Monster Sardine Impressions
- balzebub71
- Senior member
- Posts: 2064
- Joined: 06 Jul 2013 22:11
- Location: Singapore
Monster Sardine Impressions
Picked up a SRP639K monster sardine which I personally preferred most out of the three versions. The black coated version was my second favorite but fears of DLC coating peeling like on my dearly departed GOLGO made me go with the 639.
First impressions? A well made quality piece with a interesting combination of polished and brushed surfaces on the shroud and lugs. The black coated bezel against the bare stainless steel shroud made the presence of the shroud obvious at a glance and the yellow accents on the bezel and hands lent some "life" and color to a otherwise normal looking black dial plus bezel.
The metal shroud is a huge improvement over the non metallic ones found on the earlier sardines.
I also like that the seconds hand is black save for the tip which is yellow and lumed, lending it a "floating" appearance as it sweeps around the dial.
The screw down crown is smooth, tight and the stem feels solid with no wobble when fully pulled out to no. 2 and 3 positions. There is also no play in the hands during time setting which is a good thing. Like all 4R36 and 6R15 movements, it hand-winds buttery smooth- without any resistance at all.
Case back is a mixture of brushed and polished finishes with the standard tsunami badge and a prospex logo etched above the serial number.
The watch feels comfy on the wrist and the short lugs make it wear smaller than it's size on paper. It looks and feels better in the metal- I had doubts about buying one until I saw it and tried it on.
The lume appears more white than green in day light and personally I feel it isn't as bright as the 1st generation monsters or even SKX007/011. Somehow I feel that the whiter lume used in this and the 2nd generation monsters isn't as powerful as the greener lume in the 1st generation monster/007 etc..anyone else feel the same?
My only unhappiness with this watch? They slapped it on a regular Seiko Z22 which is stiff like hell. I wish that since it has been promoted to their Prospex range they could have at least supplied the softer rubber straps similar to those on the recent Kinetic GMT divers? Also the crown on this thing remains a plain affair that is unsigned...really so expensive to add a "S" on it meh?
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First impressions? A well made quality piece with a interesting combination of polished and brushed surfaces on the shroud and lugs. The black coated bezel against the bare stainless steel shroud made the presence of the shroud obvious at a glance and the yellow accents on the bezel and hands lent some "life" and color to a otherwise normal looking black dial plus bezel.
The metal shroud is a huge improvement over the non metallic ones found on the earlier sardines.
I also like that the seconds hand is black save for the tip which is yellow and lumed, lending it a "floating" appearance as it sweeps around the dial.
The screw down crown is smooth, tight and the stem feels solid with no wobble when fully pulled out to no. 2 and 3 positions. There is also no play in the hands during time setting which is a good thing. Like all 4R36 and 6R15 movements, it hand-winds buttery smooth- without any resistance at all.
Case back is a mixture of brushed and polished finishes with the standard tsunami badge and a prospex logo etched above the serial number.
The watch feels comfy on the wrist and the short lugs make it wear smaller than it's size on paper. It looks and feels better in the metal- I had doubts about buying one until I saw it and tried it on.
The lume appears more white than green in day light and personally I feel it isn't as bright as the 1st generation monsters or even SKX007/011. Somehow I feel that the whiter lume used in this and the 2nd generation monsters isn't as powerful as the greener lume in the 1st generation monster/007 etc..anyone else feel the same?
My only unhappiness with this watch? They slapped it on a regular Seiko Z22 which is stiff like hell. I wish that since it has been promoted to their Prospex range they could have at least supplied the softer rubber straps similar to those on the recent Kinetic GMT divers? Also the crown on this thing remains a plain affair that is unsigned...really so expensive to add a "S" on it meh?
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I want to be a one watch guy!!
- chriscentro
- Senior member
- Posts: 3958
- Joined: 26 Nov 2012 11:40
Re: Monster Sardine Impressions
Bro, you write well. I like the thick metal shroud.
Re: Monster Sardine Impressions
hard decision between this or the 637 for me... now every time see good photos of the 639 make me wished i got this instead...
the s on the crown probably a differentiation for 6r movement?
the s on the crown probably a differentiation for 6r movement?
Re: Monster Sardine Impressions
Nice write up Bro. You got my hand itchy.....
- balzebub71
- Senior member
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- Joined: 06 Jul 2013 22:11
- Location: Singapore
Re: Monster Sardine Impressions
Hmm now I am wondering what bracelet options are there for these 3? Is the stock bracelet from the 637 the only choice ?
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Re: Monster Sardine Impressions
that's what I thought as well.rokphish wrote:
the s on the crown probably a differentiation for 6r movement?
to differentiate between 2 movements.
4R and below, non-signed
6R & above, signed.
to maintain a movement grading consistency?
Seiko Club Gathering 2016
- balzebub71
- Senior member
- Posts: 2064
- Joined: 06 Jul 2013 22:11
- Location: Singapore
Re: Monster Sardine Impressions
Not too true I think, the Presage series like the SARY055/057 and a few others have a "S" on the crown and those are running 4Rxx movements too
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Re: Monster Sardine Impressions
Nice write up. Wonder if this new metal shroud do fit the older sardine?
- balzebub71
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- Joined: 06 Jul 2013 22:11
- Location: Singapore
Re: Monster Sardine Impressions
Think of getting this
http://www.strapcode.com/store/22mm-sup ... .VJQugGjAA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Look good on the monster sardine?
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http://www.strapcode.com/store/22mm-sup ... .VJQugGjAA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Look good on the monster sardine?
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I want to be a one watch guy!!
Re: Monster Sardine Impressions
Didn't have any watch model worth mentioning. Poor man over here
- balzebub71
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- Joined: 06 Jul 2013 22:11
- Location: Singapore
Re: Monster Sardine Impressions
Hmm strangely strapcode CS told me the 22mm straight end super oyster will not fit the SRP639K? Any have straight end strapcode bracelets to try?
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I want to be a one watch guy!!
-
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- Joined: 29 Apr 2011 18:15
Re: Monster Sardine Impressions
i'm sure it can fit.i have the same but in pvd.balzebub71 wrote:Hmm strangely strapcode CS told me the 22mm straight end super oyster will not fit the SRP639K? Any have straight end strapcode bracelets to try?
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- chriscentro
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- Joined: 26 Nov 2012 11:40
Re: Monster Sardine Impressions
erm, so how much is the watch selling for at K2?
- balzebub71
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- Posts: 2064
- Joined: 06 Jul 2013 22:11
- Location: Singapore
Re: Monster Sardine Impressions
Okay thanks bro..seiko siao wrote:i'm sure it can fit.i have the same but in pvd.balzebub71 wrote:Hmm strangely strapcode CS told me the 22mm straight end super oyster will not fit the SRP639K? Any have straight end strapcode bracelets to try?
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I want to be a one watch guy!!
Re: Monster Sardine Impressions
8 blues notes. Hahachriscentro wrote:erm, so how much is the watch selling for at K2?
My family, my life, my watches...
Personal favourite: Tudor Classic Moxa
Personal favourite: Tudor Classic Moxa
Re: Monster Sardine Impressions
Cannot fit the fat spring bars into the milanese/shark mesh. Gonna find another bracelet that can...balzebub71 wrote:Hmm strangely strapcode CS told me the 22mm straight end super oyster will not fit the SRP639K? Any have straight end strapcode bracelets to try?
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My family, my life, my watches...
Personal favourite: Tudor Classic Moxa
Personal favourite: Tudor Classic Moxa
Re: Monster Sardine Impressions
WOW
I cant wait till these are available stateside
I cant wait till these are available stateside
- balzebub71
- Senior member
- Posts: 2064
- Joined: 06 Jul 2013 22:11
- Location: Singapore
Re: Monster Sardine Impressions
By right all the 22mm straight end bracelets from Strapcode ship with fat springbars...Stan80 wrote:Cannot fit the fat spring bars into the milanese/shark mesh. Gonna find another bracelet that can...balzebub71 wrote:Hmm strangely strapcode CS told me the 22mm straight end super oyster will not fit the SRP639K? Any have straight end strapcode bracelets to try?
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I want to be a one watch guy!!
Re: Monster Sardine Impressions
Wondering should i get 1 to try or just stick with stock. Hahabalzebub71 wrote:By right all the 22mm straight end bracelets from Strapcode ship with fat springbars...Stan80 wrote: Cannot fit the fat spring bars into the milanese/shark mesh. Gonna find another bracelet that can...
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My family, my life, my watches...
Personal favourite: Tudor Classic Moxa
Personal favourite: Tudor Classic Moxa