REVIEW: The Metronome Watch from Seiko Instruments Inc.
Oct 7, 2022 13:12:59 GMT -8
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Post by dapellegrini on Oct 7, 2022 13:12:59 GMT -8
Who knew Seiko made a watch that doubles as an on-wrist metronome? This was an impulse buy when I stumbled across it the other day. A few days (and couple hundred dollars) later, it arrive via FedEx from Japan.
2 Minutes in:
Nice touch with the gift bag, I am guess that is a "seller" touch and not a Seiko thing, but I don't know that for sure. This arrived (purchase from the bay) in just a few days - via Fedex from Japan...
Inside the nice, plasticky feeling blue bag was a small box. Presentation here felt a little bit more like a piece of jewelry than a what. The inner SEIKO branded box has a fuzzy texture, like a ring box.
5 Minutes in:
Unpacking this one is pretty simple...
10 Minutes in:
Ok this is a pretty small watch. Here are some measures to prove that point:
EDIT: new photos soon - my calipers were out of whack. That should read 36.5mm wide, 10mm thick and a lug to lug of 40mm.
The strap could very easily accommodate a young-ish child. Even with my dainty 16.5cm wrists, I was somewhere in the middle of the punch holes:
And here it is on my wrist:
30 minutes in:
A few first impressions. I already mentioned that this is a small watch. The all white dial and lack of bezel make it wear a little larger - it feels more like a 37 or 38mm watch on my wrist, visually. The dial is a very nice bright white, the printed markers are crisp and clear, and the two piece structure is well executed in my opinion, certainly for a watch at this price point ($200 USD).
The strap is really cheap. Really Cheap. And I have received a lot of cheap straps attached to vintage watches to try and improve their sales price. This is some kind of synthetic material that is meant to look and feel like leather. On underside appears to be a glued on piece to further simulate the leather idea:
Nothing on the strap is signed by Seiko, including the pin buckle
The strap needs to change. It measures 18mm so shouldn't be too hard to find a better option.
Not surprisingly, but perhaps a little disappointing - it is marked as MADE IN CHINA on the case back. It is also marked as SEIKO INTRUMENTS INC - which I am guessing is a whole different division from the watch brands.
Also, while I find that instruction booklets are typically for idiots, I actually had to dig this one out to figure out how to set the time. Ends up have you have to hold down the sound button (top left) for 2 seconds to then be able to set the time. Once you've set the time using the up or down button (long hold to spin it around) - you then click the sound button a final time to "set the time". I suppose this syncs at 0 seconds of the minute you set it to - with a strong BEEP.
Here's where the instruction booklet was hiding:
Final first impressions
I like this watch. The metronome is very cool, and easy to operate. It also has an A and B tone option for tuning various instruments. You can turn the sound on and off. The time is exceedingly simple to read, and the whole thing works really well.
I would not hesitate to give this to someone who is learning a musical instrument, or who might otherwise appreciate at wristwatch that doubles as a metronome.
Postscript
This watch is offered in 10 different colors:
and these:
And you can watch it in action here - just fast forward the video until the reviewer starts playing around with it:
2 Minutes in:
Nice touch with the gift bag, I am guess that is a "seller" touch and not a Seiko thing, but I don't know that for sure. This arrived (purchase from the bay) in just a few days - via Fedex from Japan...
Inside the nice, plasticky feeling blue bag was a small box. Presentation here felt a little bit more like a piece of jewelry than a what. The inner SEIKO branded box has a fuzzy texture, like a ring box.
5 Minutes in:
Unpacking this one is pretty simple...
10 Minutes in:
Ok this is a pretty small watch. Here are some measures to prove that point:
EDIT: new photos soon - my calipers were out of whack. That should read 36.5mm wide, 10mm thick and a lug to lug of 40mm.
The strap could very easily accommodate a young-ish child. Even with my dainty 16.5cm wrists, I was somewhere in the middle of the punch holes:
And here it is on my wrist:
30 minutes in:
A few first impressions. I already mentioned that this is a small watch. The all white dial and lack of bezel make it wear a little larger - it feels more like a 37 or 38mm watch on my wrist, visually. The dial is a very nice bright white, the printed markers are crisp and clear, and the two piece structure is well executed in my opinion, certainly for a watch at this price point ($200 USD).
The strap is really cheap. Really Cheap. And I have received a lot of cheap straps attached to vintage watches to try and improve their sales price. This is some kind of synthetic material that is meant to look and feel like leather. On underside appears to be a glued on piece to further simulate the leather idea:
Nothing on the strap is signed by Seiko, including the pin buckle
The strap needs to change. It measures 18mm so shouldn't be too hard to find a better option.
Not surprisingly, but perhaps a little disappointing - it is marked as MADE IN CHINA on the case back. It is also marked as SEIKO INTRUMENTS INC - which I am guessing is a whole different division from the watch brands.
Also, while I find that instruction booklets are typically for idiots, I actually had to dig this one out to figure out how to set the time. Ends up have you have to hold down the sound button (top left) for 2 seconds to then be able to set the time. Once you've set the time using the up or down button (long hold to spin it around) - you then click the sound button a final time to "set the time". I suppose this syncs at 0 seconds of the minute you set it to - with a strong BEEP.
Here's where the instruction booklet was hiding:
Final first impressions
I like this watch. The metronome is very cool, and easy to operate. It also has an A and B tone option for tuning various instruments. You can turn the sound on and off. The time is exceedingly simple to read, and the whole thing works really well.
I would not hesitate to give this to someone who is learning a musical instrument, or who might otherwise appreciate at wristwatch that doubles as a metronome.
Postscript
This watch is offered in 10 different colors:
and these:
And you can watch it in action here - just fast forward the video until the reviewer starts playing around with it:
