Monster Sardine Impressions

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balzebub71
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Monster Sardine Impressions

Post by balzebub71 » 18 Dec 2014 14:43

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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chriscentro
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Re: Monster Sardine Impressions

Post by chriscentro » 18 Dec 2014 17:26

Bro, you write well. I like the thick metal shroud.
rokphish

Re: Monster Sardine Impressions

Post by rokphish » 18 Dec 2014 17:42

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?
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Trident
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Re: Monster Sardine Impressions

Post by Trident » 18 Dec 2014 19:28

Nice write up Bro. You got my hand itchy.....
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balzebub71
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Re: Monster Sardine Impressions

Post by balzebub71 » 18 Dec 2014 19:34

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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lunarin79
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Re: Monster Sardine Impressions

Post by lunarin79 » 18 Dec 2014 20:04

rokphish wrote:
the s on the crown probably a differentiation for 6r movement?
that's what I thought as well.

to differentiate between 2 movements.

4R and below, non-signed
6R & above, signed.

to maintain a movement grading consistency?
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balzebub71
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Re: Monster Sardine Impressions

Post by balzebub71 » 18 Dec 2014 20:08

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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lunarin79
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Re: Monster Sardine Impressions

Post by lunarin79 » 18 Dec 2014 20:11

hmm, true to that.
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Re: Monster Sardine Impressions

Post by watchlooker » 19 Dec 2014 20:50

Nice write up. Wonder if this new metal shroud do fit the older sardine?
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balzebub71
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Re: Monster Sardine Impressions

Post by balzebub71 » 19 Dec 2014 23:06

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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iamcdy
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Re: Monster Sardine Impressions

Post by iamcdy » 20 Dec 2014 02:19

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Didn't have any watch model worth mentioning. Poor man over here :(
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balzebub71
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Re: Monster Sardine Impressions

Post by balzebub71 » 20 Dec 2014 11:06

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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seiko siao
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Re: Monster Sardine Impressions

Post by seiko siao » 20 Dec 2014 11:46

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'm sure it can fit.i have the same but in pvd.

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chriscentro
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Re: Monster Sardine Impressions

Post by chriscentro » 20 Dec 2014 12:14

erm, so how much is the watch selling for at K2?
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balzebub71
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Re: Monster Sardine Impressions

Post by balzebub71 » 20 Dec 2014 13:11

seiko siao wrote:
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'm sure it can fit.i have the same but in pvd.

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Okay thanks bro..


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Stan80
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Re: Monster Sardine Impressions

Post by Stan80 » 20 Dec 2014 13:54

chriscentro wrote:erm, so how much is the watch selling for at K2?
8 blues notes. Haha
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Re: Monster Sardine Impressions

Post by Stan80 » 20 Dec 2014 13:55

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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Cannot fit the fat spring bars into the milanese/shark mesh. Gonna find another bracelet that can...
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Raddave

Re: Monster Sardine Impressions

Post by Raddave » 21 Dec 2014 15:19

WOW

I cant wait till these are available stateside
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balzebub71
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Re: Monster Sardine Impressions

Post by balzebub71 » 21 Dec 2014 17:43

Stan80 wrote:
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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Cannot fit the fat spring bars into the milanese/shark mesh. Gonna find another bracelet that can...
By right all the 22mm straight end bracelets from Strapcode ship with fat springbars...


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Stan80
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Re: Monster Sardine Impressions

Post by Stan80 » 21 Dec 2014 18:29

balzebub71 wrote:
Stan80 wrote: Cannot fit the fat spring bars into the milanese/shark mesh. Gonna find another bracelet that can...
By right all the 22mm straight end bracelets from Strapcode ship with fat springbars...


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Wondering should i get 1 to try or just stick with stock. Haha
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