One of the watches that initially hooked me on the hobby was the Seiko Monster. In my first years of collecting watches, I bought and sold enough of them to lose count. I owned several SKX779, also known as the Black Monster, but I always preferred the Orange Monster, the SKX781. A few years ago, I bought and reviewed the fourth-gen Monster, SRPD25, and compared it to the original. I recommend reading that article if you haven't already; the TL;DR is that it added several refinements but didn't quite capture the fun of the original. When I recently had the opportunity to buy a second-gen Seiko Orange Monster (SRP315) through Random Rob, I decided to revisit the Monster series yet again.
As you'd expect, the second-gen version featured some of the upgrades of my previous fourth-gen version, but was still closer to the original. Was this the best middle ground?
First Impressions of the Seiko 2nd Gen Orange Monster SRP315
To most people, the first-gen monster was available only in orange or black with a silver bezel. Several limited Edition versions were made, but they were scarce and costly second-hand. With the second generation, Seiko introduced several new standard variants. SRP307 and SRP309 were the closest to the originals, but the model that Rob had was the black and orange version shown here.
Seiko 2nd Gen Orange Monster SRP315 Details
SRP315 maintains the bright orange dial similar to the original, but applies the chapter ring of the black model (a common mod on the originals back in the day). It maintains the cutouts for the hour markers. This one was made before Seiko started applying Prospex branding to its dive watches or cramming in lume at 3 o'clock.
The most noticeable change, however, is the design of the hour markers. Rather than different-sized rectangles, the second-gen changed to a more distinctive triangular "shark-tooth" shape for the hour markers. The watch also features a black PVD bezel with white-painted numbers, as first seen on the gen-1 "Night Monsters." The crown is also black to match and features a knurled pattern rather than the ridges on the original.
Like the Gen-1, this one also features a slightly domed Hardlex mineral crystal. I like this, as it creates a pleasing distortion.
The standard "OM" used a white day and date disc, but this one is black, which I think looks cool. It has a Spanish option, and Sundays are in red, as you'd expect.
Wearing the Seiko 2nd Gen Orange Monster SRP315
I knew what to expect from the chunky Monster case. Black cases tend to visually shrink watches, although that effect is limited here as the shroud is still silver.
The 120-click bezel has the imprecise feel that you'd expect from a lower-cost Seiko diver.
Like the original, the 2nd-gen features black hands, but the new version also includes a thin black outline around the hour markers (as opposed to white on the original). As a result, legibility is slightly improved in this version.
At night, the green Lumibrite is as great as I remember it being.
The strap and replacement straps for the Seiko 2nd Gen Orange Monster SRP315
The black and orange version of the second-gen monster came equipped with a black rubber wave-style strap. Other versions included a stainless steel bracelet, which, unlike the fourth-gen, did not have fitted end links.
Also unlike most newer Seiko divers, it does not have a silicone strap with a metal keeper, which is good because I dislike that.
Due to its 20mm lug width and lugs that sit slightly below the case shroud, strap swaps look great on a Monster. The Ridge Rubber strap with a Custom Color Kit keeper looks great on it.
Here is a list of some other straps that will complement this watch well. At the end of the article, you'll also find photos of some of our favorite combinations. You can also view our Guide to Choosing a Watch Strap.
-Hook and Loop Elastic
-Pro Diver
-Deployant Sailcloth
-Deployant Rubber
-Ribbed Rubber Pass-Through
-Ridge Rubber
-Extra Long Ridge Rubber
-Tropical Rubber
-Premium Sailcloth
-Rubber and Sailcloth Hybrid Straps
-Vented Rubber
-Slim Ridge Rubber
-Waffle Rubber
-Elastic
-Seatbelt
All generations of the Seiko Monster feature larger-than-standard lug holes and spring bars that won't fit standard straps. While all of our straps are compatible with these watches, many other straps aren't. Additionally, some people prefer not to have the slight wiggle that occurs when installing one of our straps. That's where StrapHabit's Thin Spring Bars for Seiko Fat Lug Holes come in. These can be installed in some StrapHabit straps as well as most straps with standard spring bars and fit Seiko divers perfectly. They have 1.1mm tips, but are 1.8mm thick at the center.
Seiko 2nd Gen Orange Monster SRP315 Movement
Arguably, the most significant upgrade to the second-generation Monster was the movement. Seiko replaced the 7S26 with the 4R36, adding much-desired hacking and hand-winding functions. It did lose some of the charm of shaking the watch to get it running, but I prefer having more control over starting and stopping the watch when setting the time.
The day and date movement features a 40-hour power reserve, supported by Seiko's Magic Lever automatic winding system. It operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour on 24 jewels. It all sits behind the classic tsunami caseback.
Seiko 2nd Gen Orange Monster SRP315 Conclusion
I'm happy that Seiko has continued to evolve the Monster line, and that some models are still in production today. The addition of hacking and hand-winding is a nice upgrade to the second-gen, and these models are also slightly more affordable used. This black and orange version is even more eye-catching, and an excellent option for someone just getting into the hobby who wants to experience the Monster. Unfortunately, it mostly makes me nostalgic for the original. Still, this will be a fun watch for summer! Next, I'd love to get my hands on the elusive third-gen monster with its 6R15 movement.
Seiko 2nd Gen Orange Monster SRP315 Specifications
Name: Seiko Automatic 200M Diver's Watch
Reference Number: SPR315
MSRP: $495 (No Longer Available)
Diameter: 42mm
Height: 47.7
Thickness: 13mm
Lug Width: 20mm
Movement: Seiko 4R36
Power Reserve: 40 hours
Water Resistance: 200m
Crystal: Hardlex
Crown: Screw-down
Bezel: Uni-directional, 120 click
Strap: Rubber
Shop replacement straps for the Seiko 2nd Gen Orange Monster SRP315:
Deployant FKM Rubber
Deployant Sailcloth
Pro Diver Strap
Ridge FKM Rubber
