago

Hands-on – The New Seiko Presage Urushi Byakudan-nuri SPB085, with Stunning Hand-Lacquered Dial

Since its worldwide introduction in 2016, the Seiko Presage collection never ceased to impress. It all started with superb limited edition chronographs with enamel or hand-lacquered Urushi dials (just that…), watches that have been followed by regular production models with enamel dials or funky “cocktail” inspiration, as well as impressive limited editions such as the Shippo. In two years, Seiko has made Presage a collection as interesting as Prospex. Following this trend, the brand unveils today a new limited edition, the Seiko Presage Urushi Byakudan-nuri SPB085 – and here again, it brings traditional, hand-made Urushi at a stunning price level.

6 years ago

Buying Guide – The 10 Best Watches of 2018 Under 2,000 EUR

Let’s make things clear! When Frank founded MONOCHROME over 12 years ago, the main objective was to create “an online magazine dedicated to fine watches”. That meant the celebration of traditional, high-end watchmaking. However, we are very much aware that most of our readers can’t afford such pieces and we are very much aware that accessible, down-to-earth, good price/quality watches are important. Yet, lower prices often mean lower quality – but not for us.
For this reason, we will publish several price-oriented buying guides until the end of the year, listing our favourite watches of 2018 – thus, each will be able to find the right watch according to his budget. Starting today, here are our 10 best watches of 2018 priced under EUR 2,000 – and well below that for some of these watches! And because you’re reading MONO, they are, of course, all mechanical timepieces. Believe it or not but “enamel dial”, “in-house movement”, “chronometer” or “annual calendar” are even part of this buying guide!

6 years ago

Hands-on – Seiko Prospex “Dawn Grey” Europe-Only Limited Editions, Turtle SRPD01K1 & Samurai SRPD03K1

If you have to name two of the most recognized and acclaimed Seiko watches, chances are you will call out “Turtle” and “Samurai”. While obviously Seiko is known for a lot more than just two divers (Tuna, 62Mas, SKX, Sumo, and many more!), these two divers offer incredible value-for-the-money. Two of the best tool-watches offered by the Japanese manufacturer, Seiko now introduces a limited collection just for Europe; the Seiko Prospex SRPD01KI Turtle and SRPD03K1 Samurai “Dawn Grey”.

6 years ago

Editorial – Microbrands vs. Accessible Established Brands – Are Newcomers Shaking up the Industry or Just Small Fish in a Big Pond?

It’s an interesting time to be a watch enthusiast. Fuelled by sites like Kickstarter, a phenomenon of inexpensive, quality movements and parts is unfolding, available with the immediateness only online media outlets can offer. Small startups (or microbrands) are producing compelling watches with capital raised via crowdfunding and online-only storefronts, minimizing overhead that established brands still […]

6 years ago

Introducing – Seiko Presage Cocktail ”Fuyugeshiki” Limited Editions

In 2017, Seiko created a new series of watches in the Presage collection, inspired by the world of the cocktail bar. While usually quite conservative, here Seiko played on textures and colours to bring fresh and original watches, still with mechanical movements but with affordable prices. Elegant, refined and quite unique, the collection was enlarged […]

6 years ago

Buying Guide – 5 of The Most Iconic Dive Watches You Can Buy in 2018

In the world of watches, there’s a puzzling but immense attraction of men for dive watches. Should it be the adventurous look? The toolish design, the masculine, sporty, robust attributes…? For multiple reasons, various examples of dive watches have become some of the most iconic timepieces ever created – even if nowadays most of them […]

6 years ago

Buying Guide – 5 Cool “Back to Work” Watches, To Make Office Life Easier

Beautiful beaches, barbecues, mojitos and sunshine… We don’t want to bring you down, but let’s face reality: summer is ending and very soon we’ll all be back at work. This doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the beauty of a watch anymore, however, it’s time to put your colourful dive watch back in the safe and […]

6 years ago

Hands-on – Seiko Prospex Diver 300m SLA019 Limited Edition – the Middle Child of the 1968 Commemorative Collection

Celebrating the 50thanniversary of the 1968 hi-beat diver Ref. 6159-7001, the first diver’s watch with a hi-beat automatic caliber, Seiko introduced three modern divers that pay homage to this horological icon. The limited edition Prospex Diver 300m Hi-Beat SLA025 with caliber 8L55 (36,000vph/5Hz) sits at the top and is a faithful recreation of the original. Retailing for EUR 5,500, it’s unfortunately not for the casual enthusiast. On the other end is the Prospex Diver 200m SPB077, which isn’t a limited edition and retails for as little as EUR 900 (depending on silicon or steel bracelet). It’s more of a reinterpretation as the caliber 6R15 beats at only 21,600vph (3Hz) with a 200m water resistant case. The one I’m looking at sits in the middle, with the caliber 8L35 beating at 28,800vph (4Hz) and a 300m water resistance. Let’s take a closer look at this new limited edition commemorative diver.

6 years ago