The Seiko Prospex SPB317J1 1968 Turtle Reinterpretation - The Quintessential Seiko Dive Watch

[@ejjrl1ify]

By far my favourite Seiko release in years. The perfect dimensions which you can wear for decades. Wow.

[@mitondo6123]

The bezel alignment on mine is spot-on perfect. Nevertheless, I didn't buy it for it's accuracy, but for the feel it gives me. There's something about it that hearkens back to my childhood. Also, I have small wrists and this model, with its smaller dimensions, has enabled Seiko enthusiasts the wear a reinterpretation of a model which they otherwise could not have enjoyed. So, thank you, Seiko.

[@camarocarl7130]

Just as well then as its not accurate at all.

[@sfmorris]

I picked this one up a while ago, based on this design being peak Seiko. Great size, hand set, surprisingly pleasing date treatment and ultra comfy. Luckily I side-stepped bezel alignment issues on this occasion and the movement's been fine too. [touches wood] I'm really happy with it.

[@okiali6381]

My bezel was spot on. Love this piece.

[@drazenbabich]

Still patiently awaiting a true to OG 6105-8000 non-prospex reissue. When it happens (and one day it will), it will break the Internet.

[@julianmoriati4682]

Nice review with outstanding shots and editing!

[@12and60]

Thanks 🙏🏻

[@simonwright6882]

I'm a massive seiko fan but the bezel alignment is an easy thing to get right so why do we accept it being misaligned.

[@12and60]

Yeah, they really need to up their game there.

[@jackiemoon_lms]

The exact reason I will never add a Seiko to my collection…can’t be trusted unfortunately

[@maxmeier532]

it's overpriced for what it is. lots of unnecessary text on the dial, in different sizes and fonts. even at a 41mm size it wears pretty big even on a fat wrist. if they get the allignment right, put in a nicer movement, get rid of the texts and make it a 38mm diameter with 11mm height, it would be very distinct from a lot of other divers out there. Elegant and functional. seiko really dropping the ball.

[@jh-il5sb]

@@maxmeier532 how functional is a 38mm diver?.....underwater legibility is important on a diver

[@avakkai]

@@jh-il5sbwhen was a dive watch last used for diving? Everyone uses a dive computer these days. 38mm is entirely appropriate as an option.

[@JP-rd9bt]

The white dial SPB313 is so mesmerising and speaks out to me.

[@12and60]

I do like the white dial a lot!

[@stephennnnnnnnnnnn]

Just picked up the black and gold for £640. It is stunning.

[@jasonswitzer1748]

100% agree about the accuracy of the movement. I’d be FAR more likely to consider Seiko if their movements were as accurate as something like Oris’ new P400 movement. As it stands, I struggle to see why I’d buy a Seiko Prospex over a much cheaper Orient Mako outside of the design. Maybe that’s the issue. I view Seiko as affordable beaters. Now they’re expensive, so they’re not exactly true beaters, but they have a beater movement. Quite the pickle.

[@gg.komorebi]

thank you for the review. i own this watch. the real accuracy of the movement is between 5 and 10 seconds per day. also, you should note that seiko's indication refers to static rate accuracy. when the watch is worn, the rate deviation is much smaller.

[@dostoevsky90]

Is the watch heavy… and does the curve sapphire crystal does not give a glossy and shiny look of the dial making it illegible?? Thank you

[@gg.komorebi]

Because the watch does not have a metal strap, it is not heavy. Although the SPB316 has a domed sapphire crystal, it is very easy to read

[@minionofgozer7414]

I bought this as my last, and only, luxury watch. It's my daily wear now, I don't have anything else as I sold them all. It's been pretty much flawless, tells the right time all the time and the bezel sits perfectly well in the right position when set. I get compliments on it as well. The only thing I can nitpick is as follows: The strap it comes with tends to 'un-clasp' itself from time to time from the metal Seiko slide clasp. You have to set that with a little extra strap hanging out, which can catch on clothing or anything near your wrist. So I can see why people put these models on natos or some other after market strap. The Seiko issued strap wears well, looks nice but its just a little flawed as all.

[@greenerick]

I have the Captain Willard limited edition without the ridiculous prospects sign at the bottom. Great video Will last you a lifetime

[@e28forever30]

There is no “prospects” sign at the bottom.

[@12and60]

I don't mind the Prospex logo myself.

[@greenerick]

@@e28forever30 got my Captain Willard a couple of years ago has a clean dial

[@greenerick]

@@12and60 when you have the Prospect sign you cannot determine which is the expensive and which is the cheapest Seiko's

[@e28forever30]

@@greenerick You don’t get it, don’t you? There is no Seiko watch which has “prospects” on the dial.

[@davidb9531]

Just tried one on and it’s a perfectly sized piece

[@nkonig1]

Got my regular Willard from F&G, absolutely love it and prefer it to these slimmer Willards.

[@12and60]

F&G are great guys. They're really happy to talk to, and interact with, the watch community, which is refreshing for a jewellers.

[@nkonig1]

@@12and60 indeed. I use them often. With a Seiko I ask Ryan to check misalignment before sending to me. Great service and I highly recommend them.

[@daveLin104]

@12 and 60 do you prefer this or the SPB143?

[@stevefarmer15]

Nice review, thanks. I prefer this to the 237 Willard, probably due to the date window. Greetings from France.

[@12and60]

Thanks! The date window on this is a good placement in my opinion.

[@macrowatchman]

Great video, man!

[@12and60]

Thank you mate! 🙏🏻

[@everymomentischance]

my fav seiko diver.

[@DCLXVIDS]

The alignment seems to be exactly half a minute off. One click back (or 119 forwards really) and this it's spot on. If that doesn't feel right, its usually the click spring that is faulty not the bezel insert placement. if one spring end is a little longer than the other, for example due to a little metal burring, half the clicks wont feel like they have a secure position and it kind of feels like a 60 positions bezel with two clicks per minute. Seiko needs to sharpen the stamp that make the springs more often. I fixed it myself a few times by replacing, filing or just rotate the spring 180 degrees. But you really should return it when you buy it new like that.

[@kenrodriguez2128]

great content! why cant i find these models on seikos website?

[@thebookofknowledge1]

Google Seiko luxe

[@ChuckMahon]

Can it be regulated successfully?

[@robalexander7348]

I own this new SPB317 Tuirtle, a nice watch, and i like the new date window it keeps the dial less complicated, as we all carry a phone these days to check the time. Mine does gain 1 minute per 24hrs,which not good for a watch costing $1,400.00 Au 👍 Au

[@durchwelday]

I have never been disappointed since I became a customer of gussl. Their timepieces are of exceptional quality.

[@chinchechou7272]

What the date position?!

[@rayray..3349]

My Birth Watch. Thank U, & Also I Subscribed as a SEIKO Collector,..! Plus I recently Purchased My New,& FAMOUSE "KING TURTLE". ..! My XMASS WATCH IT IS. ps Have U done a Video on The New King Turtle, Had a quick flick threw, no Joy..!

[@Nightfury0695]

As someone who always wanted to get a turtle, this slim version is a great option. The pricing for this model is a little odd, would fit more into $800 or so. The beze misalignment on this model seems to be a common occurrence. I never had a QC issue with any of the divers I picked up over the past year. I always pick up any Seiko I buy from an AD, can always see the if there is any QC issues. The watches I own with 6R35 movements has been great, I let the movement break in a for a month or so, then get it regulated and you would be surprised about the accuracy of the movement. My SPB143 and the alpinist which I rotate through my week averages +3 to -1 secs a day. Seiko just needs to take time to regulate the movements.

[@dostoevsky90]

Hi Just wanted to ask how to get the watch regulated?

[@NoelKunz]

Saw this in person at my AD. Both this one and the white one with the bracelet. Both had no alignment issues. Loved them, but the price at MSRP was just a little too steep. I’ll keep an eye out over time on these.

[@jeffd3802]

You know all local ads offer between 20-25%off right?

[@dopagony9946]

I just got this watch and its running 30 seconds + slow! any advice? Its been demagnetized.

[@denisdes7]

Have it regulated then sell it. After that, stay clear of any 6Rxx Seiko movements. A good number of them are lemons, which figures for a jumped-up low grade movement with erratic timekeeping across their slap-dash 70 hour power reserve. My experience at least after having two 6R movements disassembled and regulated. The only decent movement Seiko offers today, at a price, is the 8L35.

[@dopagony9946]

@@denisdes7 What a bummer. I have (3) 6R35 watches, they look great, but I now dont trust the movement. The watch guy I took it to (used to work at Rolex USA) said the movement is very fragile. Garbage. Will be going back to Swiss Made. Went to Seiko after selling 3 sports rolex now worth a small fortune, but this turned off to Seiko. Just placed an order for a BB58 blue.

[@denisdes7]

@@dopagony9946 you can't go wrong with a BB58. Seiko made some great watches at very affordable prices but that's over for the time being, at least regarding their SPB lines. I'd much rather pay 3 or 4x more for a good watch which will last a lifetime rather than keeping up with the attractive dial-case variations of Seiko models equipped with flawed (and unregulated!) movements.

[@JoseRCI57]

El calibre 6R es caca de la vaca. Tengo 2 ninguno va bien. Un suizo cuesta mucho más barato y con 80 horas de reserva.

[@CesareRazzi]

It's a pretty watch

[@Leonzerimardadinirt]

Nice❤

[@A_Dude_And_His_Watch78]

This but make it an SLA in ever brilliant steel and an 8L movement and I'm in.

[@andywilliams4887]

Nice looking, but the far too typical misalignment QC issues and poor accuracy especially for this one's retail price always puts me off buying a Seiko.

[@12and60]

Understandable. I don't get why they haven't tried to tighten their accuracy specs.

[@realestwatchreviews]

I’m done with Seiko for now. They’re pricing doesn’t make any sense considering the blatant QC issues and withholding features like signed crowns. Not to mention the sub par bracelets. Great quality video tho!

[@12and60]

Cheers! And yeah, they're resting on their laurels a bit. Hopefully they start to up their game and regain some of their value.

[@Bonpu]

Seiko should consider launching a whole new premium line of watches - all "reinterpretations" of their current models: with perfectly aligned bezels. Seriously - I'd rather buy any respectable micro brand.

[@Tom_H327]

Looks just like a Steeldive. Is this a homage? 😂 😉

[@12and60]

😂

[@desireless4092]

You sound like the kind of guy that buys a Steeldive and copes by comparing it to my SBDX014

[@daveLin104]

Hi @12 and 60 what do F&G do with all these watches they loan out ? They seem to loan a lot to youtubers these days 🙄

[@12and60]

No idea to be honest! I just politely ask to borrow a watch every once in a while 😅

[@daveLin104]

@@12and60 works for you and them .....

[@1malikalik]

Am American and I always laugh when i hear Britts pronounce ALUMINUM. We say, A -lu-me-num they say ?????

[@HarryUnchained]

aluminium for the rest of us

[@1malikalik]

@@HarryUnchained Greetings USA 🇺🇸

[@rafaelarturotantaleanoscuv137]

wao

[@camarocarl7130]

I can see why Seiko stopped making these in the sixties. Looks wrong. Much prefer. 6105 0r 6309. Not a very accurate movement in these new versions either. 6L-35 movement is a bit of a let down for the asking price. Rather have a much more accurate 2824-2 for that price.

[@billmurphy893]

Your placement choice of the bezel appears to be deliberately placed out of line. Seiko's qc issues are so well known that this comes off as too much. Spin it around and give us the real positioning please. Anyone who has ever had a 120 click bezel can see its perfectly halfway between the hash marks and therefore 1 click off. Show us the real positioning at 12 so we can see how far off it is please otherwise your just making it look like there is no qc issue.

[@Shadowwalker1717]

not even a metal bracelet

[@benzobak]

Overpriced watches, unfortunately

[@12and60]

As I said in the review, I think you're paying a fair whack for heir history and branding. Some people are happy to do that others aren't, and I get both sides.

[@benzobak]

@@12and60 Yes, I listened carefully to the review. I can afford a $1,000 watch, and I've wanted Seiko for a long time. But not this model. Too much for legacy, that's my opinion.

[@jeromef2001]

@@benzobak i agree, this has watch looks great but has nothing more to offer than a cheap skx

[@Krishnnan2079]

ഇസ്ലാം പഠിച്ച താത്ത ഇതാണെൽ എനിക്ക് ഇസ്ലാമിനെ പേടിയാണ്!

[@shipmate3577]

Seiko QC is HORRIBLE. Misalignments, poor bracelets, single keepers that don’t keep on their rubber straps, 21600bph movements, lack of ceramic bezel… BIG NO on Seiko

[@12and60]

I don't think the 21,600 beat rate is necessarily bad. Accuracy and power reserve are more important specs in my opinion. As for the bezel insert, I think it's as much an aesthetic choice as a practical one. Ceramic is way more scratch resistant, but aluminium gives a more understated vintage look.

[@jeromef2001]

@@12and60 aluminium bezel are so much more beautiful! Rubber straps are perfect on a diver watch. Mislqlignments are not often, you have to chose the right watch before buying it...

[@denisdes7]

@@12and60 let's agree that 21600 isn't necessarily bad (think 60s Omega) but when it's a basic Seiko 7S movement from the early 80s with over-added bells and whistles (like the 6R35), it's not an entirely impressive proposition either, coming from one of the largest movement production houses in the world. And don't get me started on the +1000 USD Seiko price tag Seiko asks for the models powered by this utter embarrassment of a movement. ETA (and clones) do a infinitely better job for less than half the price. Get real, Seiko.

[@m.e.p.r]

Stop overpronunciating. It makes your videos absolutely excruciating to listen to