Seiko Turtle: Is it Worth It?
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- Опубліковано 3 сер 2024
- Ultimate Review of the Seiko Turtle. Prices are up. Is this popular diver still worth the money? | TimeKeeper, Ultimate Watch Reviews
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SteelDive Vietnam-era Homage
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This channel is the ultimate example of youtube quality over quantity.
So true
100%
I bought my first SEIKO dive watch in 1974. As a young soldier I wore it constantly. It worked incredibly well no matter where I was deployed in all conditions. It was always worn on my right wrist and I never had any problems. I still wear SEIKO however I often wonder about the price asked. The only time I broke one was on a building site as I was breaking a brick wall with a sledgehammer. The dial spun round in side, yet it still ticked. Anyway to cut to the chase I bought this model for my grandson, along with a few others for his 21 birthday. As he’s only 3years old . Should be a nice investment and present.
Awesome story, thank you! I was actually going to talk about how Seiko was popular with soldiers but I didn’t have any good clips for it. Regarding price - in 1974 the Seiko sold for 1/2 to 1/3 the price of the Rolex Sub, which was also a tool watch at the time. As Seiko goes higher end I wonder what will happen to their prices?
Do you still have the watch?
@@SaintJames40 yes. Along with its replacements from following years.
@@tiles0403 I sure you won’t want to but if you ever want to sell let me know. I’ve always wanted to own a GI’s watch. I enjoy a story behind watches and I love history.
Seiko Turtle rules. There is no substitute!
Seiko turtle, is it worth it?
Yes.
The Turtle 🐢 is a design icon as much as the Sub.
Love my 70’s vintage 6309.
this is one of the nicest thumbnails I have ever seen. Well done.
Iv loved these watches ever since the 80,s!! Iv got the original Seiko Arnie still works today! Never been serviced. Great video.
my absolute favourite watch channel
Thank you! I enjoy making the videos so I’m glad to hear you like them.
The stated accuracy helps Seiko not having to do warrancy work, as Seiko has no obligation to adjust the movement as long as it runs within the specification stated.
Good point, I hadn’t thought of that.
An excellent no BS review of the best affordable automatic diver on the market. The true successor to the SKX.
You know how to make a briliant review of a legendary watch and brand;aren't u? I love seiko's and omega's 👍
I bought it in 2017 and i still love it, wonderful and beautiful watch.
Great video. I hung up my mask and flippers years ago, so my Heimdallr “Captain Willard” suits me fine. I’m very impressed with it. That said, I still own a Seiko SNJ025 “Arnie” and a Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster BN0150-28E.
Really good review! Very informative and entertaining. Thank you
I have a blue dial Turtle which I bought in Singapore 4 years ago. I put a ceramic bezel insert on mine because the aluminum original was getting badly scratched. I love my watch. It is about 5 seconds fast on a good day, 15 seconds fast on a bad day. I don’t like cloth or leather straps. The steel bracelet is fine for daily wear. I paid about $410 USD for mine. Here in Canada, you can pay up to $950USD for them.
Great review. The beach background was nice and calming. Thank you. T)
Good video. I had the Seiko screw back divers watch back in the late 1960's early 1970's. It cost around $150. I also recall the watch ended up leaking and the dial became discolored. $370 on Amazon for the latest version is too much money for my wallet. In 1994, I purchased a quartz Tag Heuer 980.613B for $300. No problems to date. Take care.
Very informative. I enjoyed learning these details.
This is the first time i watched one of your videos. Job well done.
The turtle is a very fine watch. As I was looking for my "first" Seiko watch, I was choosing between many Seiko's. Although I did not end up choosing the Turtle, I am certain if I had, I would be happy with my choice due to all the fandome of this watch. You have shown us that this watch has many good qualities and specs. As another channel often states, "Seiko Magic" shines through when folks are concerned about the size and wearability of a larger cased watch.
I would like to see a video of your Turtle in 20 years with all the dings and dents, and a running count of all the straps you have gone through. I have taken a picture of my Seiko from the beginning and in one year increments to show how the patina improves ;)
Absolutely. Seiko is my faithful companion
I had a SRPC91 Save the Ocean Turtle. Dropped it on the pool deck face down last summer. No scratches on the hardlex and was still looking and running fine. These really are "tool" watches. BTW these turtles look great on tropic rubber straps.
The Save the Ocean series is beautiful. Nice choice!
great vid...love the closeup shots....
The Seiko Turtle will ALWAYS be worth it.
Have been wearing this watch for 5 years and still amaze me. Great watch with the good price.
Whats the price difference between the turtle and king turtle? I cant find anything online.
@@navyvet05 I live in Indonesia and it is around $260s for Turtle, and $350s for King Turtle. Hope it helps.
Out of all my higher end watch brands that I own this is the only cheap watch that I still own because it wears so premium and is so versatile. Something about it keeps me putting it on.
Thank you for the detailed information I got my seiko padi Pepsi series n I am in love with it
Beautiful watch! Nice choice.
That’s a solid review! I have a homage of this one. I only got it to mess with the movement for fun type modding. First the money.. It’s only just ok, it has some serious flaws and quite a few issues.. the case shape is about the only thing I like about it. I will definitely get this one as Seiko is far and away better build quality than the Chinese produced versions. The homage will live its life in the parts box soon enough
Amazing content and love your view ❤ subbed
I am Seiko collector I have a Turtle but I also have a Steel dive Willard I use as an everyday beater watch!
Lovely review, I have had Seiko watches since the 1980s, and they are tough and reliable.
Great video 👍 . That turtle case is the best dive watch case bar none, so comfortable. It is very wide, but the area touching the wrist is smooth and small. As you said, the crown is tucked away and along with the curved sides means there is no danger of the watch digging in. Sadly, I just don't like the dial/hand design and chose a Heimdallr homage that has the same case shape with a Willard style dial, the lume is also excellent. Your point on ISO certification isa good one, I can't dive due to ear issues, so it isn't important to me.
I don't wear watches much, but i do enjoy your videos.
Thank you, that’s a great compliment.
That was an excellent review 👍
The Seiko Turtle Diver's Watch is worth the price and will last quite a long time. I purchased my 1st Turtle in late '79 / early 1980 which took a beating at work and in the water. Eventually it stopped about 2019 working and I sent it to the authorized Seiko Service Center [NJ] ; the bad news came back as they could not repair it due to the age and parts were no longer available. Heart breaking for me it was 2019 it was like losing a cherished friend. I began the long search for a replacement Turtle until the Prospex series came about which is my 2nd Turtle purchase. It has one fault that the movement quit (still under warranty) which was just a year old; it has recently stopped working so it will be making a 2nd trip to the Seiko Service Center for repair , to be junked, or another quest for a 3rd Seiko Turtle!
The chinese are doing a highly competitive game, but i still rank homages and originals as apples and oranges. As for the Turtle, i would buy it given a good opportunity. Seiko pricings nowadays are ridiculous however.
Great video. I have recently bought the steel dive 1970 and I like it but I'm wondering would I prefer the Seiko for long term Use. I was wondering about the very question you asked in this video. Maybe next year I will get the Seiko Turtle or king Turtle and give the steel dive to one of my Sons. Happy New Year!!
I have Both! I don't wear the Seiko much but I wear the Steel dive every day!
Very nice video again! Enjoyed it like all your other watch reviews ( the Invicta Pro Diver video is a classic in this genre, I have to say!) But „less(!) +- 2 s/day“ accuracy of a R36 Seiko? Hard to believe. I can tell you that none of my NH35/36 watches landed below 5 or 6 s/day even after seriously regulating it. Which of course is not bad at all. Nevertheless, this Seiko 21600 beats/h movement is more on the basic side of life and cant compete with Swiss 28800 beats/h movements like Eta or Sellita.
5-6 seconds a day is perfectly acceptable , though my Seiko movements are getting slightly better. My point was that Seiko movements always do better than the specs listed by Seiko, which are -20 to +40 seconds per day.
Great review of a watch that i've recently picked up. Strap is comfortable so no need for me to change it and really for the money what's not to like 🙂
I love my Steel Dive!
I've had mine a week. Thought I'd never find a divers watch that was big enough and comfortable enough. But this watch is lovely. Nothing negative to say about it at all 😊. Although, never having owned a watch with a screw down crown i do worry about the possibility of stripping the thread when screwing it down.
Brian May wore a 7458-7000, the original progenitor of the ever popular SKX007. Roger Moore wore a variety of Seiko watches in the James Bond movies, Arnold wore what is now known as the Arnie ana/digi dive watch in Commando.
your channel is a gem
Thank you for your video sir very helpfull.
I have 1 seiko king turtle and others brand like citizen ,orient,zeppelin ect but the most one that i like is my king turtle.
Go for king turtle best watch you will not regret.
Thank
Simple elegance. Love this watch.
Love your videos. Thank you!
Glad to hear it! I’ll keep them coming.
@@WondersofWatchdom I guess "you made me" buy my first Seiko. Good job :)
Ive had a Casio duro for 3 years. Cost me $50, keeps great time. Looks great, wears great.
congratulations
May I recommend for the next review to check out the Brew Metric. I recently just purchased the new titanium variant and am loving it and for the price tag of 500 dollars I think it’s a steal.
Just bought this watch. Unbelievable quality for £341. Built like a brick and after 24h of running it only gained 2seconds. I also own a ploprof but this has been on my radar for a while. My only regret is not purchasing it earlier.
best turtle to own ! classic look !
Good review, one question, after opening the back, is the watch still WR200M?
As long as you screw the case back down onto the rubber seal, yes.
If a watch could be a truck, my old Seiko is as tuff as my old land cruiser!
As long as the bezel alignment is accurate !
Excellent Review, Can you tell me if this Divers can get Patina over time?
Thanks,
Bill
The case is stainless steel so it won’t, but the dial will patina, especially the lume (will go tropical brown).
@@WondersofWatchdom yes, definitely like that it can get patina on markers.....my 6309 did big time, my SKX peosi will not, definitely, need to buy one of these!!
Thanks,
Bill
Well I guess that the quality is a main reason why Id choose Seiko, and also because of the seiko inside steeldive... :)
Ahhh. But will bezel and chapter ring align?
Seiko turtle is a very affordable and stylish watch that every watch's enthusiasm should have, however people need to do some work before having a satisfying time with it, normally the 4r36 movement can run faster or slower between 15 sec a day depending on the hot or cold weather, so the best way is get a professional watch's maker have a regulate+10/-10 after purchase.
i got the green king turtle, good value honestly
Do you Still wear your Green King Turtle, I'm thinking about buying either the Waffle king turtle or the one in this video....
Any advice?
go for green if you want to save some money without the bracelet. Though the green looks almost black in most lighting unless exposed to direct light.
@@williamstalvey6920I’m selling a brand new King turtle for $320 if interested. Black waffle dial pattern
My problem with the turtle like with many Seiko's is that the minute hand doesn't reach all the way out to the minute markers.
Jesus Christ, that unscrewed crown being so close to the sea is stressing me out.
With a little know how & few watch tools. You can remove the case back & adjust the accuracy using the + - lever. Plenty of You Tube Videos out there to show you the process.
My Seiko gets about 7 seconds deviation a day.
But yes the Seiko turtle is worth it.
Have you tried any of the SRPD divers? If so did you think they offered a good value for the price? I’m thinking about getting a Turtle but I like the look of the SRPD55 and it is cheaper. I also don’t dive but I like my watches to be durable regardless.
They’re fantastic looking watches. But they aren’t divers, they are dive watches with push-pull crowns. See my “why can’t I dive with my dive watch” video, and that should give you enough information to make a decision. Have you considered an SNE589?
@@WondersofWatchdom I did look at the 589 but I really like the 4 o’clock, 3 o’clock crowns always kinda dig into my hand a bit. I wish Seiko would release an ISO rated watch in the SKX style. I checked your other video out and really enjoyed the information, it cleared up a lot!
Everybody wishes they kept making the SKX! Including me. Glad you enjoyed the video.
9:22 I can always tell when someone is inexperienced with Seiko. That most definitely isn’t the case on average. And accuracy gets worse when you step up to the 6R series. Thankfully they can be easily regulated.
It’s ”diving watch”. You don’t want to open it yourself. You have to adjust it with ”Seiko” company and that costs about 50% of the original price.
These cheap Seikos are just …
@@catchbay lol no… I repair and mod watches. Have collected longer than most on here. It doesn’t need to go back to Seiko to ensure water resistance.
I have 5 watches with Seiko movements and none of them have required regulation within the service period.
@@WondersofWatchdom I wish that was my experience. I don’t buy Seiko much. I’ve bought and sold the SBDC101, the JDM variant of the popular SPB143. It was -50 daily, requiring me to regulate into spec. That’s a $1,200 watch. I also have a 4R36 Seiko, and that’s about +15, and while not bad and within spec, I’ll eventually regulate that movement. They’ll last a life time - that’s for certain.
After regulation what was your timegrapher reading? Mine are within a few seconds a day, out of the box.
Usually a few angles at 0, one at +10 to +15, and a couple at -3 to -5. Overall a few seconds fast a day.
Wow, great video ! Thank you !!!
One specification of this watch makes it worth it and its the only specification that makes it worth it. That's the iso rating. You know that this watch is going to be able to stand up to any water activity. Then there's the fact that it's an iconic design that's found its place in the history of watch making and every part of it is made by Seiko. Theres not many companies that do that, unless your spending thousands. It's no surprise that anyone getting into watches will have a fling with a turtle. Of course it's worth it. It probably holds more value for money than any other watch Seiko makes.
I love your videos
Thank you I appreciate it!
Sapphire can break easier at the same thickness, and sapphire has much worse light transmission compared to mineral. Therefore, you can use sapphire, but you need to make it thicker and put multiple coatings on it if you want it to perform like the mineral. It can be done, and it is in some watches, but it greatly increases price. If you put a cheap sapphire it will shatter much more easily and will make the watch much less legible.
Exactly described. However, the price of the Seiko does not reflect the cheap Hardlex, whereas much cheaper watches have anti-reflective sapphire (in other words - you pay more for less with Seiko). At this point, the argument of scratches (mineral) versus breakage (sapphire) becomes moot, because other manufacturers know how to deal with it.
For the price of the Seiko, there are watches from micro brands that are better designed, naturally have sapphire crystal and are not a mass product. The question of whether it is worth it (?) is therefore, in a fair comparison: NO
@@user-ky9dd9oj7r No. Seiko is a big corporation, and things move much, much slower. Do you know how easy it is to change the toilet paper brand and supplier in a small company ? super easy. It's not easy at all to do the same in a big corporation. Yes, on our end it looks like an upgrade to a good quality sapphire could be easily and cheaply made. It is not as easy. And trust me, I have a few Hamiltons and I know how a cheap sapphire performs. No thanks, I prefer mineral. I buy sapphire from time to time, and honestly I could not find a good quality sapphire until I get in the $50 dollars range. That's a lot price added for a $300 watch. And at first, it will probably cost Seiko more than $50 per glass, overall, but after some time it will get cheaper.
How about samurai series?
They don’t form fit the wrist as nicely, but I like the angular design of the case and the striped crown.
You are fun to watch! Pun intended.
I want to buy Seiko turtle. Where to buy a original?
The question is, is it t worth it to buy any watch this days? Do we really need a watch, any watch?
You tell me.
25-34 is the largest age group on this channel. Why do people still buy watches when they have mobile phones?
I will never betray Seiko by buying an homage. The only step-up from Seiko is Omega. No Chinese clones for me.
Baarrrss.. 😂
Aren’t Hummers now made in China?
I love my Steel dive and I am a Seiko collector❤
I have... 3 times, and yes I own the original turtle, no problem with that
I have a sterile dial steeldive willard.
I also have 3 Seiko turtles as well 😂.
Seiko Divers watches are the best. They make great Divers watches. Made for Diving and look good. A Divers watch is made specifically for Diving. Seiko know what they are making and what Divers require. The testing that these watches go through is superb, three times the depth rating on all Divers watches, 200 metres to 1000 metres.
not mentoning Cpt. Willard????
Yes it's worth it
Is it worth it? 110%
For me it is worth it! Why? China watch used seiko movement and no value at all! For me I rather have genuine than fake! But sir I respect your opinion!
And I respect Yours!
How about one for $250… then it’ll be worth it right?
How about Sumo... which One better ?? 😊😊
Turtle is a pure tool watch with a wide case. Sumo is a tool watch / dress watch - higher price, dressy case with more polishing, sapphire crystal, more accurate movement with longer power reserve.
Lots of generalizations about accuracy and parts availability without any supporting evidence.
Accuracy: My opinion. Based on my personal experience with the Seiko movements I own. The whole video is my opinion.
Parts availability: Seiko produces hundreds of thousands of this exact movement per year, and it’s a fully serviceable movement.
Mine needed daily winding even though I wore it for about 12 hours a day (and I'm active) and it ran almost 5 minutes slow per day brand new. Simply unacceptable for $750 AUD.
"For me, a screw down crown on a sports watch is a necessity"; why, do you dive?
I don’t scuba dive.
I’ve had too many watches with push-pull crowns leak or get cloudy after surfing, snorkelling or other water sports. They’re just not reliable enough.
For example, the Seiko 5 Sports manual says that the water pressure from tap water running is “high enough to degrade the water resistant performance.”
This watch is one of the last spec monsters for Seiko at its price break. I would have to disagree w/ this opinion.
It’s not pronounced “prawspecs” but pro-spec
I just spent £400 on the PADI Pepsi version and, quite frankly, the bracelet is complete rubbish. Rattly and jangly, it feels extremely cheaply made with a thin, pressed clasp...nowhere near the quality of most of my other watch bracelets. Also, the bezel is very slightly out of alignment, too. I feel a bit cheated to be quite honest.
Yes, sounds like you got cheated.
I can't believe you bought into Seiko's BS about Hardlex somehow being better for a dive watch, when all Grand Seiko and their other expensive divers use sapphire. Seiko only uses Hardlex to save a few dollars on each watch, and due to their volume they think this makes sense. Invicta has similar claims about their Flame Fusion crystals being more shatter resistant, but no one seems to give their claims any merit. If Hardlex were in any way superior to sapphire IRL use, Rolex and Omega would use something similar in their dive watches, and not sapphire. Sapphire is used in dive watches with extreme water resistance ratings. Hardlex is used for cost reasons alone.
I'm not sure why you think a normal mineral crystal (unhardened) rates a 4, when glass is rated at 5.5 to 6 MOHS? Almost no modern watch manufacturer uses plain mineral crystals, that haven't gone through a similar heat and chemical process like Hardlex. Hardlex may have enjoyed a brief period of superiority to other mineral watch crystal materials, but no longer. The MOHS scale is also deceptive in that scoring a 7 vs 10 for diamonds, doesn't mean that Hardlex is 70% as scratch resistant as a diamond. The MOHS scale (circa 1812) is based on comparisons between 10 pre-chosen materials, and is in no way linear nor scientific by modern standards. The scientific measures of hardness are Rockwell, Brinell and Vickers, and each has it's specific uses and limitations.
Since you can purchase a similar Chinese homage of the Seiko Turtle, with sapphire crystal, a ceramic, fully lumed bezel and the virtually identical NH35A movement for half the price of a real Seiko, the real Turtle is not a great deal. Chances are the Chinese homage will have as good or better build quality, since Seko has gotten sloppy in recent years.
Thanks for watching the video and your “passionate” response.
My quick answer is: Rolex, Omega and Grand Seiko are desk divers that will likely never be used as a smack-around tool watch. Sometimes they never get worn at all. What’s most important for a desk diver is not to get scratched on a doorknob.
@@WondersofWatchdom Sure, that's why many professional divers wear a Rolex Sea-Dweller or Deep-Sea, because they're just fancy "Desk Divers".
There was never a good reason for Seiko to not update the SKX line to the 4R36, and they cheaped out of providing a hacking and hand-winding movement simply to SAVE PRODUCTION COSTS, just like they do with Hardlex. If they really were only concerned with function, they would at least use the Borosilicate version of Hardlex, but they don't.
NO NO & NO ! I have quite a few Steeldives watches & the quality - Bezel Alignment & water resistance are on par with Seiko ! I have been on many scuba dives with my Steeldives watches & have had zero issues with any of them . Also most non JDM Seiko's have their cases - crystals & bracelets made in .......... yes china ! So why pay the mark up 😂😂 ..... just saying !
Too big for most of us
Seiko are no longer a good value watch. You get much more watch for your money with an homage. These Seiko turtles are now sold for ridiculous prices for a basic movement, hardlex crystal and aluminium bezel inserts. They are junk.
A praise of the inferior. Hardlex, aluminum bezel, no real crown guards...and often misalignments at Seiko. All better than the copies, of course.
And then this car comparison. My God, this car hasn't even been produced since 2010. Unfounded assumptions about the copies, could not be waterproof, rust... well, there are countless videos that prove the opposite. Or is this all advertising?
I didn’t say the Steeldive isn’t waterproof.
But I also haven’t seen anyone claim a Steeldive can pass ISO diver’s quality/certification tests. Steeldive is a good looking, inexpensive watch with a Seiko movement and put together from Alibaba parts: the exact same watch can be purchased with an Addiesdive or Qingxiya logo. If there is evidence for ISO dive standard quality I’m certainly open to taking a look. You can provide a link.
I chose a 2010 vehicle comparison on purpose. If I had chosen two vehicles still being produced, the quality might vary year-to-year and the comparison might not make sense a few years from now. Also the Hummer vs HumV was just a great example of looks vs capability.
Thank you for watching!
@@WondersofWatchdom The call for certification is an interesting request from someone who obviously does not dive, but only swims/snorkels.
Anyway, your videos are enjoyable (not so blatant) and tell a good story.
Correct, I don’t need the certification for diving. I just like the fact that the watch passes the toughness and reliability tests for the certification.
Glad to hear that you’re enjoying the channel!
I never liked it. Too big!
Seiko watches are overpriced as are many other watch brands.
All brands are ripping off customers.
Preposterous nonsense. There are numerous dive watches with vastly superior specifications (San Martin, Seestern...etc) using exactly the same movement, costing half the price of the Seiko. Also, Seiko has the worst quality control in the industry ensuring that your Turtle will have a misaligned dial and/or bezel. Seiko are just another rubbish company with enormous marketing power. Their watches are preposterously overpriced junk with only the Grand Seiko range having credibility.
I checked San Martin and Seestern. They are mostly Rolex and Doxa homage watches - neither of them are diver watches, and the “superior specifications” will only be on paper. The difference between a dive watch and a diver will be the subject of my next video. Filming as we speak.
Seikos are becoming so expensive now , that I go not see a point in buying them for present prices they are asking. There are many better choices out there. So, Seiko start thinking again and make watches for people not for higher prices
Wait.. 2 seconds a day?? You got lucky if your Seiko beats most chronometers 😂 no disrespect but from my experience with affordable Japanese mechanicals when you get that seeming level of accuracy its from it going up and down and landing there throughout the day, not a stated estimate from a timegrapher or am I crazy?
In hindsight I should have said “a few seconds a day.”
@@WondersofWatchdom It was a great video that part just confused me. I have always been pretty lucky with the Seiko autos I have had (mostly 7s26) and even better luck with Citizens (Miyota 8k series movements). Keep up the great work, you deserve more subscribers. I really like your style of videos they are like mini watch documentaries.
“A variance of less then -2 sec per day” Ha Ha. That’s hysterical. Simply not true.
Misquote
I bought a homage tuna on aliexpress and I love it.