Thoughts on the Seiko SMW006 Metronome

In the past I’ve written a couple of articles discussing watches and complications we longer need. Think of parking meter watches, perpetual calendars, and chronographs. No, we don’t need these types of watches anymore, I guarantee you. However, this shouldn’t mean we can’t wear and enjoy these types of watches today. Though I would say it’s alright to wear a vintage cricket alarm made many decades ago, it's quite strange that brands would still make watches with unusual complications today. It feels as if these brands are trying to prove a point—that they can do it and surprise us watch collectors—and oftentimes they do and attach a high price tag to their creations. But Seiko managed to prove a point for $200 with the SMW006 Metronome. Source: www.fratellowatches.com

What is the Seiko SMW006 Metronome? 

To keep things simple—and being 25 years ago from my failed piano lessons—the Seiko SMW006 Metronome is a regular watch that keeps time and doubles as a metronome. The latter helps musicians catch on a particular tempo which is indicated with a sound (a beeping sound that can be turned on and off) and a hand that moves back and forth at a certain speed. The tempo can be adjusted to go faster or slower and, as already indicated, helps a musician stay on beat. In my childhood, metronomes were wooden or plastic objects that would be placed on top of a surface, large enough to easily see the hand move back and forth. Over the years, metronomes became digital and apps and replaced the physical objects. 

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The Seiko SMW006 Metronome brings the functionality of a classic metronome into a wristwatch form. There are four buttons on the SMW006 which help set the time and use the metronome function. The button at the 8 o’clock starts the metronome and the hands at the 2 and 4 positions can be used to adjust the tempo. The tempo is indicated by the minute hands which dances back and forth between the 10 and 2 o’clock positions at a chosen speed. On the periphery of the dial there is a printed scale showing the different tempos, from 40 to 30 beats per minute (BPM.) One can select the beat to follow by moving the hour hand to the appropriate printing on the scale. (The hour hand comes with a red tip to easily differentiate it from the minute hand.) 

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Specifications of the Seiko SMW006 Metronome 

Surprisingly (at least to me,) the SMW006 is a small watch coming with a diameter of 36.5mm, a lug-to-lug of 39.5mm, a thickness of 9.8mm and a lug width of 18mm. It is powered by a Seiko quartz movement (the reference of which remains a mystery,) and the crystal is of the mineral variety. Aesthetically, the SMW006 is an elegant timepiece that should be wearable for many people. It has a simple case design and the four buttons placed symmetrically at the 2, 4, 8 and 10 positions make for a harmonious design. Although this is a Japanese Domestic Model (JDM) only, it retails for roughly $200.  Source: www.si.co.jp

Thoughts on the SMW006

The introduction might have given away how I feel about the SMW006 Metronome, at least from a horological relevance standpoint. This is the kind of watch I wish existed 25 years ago when I attempted to learn how to play the piano. It would have been a useful tool to have and perhaps something that would have motivated me to practice harder and with more dedication. Nowadays I see the SMW006 as being a cool piece made for those who are both into watches and music. Otherwise I don’t see many people buying this watch except to acquire a statement piece. But I might be wrong about that. However, perhaps what I like the most is the fact that the SMW006 costs $200 and that it comes in different colors. Just Google “SMW” and you’ll see all of the options.