The deep gauges in the watch casing is a signature of Seiko’s Monster line. It helps gripping even if your are wearing thick gloves.

This is the view from the other side where you can see the deep gauges in the watch casing in more detail.

This one is powered by the 4R35 series movement i.e. comes with a date function only. It is an automatic movement with handwind features. It also has a second hand stop (hacking) function. The movement operates in the 21,600 bph or 5 beats per second range and has 23 jewels. Power reserve in the main springs is approximately 40 hours.

An interesting observation that I can see from the wordings on the rotor is “4R35B TWENTY-THREE JEWELS“. In many websites, the 4R35 movement has been reported to have 23 jewels whereas the more recent 4R35B has increased to 24 jewels. So, which movement does this watch actually use? The older 4R35 or the newer 4R35B? A typo perhaps?

In actual fact, that are some information about the 4R35 and 4R35B on the internet that is flawed and has been propagated widely. The reference “B” was added to the 4R35 to signify a change in the specific materials used in the movement. It is not a reference to a signify a change in the number of jewels used.

First introduced in early 2011, the 4R35 was quickly superseded by the 4R35B by the end of 2011 to incorporate improvement in design. The number of jewel remains at 23.

The standard leather strap provided is brown, double layered with white stitching at the peripheral. Not as nice as some of the after market straps that you can find nowadays. Nevertheless, adequate for the job.

The special buckle provided with the Seiko brand name stamped on it is nice. I like the large flaring design that gives it some presence on the wrist.

The 44 mm wide watch does look big especially on my 7.5 inch wrist. However, the fact that it is not thick helps a lot in making it comfortable to wear and use in formal settings. The brown strap and the dull brushed tone of the watch casing makes it look sedated and that dampens the size factor considerably.

With a strap system, you are able to keep the watch close to the skin as the leather strap can expand ever so slightly with the wrist unlike a bracelet.

I have yet to try the quality of the illumination. However, I suspect it just sufficient and not as great as one would expect from Seiko’s sport models.

In the photo below, you will note the lack of sharp edges. All the corners have been rounded and this allow the watch to ease easily under shirt cuffs.

Although there is no mentioned of any anti-reflective protection on the crystal. you can see see clearly the dial even at such a sharp angle.

This is a comfortable watch. Although the leather appears stiff at first, with continuous usage, the leather will become malleable and soft.

I have used this watch with formal wear and it is not an issue. The combination of colours on the watch gives it a ‘brooding’-like look that grows on you.

Seiko watches are getting expensive. Since I first started collecting watches back in 2010, the typical price of a standard Seiko monster or equivalent was about the RM800 range. Now, similar models are set at a price point RM400 more than where it used to be. The inevitable effect of inflation.

Overall, I am pleased with this watch. I do own a couple of monsters, namely the Seiko SNM035 Land Monster and the Seiko SKX779K1 Black Monster. Compared to these two monsters the Prospex version appears to be more refine. The dial finishing is more intricate but lacking the bright illumination that has been one of the Monster’s calling cards. Some may see no value to the compass function but who cares, it looks nice with the alpha numeric lettering and numbers all around the bezel. For more info, please visit seikowatches.com

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Meor Amri Meor Ayob – Contributing Editor

Meor Amri is a passionate watch collector from Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. Having bitten by the horology bug in 2010, he has written extensively about the watch scene and has assembled a large collection of watches (excessively!!) on his own free time. Read his articles here.

His blogs on the same subject are: Eastern Watch & Western Watch