Watch Review: Seiko Metronome Watch (A MUST For Musicians)

Something Unique: 

Give it to Seiko for creating something that is unique and also the absolute definition of a tool watch. The Seiko Metronome Watch is a distinctive yet classy piece that seems to have flown under the radar in early 2022 when it was launched. Almost a year later, people are starting to take notice. It's not every day you find a watch with a unique feature such as this.

Released exclusively in Japan, yet available worldwide through online retailers and the grey market at the time this article was published, this nifty little piece is sure to turn heads and impress those who enjoy music. If you yourself are a musician, make room for one of these in your collection.

A Different Division Of Seiko: 

This watch comes from the Seiko Instrument division, not the Seiko Watch division known for heavy hitters like the Alpinist, SKX, Presage, and Turtle. It does make me wonder whether it is a metronome first and a watch second, or the other way around. Regardless, it has the quality Seiko is known for at a price-point that doesn't make it seem gimmicky or overpriced (around $250US, but cheaper if you're patient and wait for new listings on eBay).

A Variety Of Flavours: 

The Seiko Metronome Watch is available in 10 different colours (6 Standard Line colourways with solid colour dials and 4 Casual Line colourways with gradient dials), with one to suit every taste. I decided to purchase the white with gold for an elegant and sophisticated look. 

The clean minimalist style of the watch would allow you to wear it with a suit if you so choose. While it doesn't necessarily meet the definition of a dress watch, if you wore it to a concert or while performing, no one would call you out. At only 10mm thick, it easily slips under a shirt cuff.

Case: 

The case width is 36.5mm and lug-to-lug is 39.5mm, allowing both men and women to wear it comfortably. If you wish to swap out the strap, look for 18mm. The crystal is an in-house Seiko dual curve hardlex, which will protect the watch from daily bumps. While it isn't exactly scratch-proof, it does offer a decent level of protection for a watch at this price. 

Strap:
 

The strap itself is calf leather, although it feels a bit cheaper than typical leather straps. Out of the box, it looks and feels okay for a watch at this price point; however, it may begin to show wear sooner than a higher-end strap. Nowhere on the strap or buckle does it have a Seiko logo, so the strap is most likely made by a company other than Seiko. 

Movement: 

This watch is powered by a Seiko PA50 quartz movement and requires a single CR2016 battery. Accuracy is +/-15 seconds a month for the watch and +/-0.2% accurate for the metronome. The screw-down case-back means that it isn't very waterproof. It will most likely tolerate a sprinkling of rain, but I highly recommend taking it off if you're going in a pool or even in the shower.

The Metronome Feature: 

The tempos on the dial range from 40 to 304 beats per minute, and the most commonly used tempos (60, 72, 120, and 132) are marked with a small arrow for easy identification. You can choose to have an audible beep for the metronome or to keep it silent by pressing the pusher at the 10 o'clock position.

This watch also has 6 reference pitches. If you look at the 11 o'clock position, you will see two reference notes; A and Bb. Look across the dial at the 2 o'clock position and you will see the frequencies: 440, 442, and 443. Altogether, there are 6 reference notes to choose from, accurate within +/- 1 cent.

(3 for A: 440, 442, and 443. 3 for Bb: 440, 442, and 443)

Negatives: 

The only negative I have with the watch (aside from the strap, which can be swapped out), is that it can be difficult to read at a quick glance. Both hands are similar in size and are quite thin. However, there are a couple ways to tell the hands apart: the hour hand is fatter near the stem and it also has a coloured tip where the minute hand does not. This watch does not feature a second hand, and I personally think that's for the better. 

 Summary:

Whether you're a musician looking for an interesting piece of wrist candy, a watch enthusiast on the hunt for your next watch, or someone who loves unique statement pieces, the Seiko Metronome watch will scratch that itch in style. It won't break the bank and it won't go out of style. I've had an absolute blast reviewing and playing with this watch. It has received many compliments from my musician and non-musician friends alike.

If you enjoyed reading this watch article, please read our other watch related articles:

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How Many Watches Does A Gentleman Need?

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