Collection
PoyFR shares a personal journey into acquiring the Seiko SBDX047 'Turtle' diver, an unlimited version of the Naomi Uemura 80th anniversary model. This post details the author's decision-making process, moving from a King Turtle to a higher-performance model while maintaining a preference for the iconic 'Turtle' case design.
Because the design attracted me, some times ago I got a Seiko King Turtle for a super easy everyday wear. This watch responded well to my expectations specially since I replaced the original bracelet with one from Strapcode/MILTAT Jubilee 22mm Super-J Louis, a good and really no brainer watch.
But as a watch enthusiast I obviously needed more, much more...
After doing researches and going thorough pages and pages of reading I decided to plunge for a greater version to the basic Seiko lines.
I did not want the headaches of venturing for a Vintage so evidently it had to be one of Seiko new or newish lineup.
It had to be a turtle, gosh I have truly fallen for this design. I discovered that in fact this design matches so much my liking.
It had to be way better than the basic version and evidently with better performances. Therefore I looked time and time again at the Uemura 80th’s birthday bleu and or grey dial versions.
Do not ask me why, surprisingly I decided the bleu dial version was not for me.
I concentrated on the grey dial version, the more I looked the more those shots online made me wonder if I should or shouldn’t only because of the date window, I need a date but as it came up on photos it near made me move away from it.
Anyway one recent morning I anxiously nailed it. And It finally arrived.
Let me tell you I am allin for this watch.
The 70’s retro design heritage, the 44mm size, the grey dial, the so perfect finishings and feels, the confort on wrist accompanied by a perfect weight distribution, and unlike my initial reluctance of the date window position the very clever positioning of the date window easily caught by the eyes.
The rotating bezel works and sounds nicely. And of course powered by a good 28,000 bph 8L35 calibre.
The winding crown handling and winding is incredibly smooth. Time reading is good (with and without eye lens ;-) and nice hands too.
My only hold is for the bracelet, good bracelet but I think Seiko needs to get rid of the pins (to add or remove links), it is a pain!
In my opinion compared to all the other big and greater boys, this watch is undoubtedly well worth every cents, yes it could be cheaper but compared to what we see out there it is a bargain for so much on the wrist.
An absolute keeper!
Now Seiko needs to make a GMT Turtle ;-)
it is so good to see some pillars of the early watch talks. All the best to you friend.
especially with its nod to select vintage/older pieces. And this grey dial version is VERY nice, you chose well! 👌🏼 Wear it in the best of health.
I think that given your awesome collection of iconic diving watches, this was a natural step, since Seiko has it's very own history about diving watches and exploration that ask nothing to other well known brands. I think you made a very thoughtful decision and chose a very good one! My vintage says hello! Best regards. René
I thought i’d bond with the more sober gen 2 62mas case shape (spb143) but find myself cycling through my turtles and the similarly shaped skx’s more often. The sla033 tempts me from time to time. I probably would have gone for it if not for the 19mm lug width.
The 20mm tapered band is very confortable. I usually have/wear larger bands and straps, but I find the 20/22mm preferably tapered help gain so much comfort and on the wrist and the top of the hand.
I agree on a gmt version. I have a sbp143 as my only watch but now find myself looking for a 2 piece collection and I keep coming back to this bad boy. Looks great on the wrist might I add.
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