I don’t get how the Chinese brands can put sapphire on almost everything in the 50-100 dollar range but seiko can’t do it with watches in the 300+ range.
100% agree. This is by far the biggest turn off for me about Seiko. I can only speculate they want to retain competition within their own range with the higher end offerings. If there were less distinction between these and the lower end people might buy the higher end stuff less. But I think they have to be losing out as other lower end brands keep improving their offerings. They've lost me as a customer anyway, purely on the basis sapphire should 100% be offered at that price point.
@@frank327 Was basically going to say what you said ... Not sure how spicy a take it is, but I have the sense that Seiko intentionally *choose* not to put sapphire on their lower range ... to differentiate their higher-end Prospex, etc. Totally seems like the wrong way to do it -- having people walk around with scratched-up crystals isn't a good look.
They should do better quality control imo i forgive misaligned bezel on my casio marlin(though mine is aligned lucky) but not on anything from a big company at $150+
If they had put the crown at 4 o’clock then I’d have already bought this one. The size and look have that pure Seiko diver heritage, but somehow that 3 o’clock crown just looks wrong to me. I’m wearing my 6309 today to celebrate your repurchase - congrats Jody!
I bought my Mini Turtle following your original review, it’s still quite probably the most comfortable watch I own as my wrists are small, pretty much anything above 43mm is out for me as they just look silly and are not comfortable. Beautiful watch and a great re-buy.
I love my two new JDM Mini Turtles I’ve gotten in the last year. Their Hulk Green and the Icy Frost dial are gorgeous, and once I put them on some MiLTAT Endmill and super J bracelets, they really elevated into something spectacular.
Yess welcome back to the mini turtle club! I absolutely love my PADI version. The pepsi bezel, the patterned dial that looks just like the soles of my watersport shoes. In fact i wore it for work yesterday!
Snap, the green one landed on my doorstep a week ago. Love it, and a unique set of indicies that aren't sharred by any other model. The only downside is that my regular turtles now feel a bit big
Good video. The mini Turtle is nice...but I still love and prefer the Arnie in this (Seiko) price range. Don't get me wrong, I like my Steel Dives too, but they just don't have the same wrist presence as a Seiko. I do agree with you Jody, Orient gives you a lot of great features for the price.
I bought the mini turtle with the "frost" dial, SBDY109. I think it's one of the best dials you can buy under $500. Classed it up with a jubilee bracelet and love wearing it!
I've got the PADI version and got myself a Strapcode jubilee bracelet for it, needed a bit of adjustment from a dremel to get it to fit. Its back on the blue rubber strap that it came on at the moment. Fits my 6.75 wrist well.
It is not mini for sure. It is a nice watch, just surprised it is mineral crystal and not sapphire for the price. This watch does what Gshock has been doing on some of their models that are like 42 to 45mm, short lug to lug makes them fit my 6.8-inch wrist, and being resin I forget I am wearing it. I used to love the Seiko brand in the 80s. My first was from my Grandmother in 1981 for my 16th birthday. I knew nothing about watches back then. Enjoy your mini turtle, Jody, thanks for sharing it with us.
Still have my padi mini turtle. It is a cool watch. Only complain I have is that I would have like the crown to be more tucked in the case. It can be uncomfortable if you wear it on the knuckle.
I was wondering when you were going to pick one up again! Great choice! Wearing mine today that I picked up from Gnomon after watching your original review! It's an awesome Seiko and super comfortable.
Hi Jody, if you're looking for a Seiko to review I would love to see a video on the SACM171. HAQ, sapphire crystal, very thin, drilled lugs and a beautiful dial. It's a beautiful dress watch and the cheapest Seiko I recall seeing with a sapphire crystal
Cool, first again. 😁 Beautiful and timeless design. I don't think I could bring myself to dip it into salt water. I do prefer the offset crown of the larger sibling. It's the signature look of the Turtle I think it should still have.
They really do have a fantastic fit for smaller wrists...I've always opted for a Samurai myself though, just seem to have a little more personality for me
A few months back I was in the market for a Seiko diver and just getting a Mini-Turtle at a reasonable price was just impossible. I ended up with the SRPE93 and am happy with it.. but there will always be the 'what if..?' part of me that would love to still find a Mini-Turtle.
A great overview of this watch as usual Jody. Thanks. I have a suggestion to make: Can you put the model number on the screen when you are listing the major dimensions (e.g. at 7:12)?
Shopping at now, as I never actually pulled the trigger and bought one when I should have. Looks like your means of purchasing. It is definitely the only economical way to go… Seeing it for 500+ everywhere else. Thanks for a great re-review.
I actually laughed out loud when you pulled out the Mini Turtle. Eh, I think anyone who buys a Seiko these days have accepted that it comes with a mineral crystal. Although it’s a bit of a slap in the face because that umbrella comes with a sapphire handle I believe. 😆
@@maxn5378 That’s the great thing about Seiko is that their catalogue is so huge, you’re bound to find something you like. I actually don’t mind their Hardlex. It just would be great if some of their very popular watches came with sapphire. I’ve actually had some luck removing scratches from Hardlex with scratch remover. It just takes over an hour to do it.
I had a feeling we might see another one of these on the channel. I still have my full size turtle with the anthracite dial. Love that watch. I do like the splashes of red on this one. Its a great looking watch. They're still one of the most comfortable wearing watches.
There's a nice one of these with a fancy ice white dial on Sakura that I keep looking at..... My seiko regret is one that I didn't buy. It was some old classic turlte that had obviuosly been hanging around a jewellery shop on a Greek island for ages, was for sale at a big discount. I hummed and hawed and in the end didn't buy it (didn't think I could get it past the boss lady!) and I regret it. I'll never see another turtle that cheap
I bought this version from Sakura last year and it will never leave the collection. So underrated! Sold my SARB and never regretted it, the only Seiko I regret selling is my SND309.
I had an old Seiko Silverwave 8229-8000 - nothing fancy but it was a great grabngo. Sold it years ago. Still miss it. Nothing fancy, just a solid well-made stainless quartz.
I regretted selling my Sea Urchin. Didn't realize they'd been discontinued by the time I sold it, and prices had about tripled once the regret set in. So I just let it go, and bought an Orient Ray 2 as a replacement. The Orient cured my regret!
Case with short lug to lug looks good but of the comparisons i still prefer the Tuna. I've only bought two Seikos... One back in the late 70s which sadly i wrecked and a Monster nearly 20 years ago which has a charmed life and stays with me forever
Excellent video Jody. For some reason most Seiko watches sold here in Turkey are Made in Japan. It's almost like a domestic market! Not everything is available but a lot is. Same for Orient I've got a couple of Orient watches I haven't seen anywhere else in Europe. Maybe it's because Turkey is within the sales region? I don't know. I do have a Buyee account thanks to you but haven't used it, because, taking into account around 24% added to the price ftom import duty and fees I've got the watches I wanted locally for the same or less with the added advantage of being able to check the alignment is ok before shelling out the spondulicks as we say in Ireland! But I still live in hope that one day I'll find a bargain!
I've always wanted a Mini Turtle, particularly the JDM with red highlights, but have never found a good enough price to justify the possibility of misalignment, a wonky bracelet and a (albeit crystal clear) mineral crystal. And I've sold a few Seikos with no regrets myself (an Alpinist and a few 5s)
So my Seiko 5 sport wiggles the second hand when I update the time. Not sure if it does that when it's run out and I set as its not doing that now as I've had it on all day. Also it has a fing smudge thing above the A in automatic.
I happen to be wearing mine (K version; w/o red hand and red lettering) as I am watching this. My most worn watch for my 7.25" wrist, ever since I bought it 5 1/2 yrs. ago. The only watch I'd probably trade it in for is the new Slim Turtle, but I have yet to convince myself that that watch, which retails for about $1,000, is 2-3× better than the mini (I bought my mini at about $330).
Great vid, as always, but I'm not convinced with the Seiko, especially the strap; entry-level quality. But I was wondering if the Steeldive was going to make an appearance... a superior watch in many respects (IMHO) and yes, as you say, ridiculous value. I've got a black one and a green one (thanks to you) and I love them.
common Stilldive has only one plus over Seiko, is a price, nothing else. You have bit more money you go with Seiko, you have less you go with Chinese copying brand's. Of course having sapphire glass is good thing but it will never convince me to put this kind of brands over respected ones. I have many watches with sapphire glass and many without and all in great condition.
Great review Jody and I am glad my fav brand lured you back again. Jeez, sapphire crystal - it would hardly be a Seiko then? So I know you referred to the Prospex Logo as the X, and I guess having 2 crossed letters makes it so, but do we all know that it is made up of a P crossed over an S? Check the coloured hang tag, which has a yellow and a white PS. I just want people who don't already know to realise. Maybe it's common knowledge, and not really that important. Love you Seiko. Cheers Jody.
My only Seiko is sumarai with the save the ocean manta ray edition. LOVE the dial. Changed mediocre bracelet for a strapcode blue strap. It is a beautiful watch with sapphire crystal. I will not buy any more watches without a Sapphire crystal. Enjoy your reviews.
Just bought my 1st skx007j🥳 fully original with papers as they say😂. I put it on a oyster seiko bracelet that fit but is not meant for it. And I love it. It will get the most wrist time for sure.
I have only ever purchased one. I spent a long time choosing and it’s fabulous! It lines up but was not accurate and I sent it back for a tune up! The model? Spb317j1. Expensive but so worth it. I think you would love it Jody.
I've had three Seikos so far: the SARB017, the Recraft SNKP25, and the Seiko 5 SRPE63. I sold the Recraft a few years ago after growing bored and annoyed with it. Sometimes I miss it, sometimes not. I considered selling my Alpinst once, but I knew I'd regret it if I did.
Is there an automatic watch, metal / bracelet type, with day/date and tritium loom, ideally the longer half life tritium? I can not find such a watch, I really want one that has these features :(
Went to Tokyo last month. My god, we could not find a single Seiko Turtle. They had the new version with the date at 4 o'clock location, but the normal turtle and king turtle were nonexistant.
Great watch, but why is the crown at 3? I have a full size turtle and the way the crown blends into the case at 4 is one of the best features. The full size turtle only has 47mm lug to lug so is fine on average sized wrists too.
Love seiko but I just realized I have too many seikos in my collection. I need to consolidate and get rid of some... I am appreciating more watches form micro barnds who use seiko movement but offer better quality bracelet and cystal. Also better price!!!
As a guy with small wrists, I've had my eyes on the mini turtle (specifically the PADI version) for years. Unfortunately, now that I've decided to pull the trigger on buying one, it has gotten quite hard recently to find any mini turtle in shops here in my country, to the point that I started wondering if they stopped making these! Perhaps having a Seiko regret is something we have in common, but mine being that I didn't buy one when I had a chance!
Hmmm, the crown pushes against the back of the hand? I don't wear watches very tightly on wrist, so sometimes some crown models leave a wonderful mark on my back hand... How does it feel this?
I still have mine from about 4 years ago. Hasn't seen much wrist time, as the minute track is pretty severly misaligned :D I like the watch tho and im not going to sell it :) the jdm version is sexy tho..
Jody! The Seiko I regret selling with all of my heart is the watch I sent to you to review on your channel a few years ago. My Seiko Sarb035! I have no idea why I sold it, but I did and I absolutely regret it. Sometimes when I really miss it I watch to video you did (sad I know).
Funnily enough, I find the difference between standard mineral crystal and Hardlex to be pretty stark- I have an old SNK603 that has 0 scratches after two years of daily use, and a Citizen "floatplane" that has picked up several scratches in 6 months...
i buy vintage seiko quartz from the late 70’s. They are fantastic watches. Modern seiko doesn’t seem so great-too many other brands out there these days
Yea, Jody got a Mini Turtle! My favorite bracelet for the Mini Turtle is the Uncle Seiko Beads of Rice. Not sure if he still makes it though. I bought a used Made in Japan PADI Mini Turtle that the previous owner had put on the Uncle Seiko BOR bracelet, plus I got the original strap, box, and all papers. It's a keeper for me. I'll never part with it. Congrats Jody. Hope you keep this one. Swap out the clasp for a milled one to get rid of the useless diver's extension. It wears much better when you do. And for the record, all Prospex watches have the embossed indices. Enjoy.
Hi Jodi. This vid sprung up and I knew I had to get this watch. Chrono 24 shipped it from Japan to uk in four days. Yeah the bracelet and clasp aren’t the best but boy what a watch. Thanks for the vid. This one is a keeper, not going to flip this one. (How many times have I said that lol) no I’m keeping this one.
I like the watch, I wouldn't mind upgrading the "crystal", the crown I don't care much on having it sign, Seiko never had those from early years so not bothered with that detail, regarding the bracelet, I don't think I agree steeldive bracelet is very sturdy and consistent, Seiko ones not so much just look at the sport 5 and they are disappointing, but the good part of Seiko is plenty of aftermarket customizing...
7 inch wrist is not exactly small, the big brother turtle would have look much nicer on you👍 My only regret with Seiko is they drop price like flies, never never buy as soon as they released.
Even though I do like the looks of Many Seiko's I won't touch one with a 10' pole. Their QC is so terrible, and the prices have been going up and up. So it's getting difficult to justify the price/value, especially when their movements are available in the compitition... often with better spects, usually with better QC, and lower prices. The Mini Turtle is nice, but that bracelet would be gone... wouldn't even go to the trouble of sizing it. TBH the SKX 007 IS a Seiko I have thought about, but not at the prices that it's at now.
This watch is a good example of how dimensions don't really tell the story. If you measure the bezel diameter, it is 38mm. The xtra case dimension sort of becomes background. I also like on how the shape of the watch almost changes from different angles. On wrist from overhead it looks fat and round, but as you roll your wrist to a side view it becomes more narrow and tapered.
Hi Jody, where do you sell your post review watches? eBay? Anyway, please could you let us know? I for one would gladly buy one or three of your watches! Good review as always👍
Always telling if you feel you have to re-buy a watch. I guess you never know until you sell one on, but I do try to imagine if I’d pine for it’s return before I sell one on - currently going through that exercise for a Samurai and a Helm 🤞
Thinking of selling my king samurai. I don’t wear it because of the size. But I think it will be too painful to lose the money as I don’t think they get much in the second hand market 😭
have many watches and 2 mini turtles and I have to say I love this watch, its little gem, is just beautiful, great watch. Blue version is my beater watch for my work on construction side , all my expensive watches stays in box but mini turtle is always with me almost everyday, so is kind a special one.
Of the 70 or so Seiko's I've sold over the years, I only ended up repurchasing 3. Each rebuy was new as well: 1) SKA098 Kinetic 2) SRP637 Baby Tuna 3) SRP499 Stargate II (Black Ion plated) A couple years ago I ended up selling the SRP499, yet again 😒. The other 2 are keepers.
I don’t get how the Chinese brands can put sapphire on almost everything in the 50-100 dollar range but seiko can’t do it with watches in the 300+ range.
100% agree. This is by far the biggest turn off for me about Seiko.
I can only speculate they want to retain competition within their own range with the higher end offerings. If there were less distinction between these and the lower end people might buy the higher end stuff less.
But I think they have to be losing out as other lower end brands keep improving their offerings. They've lost me as a customer anyway, purely on the basis sapphire should 100% be offered at that price point.
Dont get too far, even alba their sub brands can give sapphire in 50 dollar price
I totally agree - that's why as a Seiko fan I often buy better specced micro brand homages now instead!
Because there is no spec war. Seiko sells what they customers buy, no matter what watch hobbyist say (or what Aliexpress offer)
@@frank327 Was basically going to say what you said ... Not sure how spicy a take it is, but I have the sense that Seiko intentionally *choose* not to put sapphire on their lower range ... to differentiate their higher-end Prospex, etc. Totally seems like the wrong way to do it -- having people walk around with scratched-up crystals isn't a good look.
This seiko mini turtle is the wedding gift I got from my wife. Never letting go of it on my collection. 😊❤
No regrets! Only more misaligned bezels.
They should do better quality control imo i forgive misaligned bezel on my casio marlin(though mine is aligned lucky) but not on anything from a big company at $150+
I'm pretty sure it's spelled regerts.
@@drbobsnightmare2521 misaligned letters.
@@damianwims 😂 lol
🎶 Regerts, I've had a few
If they had put the crown at 4 o’clock then I’d have already bought this one. The size and look have that pure Seiko diver heritage, but somehow that 3 o’clock crown just looks wrong to me. I’m wearing my 6309 today to celebrate your repurchase - congrats Jody!
I just got my Japanese one last week too! Love the pop of red. It's going to see plenty of beach and snorkel time this summer.
I bought my Mini Turtle following your original review, it’s still quite probably the most comfortable watch I own as my wrists are small, pretty much anything above 43mm is out for me as they just look silly and are not comfortable. Beautiful watch and a great re-buy.
I love my two new JDM Mini Turtles I’ve gotten in the last year. Their Hulk Green and the Icy Frost dial are gorgeous, and once I put them on some MiLTAT Endmill and super J bracelets, they really elevated into something spectacular.
Definitely the sarb017 alpinist. The only Seiko I regret selling.
Yess welcome back to the mini turtle club! I absolutely love my PADI version. The pepsi bezel, the patterned dial that looks just like the soles of my watersport shoes. In fact i wore it for work yesterday!
Snap, the green one landed on my doorstep a week ago. Love it, and a unique set of indicies that aren't sharred by any other model. The only downside is that my regular turtles now feel a bit big
Good video. The mini Turtle is nice...but I still love and prefer the Arnie in this (Seiko) price range. Don't get me wrong, I like my Steel Dives too, but they just don't have the same wrist presence as a Seiko. I do agree with you Jody, Orient gives you a lot of great features for the price.
I bought the mini turtle with the "frost" dial, SBDY109. I think it's one of the best dials you can buy under $500. Classed it up with a jubilee bracelet and love wearing it!
The end links fit on the aftermarket jubilee?
Yes, sold my SARB033, bought one back and it’s now one of my most go-to watches. I think I might look into JDMs now. Thx cheers 🍻
I've got the PADI version and got myself a Strapcode jubilee bracelet for it, needed a bit of adjustment from a dremel to get it to fit. Its back on the blue rubber strap that it came on at the moment. Fits my 6.75 wrist well.
It is not mini for sure. It is a nice watch, just surprised it is mineral crystal and not sapphire for the price. This watch does what Gshock has been doing on some of their models that are like 42 to 45mm, short lug to lug makes them fit my 6.8-inch wrist, and being resin I forget I am wearing it. I used to love the Seiko brand in the 80s. My first was from my Grandmother in 1981 for my 16th birthday. I knew nothing about watches back then. Enjoy your mini turtle, Jody, thanks for sharing it with us.
Still have my padi mini turtle. It is a cool watch. Only complain I have is that I would have like the crown to be more tucked in the case. It can be uncomfortable if you wear it on the knuckle.
I was wondering when you were going to pick one up again! Great choice! Wearing mine today that I picked up from Gnomon after watching your original review! It's an awesome Seiko and super comfortable.
Hi Jody, if you're looking for a Seiko to review I would love to see a video on the SACM171. HAQ, sapphire crystal, very thin, drilled lugs and a beautiful dial. It's a beautiful dress watch and the cheapest Seiko I recall seeing with a sapphire crystal
Cool, first again. 😁 Beautiful and timeless design. I don't think I could bring myself to dip it into salt water. I do prefer the offset crown of the larger sibling. It's the signature look of the Turtle I think it should still have.
They really do have a fantastic fit for smaller wrists...I've always opted for a Samurai myself though, just seem to have a little more personality for me
nice one Jody!im wearing my Steel Dive watching that I love!
Thanks for the review and for the intro to Buyee. I have made quote a few purchases through them, including a Seiko Astron. An excellent service.
A few months back I was in the market for a Seiko diver and just getting a Mini-Turtle at a reasonable price was just impossible. I ended up with the SRPE93 and am happy with it.. but there will always be the 'what if..?' part of me that would love to still find a Mini-Turtle.
Have been using Buyee since 2016. Never had a single issue. Just recently ordered a seiko directly from Japan through them.
Thanks Jody great looking watch I love a Seiko 👍 I’ve just wrecked my Seiko titanium perpetual calendar trying to fit a new battery 🥲
A great overview of this watch as usual Jody. Thanks. I have a suggestion to make: Can you put the model number on the screen when you are listing the major dimensions (e.g. at 7:12)?
Shopping at now, as I never actually pulled the trigger and bought one when I should have. Looks like your means of purchasing. It is definitely the only economical way to go… Seeing it for 500+ everywhere else. Thanks for a great re-review.
The most underrated seiko diver imo
I actually laughed out loud when you pulled out the Mini Turtle. Eh, I think anyone who buys a Seiko these days have accepted that it comes with a mineral crystal. Although it’s a bit of a slap in the face because that umbrella comes with a sapphire handle I believe. 😆
HA! Sapphire Seiko Umbrella? No, but Strapcode do offer a custom bracelet for it.
The King Turtles Sapphire, and only about 400 dollars
@@maxn5378 That’s the great thing about Seiko is that their catalogue is so huge, you’re bound to find something you like. I actually don’t mind their Hardlex. It just would be great if some of their very popular watches came with sapphire. I’ve actually had some luck removing scratches from Hardlex with scratch remover. It just takes over an hour to do it.
I had a feeling we might see another one of these on the channel. I still have my full size turtle with the anthracite dial. Love that watch. I do like the splashes of red on this one. Its a great looking watch. They're still one of the most comfortable wearing watches.
There's a nice one of these with a fancy ice white dial on Sakura that I keep looking at..... My seiko regret is one that I didn't buy. It was some old classic turlte that had obviuosly been hanging around a jewellery shop on a Greek island for ages, was for sale at a big discount. I hummed and hawed and in the end didn't buy it (didn't think I could get it past the boss lady!) and I regret it. I'll never see another turtle that cheap
- A King Mini Turtle from Seiko would be nice. I wish they had kept the crown at 4 o’clock for better comfort when wearing it low on the wrist.
I bought this version from Sakura last year and it will never leave the collection. So underrated! Sold my SARB and never regretted it, the only Seiko I regret selling is my SND309.
Short lug-to-lug with a broad case reminds me a ton of the 6105 and the various homages.
Would have been fun to compare with the king turtle. I find that the king turtle deserve a nice jubilee strapcode bracelet.
I had an old Seiko Silverwave 8229-8000 - nothing fancy but it was a great grabngo. Sold it years ago. Still miss it. Nothing fancy, just a solid well-made stainless quartz.
I regretted selling my Sea Urchin. Didn't realize they'd been discontinued by the time I sold it, and prices had about tripled once the regret set in. So I just let it go, and bought an Orient Ray 2 as a replacement. The Orient cured my regret!
I have both and while I enjoy the Sea Urchin, the Orient is a better watch in most departments.
Case with short lug to lug looks good but of the comparisons i still prefer the Tuna. I've only bought two Seikos... One back in the late 70s which sadly i wrecked and a Monster nearly 20 years ago which has a charmed life and stays with me forever
Weird! I was just think something similar trying to decide if I should go back (sarx045) or forge ahead (brightz) or sideways to timex Giorgio galli.
Worked in H. Samuel in the 80s and bought myself a Seiko with lovely blue dial with the SQ symbol on it. Still have it, still works.
I have the same regret!!! I actually had mine modded with sapphire crystal. Miss the mini!!
Awesome piece, the first thing I would do is put on a bi color Nato strap.
Excellent video Jody. For some reason most Seiko watches sold here in Turkey are Made in Japan. It's almost like a domestic market! Not everything is available but a lot is. Same for Orient I've got a couple of Orient watches I haven't seen anywhere else in Europe. Maybe it's because Turkey is within the sales region? I don't know. I do have a Buyee account thanks to you but haven't used it, because, taking into account around 24% added to the price ftom import duty and fees I've got the watches I wanted locally for the same or less with the added advantage of being able to check the alignment is ok before shelling out the spondulicks as we say in Ireland! But I still live in hope that one day I'll find a bargain!
I've always wanted a Mini Turtle, particularly the JDM with red highlights, but have never found a good enough price to justify the possibility of misalignment, a wonky bracelet and a (albeit crystal clear) mineral crystal. And I've sold a few Seikos with no regrets myself (an Alpinist and a few 5s)
Lovely wee watch. Grab a strapcode or similar bracelet and it’s a keeper! Nice review Mr M 🥳 😘
So my Seiko 5 sport wiggles the second hand when I update the time. Not sure if it does that when it's run out and I set as its not doing that now as I've had it on all day. Also it has a fing smudge thing above the A in automatic.
I got a kick ass grey-on-grey Citezen Q&Q Duro-lookalike from buyee for I think $25 (plus about the same, shipping). Real sweet deal!
1- great video. LOVE my Willard homage. Ridiculous value.
2- what are some good sites to sell watches?
Great video! Where did you get your Nirvana shirt?
Great video Jody 👍
I happen to be wearing mine (K version; w/o red hand and red lettering) as I am watching this. My most worn watch for my 7.25" wrist, ever since I bought it 5 1/2 yrs. ago. The only watch I'd probably trade it in for is the new Slim Turtle, but I have yet to convince myself that that watch, which retails for about $1,000, is 2-3× better than the mini (I bought my mini at about $330).
I had my eye on this one for a while as it would be good for my small wrist. Thought it would look good on a nylon strap
I bought an SPB185, amazing watch, had it about a year and the bezel spring snapped
Great vid, as always, but I'm not convinced with the Seiko, especially the strap; entry-level quality. But I was wondering if the Steeldive was going to make an appearance... a superior watch in many respects (IMHO) and yes, as you say, ridiculous value. I've got a black one and a green one (thanks to you) and I love them.
common Stilldive has only one plus over Seiko, is a price, nothing else. You have bit more money you go with Seiko, you have less you go with Chinese copying brand's. Of course having sapphire glass is good thing but it will never convince me to put this kind of brands over respected ones. I have many watches with sapphire glass and many without and all in great condition.
Patiently waiting for the seiko umbrella mod video! 😛
Nice review of the steeldive.
Great review Jody and I am glad my fav brand lured you back again. Jeez, sapphire crystal - it would hardly be a Seiko then? So I know you referred to the Prospex Logo as the X, and I guess having 2 crossed letters makes it so, but do we all know that it is made up of a P crossed over an S? Check the coloured hang tag, which has a yellow and a white PS. I just want people who don't already know to realise. Maybe it's common knowledge, and not really that important. Love you Seiko. Cheers Jody.
My only Seiko is sumarai with the save the ocean manta ray edition. LOVE the dial. Changed mediocre bracelet for a strapcode blue strap. It is a beautiful watch with sapphire crystal. I will not buy any more watches without a Sapphire crystal. Enjoy your reviews.
Just bought my 1st skx007j🥳 fully original with papers as they say😂. I put it on a oyster seiko bracelet that fit but is not meant for it. And I love it. It will get the most wrist time for sure.
I have only ever purchased one. I spent a long time choosing and it’s fabulous! It lines up but was not accurate and I sent it back for a tune up! The model? Spb317j1. Expensive but so worth it. I think you would love it Jody.
I've had three Seikos so far: the SARB017, the Recraft SNKP25, and the Seiko 5 SRPE63. I sold the Recraft a few years ago after growing bored and annoyed with it. Sometimes I miss it, sometimes not. I considered selling my Alpinst once, but I knew I'd regret it if I did.
O, same style " Three links" bracelet as my Yellang! Now I 'm relax! 😂
Was expecting a chrono, but I should have known.. yup, the competition is the Steeldive, nice vid!
Is there an automatic watch, metal / bracelet type, with day/date and tritium loom, ideally the longer half life tritium? I can not find such a watch, I really want one that has these features :(
Went to Tokyo last month. My god, we could not find a single Seiko Turtle. They had the new version with the date at 4 o'clock location, but the normal turtle and king turtle were nonexistant.
Why did you want one? Don't want a non-JDM version?
Great watch, but why is the crown at 3? I have a full size turtle and the way the crown blends into the case at 4 is one of the best features. The full size turtle only has 47mm lug to lug so is fine on average sized wrists too.
Love seiko but I just realized I have too many seikos in my collection. I need to consolidate and get rid of some... I am appreciating more watches form micro barnds who use seiko movement but offer better quality bracelet and cystal. Also better price!!!
As a guy with small wrists, I've had my eyes on the mini turtle (specifically the PADI version) for years. Unfortunately, now that I've decided to pull the trigger on buying one, it has gotten quite hard recently to find any mini turtle in shops here in my country, to the point that I started wondering if they stopped making these! Perhaps having a Seiko regret is something we have in common, but mine being that I didn't buy one when I had a chance!
where do you live?
why not to buy online from japan, 299 euros pus shipping, maybe with tax but you can do it everyday 10 times
Hmmm, the crown pushes against the back of the hand? I don't wear watches very tightly on wrist, so sometimes some crown models leave a wonderful mark on my back hand... How does it feel this?
I still have mine from about 4 years ago. Hasn't seen much wrist time, as the minute track is pretty severly misaligned :D I like the watch tho and im not going to sell it :) the jdm version is sexy tho..
Is there a small lumed indicie beside the date at 3? There’s always a weird reflection on the crystal there and it’s hard to tell
Jody! The Seiko I regret selling with all of my heart is the watch I sent to you to review on your channel a few years ago. My Seiko Sarb035! I have no idea why I sold it, but I did and I absolutely regret it. Sometimes when I really miss it I watch to video you did (sad I know).
Funnily enough, I find the difference between standard mineral crystal and Hardlex to be pretty stark- I have an old SNK603 that has 0 scratches after two years of daily use, and a Citizen "floatplane" that has picked up several scratches in 6 months...
In house top to bottom production. Solid 4R35 movement. Monocle. Excellent specs. Hardlex IA adequate. A fine timepiece.
I definitely regretted selling the King Seiko KSK anniversary, doubt I'll find the spare cash to re buy
I have 2 Seiko 5s. Wearing one right now. Im enjoying it.
i buy vintage seiko quartz from the late 70’s. They are fantastic watches. Modern seiko doesn’t seem so great-too many other brands out there these days
Yea, Jody got a Mini Turtle! My favorite bracelet for the Mini Turtle is the Uncle Seiko Beads of Rice. Not sure if he still makes it though. I bought a used Made in Japan PADI Mini Turtle that the previous owner had put on the Uncle Seiko BOR bracelet, plus I got the original strap, box, and all papers. It's a keeper for me. I'll never part with it. Congrats Jody. Hope you keep this one. Swap out the clasp for a milled one to get rid of the useless diver's extension. It wears much better when you do. And for the record, all Prospex watches have the embossed indices. Enjoy.
Totally agree - US BOR is the way to go! The retro styling suits the mini turtle and it's way more comfy on the wrist.
I love your videos, so much so, that I am giving some serious consideration to your Erebus Origin watch. I hate pressed clasps. Seikp, please..
Hi Jodi. This vid sprung up and I knew I had to get this watch. Chrono 24 shipped it from Japan to uk in four days. Yeah the bracelet and clasp aren’t the best but boy what a watch. Thanks for the vid. This one is a keeper, not going to flip this one. (How many times have I said that lol) no I’m keeping this one.
I regret getting my first two Seiko's modded...my SKX009 and pepsi Sea Urchin. It was a growing phase, I guess.
Glad you were able to get it again. Enjoy
I have an SRPC37J used in near mint condition, with box and warranty. Looking to sell it. Any recommendations on what the selling price should be?
I like the watch, I wouldn't mind upgrading the "crystal", the crown I don't care much on having it sign, Seiko never had those from early years so not bothered with that detail, regarding the bracelet, I don't think I agree steeldive bracelet is very sturdy and consistent, Seiko ones not so much just look at the sport 5 and they are disappointing, but the good part of Seiko is plenty of aftermarket customizing...
Get your hands on a Seiko "Ripley" Guigiaro reissue. It's very different from their usual stuff, and is JDM only. No way would I ever get rid of it.
7 inch wrist is not exactly small, the big brother turtle would have look much nicer on you👍 My only regret with Seiko is they drop price like flies, never never buy as soon as they released.
Even though I do like the looks of Many Seiko's I won't touch one with a 10' pole. Their QC is so terrible, and the prices have been going up and up.
So it's getting difficult to justify the price/value, especially when their movements are available in the compitition... often with better spects, usually with better QC, and lower prices.
The Mini Turtle is nice, but that bracelet would be gone... wouldn't even go to the trouble of sizing it. TBH the SKX 007 IS a Seiko I have thought about, but not at the prices that it's at now.
This watch is a good example of how dimensions don't really tell the story. If you measure the bezel diameter, it is 38mm. The xtra case dimension sort of becomes background.
I also like on how the shape of the watch almost changes from different angles. On wrist from overhead it looks fat and round, but as you roll your wrist to a side view it becomes more narrow and tapered.
Hi Jody, where do you sell your post review watches? eBay? Anyway, please could you let us know? I for one would gladly buy one or three of your watches! Good review as always👍
My only repurchase from seiko was my sea urchin I will never get rid of it again even with the collection ups and downs
does it cost more for manufacturer to have a sapphire crystal or milled clasp ?
Always telling if you feel you have to re-buy a watch. I guess you never know until you sell one on, but I do try to imagine if I’d pine for it’s return before I sell one on - currently going through that exercise for a Samurai and a Helm 🤞
Thinking of selling my king samurai. I don’t wear it because of the size. But I think it will be too painful to lose the money as I don’t think they get much in the second hand market 😭
I cannot believe you haven't looked at more Orient Star watches. I learned the hard way Seiko quality could suck start a Harley.
Btw Jody, please make a video to switch seik midi srpk33, i want that jubilee😅
I love these mini turtles! I think these are going to become cult classics, perhaps like the Spork.
have many watches and 2 mini turtles and I have to say I love this watch, its little gem, is just beautiful, great watch. Blue version is my beater watch for my work on construction side , all my expensive watches stays in box but mini turtle is always with me almost everyday, so is kind a special one.
I Liked the side by side comparisons
I purchased the Turtle. Not going to sell it. Very nice, love the watch.
Of the 70 or so Seiko's I've sold over the years, I only ended up repurchasing 3. Each rebuy was new as well:
1) SKA098 Kinetic
2) SRP637 Baby Tuna
3) SRP499 Stargate II (Black Ion plated)
A couple years ago I ended up selling the SRP499, yet again 😒.
The other 2 are keepers.