PROs: I wanted a watch that didn't look like the same old design. What I got is a very good looking timepiece that is very big (but not enormous), black and accurate. It's been on my wrist for 20 months now and I still get compliments. The rashes from cheap metal clasps and other metal surfaces are no longer a problem with this one.(+5 stars)
COULD BE BETTERs: I find the day/date window indispensable - one of the reasons I settled on this particular model - although the minute and hour hands do obscure it when pointing at or near 3 o'clock. This should have been better handled in the design phase. Also, I would like to have a design on the rubber wristband to carry the look of the watch around the wrist. The plainness of the band is a bit of a let down.(-0 stars)
CONs: I just mailed the watch back to be fixed under the 2 year warrantee. I have to pay the shipping both ways according to Diesel. The head of the watch stem came off and I couldn't reattach it although I tried several times. There is also condensate inside the watch crystal that concerns me. Not sure how this will affect the life of the watch. The watch has been treated carefully - no rough stuff - so that hasn't been an issue. I'm in my 60's so touch football isn't part of my routine. I believe a great design deserves better construction than it apparently has. (-1 star)
SUMMARY: My old Seiko is on my wrist now and running like a champ. I have tape on the back of the Seiko to keep the cheap metal from giving me a skin rash. Looking forward to a repaired Diesel and many years of use. Its a great looking timepiece that I'm otherwise very happy to own. If it fails again, I may revisit and be less generous in my rating.(+4 stars - final rating).