Seiko Divers Automatic Black Dial Stainless Steel Mens Watch SRP313

This is the “Dracula” version of the highly-regarded Seiko Monster series of automatic diver watches. The Dracula nickname comes from the red surround of the hour marker fangs which gives a nice color variation over the more traditional Black Monster. I chose this model because I felt that the white hands and hour markings on the Orange Monster might not provide enough contrast as this was my prime criteria for getting a diver’s watch: I want to be able to determine instantly at a glance what time it is without having to peer more closely at the dial during the day or have to activate a light at night. This watch does very nicely in this regard.This watch replaces a Victorinox Swiss Army sport watch that died after nine years of service. The story is becoming depressingly similar for me whenever I take my quartz watches into the local jeweler to get the battery replaced: either the battery is out of stock, or they have to send it to a watch repairman to get the back off (both of my Victorinox watches) which takes weeks, or the battery they put in dies after a few days forcing me to go back and have them put in another battery, or the bad news is that the watch doesn’t work properly and has to be repaired. I was looking for something that would help me avoid that hassle and that is what caused me become interested in automatic movement watches, something I haven’t owned since the 1960s.The enthusiasm for the Monster series is strong among watch nerds, as I discovered during my research. This is a second generation movement, the 4R36, which allows hacking (stopping all the hands when the crown is fully pulled out) and is windable, two features not provided in the first generation Monsters. There is high praise for the stainless steel bracelet that is a no-cost option, but I opted for the polyurethane strap because as a rule I dislike metal watch bands, finding them too heavy and not comfortable on my wrist. Plus I wanted to just put the watch on right out of the box and go rather than having to get the bracelet sized by removing links and playing around with the adjustments.So, how do I like it? I short, I think it’s fantastic! Pictures don’t do this watch justice – the bezel and case gleam in the light, the white hands and hour markings have a very nice contrast against the jet black background, and I find the polyurethane strap to be very comfortable. The strap is extra-long to allow the watch to be applied over a wet suit, a nice touch but something I’ll never use because I don’t scuba dive. Many watch aficionados replace the band with widely available NATO style straps to add even more color variation. The lume is legendary in this series of watches and I can attest that it does glow very brightly at first and tapers off to an easily readable level throughout the night. It doesn’t feel heavy on my wrist and the bulk is significant less than my seventeen year old digital display G-Shock which has previously been my everyday casual watch. Since receiving the Monster, I have worn it during all waking hours. As of this writing, it has gained about eight seconds a day. I understand that this will probably improve over time but even now I think this is good enough for a relatively inexpensive automatic.While I could afford an Omega Seamaster or Rolex Submariner if I really wanted one, that just isn’t my style. I don’t buy things to project wealth or status. I like the fact that this is a cult favorite and only those in the know will appreciate it for what it is: a handsome dive watch, reliable Seiko automatic movement, excellent readability, tough construction quality, and a price low enough to not really worry about it if it gets lost or stolen or quits working. Highly recommended to anyone considering a no-nonsense dive watch.

I was initially impressed with what I thought was a unique and quality watch; however the damn thing stopped working just past the 30 day return window with the seller. Of course there was no Seiko warranty either... Very disappointing. I know Seiko makes a Quality product; my feeling is that these watches may be refurbished or irregular in some way and therefore being sold at discounted prices. Proceed with caution.

I have six Seiko divers watches, including four with the automatic movement that this watch has--the somewhat new Seiko 4R36. For automatics under $500, you really can't expect accuracy plus or minus of more than 15 seconds a day, but usually it's closer to 6 to maybe 10 seconds, plus or minus. It's really often 'luck of the draw', Knowing this is a possibility, watch companies usually set their machinery tolerances to if anything, err on the side of running a tad bit fast each day. If it can't be acurate within a few seconds overall, people would rather be a bit more early than late, I suppose--and I'm in that bunch.ALL four of my Seikos with this 4R36 movement, run SLOW. That's unacceptable to me. I wanted this SRP313 for a while--I like the look of the watch face, but it is going BACK, because it runs 30 plus seconds a day slow EVERY day. I can deal with a watch being a bit fast--I won't miss an important meeting or plane flight. But when you're losing 3 or 4 minutes a week, it is an issue to me. I don't want to undo the screwdown crown often(normally it' a very desirable feature) as it takes wear and tear toll on the watch and I shouldn't have to do it every week anyhow, as long as I'm wearing it every day or so.The 4R36 movement was supposedly an upgrade of the that began to really come out in late 2011, succeeding Seiko's 7S36 movement, for which other than it not hacking or being hand windable, I was (and still am) quite happy with. Unlike most of the Seiko automatic movement diver watches before, it 'Hacks and Winds' which means you can stop the second and hour hands right where you want them for accurate resetting--previously that was more difficult, as when you had the crown pulled out for resetting, the second hand in particular was always sort of 'surging' forward, requiring frequent little dial backs. In and of itself the ability to hack and wind would be good. Being able to hand wind, if you remember to, you can do it so it won't run out of power and stop 40 hours after you took it off--saving you from resetting later. (but you still have to unscrew the crown).More expensive automatic watch movements typically last longer before running out of power when unworn. A screwdown crown is something I feel is important to ANY quality watch that might see water--even washing your hands. Most diver watches rated below 200 meters have it. Many watches are ruined by crowns that weren't pushed in, or by people who didn't screw their crowns all the way in.OK--cosmetics--hard to see on-line, but the bezel and face are as you see--I think very attractive up top--if unabashedly masculine. The bezel front and the base of the watch are brushed steel. The stock rubber band is nicer than the rubber wristbands on most other Seiko divers--it's softer and looks different, has some additional details like vent holes. I like the brushed steel, but the sides of the bezel are brilliant shiney chrome like steel, which clashes garishly with the rest of the metal--most of the metal, except the side of the bezel and the band's tang clasp/buckle is brushed stainless. The shiney chrome like steel looks 'plasticky'. Go with one or the other, I say--not a mish mash. Furthermore--and I have seem some say they actually took a fine jeweler's file to it--the brushed metal guards that surround the bezel from the top--10:30 to 1:30 and bottom, from 4:00 to 7:30, are very sharply edged, with points that could rip a neoprene diving glove--or even make a bare hand's fingers uncomfortable.As said, I like the black face--(with the white teeth fringed in red), a lot, and the band--and perhaps if this watch wasn't so darn slow every day, I might possibly keep it (chrome and brushed steel and all) and rotate it with my others, but after 4 Seikos with this new movement, all slow and this one so much slower than the others, back it's going!

Love this watch. I have a bunch of them (orient, Swiss army, swatch, invictas and vostok) but this one is becoming my favorite. The rubber strap is 20 mm it looks small in a guy my size (I'm 6.2 280lb gym going guy). I chanced the strap for a nato strap and now is perfect.

I own a Breitling navitimer cosmonaut, a Hamilton jazzmaster, a Tissot v8, a Certina podium and a host of other watches of many makes... Having said that I was more excited when I first got it than many of the models mentioned above, it immediately grew on my heart.I wanted a diver watch that did not look like or try to look like a rolex submariner...This watch looks exceptionally beautiful in its own way, well built and great lume.A perfect weekend watch at a great value.P.S: The watch is much nicer than in the picture.Review update:After a couple of days of trails.Pros:1. Solid build and operation.2. Not much time loss or gain, a few seconds so far. (which is pretty good for an automatic watch).2. Is not heavy on the wrist or clunky.Cons:1. The crown is a bit awkward to handle, but not a real bother.Advice: Swap the rubber bands with a nato strap.

Ho acquistato da poco questo orologio e sono rimasto veramente soddisfatto. Dal vivo è molto più bello che in fotografia ed è anche comodo e leggero al polso grazie al cinturino in gomma. Orologio sportivo e molto ben rifinito, a questo prezzo si trova poco di meglio in giro. Assolutamente consigliato!

Die "Dracula" Monster aus der SRP-Serie ist 'legendär' mit dem schwarz/rot/weißem ZB Design, die angeg. 43 mm Gehäuse-Durchmesser wirken wie 41-42 mm, wird auch gerne von Damen getragen. Die akt. Serie Monster 2 wird in Japan hergestellt, die Krone ist griffiger, die Aufzugswelle wirkt robuster. Das Hardlexglas ist schön speckig und etwas unterhalb der Lünette liegend und dadurch vor Kratzern besser geschützt. Das Gummiband ist bekannt, billig aber funktional. Die Lünette rastet satt und für den Preis der Uhr extrem präzise.Eine Top Uhr, ausnahmslos zu empfehlen.Begeistert war ich von der Liefergeschwindigkeit Italien -> Österreich: 24h nach Bestellung lag das Paket vor der Tür, wie Overnightkurier. Traumhaft. Mille Grazie + perfetto!!! Ciao!

Sono un collezionista di Orologi da molto tempo. quindi per me questo tipo d'orologio è solo un dettaglio, ma credo che lo usero' presto.