My procedure when ordering a Seiko diver online is as follows, especially when ordering from a smaller retailer. In the order notes I write the following “Prior to sending, please ensure the bezel insert, chapter ring and dial are all aligned properly to save us both the hassle of me sending it back to you”. It let’s them know I’m one of “those” watch collectors and hasn’t failed me yet. 🤪
Please don't stop making these videos. There are honestly so many watches to talk and learn about. You are the one stop shop for honesty, comedy, and a well written, cohesive video. Thank you for being you and please... Keep being you!
I think Seiko intentionally makes amateur mistakes on all models to boost Grand Seiko sales. Thing is I would NEVER buy any Seiko with all I've seen from thier lower lines. If they cant be arsed to make a trued watch for thier lower lines then they dont respect themselves enough for me to consider anything from them.
I believe that it’s worth saying that the pressed clasp is honestly very comfortable. And despite what people say, the basic bracelets on these Seikos and Orients are very smooth and comfortable despite them not being exactly cost reflective...
@@Ktrb Plus its nice to know that if you have one, the other, or both, that they will feel familiar with their sizing. I've found the clasps to be very secure too! Also don't see the point in spending almost the price of the watch (in some cases) to upgrade an already great bracelet to a nicer milled one on these. Only thing that is probably worth it is a crystal mod in my opinion. I tend to be a bit clumsy with watches and would rather see a scratched up pressed clasp than a scuffed up and scratched mineral...
They are smooth and somewhat comfortable but they don’t taper much so it’s uncomfortable to wear long term for me. I’d rather get the strapcode bracelet and add the marine master clasp. Perfect combo imo
Stuck on the island of Bali during this pandemic and needed a decent swim, surf, snorkel watch...Seiko Indonesia had a sale a few months ago and delivered from Jakarta came in at AUD$525 for the same model...a tad weighty but retro cool and does the job nicely...thanks for your reassuring review
The cyclops lenses on the king Turtles all seem to be positioned wonky. If they can't or don't want to put them on properly then they should just leave them off.
@@jonathans2281 I got to tell you....I own one....and the quality of the bracelet ,the double domed sapphire crystal, and the lume...... Are all first rate.
@@jonathans2281 That's because Marc includes return packaging. He doesn't give away the watches to buy reviews, they have to give them back after review. Maybe one of Jody's friends will get one some day to loan for rewiew.
@@paulhart2021 I watch Marc's videos and love them. And he seems like a very knowledgeable dude. And I believe his watches are probably better than the ones they mimic. But they turn me off too. I'd be more inclined to buy an Islander if it was more an evolution of something rather than a blatant copy of something. I mean, the spare parts of an SKX007 are interchangeable with the Islander. It's like he's going to the best SKX counterfeiter and saying, "yeah, but I don't want the Seiko logo. I want my logo. You can do that? Great. Here's my credit card #" But I believe an Islander watch is probably an incredible value.
I am a big seiko fan boy. Think it’s the nostalgia of being a 70s child. I’ve got a 1972 pogue which is a birth year watch and just bought a snowflake which I love. I bought the European limited edition alpinist but it’s sitting in the box unworn as the inner bezel doesn’t line up but it will go up in value eventually so it will stay in the cupboard. Anyway, the QC issues do my head in and I’ve had a couple of turtles. When the king came out I wanted one but again, QC issues. I solved the problem by buying a steel dive turtle for £110 and everything lines up perfectly and it’s actually really good quality. The bracelet is rubbish but £70 later it’s sitting on a “Tropic” strap and is now one of my favourite watches. £180 all in for sapphire, ceramic, seiko movement and genuine tropic strap. It’s worth a go guys.
How does the Steeldive quality feel compared to the Seiko? Just wondering because my only Chinese special so far (a Pagani Daytona) really doesn’t feel great compared to a Seiko. It’s very flat looking and the bracelet has sharp edges. But I keep hearing good things about Steeldive.
@@alastairheptonstall7982 I’ve got an AddiesDive, which I think is a Steeldive sister company, Capt. Willard. The bracelet is better than the Pagani watches I have but the head of the watch is gorgeous. Brilliant lume, brilliant bezel action and loads of AR under the sapphire. Cost me about £70 and looks incredible on a decent NATO or Marine National etc. One of my favourite Chinese homages I’ve bought and I’ve got 9 or 10 at various price points from various companies.
Liked the shot when you had the watch on the wrist and your hand in the pocket. Gave me a good understanding of how the wath looks on wrist. Keep em comming!
Bought a Seiko King Turtle Save the Ocean last year... 650€... sh*t pins on the bracelet... Misaligned chapter ring... Misaligned cyclops... Misaligned bezel... 2min of delay a week... Days of the week in german... My father bought an Orient Kamasu before xmas. Same powerful lume, everything spot on! Black and gold color, sapphire like the seiko... goes 30sec ahead a week. 215€!!! Loved seiko as a kid, but after 6 seikos (all with defects, problems or both) I’m done. With 4 orients in our family and all of them accurate within 30sec a week (including my beater 17years old orient star given to me 5 years ago) It’s safe to say my favorite watch brand is orient now, closely fallowed by citizen and casio. Thanks for the upload Jody, I’m sorry your Turtle has defects too... it’s really depressing
I got one and it's def a real seiko, misaligned chapterring, bezel is off...lug holes are al over the place so the endlinks are wobly, cyclops is very bad placed and misaligned....but i still f-in love this one!
There's a third option - you can get a regular old turtle _and not mod it._ I've worn my SRP773 on most days for close to three years, day and night, and even though the case is scratched up, the crystal remains flawless.
What sacrifices were required or what black magic do you know for this to be the case??? I've never had a watch with hardlex that didn't acquire a bunch of scratches if I wear it regularly.
@@Exotic-P I will try and give you a useful answer to a good question. I think that the quality control complaints that most watch enthusiasts have with Seiko center around appearance matters, not the actual functioning of the watch. Most seem to be that the markers on the face of the watch do not align with the tick marks on the bezel around the face, or that the second hand does not stop in a second tick mark on the face, or in this case that the magnifying bubble on the crystal does not align with the day/date windows. It is frustrating to many people, because Casio can make all these things line up on a $45.00 watch, yet Seiko does not seem to want to correct the problem on $600 watches. Welcome to the watch community. Most people are pretty friendly and helpful.
@@ianbutler1983 The watch is "Chi-com".........Though the Chinese are capable of making very high quality, it appears Seiko has "chosen" a "substandard" manufacturing and/or quality control to save $$$...... You are correct, on $600 watches, these issues should be "gone." Trying not "bash" Seiko, IMO they are over rated. I have had several movements fail with in a year. The quality is on par with DG and other Chinese movements but the Chinese Movements end up being less. They are good watches but I just feel you do not get the "best bang for your $$".
Nice review Jody ! I own a srp 773 - dark blue turtle and this watch is a tank ! Solid, comfortable and reliable. Mine runs within COSC at +4,3 sec./day since the day I bought it. At this price point it’s a solid choice. I use it more than my SKX. The movement is a huge upgrade from the 7s26. Agree with the weight, with the metal bracelet you definitely feel the watch a bit heavy at the end of the day. Ordered a silicon waffle strap to solve that. No QC issues here, fortunately.
I bought the SPRE 07 (save the ocean) for around $400, I got the 'k' model and when I got it there were a few issues. The chapter ring was actually pretty good, but the bezel is slightly off, you but I can align it on the half click. But the most offensive item was a huge piece of dust on the dial. I decided to take the caseback off, and clean off the dial. When doing this I noticed a pretty bad fingerprint on the underside of the crystal (not mine I wear latex gloves when doing watch things). But I cleaned that too and put everything back together and I now absolutely love this turtle.
Got the manta ray a month ago. Preferred to pay a little less if i looked sites like Jomashop, but my watch itch was strong and got it from the seiko store full price. For my experience, it was worth it. My manta ray was suddenly -5 to -15 minutes a day and i had to return it to seiko and exchanged it with this black one. Now my new turtle is -2 to -4 sec/day keeping perfect time. Thanks for the seiko shop for being a good sport.
P.S: If i bought from Jomashop, i can only get it by cargo shipping to my country and the exchanging would've taken ages and there was a risk of getting another defected one.
Bought this watch right before the pandemic. I get a lot of compliments on it when I wear it. Great watch! Very handsome. Also own a Save The Ocean Turtle. Both are fantastic watches. Mine lines up perfectly.👍
Yup the first thing I would do, I always heat it with a soldering iron untill the glue turns white and then chop it off with a utility knife, It does not leave a mark on sapphire, you just have to be carefull not to nick the bezel with the knife.
I used mine as a beater and in the water (diving, surfing…and shenanigans). Misaligned, dial a little “off”, and well beaten. But every time I put it on, I heard Jimmy Buffet (RIP) and the pirate in me came out to play. That’s the essences of Seiko divers to me.
I didn't have to mod my mm200 either. However, I am considering placing it's dial/movement into an aftermarket SKX case to make a daily wearer that I'm not afraid to scratch.....🤔 Add a clear case back to show off the decorated 6r15 rotor, a double domed sapphire crystal, and a shiny ceramic bezel insert and it could be a winner!
I have an SRPA21J1 - Japanese PADI "Pepsi" Turtle, and the alignment is perfect. I've seen some of the Malaysian versions having chapter rings off by nearly a minute.
Seiko Divers are incredible Never have to worry about these watches stopping etc... Love Divers I have 6105 proof 6309 Gold turtle And still look at them in Awe Thanks for video
Just (yesterday) completed a written and video review of my STO version (SRPE07) for the boys at Scottish Watches and echo your comments exactly although mine does line up a bit better (that’s better but not perfect!). I just love it. Got mine at 25% discount from a UK seller who’s subsequently reverted to a 10% code so timing was everything! Great vid, cheers.
Nice looking watch, but those QC issues are pretty shocking for the price. Hair under the dial and a wonky Cyclops. You expect those on Paganis and the like, but not on a 450-500 watch...
@@Ktrb oof! I'm not quite THAT harsh on Seiko, as Pagani's QC is hit and miss (and I'm a huge PD fan!) Also, Seiko do design their own watches, which costs money, where as Pagani just homage existing models, hence no R&D or Design costs. But I am starting to avoid budget Seiko's as they feel like they are really starting to cheap out
I got me the Save the Ocean version last year, it's fantastic and it aligns perfectly. Also got an Uncle Seiko waffle rubber to complete the package. Cyclops?...., got used to it
Gifted my old Turtle to a friend with the intention of getting a King Turtle, but really don't like dates on divers (so you can imagine my feelings on a day date and cyclops) so upgraded to the 6r35 Sumo - love it, but do miss the Turtle's case for style and comfort. Look forward to seeing you review the Sumo Cheers mate 👍🏻
San Martin are absolutely killing it at the moment, such a good watch for the money, and zero quality control issues on mine. Sapphire, ceramic, milled clasp....
@@shanephillips8735 I have no problem with it really since it is not off by much and the model is the older turtle case (Seiko doesn't make that version) and the waffle rubber strap is the best rubber strap I have ever had (Seiko, uncle Seiko, Zelos)
I ordered the King Turtle Mantra Ray in November. It arrived with a dead movement and I had to send it back under warranty. The AD sent it to Seiko for repair so it’s working fine now. I don’t know what they did to repair it but it wouldn’t surprise me if they simplyput a new movement in it.
I got lucky last year to get an impecable Turtle from the older line. Chapterring, bezel, hands, day/date, everything lines up well. If I ever want to buy a Seiko again then only if I can gave a proper look at it. It's too easy to say "it's a Seiko, live with it" when you won't tolerate it from another brand. If you get a good one it's a pretty good diver!
A year ago i went to a retailer here in my home town for a Seiko with an automatic movement. But the prices where very steep in my mind. Seeing this review makes me more and more comfortable with my choices of Pagani Design and Cadisen with NH35A movement and sapphire crystal. Certainly when keeping in mind that a $500,= Seiko is cased in China by maybe even the same guy`s that cased the Pagani Design and the Cadisen. Maybe i even set some money away to buy a San Martin. I do think with the last brand QC will be less a problem then for a Seiko. 😉
I picked up the Steeldive 1970 for just over 100 usd. Indexes line up, no cyclops, signed crown, and AR coating. I can't see paying another 300 usd for this one. Great review though, thanks Jodi. Happy New Year!
I have Seiko Monsters, Turtles, a 017 MM300 and many others, but recently picked up a Steeldive green Sumo. It's quality matches all my Seiko's, the QC and features (sapphire, lumed ceramic, signed crown etc) exceeds Seiko, and the price is unbelievably good with super fast DHL shipping.
I picked up the Olive Drab version SRPE05 back in November. You’re spot on with the bezel alignment. It’s just a hair off. No problem with the cyclops, and I chose not to indulge in the stainless bracelet for the very reasons that you’ve discussed yourself. All-in-all though, it’s on my wrist at the moment (by chance) and I still enjoy it thoroughly! Great review! Note: I paid US $445.00 for this piece.
I’m on the fence with this one. Price not bad, style...definitely on the cool wall😉. But the fact the case is made in China and the QC issues😱. Basically just buy a Steeldive SD1970 and it has better QC, also everything lines up. As a side benefit it lets you keep a chunk of change in you pocket or to buy more Vostok’s😂.
I have both… they are really close.. the bezel is better on the seiko and… the Lumed Bezel on the SD rocks…. My seiko was a xmas gift. Would i buy it now? Nah… would get the SD1972 daydate for 100 bucks.
Going to pick mine up at the shop on monday....can't wait..its the dial that sold me...royal oak offshore patek aquanaut esque. Hope to god I'm going to get a clean piece with no qc issues 🙏
I really like the turtle. Picked one up with the anthracite dial. Sent it to Scott at Watchmods.ca for a top hat double domed sapphire crystal, stealth black with red pip ceramic bezel insert, coin edge bezel, slimmer, gun metal hand set with a red minute hand, new chapter ring with red indicies at the 5 minute markers to match the minute hand and red pip on the insert and to top everthing off, I put the watch on an Uncle Seiko razorwire bracelet. It now gets more wrist time when it was stock. Totally different watch now, but also worth the extra cost. I have given up on Seiko due to their very shoddy quality control issues. I had a huge itch for the Captain Willard re-issue, but was not prepared to pay $1500 Canadian on the gamble of misalinged something or other. So to scratch that itch, I picked up the Steel Dive SD1970 for $138. Canadian instead and added a Strapcode waffle strap and also picked up a very nice oyster style steel bracelet as well. Seiko needs to do better if they want me back as a customer.
I have an amazing green King Turtle on rubber and my movement says made in Japan on the dial and caseback. Alignment is absolutely spot on as is accuracy +2 on the wrist and back to zero overnight in position. I also got it for a great price on Cyber Monday from a large dept store, low $400's. Apparently the earliest versions have the Japanese movement? Thanks for the reviews!
I just picked up the Save the Ocean Dark Manta version, and it's probably the most comfortable watch I own. Its also utterly gorgeous. I absolutely love this watch, and somehow, everything lines up well enough that I can't tell for certain if it's my bad eyesight or the watch 😅
I must admit that I'm a huge Seiko fan boy... but perhaps it's quite telling that I've NEVER owned a Seiko dive watch! Pro Tip #452: It's hard to mis-align the chapter ring if your Presage model doesn't have one! 😁
After wearing my BFK on the metal bracelet with the stamped clasp for more than 10 years daily I can judge this type of Seiko clasp from experience. It is excellent, still functions and sounds like on day one. Also like the slimmer profile compared to milled clasps.
Seiko is still struggling with basic QC issues that microbrands a fraction of their size do not seem to have. The unimpressive value for money, sub par QC and cheap bracelet, for an asking price over $500 make this a hard pass. You can only ride on your past laurels for so long. That Seiko seems involved in this life and death struggle to deliver anything resembling value for money, for well over 10 years now, compared to the competition, really makes me wonder where their head is at.
Their sharp edge presage line are more expensive but you get a lot more for the money. My titanium gmt was 1400 but it's titanium, titanium H link bracelet, titanium milled clasp, signed crown, sapphire crystal and case back.
Not Seiko proper...only from subcontractors in China that assemble their lesser models. You will never see a Seiko assembled in Japan with these issues. I bought a Seiko 5 GMT that I later learned was assembled in China. The moment I opened the box, I could see substantial condensation on the inside of the crystal. I opened the case and saw it had no case back gasket whatsoever. There were also greasy fingerprints, dirt and God-knows what else inside the case. They must have hired monkeys to assemble it ...outdoors...in a dust storm. My chapter ring and cyclops was also way out of alignment. I love the brand but will never make this mistake again. J-models only
@@Donnybrook10 I see everyone dismiss the J versions as not having any differences with the K1 versions. Well I have 5 Seikos, 3 of them are J1 made in Japan and they are perfect. My 2 K1 watches are misaligned.
I just bought the Save the Ocean after the Steeldive Willard homage I had helped me fall in love with the Turtle case shape. The specs of the Ali Express match up on paper but fit and finish of it all were way off Seiko in terms of brushing, sharp edges, polished bits etc.
Happy with my SRPE39 Special Edition for $387. First King Turtle and only Seiko I bought in 2022. I like the reissue models but not the $1000 plus prices which is why I prefer homages from Steeldive and Heimdalr these days. Good review as usual.
Great review as always. I have a small 6.7 wrist and like the fact that Seiko make diving watches with presense that can fit on smaller wrists. My one lines up everywhere. I always buy Seikos from a jeweller and not online, as I like to try watches on and also choose one that is perfect. I do get a great discount, but the extra £50 I might get online does not compensate for my OCD of things lining up. I make myself feel better about the pressed buckle by remembering the Breitling superocean 😉
These are really fine watches. Bought mine for $112 delivered, with the NH-35A movement, sapphire crystal and ceramic bezel. It is called the SteelDive 1970. The Seiko homage to the Captain Willard is also nice, but seems kind of pricy considering the difference in movement/quality materials/fit-finish. Spent another $25 for a 20mm s.s. brushed lug (with side polished) bracelet with MACHINED clasp. For variety, also bought a MAIKES leather strap with deployment clasp for $18. The chocolate-brown leather strap really goes well with the Green dial/bezel, IMO. As for LUME...the Steeldive lume is excellent AND the bezel is also lumed. Best part, you do not pay extra for that bezel lume!
You've GOTTA treat Yourself 'here & there' ..Crimbo is deffo One of those times for sure tho! Nice watch!..love the dial!..Everytime I watch one of Your videos.. I end up wanting another Watch!..gonna get expensive watchin' you pal!
What a gorgeous watch! The Sumo, I mean ;-) Congrats on that one - I love my Hulk Sumo. I rate Turtles really highly - SRPD11, SRPC44 & SRPD21 are all in my collection. The '21 is on a bandolier bracelet and weighs about 230g. But it is incredibly hard to see past the QC issues. I've been lucky enough to inspect mine before purchase and select decent examples, but that's only possible if you buy in person. The solution is LIW - the #ISL-30 has all the features of this King Turtle (no cyclops- bonus) but costs only $299 and comes with a scissor deployant clasp. The case is slightly different but wears incredibly well (I own an ISL31).
Great review. I had a look at one of these in a local shop the other day. The bezel didn't quite line up ... looked about the same as the one you have reviewed - but the cyclops lens was perfect. So hit & miss on quality control. The bracelet is a real letdown for $999.00 _ although they offered me $75 off _ I didn't think it was enough of a discount to buy it. But it looks and feels great on the wrist. If it was just a little cheaper, as I like to buy from local shops to keep local people employed.
Nice design overall, and the sapphire crystal and ceramic bezel are definitely a plus! Seiko is stepping up their designs to compete with the Chinese brands. I like it a lot. I do wonder if the bracelet will fit my 8 1/2” wrist? Great review as always Jody!!!!
Huh?? I think you have that reversed. Anything produced in China is 1. Stolen IP 2. Junk 3. Poorly assembled 4. Likely dirty. Case in point...this watch. There was a time when countries around the world refused to do business with the Chi-Coms because of their human rights abuses, constant violations of International and Contract Law and environmental rape. Typical Communist shit. The only reason products can be produced more economically in China is because they're made with slave labor or close to it. Our desire to save a few bucks has built that rabid dog into a world super-power...and a hostile on at that. Plant corn, get corn.
I have the green version and absolutely love it. If there's one complaint, it's the seconds hand. They went with the brass seconds hand with the lumed moon on the back end. It's very difficult to see. I wish they would have gone with a red or orange hand or the lumed arrow seconds hand like they did on the blue version. Looking for a replacement
As ever, a great review. Personally I just could not live with the misalignment of the cyclops in particular and it’s one of the hardest bits to correct!
Finally caved and got one. I was able to get the srpg19, for 371 usd shipped off eBay from an AD. That’s the same price as the regular turtle at Long Island Watch.
