New Seiko Slim Turtle

I love Seiko. As much as I try to fight it, they just suck me right back in. I recently sold my only Seiko diver (the massively underrated SRPB91) and within days, the spare slot in the watch box has already been filled with another.

And in this watch they've made me love a load of stuff that I really didn't think I could.

  • I like my dive watches on a bracelet - this is the only one of the three models in the series that doesn't come on one. 
  • I don't like round date portals - they're just odd. Squared ones are much better.
  • I don't like 4:30 dates. Only a madman would, right?
  • And I'm not a fan of loads of text below the pinion. It's still my biggest bugbear with the BB58.

Yet this watch is just so wonderfully Seiko, none of that stuff really seems to matter.

It looks amazing on a black band (here on a Luff Elastico G2), the date window's so well integrated that neither of my gripes really apply here and I'll go against the grain and say that I actually quite like the Prospex X.

Add to that how well it fits my diminutive wrist and that the bezel lines up perfectly and this is quite the upgrade on my old Seiko 5. We're very much in the honeymoon phase - in fact, it's so new we're probably in the cab on the way to the airport to start the honeymoon phase! - but I definitely feel the tingles. This is going to be a long-termer.

Reply
·

Love this one. I’m not keen on the style of the bracelet that’s with the other models in the range, so I’d be happy with it on rubber. The price just kills me tho. 😫

·

I saw the T3 video bashing the watch, and completely disagreed with his assessment. I think that is one of the nicest Seikos to be released this year, it captures all the "Seikoness" or other models, but packages it in a way that appeals to me. 

I love the 4:30 date window, I think it's an extremely practical way to add a date without hurting the legibility of the dial. I think Seiko nailed the execution of it as a functional addition that doesn't stand out until you need it. If it was a "toolier" diver, I'd argue the window should be larger, but since it's more a dress/casual diver, the less obvious date window makes more sense. 

For comparison, a "tooly" diver with 4:30 date. 

Image

If I hadn't recently picked up a GSAR(above), I'd be considering that or the SPB143 as my "go-to" dive watch. 

·

Great watch. Having trouble not picking one up.

·
KristianG

I saw the T3 video bashing the watch, and completely disagreed with his assessment. I think that is one of the nicest Seikos to be released this year, it captures all the "Seikoness" or other models, but packages it in a way that appeals to me. 

I love the 4:30 date window, I think it's an extremely practical way to add a date without hurting the legibility of the dial. I think Seiko nailed the execution of it as a functional addition that doesn't stand out until you need it. If it was a "toolier" diver, I'd argue the window should be larger, but since it's more a dress/casual diver, the less obvious date window makes more sense. 

For comparison, a "tooly" diver with 4:30 date. 

Image

If I hadn't recently picked up a GSAR(above), I'd be considering that or the SPB143 as my "go-to" dive watch. 

Yeah, he really laid into it, didn't he?

The change in the ISO spec for divers has forced Seiko to make a choice they probably didn't want to. The addition of a smaller lume plot in the chapter ring to the right of a date window at 3 upsets my OCD (ironically, my old SRPB91 below pulled this off admirably) and the big square 4:30 date windows don't work for me either (I'm looking at you, Land Tortoise). But the SPB317 gets it just right. Unless you catch the dial in a head-on light source, you'd think the date was just on the dial, somehow.

Image
·

Mine sais hallo!

Image
·
synaptyx

Love this one. I’m not keen on the style of the bracelet that’s with the other models in the range, so I’d be happy with it on rubber. The price just kills me tho. 😫

Another benefit of it not being on the bracelet is that it makes it cheaper than the other two! 😀

I got a bit of a deal on it, but I'm sure the usual discounts will start to flow over the next 12 months or so.

·
YourIntruder

Mine sais hallo!

Image

How are you finding the bracelet?

·
YourIntruder

Mine sais hallo!

Image

I think this dial works great with the white and blue. It’s on my “maybe when I see it on sale list” 

·
sfmorris

How are you finding the bracelet?

Looking good and very comfortable.

·
sfmorris

Yeah, he really laid into it, didn't he?

The change in the ISO spec for divers has forced Seiko to make a choice they probably didn't want to. The addition of a smaller lume plot in the chapter ring to the right of a date window at 3 upsets my OCD (ironically, my old SRPB91 below pulled this off admirably) and the big square 4:30 date windows don't work for me either (I'm looking at you, Land Tortoise). But the SPB317 gets it just right. Unless you catch the dial in a head-on light source, you'd think the date was just on the dial, somehow.

Image

The ISO change makes me happy, as I hate a missing lume plot more than a non-colour matched date wheel. I do get why it doesn't appeal to others though. 

KristianG

I saw the T3 video bashing the watch, and completely disagreed with his assessment. I think that is one of the nicest Seikos to be released this year, it captures all the "Seikoness" or other models, but packages it in a way that appeals to me. 

I love the 4:30 date window, I think it's an extremely practical way to add a date without hurting the legibility of the dial. I think Seiko nailed the execution of it as a functional addition that doesn't stand out until you need it. If it was a "toolier" diver, I'd argue the window should be larger, but since it's more a dress/casual diver, the less obvious date window makes more sense. 

For comparison, a "tooly" diver with 4:30 date. 

Image

If I hadn't recently picked up a GSAR(above), I'd be considering that or the SPB143 as my "go-to" dive watch. 

Agreed, I'm on the same wavelength as you. Let's be honest T3 likes to carry on and I would not be judging any watches based on his opinion. 

I would consider this as my go to dive watch too if I didn't have my SPB143! 

·
sfmorris

Another benefit of it not being on the bracelet is that it makes it cheaper than the other two! 😀

I got a bit of a deal on it, but I'm sure the usual discounts will start to flow over the next 12 months or so.

Yeah I’ll keep an eye out for discounts. Seiko went a bit out of my league when they bumped the price of their low end Divers about 40% in £ terms. 😬

·
KristianG

I saw the T3 video bashing the watch, and completely disagreed with his assessment. I think that is one of the nicest Seikos to be released this year, it captures all the "Seikoness" or other models, but packages it in a way that appeals to me. 

I love the 4:30 date window, I think it's an extremely practical way to add a date without hurting the legibility of the dial. I think Seiko nailed the execution of it as a functional addition that doesn't stand out until you need it. If it was a "toolier" diver, I'd argue the window should be larger, but since it's more a dress/casual diver, the less obvious date window makes more sense. 

For comparison, a "tooly" diver with 4:30 date. 

Image

If I hadn't recently picked up a GSAR(above), I'd be considering that or the SPB143 as my "go-to" dive watch. 

Marathon is just a class of it's own. Love them ! 

·

It's a beautiful watch. I agree with this feed on price = getting a little pricey BUT no one needs a watch so they are all too much $. Enjoy! It's awesome 

·

I love these new models - thinner is a big plus.  Black is the move here - Fantastic piece and as you said..   SO SEIKO -   Love it, thanks for posting

·

I just love this watch. Been lusting after the Willard SPB237, I just love the grey dial and I think the"aging" is done perfectly, plus it screams Seiko haha, but as soon as I saw this release I was torn, this IMO is the perfect way to do a date at 4.30 and the proportions are spot on, everything about it says Seiko in just the right way. Hopefully I'll get both of them haha! What are your thoughts when comparing your SPB317 with a Willard?

Cheers on the gorgeus new watch!

·
Rod_CL

I just love this watch. Been lusting after the Willard SPB237, I just love the grey dial and I think the"aging" is done perfectly, plus it screams Seiko haha, but as soon as I saw this release I was torn, this IMO is the perfect way to do a date at 4.30 and the proportions are spot on, everything about it says Seiko in just the right way. Hopefully I'll get both of them haha! What are your thoughts when comparing your SPB317 with a Willard?

Cheers on the gorgeus new watch!

I certainly agree that the SPB237 dial looks great, but I've never really got the Willard bug. The crown guards have always looked a little strange to my eye and made it look a little squat and square. 

The OG Turtle wasn't right for my scrawny little wrist either. I considered a Mini Turtle, but the hour markers (and cyclops) put me off. 

This SPB317 is spot on though. 😍

·

Great shearing. May I ask how big is your wrist? I’ve a 16cm or about 6.3inch. Do you think this watch would fit me?

·
DeadSlow

Great shearing. May I ask how big is your wrist? I’ve a 16cm or about 6.3inch. Do you think this watch would fit me?

I should think it will be spot on for you. Mine's about 6.8 inches. 

I'd been considering the Mini Turtle (SRPC35/37/49/41 etc.) but couldn't get on board with those tombstone indices. So glad I waited.

I'd heartily recommend the Luff G2 Elastico with it. It's a variant of the Marine Nationale style strap, but without the piece running under the case, so it can sit flat on your wrist. Particularly well-suited to the slim wrist. Mine's on a Bond one currently.

Image