Story of an Icon: Seiko SKX & Turtle Dive Watches | Armand The Watch Guy

In today’s video, I would like to discuss the history of one of the most universally enjoyed watches: the Seiko SKX line which developed into the Turtle. These pieces find their origins in 1965 and have enjoyed over 50 years of development as automatic dive watches which retain their clear functionality.
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[@gonzalograjeda7389]

4 and a half years later and this video is still very well put together, informative and entertaining! We already saw the official discontinuation of the SKX line and the introduction of the Seiko 5 sports paying homage to the SKX heritage. Thanks for putting all this together in a comprehensive guide to Seiko commercial dive watches!

[@robertrodrigues7319]

As a 8 year old in 1975 this was my dream watch to have in Lebanon during the war years. I first saw it in Tripoli in Lebanon at an Arminian watch repairer, a Mr Acob. I've received this very watch [pepsi] as a gift only 2 months ago. Love it.

[@Supra_Mare_Cultro_Bloke]

In 70's Lebanon, u fancy a watch on an American assassin fighting in Vietnam?

[@robertrodrigues7319]

@@Supra_Mare_Cultro_Bloke What do you mean American assassin in Vietnam? I saw the watch for sale in Tripoli at a watch repairer!!

[@Supra_Mare_Cultro_Bloke]

@@robertrodrigues7319 there is some culture icon thing behind the 6105, which was worn by Martin Sheen as U.S. Army Captain Benjamin Willard, a veteran assassin who has been serving in Vietnam for years. OK for you not getting that much of depth, as you were a 8 years old.

[@eddyhoughton6542]

Funnily enough I got my SKX009 from the Duty Free in Dubai airport on my way back from Iraq about 11 years ago. I love it, it has the days in English and Arabic. Super exotic. I wish I could pronounce the Arabic letters!

[@jamesblonde2271]

Great story bud....

[@MrBacchus18]

I think I appreciate my SKX and Turtle just a little bit more now. Thanks

[@xultimatexartistx]

I find myself regularly going back to this video to look at the changes in this historical and highly influential line of watches. It got to the point where I would look up ebay listings of 90s era seikos pretty frequently. Long story short, I was eventually led to a listing of an SKX 001, which I am now eagerly awaiting. Great video, very informative.

[@diogohra]

Such a reference video. Do never delete this one! I come to it every once in a while.

[@charliepugh9436]

What a wonderful video for Seiko lovers like myself. The SKX is my favorite. I have the 007, 009 Pepsi and the orange 013. I also love the Turtles of and format. Happy New Year 2024.

[@mikemills54]

I now have a skx009 and a srp777. So different from one another but both are so beautiful. Real treats for the wrist.

[@majorintherepublick5862]

Thank you for your research and presentation

[@Haironozkwi]

Thank You Armand for the research and history of the watch. I own 2 Seiko watch during my commercial diving job, The Tuna And Turtle that was in the year 1995- 2000, and it is running well. With proper servicing.

[@Andrese935]

Damn Man! Your voice is sooo perfect for telling stories about wristwatches! It is a pleasure to listen. Keep up the good work!

[@MrTeopantli]

absolutely fantastic video. makes me appreciate my 2 skx timepices a lot more given such a fantastic history and well-deserved reputation among collectors.

[@rowdyron4111]

Fabulous presentation Armand. Thank you.

[@Mauitaoist]

Great Video... I Had the skx007 for years... now I'm rocking a 6309-7209 and a Srp777

[@1968jpy]

Wow what an extremely informative video on the history of the Seiko diver watch and the evolution of the skx and Turtle 🐢 watches . As I type this I’m proudly wearing my Padi Turtle 🐢 watch and absolutely love this watch. I also own a Blumo/Sumo watch which is even nicer than the Turtle. To me just my humble opinion Seiko makes the best diver watch in the world 🌎. Thanks again fantastic video, truly enjoyed it 😀👍🏻

[@nelloalcolemico2766]

I have a few of more espensive watch but every day I carry with me my Turtle

[@brizza72]

If they brought out a 38-40mm reissue of the 2205, I'd be all over it. Great and informative video as always.

[@vdbdg]

Well that was incredibly thorough, thanks Armand. Seiko divers are so much fun and in the end it’s perhaps the cheaper models that are the most enjoyable. I love my mini-turtle PADI the most these days, and my SKX007... and my Shogun, Samurai, ninja Turtle, ... can’t get enough.

[@CaligulavVv]

Absolute gold! Wonderfully done!

[@bernardwadding]

That was incredible, I really enjoyed it, thanks for taking the time to make it

[@ianwalker4803]

My favorite when growing up was the 2205-0530 that you refer to as a womans watch , but I can assure you was a BOY's "must have" at 33mm, it was left in a caravan when on holiday and my father said it would cost to much petrol to turn round and retrieve it, he promised a replacement when we got home..... and I'm still waiting for that replacement nearly forty years later !

[@surfside75]

I'd wear it today 33-40mm are a great size watch.

[@rucksackrules2266]

Ian walker So you never got home in those forty years?😳

[@bentremy]

No one makes better watch history than Armand the watch guy. Absolutely brilliant!

[@donrogan2812]

That was great! Thanks for taking the time to make it!!

[@mccloryjim]

Excellent reference video, every aspiring watch enthusiast should see and keep this ,i love watching it ,thank you

[@miketindol1679]

I still have my 1986 7049. I got a local jeweler to service it last year. It still runs great! But my favorite Seiko dive watch is the SKX 007. Thanks for the video. I enjoyed it.

[@FirestormAA]

Awesome super detail on the history of the trutle.... great efforts!!!

[@0017Bulldog]

Thank you Armand! That was a great ride.

[@yinzburgher]

I'm impressed Armand! You definitely went full WIS on this one. My favorite video of yours.

[@Lele-ll6di]

Great video and for sure wonderful research on the seiko diving watches history !

[@baba65lou]

You the man!!!! Fantastic review of the history of this iconic watch.

[@MrLorenzobringheli]

As always, a truly wonderfully made and informative video. Thanks for your wonderful channel. All the best.

[@ChrisBeckman]

Brilliant history of this Horilogical dynasty known as the Seiko Diver.... Absolutely brilliant Armand!

[@calsurflance5598]

Excellent history lesson. Well done video. Your library of photographs is staggering!

[@commander_lard]

Watching 5 years later having had a 6309-7290 and recently upgraded to a Padi turtle and learnt so much! Excellent and very interesting to see the full history behind the line of Turtle and SKX

[@eliotsalandybrown]

❤ I really enjoyed this thorough and insightful video! 🤩 Thanks very much for taking the time to share your wisdom 🙏

[@KenHarding123]

I love these longer videos. So much more informative.

[@robmangone4826]

You did a great job. I watched the whole video and enjoyed every minute! I own the new Pepsi full size turtle and this was a great reminder of how much history Seiko has in the dive industry. Thanks

[@fpoynton1604]

Armand - thank you. Another spectacular educational review of a highly important watch lineage. This visual history clearly gives us important insight into the historical design origins of current Seiko dive watch line and where the current design inspirations arose. Thank you again.

[@TheChadWork2001]

You did an excellent historical analysis. I enjoyed it. Thank you.

[@antonioraffa5489]

Brilliant work Armand - Thank you

[@garryclarke7695]

Your best video yet, and that's saying something. All the best.

[@ccooper8040]

Thank you for this informative and enjoyable education. Love all my Seiko diver watches.

[@jasue2000]

That was truly outstanding! Thanks

[@LeCrackHo]

Finally a watch that I actually owned getting featured.

[@FINEST-uz9ek]

Good job I love the older models Seiko divers.. as I was watching this video I have on my turtle 777 and really appreciate how Seiko with this model diver really went back to its roots in keeping the turtle close to the old cushion style divers in appearance.

[@22Phanatic]

Excellent Video Armand! Enjoyed this thoroughly

[@stefanocecchini3260]

You are an amazing host of this channel.

[@gordonanderson6216]

An excellent informative video. I shall re watch it several times.

[@edteach3r]

This is a wonderful overview of the history of Seiko’s cheaper dive watches. Thank you very much, Armand. Your excellent videos are my default go-to if I need accurate, detailed information (as I was seeking in this case, trying to figure out where my 7002 fits into the SKX lineage). I have a 1988 JDM version 7002-700A, which is ticking along very nicely and still keeps fantastic time, especially after being serviced recently by my Seiko-specialist watchmaker.

[@mikemills54]

Awesome video. I love my new SKX009 and really enjoyed this history lesson. Keep up the good work.

[@samehh.b.alexandria9350]

Very good as always. Thank you a lot.

[@barryg4760]

Great video Armand as ever. Very informative!

[@rainappleby]

I saw it full. Seiko Divers brings back memories of my Dad.

[@jayh9144]

You definitely did your homework. Great job!!

[@noelmurphy3450]

Thank you Armand for another super detailed and informative review - Good stuff! I took delivery of the Seiko Mini Turtle 'PADI' version yesterday - it really is a great watch - More please Seiko!

[@YJMusic72]

Great video, Armand! Thx! Still love the SKX, but the 2016 Turtle is my absolute favorite!

[@nate.or.nodate]

love this video. great stuff!

[@jfilm7466]

My SRP777 is amazing. I love looking at it. Thanks for the video.

[@jfilm7466]

I love my 777 and wear it to hell, put it away to wear other watches and surprise myself with how good it looks when I open up the watch box and on it hops again 😃 Sorry for the run on sentence, dropping off to sleep.

[@maravind84]

Incredible homework. Excellent video. I own a SRPC25 and it helped a great deal to understand what influenced the design decisions. Superb! Love the design and greatly enjoyed the history.

[@StefaanVdV1961]

this is an interesting and very instructive video, thanks for sharing.

[@donnyboon2896]

I've watched this video repeatedly. I was wanting to know most recently when the Seiko divers went from 150 to 200 metres of water resistance. And you answered it for me, the 7002 in 1994 was the watch that first went to 200m. Thank you sir!

[@sbeckett91]

Thank you Armand for all the time and effort that you put into researching these videos. I always learn a lot from your “Story of an Icon” series. Would love one on the Speedy Pro (861/863/1861/1863 cals) or the Heuer Monaco.

[@muatao9943]

Thank you! This was a wonderful and thorough history of Seiko dive watches. As I am new to and in the market for a Seiko dive watch, I found this very informative. Cheers!

[@Mauitaoist]

Turtle SRP777....I have largish wrist, this watch is perfection

[@rucksackrules2266]

Cory Williams You being so enthousiastic makes me thinking about purchasing a SPRC23K1. 😀

[@brucecameron7172]

thank you Armand great video

[@emailant]

Liked best the 2016/2017 Black SRP among many others. Most of all though, thank you so much for this run down. It was a beautiful lesson all the way through. Even saving it for future referencing. Love it!

[@piotrek66]

I wish modern Seiko divers were smaller... Great video!

[@sbeckett91]

Zeniter I agree with you on the size. I have a love-hate relationship with Seiko divers. Love the low cost, history, and unique designs. Hate the ballooning size, inconsistent QC, and cost-cutting measures (ie Hardlex, 7S26 movements, gimpy bracelets).

[@alexbizz]

Zeniter take a look at the 38mm SKX013.

[@seanpollard4844]

The skx007 wears like a 40mm due to the short lug to lug length of 46mm. Check out the mini turtle with 43mm lug to lug it wears small also with the srpc37

[@piotrek66]

Yes, I've got an SKX and it wears ok. But almost all other cool modern divers from Seiko like Samurai, Turtle, Monster, Marinemaster, GS divers, all are too big.

[@faisalrahman7]

Zeniter, the SKX fits best on my 7 inch wrist (18cm) I wear it too often. Would love to mix it up but always regret not wearing the SKX.

[@ashleygordon3467]

Thanks for this video - very informative.

[@TerminusVox]

Excellent! Thank you!

[@faisalrahman7]

36 mins just flu by, great video, thank you 👍

[@josegoncalves6271]

My first seiko diver skx 007 and I enjoying very much is a terrific watch for the price great job !! keep up the good work greetings from Portugal

[@IstvanSzarka7]

Very informative, thank you!!

[@donnyboon2896]

You've helped me decide which one I want. Yay! 😃

[@kamarghazali2080]

TQ for this video, I really enjoyed it.

[@rolandcarlile9568]

Great video, I have several skx's bought 1996 ,plus the ladies 2205 I bought in a sale for my wife, new old stock, just got it out of a drawer and works after 1 little shake. Mine were all used for diving and surfing. One has had ,2 replacement crystals, 4 to 6 straps ,case polish, 2 services.

[@adamyouard7396]

That was excellent.

[@JustWatches1]

Very informative and inspiring, thank you for making this. I will return to this video often :)

[@likhan.ghosh.]

What a great video! I’d love to know more about Seiko’s but am always baffled with the model numbering. Keep up the good work

[@mrdre1019]

I very much enjoyed this video.. many thanks

[@jc944t]

Great video, just now catching it. I've owned a Mini-Turtle for several months now and love it. My first Seiko. I noticed you mentioned an early 70's model for women. I wish Seiko would bring a vintage remake of these watches. Along with my wife, I am convinced there are many women that would love to have similar dive/tool watches but sized accordingly (34-36 mm).

[@marcusskyfall]

Excellently researched and presented 👍👏

[@brianfuller5868]

Great videos and great watches.

[@KRW628]

Very interesting. Thank you. My SKX is on my wrist right now.

[@paulcrew1314]

Excellent video. I have a few from this line but my current favourite is the Blue Lagoon Turtle (SRPB11).

[@davidcrandall4958]

This was very informative and I appreciate the Time and work that must have gone into such a thouroughly researched History! I like the SRP777 and the SRPA 21 PADI!

[@jonas594]

Didnt know my 7002-700j 17 jewel pepsi bezel from about 1992 was rare! Made me appreciate them more and was just fun to know thanks Armand

[@ricardofernandez5286]

Exelente video muy detallada la historia de la marca en sus modelos 🐢 y skx saludos 👍

[@MrEmbangweni]

Wow, there was a lot of information presented. Thanks Armand. You ask which was my favorite, and I am not sure if I could name any of them as that, but I have spent my money and purchased a SRPC91J1, so that one means something to me now at least.

[@jojojavier2335]

Really nice and informative video good job sir !

[@logansmith8623]

That was an awesome video Armand. It just shows, you really could have an entire watch collection, just based on Seiko divers alone. Only problem with this video? It makes me want to go hunting for more and I already got too many as it is ; )

[@Biblicalgiants]

I always liked Seiko. But I never really knew about their dive pieces. These seiko turtles are awesome. Since I can't afford a Rolex or Omega these must be the next best choices. Good upload!

[@MiataBRG]

Nice to see some of my own watches appearing! Would love to get hold of a Sinn diver.

[@mrk131324]

Thanks for all the research and production work! I wonder is there anything like a Seiko archive? They have and had so many watches it‘s impossible to keep track.

[@rorschach8585]

That was the best Seiko dive watch history video! I have the SRPE93 Turtle...I think it's the perfect blend of features from its lineage, and I like the symmetry compared to the Willard.

[@ryanashanley]

Great video! Super informative. I’m just now getting into the Seiko Diver watches and was wondering if you’d consider doing an update video with how the newer SRPDs come into play?

[@kbbarton1]

Smashing video!

[@georgecupac1202]

The Seiko turtle is my holy grail watch. After getting my first STO turtle, all other watches are just second place to me.

[@edwingomez9308]

Just purchased a Turtle black. I love the classic shape that is distinctively Seiko. Love it so much, I just ordered another one. This one withe the Pepsi bezel.

[@TopSecretVid]

Love my 7002 200m Transitional…still going since ‘88

[@situation_zero]

This is the best history of the Seiko SKX and Turtle and their antecedents. Thank you for making it. Cheers.

[@camarocarl7130]

I don't think I have ever seen Seiko's that knackered. Hope they run better than they look. Very extensive collection though, Cheers.

[@MrKkramme]

I have the King Turtle and love its chunky size!! ❤