Back to the title, the Monster. There are many diver watches from Seiko but they did not success like Monster. Take a look back to 2000, Seiko announced new diver watch model, Seiko Monster. The name Monster was informal given by Thai in the first place and seems like Seiko also like this name too because they use this name for their announcement this model around the world after that.
The original name Monster came from 2 guys, one is Tommy from siamnaliga.com and the other is Reto Cascellazzi, Swiss man who was living in Thailand and in love with the watch, from poorman's watch forum. They always finding a good quality and reasonable price watches to share their opinion with the forum's user. As the time of first Monster launched in 2000, they were not succeeded like present. It may cause Seiko did not aim that much success for this model. The story was changed, in 2002, these 2 guys brought this Diver watch on their forum and nicknamed them as Monster because the appearance of the sea monster, look tough, big, thick and very heavy. But the most important comments was the high quality and most cheapest price comparing with the high end brand names. In fact, some of Swiss's brand name was not that competitive with Monster what ever price or quality. And it was the beginning of the legend. The first Monster presented in 2 models, SKX779K1 black dial and SKX781K1 orange dial.
It was difficult to find the steady price of Monster in the market at that time as difficult as to find your favorite dial color of Monster, some preferred black but some orange. So, the price was fluctuated. Somehow, you get bored with your Monster then you might sale it as the price you bought. It sounds so funny right? It was not easy to find Entry Level watch like Monster. Monster's designed was all new, never before, whatever thick, big and heavy case, strong band with extension for wet suit and double locks. The turnable dial for time measuring designed to easy reading, big bevels on the edge made it easy to adjusting even while wearing diving glove. Also, the turnable dial designed to have one direction turning only. So call it was the way of professional diver watch to be. These properties made Monster the most popular in Entry Level market. It made Seiko launched the special edition Monster in 2003 with an yellow dial, sapphire crystal with date's lane for Thailand and nicknamed Cycrop. I had a chance to attend the event of this new model announcement at Bang-ka-pi district in 2003. Even there was no big announcement nor campaign at that time but there was big demanded and sold out in a short time during event. The resell price was amazing since they reached 40,000 Baht from the original 10,000+. It was the surprise in watch market and no one like Monster. The popularity in Monster kept continue even Yellow Monster sold out. Around 2005-2006, Seiko announced Blue Monster then Red Monster in 2007 to favored the Monster's fan. The new Monster models continued announced after that such as Black x Black Monster which made for Japan's market only and other models like land Monster, Price Monster, Mini Monster, I'm out! I'm out! what too much! Finally now in 2010, Seiko introduces Green Monster which is the most hot! in the market right now. Lots of reservation in queue and they will be sold out in a short time then we could find in resell market with the more expensive price only I guess.
Seiko Monster is the phenomenon in the Entry Level watch market that never seen and the original came from Thailand since early day Seiko may thought it was just a good looking diver watch. Now, every movement of Monster is a big effected to watch market and this is the great legend of the Monster.
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