Friends with my monsters

I'm friends with the monsters that's under my bed
Get along with the voices inside of my head
You're tryin' to save me, stop holdin' your breath
And you think I'm crazy, yeah, you think I'm crazy


For being a WIS



I sold my gen1 black dial version back in 2004 or so. John (jas1125) mentioned he still a couple and generously offered to part with one. John then offered me his second one and here they are.

Carl had commented that they may be the worst dive watch ever made. Could be but my diving days are done. The pulmonary embolisms (3 large blood clots in my lungs while in the hospital in 2014) caused some permanent damage.

After wearing both of them for a few weeks I decided to sell them off. Decided that I prefer to stay with dress watches.

https://i.imgur.com/ZsUopdv.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/HqFyHrP.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/lITFYNY.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/EsEXdwC.jpg https://i.imgur.com/JPtT5Pi.jpg

The MK 2 were the ones to get, once upon a time when you could get them from creation for £115. They were just about worth that at a push.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by xellos99

The MK 2 were the ones to get, once upon a time when you could get them from creation for £115. They were just about worth that at a push.

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I think that’s harsh. Reckon they were untouchable for the money nothing else came close. Owned a couple and son has one he’s had for years and worn to death and hasn’t missed a beat.

I have never gotten the Monster thing
Without doubt they offered fantastic spec for the money but the face is something only a mother could love. (It’s the hands that really put me off - awful IMO), still if we all liked the same thing it would be boring.
Monster ownership seemed to be a right of passage a few years ago, if you like watches you must try a Monster, the prices the are going for now seem down right daft.

I owned quite a few, and like many I suspect, bought the originals again after “moving on” and regretting it.

None left now, but still I hold them (and in particular, the designer) in high regard for their boldness, reasonable price and originality in a market flooded with the exact opposite.

I was lucky enough to pick a black one up from the forum recently after a WTB. A black dialled monster was my first automatic watch so I wanted to get one back in the watch box. I'm picking up an orange one later this week hopefully!

They're certainly a marmite watch.

I quite enjoy the Monsters but Gen 3 was the pinnacle for me. The Gen 4 are just getting a bit too pricey now even if the quality has improved a lot.

Some of the Gen 1 & 2 limited editions are now going for 4 figures

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...d856add6bb.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by paw3001

I quite enjoy the Monsters but Gen 3 was the pinnacle for me. The Gen 4 are just getting a bit too pricey now even if the quality has improved a lot.

Some of the Gen 1 & 2 limited editions are now going for 4 figures

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...d856add6bb.jpg

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Wow what a collection.

Preferred the 1st gen only on a visual point for the crown, but the Thailand Ltd Ed (ice blue) is amazing apart from the day/date magnifier

Quote:

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Originally Posted by koimaster

I'm friends with the monsters that's under my bed
Get along with the voices inside of my head
You're tryin' to save me, stop holdin' your breath
And you think I'm crazy, yeah, you think I'm crazy


For being a WIS



I sold my gen1 black dial version back in 2004 or so. John (jas1125) mentioned he still a couple and generously offered to part with one. John then offered me his second one and here they are.

Carl had commented that they may be the worst dive watch ever made. Could be but my diving days are done. The pulmonary embolisms (3 large blood clots in my lungs while in the hospital in 2014) caused some permanent damage.

After wearing both of them for a few weeks I decided to sell them off. Decided that I prefer to stay with dress watches.

https://i.imgur.com/ZsUopdv.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/HqFyHrP.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/lITFYNY.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/EsEXdwC.jpg https://i.imgur.com/JPtT5Pi.jpg

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Had both as my first mechanical watches, fond memories of the orange one in Cuba. Passed both on to my dad, he gifted the orange one away, but often wears the black still.

https://i.imgur.com/wNqOSzQ.jpg

Sometimes I think I'll buy another 1st gen orange one, and treat it as my summer watch on a nato. Prices have increased & sometimes I think best not to rebuy.

Had an orange Mk1 and an orange Mk2. The pinnacle for me would have been a Mk1 with the Mk2's 4R36 with hacking and manual winding options (and the knurled crown from the Mk2). Always regretted selling the Mk1 to a friend, especially since he subsequently sold it for a very sizeable profit.

My path of WISdoom began with this one.

It remains in the collection whilst 6 or 7 other Monsters have been and gone.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...3638883620.jpg

I've never had a monster but the orange one is the quintessential monster for me. Would fancy one now as a beach beater. What do they go for? Sounds like it's a lot more than you'd expect for a moderately common Seiko with what, Seiko 5 type specs? Or slightly more maybe but my perception, right or wrong, is that these aren't prospex quality.

Ugly faces and hands? Typical Seiko aren't they!?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LondonNeil

. Would fancy one now as a beach beater. What do they go for?

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You should be able to grab a gen1 OM at around 200 250

I had the black version not long after they came as they were so cheap for what you got. Eddie used to sell them.

I never really got on with it though, it seemed so lumpen and crude TBH so it went.

https://i.imgur.com/ktLRWoc.jpeg

There can be only one. I've had "keepers" that turned out to be no such thing, we all have, but this is never going anywhere. If I ever find myself in a position of having to flog everything, this will be the one I stubbornly cling to.

Ugly, low tech, unashamedly its own thing, I love it.

Like many I sold a Mk1 BM a number of years back. Always thought they were great value for money.
https://i.ibb.co/Fw5vMMf/P1020981.jpg

Recently had a hankering for another, and did think about trying to find another Mk1 in decent condition but on the spur of the moment ended up buying one of the new models. Cant believe these are now £500. To be fair though the quality does look to have improved.. even the bracelet and how it fits to the case is much improved… and when you consider what else £500 gets you these days in the watch world then I guess it’s probably still ok value for money.

https://i.ibb.co/PNqz1zM/E08-BFBB3-4...FFF4243-F7.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Neil.C

I had the black version not long after they came as they were so cheap for what you got. Eddie used to sell them.

I never really got on with it though, it seemed so lumpen and crude TBH so it went.

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I’ve got one of mine left, unworn, bought from Eddie a long time ago. You’ll struggle to find one in better condition. Not for sale though.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...ff536a9539.jpg

I’ve had my Gen 1 Monsters for 10 years. They were very much gateway watches for me as a proto-WIS. I don’t wear them much now, as my collection is much larger, but I still love the original design. I will never sell them.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...8469dc8fa3.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...bbfe803162.jpg

Dave


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Jee whiz! The prices make the Heimdallr Sharkey homage appealing!

Always preferred the Gen 1 dial, but the Gen 2 movement….

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...42d6d83705.jpg

My second proper watch after an SKX009, bought in 2008:

https://i.imgur.com/6gi48vN.jpg

Still have it today.

Couple of others have passed through my hands, and I really wish I'd kept the gen 2 orange I had years ago.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ed335d

Always preferred the Gen 1 dial, but the Gen 2 movement….

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...42d6d83705.jpg

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My ideal Monster, if it was orange.

Having looked at the previous photo, I realised how grubby it was. Apologies.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...cd7c11cd5d.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/9TGyHRp/2-E82-BBE9-...425-C89-E4.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RustyBin5

I think that’s harsh. Reckon they were untouchable for the money nothing else came close. Owned a couple and son has one he’s had for years and worn to death and hasn’t missed a beat.

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Agreed. I have various colours and for the money they were tough as old boots

Quote:

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Originally Posted by paw3001

I quite enjoy the Monsters but Gen 3 was the pinnacle for me. The Gen 4 are just getting a bit too pricey now even if the quality has improved a lot.

Some of the Gen 1 & 2 limited editions are now going for 4 figures

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...d856add6bb.jpg

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I see you have one of the Antarctic versions with the footprints. I fancy one of them!

If you want a fresh out the box one then you’d best not hang around as that was the 2021 dial. They’ve changed it for 2022 (to the one I posted up with penguins swimming).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by paw3001

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...d856add6bb.jpg

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I am very, very envious!

Like one of the earlier posters on this thread, a 1st generation Black Monster was a gateway watch for me. I ended up with a mini collection of three - BM, OM and a Bill Yao modified Yellow Monster.
Loved them all but eventually moved them all on as I moved gradually up the WIS food chain.

Here’s a photo of all three

https://i.imgur.com/yCnyJU7.jpg

And this is my favourite photo of the Yao

https://i.imgur.com/pdMnOXR.jpg

Simon

i've owned mk 1's in orange and black, should have hung on to the orange, and also a mk 2 with the black and orange.

current one is the bumble bee, never understood why it came on a green strap though. i wear mine on a yellow cousins iso style or a black jubilee bracelet. might have to get a black super engineer for it sometime.
https://i.imgur.com/U29bTeW.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/KXIh7Zc.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/lFhPyv6.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/mr7p6RL.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/oFqh2KG.jpg

They look great in some of the posted pictures, but always seem to get overlooked in favour of something else.
I bought one (and a Mini Monster) from SC but have hardly ever worn them, and certainly never in the last five years.

No idea what generation this is -

https://i.imgur.com/UZVlWvM.jpg

And the Mini -

https://i.imgur.com/cL79Rn5.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jon Kenney

No idea what generation this is -

https://i.imgur.com/UZVlWvM.jpg

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That is a Gen 2

Pointy 'teeth' dial equals Gen 2?

https://i.postimg.cc/PJM7rtTy/7-B2-B...B41-E3-CD0.jpg
Love mine, can’t see me letting it go.
Dave

I have black and orange Gen 1s. The black one from a charity auction here. The orange one was a bit of an eBay bargain - advertised as not working "seems to start with a bit of a shake but then stops. Probably needs a new battery"!!
I've never understood why you all put them on bracelets though - they look so much better on rubber.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dr Wolff

I've never understood why you all put them on bracelets though - they look so much better on rubber.

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Sacrilege!

The Monster is all about the excellent bracelet, and the stock Z20 is horrendous!

Dave


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

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Originally Posted by magpie215

That is a Gen 2

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by LondonNeil

Pointy 'teeth' dial equals Gen 2?

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Got it, thanks :thumbsup:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by magpie215

That is a Gen 2

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I believe this is a modded Gen 2.

The original black Gen did not have a coloured bezel just the normal black in filled one

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...ab2d317349.jpg

The mod looks nice but it’s value has been reduced as no longer OEM

The ‘Dracula’ named because of the red outlined teeth, had red hands but only a black infilled bezel but would have looked great with that bezel

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...50a12d445b.jpg

Quick and dirty guide!

Gen 1 has minutes printed on dial

Gen 2 has pointy teeth

Gen 3 only has a date, no day

Gen 4 different shaped bezel

^^^^^^^^^^

I've always liked the dracula/vampire model

Had various over the years, think the later models with the 4R36 are the sweet spot. They are pretty bomb proof watches and great for holiday/travel.


Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AmosMoses

Had various over the years, think the later models with the 4R36 are the sweet spot. They are pretty bomb proof watches and great for holiday/travel.


Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app

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Yes, absolutely - I bought mine in 2013 as a fun holiday / work trip beater and it's my most travelled watch by far. It's got so many memories associated with it (honeymoon, birth of son, etc) that I'll never part with it, and tend to use my Baby Dreadnaught for overseas duties these days
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...a380058373.jpg

Sent from my SM-P610 using Tapatalk

Double post shenanigans

Quote:

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Originally Posted by paw3001

I believe this is a modded Gen 2.

The original black Gen did not have a coloured bezel just the normal black in filled one

The mod looks nice but it’s value has been reduced as no longer OEM

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Interesting. Thanks.

I don't recall the seller (here) mentioned anything about it being modded.

https://i.imgur.com/A3eAd1I.jpeg
Only monster I own, it's lovely, but I don't wear it all that often.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using TZ-UK mobile app

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wyvern971

https://i.imgur.com/A3eAd1I.jpeg
Only monster I own, it's lovely, but I don't wear it all that often.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using TZ-UK mobile app

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Nice I think that's one of the Thailand LE night monsters