SEIKO SRP313 aka DRACULA

Well, remember I said that I got a new watch that can function as a beater watch at a lower cost than the Damasko D36?
This is it.
The Seiko SRP313.
This will be my 1st proper review after wearing the watch for a week.

The ref for this particular model is SRP313-K1
It came originally with a rubber strap.
I find it too long so I am wearing it on Nato Strap with matching colour schemes.
This is the new iteration of the highly popular Seiko Monster SKX779 models.
Same 42mm case, just a slight change in the dial markers and of course... the movement.

Crown is knurled and unsigned.
Easy and big enough to handle and operate.
The placement of the crown at the 4 o'clock position makes sure that the crown does not brush against wrist movements.

I do like the lug design on this watch.
Comes with lugholes. Easy to change straps. 
Even a toothpick can do the job.
The nature of the lug design makes the watch wears smaller than the 42mm case size would suggest.
Lug to lug length of the watch is just 48mm.
Bezel is nice and fit.
Clicks firm after every turn. No complaints.

Caseback is practically standard fare. Screw in.
Engraved with a Tsunami... sensitive word nowadays with tsunamis hitting every now and then.
Also engraved is the watch's serial numbers and water resistance rating which is 200m... that's deeper than I will ever dive.
Can't see the movement but the most noticeable upgrade from the previous model is the 4R36 movement.
What improvements? It features hacking seconds (seconds hand stop when crown is pulled for timesetting) which provides a more accurate timesetting.
And this movement also handwinds. Excellent!!

The dial is very nice to look at.
Instead of the previous model's rectangular minute markers, this newer model chooses triangular markers.
Together with the red accents surrounding the luminous material, kinda looks like bloody fangs to me hence me naming it "Seiko Dracula" Hope the name catches on... lol
Hands are identical to the older model.
Gets the job done for easy legibility.
The crystal is mineral which Seiko calls Hardlex Crystal.
Not scratch resistant like sapphire but since the bezel is curving down inwards, I doubt the crystal will come in contact with any hard surfaces unless it's sharp and angled.
The watch also comes with both "Mon", "Tue", "Wed" standard day wheel and also a roman day wheel which I am using.
"I" for Monday, "II" for Tuesday and so on.
Also worth mentioning the the wordings for "Sun" is in Red while the there won't be a Roman "VII" it's a "Red Box" (Thx to Bro Glampyre for pointing out my mistake)
Cool...

Close up shots of the dial also revealed that the movement is 4R36.... which means the retirement of the older 7S26 movement.

Upon closer inspection, one can also notice the outer dial is actually curved like a halfpipe for skateboarders.
It features cutouts to accomodate the day/date window and also the triangular markers.
Just adds to the details of the dial. Nice.

All in all, I am hard pressed to come up with another watch that offers value for money such as this one.
For under usd250, you get a sturdy 200m water resistance rated watch with good timekeeping and manufactured fully in house by Seiko.
With all the swiss companies playing the marketing game and touting to be fully in house or manufactured movements, it is worth noting that Seiko is one of the only few that can actually claim full manufacture status.
They even manufacture the lubricant for their own watches not to mention balance springs and movements, cases and so on.
It doesn't get much more in house that that.

My opinion is that everyone should have a Seiko in their collection.
What better than the 2012 launched Seiko SRP313-K1 aka Seiko Dracula?

Hope you guys enjoyed my review. Feel free to leave any comments if I have made any mistakes.