Is there a sapphire crystal replacement available for this? I looked around a bit and couldn't find one, but I'm not an expert.
And there's a very similar watch, the SRP605K2. What's the difference?
Doesn't take much to get me to show off my favorite almost-the-same watch as themodels offered on this drop!
Obviously I like mine best, but the differences are mainly, if not all, cosmetic. Like mine, the versions above use 4R36 movement (still considered one of Seiko's most bulletproof and reliable engines) but unlike mine, these sport a more traditional dial layout, and that's not a bad thing.
Mine came on a bracelet. I swapped it for Seiko silicone strap from a Seiko Tuna (if memory serves). The blue dial version above, comes with a very similar blue strap--and the combination of the two make that one my fave.
Whichever you like, I can assure you these are all very decent, mid-range divers, suitable for most of the diving you'll ever do (and 100% of the diving you're never gonna do, Mr @Paxman and Mr. @Many12 ;- )
Here's the deal: the models offered above are now, or soon will be, discontinued--they're part of the prior Seiko 5 line which has been replaced by the latest Seiko 5 line (which Seiko has decided to turn into their fashionwatch collection--don't get me started). To my mind, these are the better watches, and they're selling here (and elsewhere) for about half the price of the newer Seiko 5 models--and that's an especially good thing (assuming you're in the market for a decent diver at a decent price)!
I am, however, aware there are dissenters in the crowd...
My good friend Mr. @Watchyoutalkingabout, is a prime example. He often suggests everyone should stop buying reasonably priced tickers and just Uber on down to your local five-figure watch store. He also suggests that in recent years, quality has slipped and materials used these days just ain't what they used to be. That, and that things seem to go bump in the night more often than they used to.
To this, I say: sounds like a personal problem.
As a matter of fact, I would say that everything that can go wrong with a watch, and every hard luck story that can befall a watch collector, has gone wrong and fallen upon him. His stuff breaks more, scratches more, falls apart more and get's eaten by his dog more than any other watch guy I know. If there's any kind of watch issue/problem one can experience, he has experienced it (and if not--he surely will tomorrow).
By contrast, I have a whack of Seikos (some the same as his) and they all keep good time, work as new, and they all still look great. None of them are broken, no parts have fallen off, none of the crystals are scratched or chipped, and not a single airplane has ever fallen out of the sky and landed on my house--I guess I'm just lucky that way?
Today, @Watchyoutalkingabout has a new reason not to buy a modestly priced Seiko--he complains there's no aftermarket value for sub $200 dollar watches on sites like Bob's and Watchbox--do tell?! Those are the same fuckers doubling the prices of second hand Rolex and Omegas--how the hell can they be expected to turn obscene profits on a sub two-hundred dollar watch? Of course their not interested!
If you're here looking to flip watches, especially cheap ones, I suggest you get a job at a nice used car lot and make some real dough. This site, and these watches, are for guys who just wanna buy a watch--not a Rolex, not a stainless steel Swiss flag to wrap around their wrist--just a damn watch that works. If that's you, this is your watch. If you take reasonably decent care of it, it'll probably last longer than your car--unless you bought it used, from a car flipper.In closing I'd like to offer my sympathies to @Watchyoutalkingabout for what's about to happen to him tomorrow. I don't actually know what's going to happen to him, only that it will be unlucky, unfortunate, unusual and most importantly, unlikely to happen to you.
I sincerely hope it's not that airplane thing I mentioned earlier.
RayFWhat are you talking about these are not even what is referred to as an Ice Monster this is a Seiko "Baby" Ice Monster and it is no different than any other Seiko SRP481
The pic of the 605 and 599 are not 'J' models, should say MADE IN JAPAN across the lower left of dial, as in the pic from Septentrion a couple of messages down...then you look at the next guy's pic and his is also not a J model, unless they are somehow putting out 'J' models now that don't follow the long standing practice of being Made in Japan and having it written in bold capital letters across the lower part of the dial, but the pic of the SRP601J confirms it for me, that this line follows the same practice... At this high premium price, it had better be an actual J model, for me, and had better also say it is by the coveted MADE IN JAPAN label. I'm not saying they are better, but the resale value is higher, and the initial sale value is also higher, so the market thinks they are, or at least more collectible...
Maybe they are just using the wrong pic, but idk if I would risk it, since it probably isn't going to be returnable if it looks identical to the photo...
I got the ice version of this for I think 135 right here on Drop...not a 'J'
And yet the latest version is the worst yet! I ordered 2 black monsters gen 4(?) from Starbuy and both of them had mag windows that weren't perfectly horizontal, like the whole crystal was rotated a bit. Looks great till you get one in your hands! Seriously, Day Date with a rectangular mag window? if that's not silly I don't know what is, and why revert from a 6R15 back to a 4R35 or whatever?
3rd Gen because of the 6R15 and the Jade and Blue Lagoon or Blue somethin? Dials, as well as the straight black, 2nd Gen not because of the Vampire Monster but again because it looses the bullet dial and goes to a hacking movement, idk I just can't get behind a 7S26...not that I still don't own a couple anyway
And hell yeah those Street fighter pseudo divers are tempting, what's wrong with that?
Glen8As to you last question: everything.
Re: the changes (cosmetic or otherwise) Seiko has made to the newer, so-called Monster line, I can't explain them and don't take responsibility for them.
There certainly were features lacking in the gen one version, the 7S36 movement was non hacking/non winding--an insufferable oversight on Seiko's part. I resolved the issue by purchasing one that had been updated with a 4R36 movement (if memory serves), and a double dome sapphire crystal with lots or blue AR coating. It's the one watch I'd keep if I were forced to chose only one. It's not the most expensive watch I have, but it is my favorite.
Watchyoutalkingabout
Jan 21, 2021
I have this exact same watch I purchased in November 2018 from amazon for $160.
The bezel click spring broke after a year, so it’s now a mushy 60 click instead of 120. Runs about 15 spd fast per day.
I returned the first two watches I bought from amazon due to bezel/chapter ring alignment issues. The third seemed to align, so I kept it. Unfortunately, the lume on it is already starting to degrade from the hour markers, which is surprising.
If you’re like I was at the time, and this is going to be your first diver style watch, it’s ok. It was my test to see how a larger watch would wear on me, and whether or not I would like gold plating. I’ll continue buying 44mm watches, but I won’t buy any other watches with plating.
The strap is also very very awkward and stiff, so I bought a Barton blue leather strap for ~$20 or so.
Overall, I’d say just save your money up for something else unless this is your first diver style automatic, you want something cheap to gauge size wearability, or you’re somewhere completely enamored with the design.
Bought SRP605-J2 off ebay for a bit more but with warranty, after pondering the 'ice' baby monster. Silicon strap, days in English/Arabic. Love the color scheme - the slate blue goes well with pink dress shirt and blue jeans for business casual. Gains 2 seconds par day out of the box, let's see where this goes. The lume stickers are not perfectly centered on the gold marks, but that's fine with me.