Any excuse to buy a new watch is a valid reason.

 

I have stated that same point several times.
Those features are nice to have but won't tip the scale and surely not worth one cent extra in my case.
My guess, just a guess, is that these are an evolution of the 7S26 which its self evolved originally from <don't remember>.

 

I prefer the aesthetic of the original Monster: The new Monster's shark tooth design looks a little too kitschy and aggressive. Plus I think the lime green hands and markers suit the Black Monster. So to me, the new Monster is only worth buying if the 4r36 represents a major improvement over the 7s26, hacking and hand-winding aside. But I can't find any information indicating the 4r36 is truly a superior movement other than the hacking, hand-winding, and extra jewels.

 

From what I've read the 4r is the upgrade to the 7s, which is suppose to be their new main use movement, as the 7s was. Not sure if they will be phasing out the 7s, but seems that's their plan.

 

I don't think it's a "major improvement" whatever that means. I think it's basically a 7S26 with the hacking and handwinding options modified. I think you have to jump to the 6R15 to get much of a noticeable improvement in quality. And indeed that might be considered debatable as I think I've read that one is essentially a modified 7S26 too. But it's got some durability upgrades to the movement along with hand winding.

 

I've been asking the same question since I got my own 4R36-based watch.

As near as I can tell, the 4R36 is most likely a reworked version of the 6R15, which is basically a modified 7S26. Given that the 6R15 is positioned as a more expensive movement (with a larger power reserve), that doesn't immediately make sense -- but the 4R36 is the more recent movement, and actually looking at the technical documents for the OEM versions of those movements shows that the NH36 (4R36) is VERY similar to the NE15 (6R15), and shares a fair number of parts.

The other thing made clear in those documents is that the 4R36 is intended to be the base for a bunch of different watches -- just look at all the variants. What isn't clear is whether it's meant to completely replace the 7S26, or serve as a middle price point between the dirt-cheap 7S26 watches (the $60/70 ones) and the more expensive 6R15. Only time will tell, I guess.

FWIW, I bought the movement for the hacking, but I find myself using the handwinding quite a bit (since I take my watch off when I type).

-XCN-

 

No idea what real improvements in the 4R36 movements, but the ability to handwind and hack is good enough reason for me to upgrade my monsters. In fact the 4R36 winding action is buttery smooth, feels better than it does to wind my Sumo with the 6R15....

 

Sounds like the consensus is the 4r is more of an update than an upgrade to the 7s.

In that case, I'm more than happy to stick with my classic Monster... especially now that I've got it regulated to about +2/day.

 

Sounds like the consensus is the 4r is more of an update than an upgrade to the 7s.

Nobody knows if it's an upgrade or not (consensus here means nothing), unless you consider hacking/winding an update/upgrade or consider hacking/winding adding unnecessary complexity, thus two more failure points. (Personally I consider hacking/winding an upgrade/update all by itself.)

 

For me, the new Monster is WAY more desirable than the old. The "sharp" indices look much better to me and the removal of the numbers around the inside portion of the dial is a much cleaner look. The addition of hacking and handwinding seals the deal. I would totally get a black Monster if I could bring myself to sell my SKX171. I have enough dive watches already, so not trying to add another unless I can get rid of one first...as much as I want to!

 

Design wise I think you're right--removal of the numbers giving a cleaner look. I just ordered the 313 where I hope the red adds to what already is somewhat of an outrageous design (what other mainstream watch dares that much red successfully IMO)? The indices in all the new models give energy to the dial in a way the rectangles of the old model simply squat there. I do kinda wish my watch choice wasn't labeled "dracula" and "bloody fangs," but then non-Wis will hopefully appreciate the risk-taking of the design and not see a shark with gingivitis or stain of fresh kill.

 

I agree with you LBD - the old style monster just looks better. The new one is too agressive, I feel like it's just trying too hard.

I have a Seiko 5 World Time, with the new 4R36 and the handwinding is indeed a useful feature to have, but by no means essential. Save your money and put it towards some other fun, watch-related purpose.

 

Not to resurrect a dead horse, but my experience is this: I have one 7s26 and two 7s36 watches which are not particularly accurate, maybe around 8 to 12 seconds a day. I bought a new Monster looking forward to the 4R36 hack/handwind features, and it was also pretty inaccurate. I have regulated most of my watches, but was unable to regulate this without changing the beat. I never did get it to where I was happy with it. However! I bought two Armida A8's with the NH35A movement, and both of them have been consistently 2 seconds in 24 hours. I haven't even tried to regulate them since there's no reason. When I got the first one, I figured I was just lucky, but the second one is exactly the same! Not sure what this means, but it sure seems the NH series is better assembled than the Seiko ones.

 

interesting but needs a bigger sampling.

 

Just added hack/hand-wind.

Some would say those are major improvements.

 

I bought the second gen black monster, and while I love it, I never used the hack or hand wind functions. I'd probably buy the first gen if I had it to do over again to save a few bucks.

Such a fantastic value, especially the bracelet.

Sent from my KFJWI using Tapatalk HD

 

I'm in the same lines as the people who use handwinding, but not hacking. The handwinding is a deal-breaker for me, but I could care less about hacking. On the other hand, I prefer the lume of the original. The general public would most likely disagree though as it gives off a green tint. Which is probably why they did the update. In a perfect world, I would choose the new watch in it's entirety, except the lume and seconds hand.