Sea Dweller Vs Frankenmonster

[Green Arrow]

I was surfing comments, and comparisons and came across this thread, which takes me down memory lane. In the 70s and early 80s I bought Seikos. But I kept breaking them. So I wanted a tough, do it all watch, that I wouldn't have to worry about. I stepped up, paid around $2,300 in 1982 dollars, and got a TT Rolex GMT Master, which I had until 2004. One tough, and terrific watch, although the re-lume of the tritium into superluminova did not go well.

Fast forward until today. I've bought and owned a lot of watches since 2004, all of them fairly expensive, none of them Seikos. Seikos were "beneath me", and anyway I'm wearing my new Panerai 88 "K" series today.......

But I want a great LUME watch, with a centered sweep second hand that is also luminous. My 20K plus Rolex GMT Master 18 K Green Arrow, now just a year old, is my lifetime watch after coming full circle, but no one can accuse Rolex, even with Maxi-dials, of having GREAT lume. Panerai does on my 88, but I don't like the miniature subdial second hands.

Looked at Omega Planet Oceans, Girard Perregaux's etc. But after checking most of the lume tests on the internet, I note that Seiko's lumibrite consistently gets two thumbs up for being the best anywhere.

I like big watches, and may even buy the new Deepsea if I don't throw up over the "original gas escape" advertisement on the rehaut. But for very small dollars in watch costs, a Frankenmonster does everything a watch needs to do, with significant water resistance for pool or ocean use, and some of the best lume in the business. So I ordered one. I don't think the actual dial size is all that much larger than my 40 mm GMT Master II, and probably smaller than my Panerai......but I'm betting the lume will be unbeatable, being brighter than Ball or Luminox initially, and lasting through the entire night.

Plus, I think Seiko makes a much tougher watch than they did 30 years ago, and I am going to be proud to own one.

Can I compare it to my solid gold Rolex GMT Master II Ceramic? Uh......no, but when I think of the price differential, I understand the original poster's question. In Seiko, or Sinn, or Muhle Glashutte, Bathys, Damasko, etc. etc etc you can get a fabulous watch that will make its owner proud and happy, in a budget that doesn't replace the kid's car, or a year of their college.

Seiko is making fabulous watches, and I will soon own one, to add to my other fine watches.

[marshallr47]

Originally Posted by Green Arrow

I was surfing comments, and comparisons and came across this thread, which takes me down memory lane. In the 70s and early 80s I bought Seikos. But I kept breaking them. So I wanted a tough, do it all watch, that I wouldn't have to worry about. I stepped up, paid around $2,300 in 1982 dollars, and got a TT Rolex GMT Master, which I had until 2004. One tough, and terrific watch, although the re-lume of the tritium into superluminova did not go well.

Fast forward until today. I've bought and owned a lot of watches since 2004, all of them fairly expensive, none of them Seikos. Seikos were "beneath me", and anyway I'm wearing my new Panerai 88 "K" series today.......

But I want a great LUME watch, with a centered sweep second hand that is also luminous. My 20K plus Rolex GMT Master 18 K Green Arrow, now just a year old, is my lifetime watch after coming full circle, but no one can accuse Rolex, even with Maxi-dials, of having GREAT lume. Panerai does on my 88, but I don't like the miniature subdial second hands.

Looked at Omega Planet Oceans, Girard Perregaux's etc. But after checking most of the lume tests on the internet, I note that Seiko's lumibrite consistently gets two thumbs up for being the best anywhere.

I like big watches, and may even buy the new Deepsea if I don't throw up over the "original gas escape" advertisement on the rehaut. But for very small dollars in watch costs, a Frankenmonster does everything a watch needs to do, with significant water resistance for pool or ocean use, and some of the best lume in the business. So I ordered one. I don't think the actual dial size is all that much larger than my 40 mm GMT Master II, and probably smaller than my Panerai......but I'm betting the lume will be unbeatable, being brighter than Ball or Luminox initially, and lasting through the entire night.

Plus, I think Seiko makes a much tougher watch than they did 30 years ago, and I am going to be proud to own one.

Can I compare it to my solid gold Rolex GMT Master II Ceramic? Uh......no, but when I think of the price differential, I understand the original poster's question. In Seiko, or Sinn, or Muhle Glashutte, Bathys, Damasko, etc. etc etc you can get a fabulous watch that will make its owner proud and happy, in a budget that doesn't replace the kid's car, or a year of their college.

Seiko is making fabulous watches, and I will soon own one, to add to my other fine watches.

Well said. I think to each his own. If you like the Frankenmoster and want one, great. I have to agree that Seiko makes some great watches and for what they cost, you are getting a solid watch. I would have to say a Seiko compared to a Rolex...well there's no comparison. Rolex, IMO, will come out the winner every time.

[cody p]

the real battlefield for comparison would be Grand Seiko vs. Rolex...