Review of the Seiko Orange Monster (SKX781)

With large amounts of Lumibrite on the hands, indices, and bezel dot, the Orange Monster glows like a torch and is easily legible in pitch-black after eight hours or more. The hands each have a distinct shape, which also helps legibility as the lume fades.The Orange Monster is a fairly large web gift, but I find that it wears very comfortably due to its low profile, comfortable bracelet, 4 o'clock crown, and nicely etched caseback that keeps it in place on your wrist.View the Seiko Orange Monster photo gallery.After James' review of extreme dive gift for man, I'd like to bring you back to Earth with a review of a modern classic: the Seiko Orange Monster.Introduced in early 2001, and officially called the SKX781, this bold diver from Seiko quickly inherited its nickname from its older sibling, the "Black Monster" (SKX779). There are also more expensive limited editions available in blue, yellow, PVD black, and red.Let's start with some specifications: 41.5mm by 12.5mm. 179g.Unidirectional rotating bezel, 120-clicks, with enamel in the recessed numerals.Screw-down crown at the 4 o'clock position with heavy guards.Bezel guard from 3:30 to 7:30 and 10:30 to 1:30.7s26 automatic movement: H/M/S, day & date, non-handwind, non-hacking, 21 jewels.Domed Hardlex crystal. (Hardlex is borosilicate glass, sometimes called mineral crystal. It's better than plastic and normal glass, but softer than sapphire. The doming is more readable under water and avoids the mirror effect seen with flat crystals.)Stainless steel bracelet and clasp with fliplock, micro-adjustments, 17mm wetsuit extension. The bracelet is brushed with polished edges, and uses huge spring bars. (See this page for a nice tutorial on how to size the bracelet yourself.) The lugs are drilled which makes changing the strap or bracelet much easier.Waterproof to 200m or about 650 feet. The first thing you notice about the Seiko Orange Monster is the dial color. The Swiss company Doxa did research in the late 1960s and learned that orange is the color most visible in deep water, where shorter wavelengths get absorbed. They introduced the world's first commercial dive watch, the Doxa Sub 300t, in 1967 with an orange dial, and you see it used on dive watches to this day. It makes for excellent above-water visibility, too, as the black hands contrast well against the orange face. Like the Doxa, this Seiko is a real diver's watch, rated to 200m (660ft) and bearing the "Diver's" logo that indicates ISO6425 compliance. (ISO6425 is the relevant standard for waterproofing, legibility, luminosity, shock resistance, anti-magnetism, and band solidity. Compliant luxury gift can bear the "Diver's" mark.)Seiko is well-known for excellent nighttime visibility, and the Orange Monster excels in this regard.