Review and Test - Monster vs Mako

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Amor Vincit Omnia
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Re: Review and Test - Monster vs Mako

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

Dancematt wrote:Good plan, hope they see some sea action!...i kinda' enjoyed changing the day with the screw down click button on the mako, useless but felt almost cool.
I don't dive, but I'll be swimming and snorkeling off the boats...not the most interesting coastline for pretty fish etc.
The horrible SK Crystal I owned had the same pusher at 2.00 but it wasn't screw-down so you could change the day by accident or turn it into Arabic! :shock: That was kinda cool, though, Arabic days and red Friday!
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Re: Review and Test - Monster vs Mako

Post by Loddonite »

This'll be interesting.

Whilst my Makos can pass as an office-divers, the Monster never could and I notice that I don't wear my OM so much these days as I have a number of weekend watches that seem to take precedence.
I did take the OM to Portugal a couple of years ago though - perfect for beach, villa-lazing and pool.
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Re: Review and Test - Monster vs Mako

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

Day 1 Result:
Orient (worn): reading -23: day's result +15
Seiko (dial up): reading +45: day's result 0


Nice surprise from the Seiko there; I still think it will lose time on the wrist. The Orient did much as I thought it would; be interesting to see what it does in the box today.

Beach and pool...mmmm...sounds good on a wet Sunday! That's exactly what I bought them for, Dom!
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Re: Review and Test - Monster vs Mako

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

OK, slight problem here. Box full of lovelies and I've promised not to wear them for a week :shock:
This was not a problem in Spain last year, as I only had the Casio with me. Shouldn't be a problem in Turkey either as they will be hundreds of miles away! I find I adapt quickly to reduced choices on trips. But at home... :(
Turkish resort is full of watch shops, but they're all "Genuine Fakes" so no worries there! :D
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Re: Review and Test - Monster vs Mako

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

Day 2 Results:

Orient (dial up); Reading -23; Day's result 0; Net +15
Seiko (worn); Reading +35; Day's result -10; Net -10


So both are doing well after 48 hours. The Orient has repeated the Seiko's excellent performance dial-up. It will be interesting to see how this pans out, but at least it seems I was right about the general direction. Seiko goes crown up today (well, 30 degrees from up as the crown is 4 o'clock, but we'll not quibble about that!)
Steve
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Re: Review and Test - Monster vs Mako

Post by Monkey »

Interesting review!! I own a Mako, which I think is a cracking watch for the money, and looks good too!!

Personally, I don't like the Seiko's, although I do appreciate how solid & well built they are, but i tried one on and just found it bulky, plus the fact it's a fugly barsteward too, lol :D
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Re: Review and Test - Monster vs Mako

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

Monkey wrote:...it's a fugly barsteward...
Given my normal tastes I should agree, but I like it (in the right context - no way could it ever do anything remotely formal, but it'll be fine for the beach!)

Anyway, Day 3 results...

Orient (worn): reading -18; day's result +5; net +20
Seiko (crown up): reading +16; day's result -19; net -29


Crown up appears to be a losing position with several watches I've had, and was obviously and predictably so for the Seiko. Very good day on the wrist for the Orient. It goes crown up today.
Steve
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Re: Review and Test - Monster vs Mako

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

Seiko had been a bit of a tight fit sometimes, clipping the side of the wrist and leaving a mark. Does anyone else find that the fit of a watch varies with time of day and ambient temperature. Anyway, I had a link added and took up the slack on the fine adjuster; much better now.

Day 4 results (0700 BST Wednesday 6/6/12)
Orient (crown up); reading -30; day's result -12; net +8
Seiko (worn); reading +1; day's result -15; net -44


Still to find a position that counters the Seiko's negative trend. It goes crown down today.
Happy to discover that the Orient appears to lose crown up...very pleased with this one. :D
Steve
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Re: Review and Test - Monster vs Mako

Post by downer »

Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: Does anyone else find that the fit of a watch varies with time of day and ambient temperature.
Yes, I find my wrist varies quite a bit... Late afternoon on a hot day, several watches start to feel tight. Early morning on a cold day, half my bracelet watches feel way too big..

I think Rolex has a solution with some sort of variable link, but I have not looked into it.

It is more noticeable with bracelets than with straps. I guess a leather strap has a bit of natural 'stretch' in it.
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Re: Review and Test - Monster vs Mako

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

downer wrote:It is more noticeable with bracelets than with straps. I guess a leather strap has a bit of natural 'stretch' in it.
I'd agree with that. I used to wear leather straps quite close-fitting, but tend to like them a bit looser these days.
Steve
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Re: Review and Test - Monster vs Mako

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

Day 5 results (0700 BST Thursday 7/6/12

Orient (worn); reading -30; day's result 0; net +8
Seiko (crown-down); reading -27; day's result -28; net -72


I said in the review that I thought the Orient would be the better time-keeper, and it's starting to look like no contest. The Seiko was a bit disastrous crown-down, so we'll see how the Orient does in that position today. I am very impressed with it so far, averaging +1.6 over 5 days. Seiko is averaging -14.4, not wonderful but it has had a couple of bad "days off" and did find a neutral resting position on Day 1.
Steve
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Re: Review and Test - Monster vs Mako

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

Day 6 results (0700 BST Friday 8/6/12)

Orient (crown down); reading -24; day's result +6; net +14
Seiko (worn); reading -45; day's result -18; net -90


The Seiko has now lost more in 6 days than my 52 year old Omega gained in a month in last year's vintage challenge. It is averaging -15 a day, which is more than I'd like, but that's OK on holiday...just advance by a minute every 4th day. Next winter (that's tomorrow in the UK at the moment! :lol: ) I might get it regulated and have the seals checked.
The Orient is continuing to delight me with its performance and is such a nice watch to wear. :D

Two days to go, and the final resting position (Seiko today) will be dial down. I may try the other two positions at some point, but I'm hoping my C3 might come tomorrow (no email yesterday :( ) and next week is definitely going to see some Nomos / C5 / vintage love!
Steve
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Re: Review and Test - Monster vs Mako

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

Day 7 results (0700 BST Saturday 9/6/12)

Orient (worn); reading -17; day's result +7; net +21
Seiko (dial down); reading -43; day's result +2; net -88


One day to go, and the Seiko actually gained! Not much, but it's better than nothing. Orient goes dial down today.
Steve
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Re: Review and Test - Monster vs Mako

Post by bighenry07 »

Thanks for all the updates and info! My monster tends to run +10ish daily, and I always wondered how that might compare to other affordable autos.
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Re: Review and Test - Monster vs Mako

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

Day 8 and final results (0700 BST Sunday 10/6/12)

Orient (dial down); reading -14; day's result +3; net +24
Seiko (worn); reading -57; day's result -14; net -102


So there we have it. The Orient is the clear winner in the timekeeping department, and I'm delighted with a daily average of +3 for such an inexpensive piece. (10/10)
The Seiko is fine for the occasional day and for the holidays, as long as I remember to advance it by a minute every few days! Daily average -12.75 (5/10)
If I could only take one on holiday it would be the Orient; it's better looking, lighter, more adaptable and more accurate. The Seiko, as described above, wins the build, bracelet and ease of use side of the contest...so I'm still taking both.

Also, as Bighenry alluded, this test only serves to illustrate two individual movements, not a whole brand or model range. The more you live with mechanicals, the more you realise they're all different and you find strategies to cope with their idiosynchracies, which is what this was all about.

I now have an appointment with some newly arrived quartz, and I expect to wear quite a few other watches as well this week. Thanks for following this, and have a nice Sunday! :D

Well done, chaps! Your next sea picture will not be on a mouse-mat!! :lol: :clap: :clap:
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