The bi-colour 24-hour bezel is coated in Hardlex, to ensure durability while the GMT hand improves practicality, visibility and legibility. The ‘beads of rice’ bracelet remains true to the SKX heritage with a ‘five-piece link’ design that forms a series of small X-shaped patterns. Orange-dialed dive watches are so distinctive that they almost constitute their own genre. Largely dominated by Doxa and Seiko, over the years Bulova, Gruen, Timex and others have tried it out, but few major league brands have offered an orange dial. Most brands bring the safety-oriented color into their dive watches as markers, bands, chapter rings, bezel inserts and other accents. But Seiko and Doxa have unabashedly let their orange dials scream for decades, and, no matter how many decades go by, orange-dialed dive watches, in turn, scream “The 1970s.” An indelible mark of that era, the orange dial certainly gives the SPRB97 an anachronistic, pre-dive-computer vibe. Perhaps this ‘70s aura contributes to the sense that this watch is a reissue—though we’d have to concede that the first-generation orange Saumrai would also qualify. There are performance advantages to orange dials, including marginally better legibility at depth (though orange light is absorbed almost entirely when submerged to 50 feet). Orange is, however, easy to find in the shallows just off shore, should one plop it into the drink, though a more likely scenario would be locating the thing in the depths of a gear-laden duffle bag. But let’s be honest: most people wear dive watches as lifestyle accessories, so in a majority of instances the orange dial’s duties will end at grabbing people’s attention faster than a traffic cone. In my experience, the SRPB97 is a compelling conversation starter, even among those who aren’t interested in watches. The mechanism within the watch is 4R36 automatic movement which is built in house and the calibre is comprised of 24 Jewels and a 41-hour power reserve.

If you require an extra large bracelet or you are in need of additional links these may be supplied at an additional cost. Since the Seiko Orange Monster SKX781 was designed as a dive watch, a solid water resistance capacity is only to be expected. This watch comes with a depth rating of 200 metres, which is twice that of the official ISO 6425 standard for dive watches. Whether you want to go swimming, snorkelling, or diving, you can rest assured that the Seiko Orange Monster has got you covered. Price

After looking into the watch design, quality, features, and pricing this watch received a 8.5/10 from us at The Watch Blog. While the case is crafted entirely of stainless steel, Seiko plays with different finishes on the metal to make the look of the watch a bit more intriguing. Indeed, the top of the case is brushed while the case flanks and crown guard have been polished to a mirror finish.

Powering this Seiko SKX011 is a self-winding (automatic) Seiko 7S26 movement. The 7S26 caliber was introduced in 1996 with the SKX line of watches and possesses a 40-hour power reserve with an accuracy of +49/-20 seconds per day. Like many other Seiko dive watches, the Seiko Orange Monster SKX781 is powered by the brand’s impressive Calibre 7S26 movement. Held together by 21 jewels, this automatic movement beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour (3Hz) and possesses a 40-hour power reserve.The unique bezel does a proper job of adding a bit of flash to an otherwise utilitarian timepiece. Surprisingly, this gold also pairs quite well with the bright orange dial. I’d have never guessed that gold and orange could look so good together but alas, it is true. Speaking of that dial…