Monster Saturday - Not One, Not Two But Four!

It was one of those days I just wanted to do something different - so I wore two Seiko Monsters out and when I came home, took out another two.

Fantastic Four for me... And maybe more to come?

From left to right - a normal black and orange Monster, the LE Anniversary Monster, the LE Moon Monster and lastly the LE Snow Monster.

Notice the Thailand Limited Editions - Snow Monster and Moon Monster have cyclop magnifiers for the day and date while the other two do not.

Visit my other blogs for more on the Snow Monster, the Anniversary Monster and the Moon Monster.

100 Years of Seiko - A Special Monster

After the Snow Monster, I started a lookout for the more unusual and significant Monsters and I came across the Seiko Monster 100th Anniversary.

This variant comes in 2 models - the "un-numbered" SRP455 and the numbered edition SRP461. Actually, I was only aware of the SRP455 until my friend Lionel pointed out the difference to me. And I had actually bought the SRP455 only to learn of the SRP461. I am not sure exactly why Seiko came with these 2 models but I suppose they wanted more collectors of Seiko to join in the 100th Anniversary, hence the "un-numbered" Limited Edition.

Anyway, both the SRP455 and SRP461 has the same look - one can only tell the difference only when you look at the case back where the SRP461 shows the numbers XXX/500.

This is the case back showing the Limited Edition and the number 198/500.

As I had said, I had originally bought the SRP455 and on one of my business trips to Hong Kong, saw the Anniversary piece in a show display and promptly walked in to check it out. And to my surprise, it was the SRP461. I didn't need convincing so I picked it up. And when I come back to Singapore, I noticed the difference lies in the numbers at the case back.

The watch is all Monster - shiny bezel with a day/date indicator at 3 o'clock and the crown at 4. Another difference between the SRP455 and the SRP461 is the bracelet for the latter. The SRP455 comes with a rubber strap which I was not very happy with. The bracelet on the SRP461 is actually of pretty good quality.

What I like about the newer Monsters are the crown. The grainy crown gives better grip for me.

And as with many of the Monster series, the hands and markers are well finished and for a watch that is priced below SGD500, I say it is great value for money.

The Anniversary Monster comes with the newer hacking calibre 4R36.

Another look at the Anniversary watch which was released in 2013 to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Seiko Watch Company together with a few other watches.

Seiko Snow Monster - My First Monster

I was not much of a Seiko Monster fan until I saw the Snow Monster. I'm a changed man… So the Snow Monster became my first foray into the world of Seiko Monsters.

Thailand is the country outside of Japan that has the most number of Limited Edition Monsters. And so it is no coincidence that the Snow Monster is a Thai LE.

The color combination of the Snow Monster is very pleasing and I was told this version was sold out very quickly. I was only able to get my hands on one through a secondary dealer - and of course you have to pay a premium.

The Monster series has its signature crown at the four o'clock position and the cyclop bubble at three. The finishing on the watch is also of high quality. The luminous markers are well polished and has a shiny gleam to it.

Even the hands and the bezel are well done.

The whole package just works for me. And now I am always on the lookout for special editions of the Monster series. This Snow Monster comes with the older non-hacking 7S36 calibre.

See my other post on another Thai Limited Edition Monster - the Moon Monster. I shall also be featuring the Anniversary Monster in another post soon.

Seiko Moon Monster on Strap

So I had the bracelet changed to a strap. I went to Jason at JnS and he suggested the black alligator over the yellow with yellow stitches.

The results are exactly what I wanted - a customized strap to go with the black yellow combo.

Looks a little softer than bracelet. Here's another look with the JnS Strap.

You can read the original post on the Moon Monster. But I like this one more!

Monster Find! The Moon Monster Limited Edition

I thinkI have said this several times - if it is meant to be, then it is meant to be. In this case, I owe thanks to Massi who alerted me to the new Limited Edition of the Seiko Monster - the Sun & the Moon.

Thailand is probably the land with the most Limited Edition Monsters and this time around, two were released - the Sun and Moon. In almost every major department store in Bangkok whether it was Zen or Central or even in the shops of MBK, almost every shop had the Sun.

But what about the Moon? Search and search and most of the shops only could tell me "No Stock". Some don't even know there was a Moon edition. Not until I was at the airport… Yes, at the airport on the way back to Singapore and what did I find in the Duty Free Shop? The Moon Monster LE!

I found the dial of the Sun Monster a little too crowded so I gave it a miss. But when I saw the Moon, I knew I had to get it. Even my son liked it. I suspect that it being a yellow dial sold out rather quickly as yellow is the colour of the Royal family in Thailand.

I have seen pictures of the Moon Monster and although it looks nice, it is nicer in the metal. It comes with a highly polished black bezel.

The seconds hand is a matching yellow to the dial, the markers and the numbers.

What a find! Did not hesitate just in case someone else behind me also wanted the same watch. So the credit card came out… THB24,500 poorer. But definitely a satisfied purchase. Even comes with a matching carrying bag.

Engraved at the back shows the watch is limited to 1313 pieces and comes with the hacking Calibre 4R36.

Now wouldn't that fit nicely with a black/yellow Nato Strap? Or maybe a black croc with yellow stitching?

A Farewell For A Friend

Our good friend and fellow watch enthusiast Professor Massi Landi is leaving our shores for a break in South Korea. So we thought it was a good idea to gather for a farewell dinner at the Peach Blossoms Restaurant at the Marina Mandarin Hotel.

And no, there was no color theme for pants this time around as many of use were coming from work - colorful pants a no-no for those working in the office. As usual, no short of spectacular timepieces on wrists. For starters, Massi's MIH.

For those who know not, the MIH is an Annual Calendar. Perhaps the most affordable Annual Calendar. But take a look at this MIH - can you tell me what is wrong with the display?

A similar MIH was also worn by Jim. Now you can compare the display on both MIH.

Then there is the Tudor Heritage Blue Chrono on a Nato strap.

Almost always, you will find an IWC. And this time, the Regulateur.

And of course the Jaeger LeCoultre. This example is a vintage full calendar.

Then there is the Parmigiani Hebdomadaire - the 8 days power reserve in blue dial.

Another P Brand watch - not one of my favorite brands. But I shall feature it here as it is worn by my friend Lionel.

Lionel came double wristed. Here is the Seiko Blue Monster - the 100th Anniversary piece. On his mesh bracelet.

Another vintage - The Rolex GMT Pepsi…

In a gathering like this, I am always certain I will find a watch I have not seen before. And in this case, a customized Mark II Pilot. A manual winding watch that looks like a regular Pilot.

A Patek Calendario ref 5135

And another friend came double wristed. First the Breguet.

Then the Lange 1 Tourbillon. I failed as a photographer - the photos I took that night of this watch did not turn out well. But the watch is so beautiful that I cannot not post it here. So I am using an archived picture from my previous shots.

Probably one of the most beautiful watches for the night. And now the table shot.

Notice how they all turned into a one-handed watch? Perfect timing. And now for the food. First Up was the Peking duck which was carved and presented. Then came the wasabe prawns.

Next up the pork neck asparagus - a stir fry dish with very tender pork collar.

The Kungpao chicken was excellent too. The chicken is lightly floured and then fried before the sauce coats the meat. Nicely crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside.

The spinach and shark's cartilage broth is another winner. The broth is slightly thicken by the shark cartilage and is silky smooth. The wolf berries add a nice sweet touch to the broth.

The clay pot seafood tofu was also braised to perfection.

The bitter gourd with spare ribs and also a few other dishes like the ostrich meat, eggplant with minced pork.

And finally the Ee Fu Noodles with duck meat.

And all too soon it was end of the night. We wish you safe journey Massi, Francesca and Ginevra. Enjoy Korea and we shall see you in one year's time. And who knows, we may come visit you there. So long for now. Ciao!