Welcome, Fratelli, to the fourth spherical of the 2023 Seiko World Cup. For this inaugural contest, the main target is on dive watches! At this time, we see RJ and his Marinemaster SBDX001 go up in opposition to Nacho and his Prospex SRPC35K1 (aka the “Mini Turtle”). As with a number of the earlier rounds, this time, it’s additionally a private match as each RJ and Nacho personal the watches they’ll be defending. That is the final showdown within the group stage earlier than shifting on to the semifinals, which is able to kick off subsequent week. So, with out additional ado, let’s meet our contenders and get into the motion. As at all times, bear in mind to learn by way of to the top and vote in your winner!
In RJ’s nook, we’ve got the traditional Seiko Marinemaster reference SBDX001, a correct high-end mannequin with rugged appears reminiscent of the Seiko 6519-7000 from 1968. And in Nacho’s nook, we’ve got the common-or-garden Seiko Prospex SRPC35K1. This discontinued mannequin had a brief manufacturing run, throughout which it acquired the “Mini Turtle” moniker. This is because of its smaller scale in comparison with the 45mm SRP777 “Turtle” launched in 2016. One might take into account right now’s contenders to exist in numerous weight courses altogether, with the unique value of the Marinemaster being about quadruple that of the Mini Turtle. Nevertheless, as we’ve got seen already on this Seiko World Cup, on the subject of the model’s dive watches, generally the underdog comes out on prime. Let’s kick issues off with Nacho and the SRPC35K1.
Nacho: SRPC35K1 “Mini Turtle”
Properly, it seems like I’ve walked right into a David-versus-Goliath state of affairs in my first Seiko World Cup outing. Nevertheless, I nonetheless like my possibilities. I’m a giant fan of the Mini Turtle. Positive, it’s not the obvious selection, however it does have loads going for it. I already wrote an article singing its praises two years in the past. First launched in Japan in late 2017, the SRPC35K1 made its worldwide debut in early 2018. Sadly, Seiko discontinued it simply a few years later. However within the quick time that it was out there to the general public, it claimed the hearts of many Seiko collectors. With a humble buy value of €439 (on the metal bracelet), it gives fairly a bit by way of price-to-specs ratio. It was smaller and extra wearable than the marginally pricier SRP777; it had all of the makings of an immediate hit.
Extra importantly, the Mini Turtle had a handful of quirks that have been atypical for Seiko divers. Most of those will be discovered on the 3 o’clock place, the primary being its crown. Most Seiko divers default to a 4 o’clock crown. The Turtle, SKX, and their respective predecessors have this Seiko staple. Additionally at 3 o’clock, the date is highlighted by a Hardlex magifier, a uncommon factor in most trendy Seiko watches, which provides the Mini Turtle a singular look. Not like the aforementioned watches, the Mini Turtle has a 20mm lug spacing. This offers it a extra refined and stylish look than a chunkier 22mm strap would. One other design quirk is the “tombstone” markers, that are utilized to the matte black dial and crammed with a ton of lume.
Entry-level worth and hard-to-beat wearability
Now, we’ve got to remember that, in distinction to the high-end Marinemaster, the Mini Turtle was a mid/entry-level mannequin. Which means that every thing you see comes at a fraction of the worth of the MM. And for its value, you actually get loads of worth, even in comparison with a few of its equally traditional contemporaries. We’ll begin with the motion. Contained in the SRPC35K1, you discover Seiko’s 4R35. A step above the model’s base calibers, it options hacking, hand winding, and a easy date at 3 o’clock. For a just-above-entry-level mannequin, the motion feels nice and operates very properly. Our photographer Morgan famous that when taking pictures the watches for the Seiko World Cup, the Mini Turtle’s crown and bezel motion felt the perfect of all of them. That’s excessive reward from a photographer in his eleventh hour of taking pictures Seiko watches.
One characteristic of the Mini Turtle that has at all times stood out to me is the standard of its general ending. It sits a reduce above an SKX and even the SRP777. The case, with its glossy, twisting lugs, is superbly brushed. The polished sides and internal lug aspects really feel delicate and refined. The brushed end can also be featured on the fingers, which makes for a pleasant improve to Seiko’s most elementary set. The bracelet can also be surprisingly stable, that includes micro-adjustments and a dive extension. Lastly, let’s speak about proportions. The Mini Turtle measures up at 42.3mm in diameter by 43mm in size. This offers it a puck-like form, leading to a cushty and well-proportioned match on any wrist. Coupled with the 20mm lug spacing, its extremely versatile dimensions made the Mini Turtle appear really forward of the curve.
Turtle energy!
Maybe being forward of its time was the curse that killed the Mini Turtle. Nevertheless, these Seikos in a half shell are nonetheless on the market ready to be snapped up at a fraction of their retail value. That mentioned, I wish to wrap up my ode to this humble piece with a couple of factors that maintain me returning to it as my favourite trendy Seiko dive watch. The primary is that it was by no means an excessively fancy or costly piece. It was, as a great Seiko was, reasonably priced and qualitative. Its value by no means surpassed €500, not to mention €1,000. Sadly, this period of Seiko appears to have ended. At this time, you will get a Seiko 5 Sports activities mannequin for round €300. It doesn’t provide the Prospex high quality and specs, although. And to get these, you’ll face a invoice of not less than €600 for the trendy 45mm Turtle (ref. SRPE03K1).
With the SKX and Mini Turtle gone, the section by which they used to shine is now a vacuum.
Lastly, I really like that the SRPC35K1 feels Seiko by way of and thru but, by some means, it stays an oddball mannequin. Its three-year stint was a brief one by which it didn’t get almost as a lot recognition as I really feel it deserved. However, as I mentioned in my 2021 article on the Mini Turtle, I firmly imagine it has the making of a future collectible traditional. It’s charming and well-specced, seems like a correct instrument watch, and gives every thing you’d need from a every day “beater.” So, with that and every thing else in thoughts, I ask you to contemplate selecting the underdog, the SRPC35K1 Mini Turtle, as your choose on this fourth spherical of the Seiko World Cup.
That mentioned, could the perfect diver win! Now over to RJ and his Marinemaster.
RJ: Marinemaster 300 SBDX001
I’ve been into watches for the reason that Nineteen Nineties, however I solely bought my first Seiko in 2014. Admittedly, I uncared for the model for a really very long time till my colleague Mike Stockton satisfied me that I needed to look into it. So I did, and I discovered myself shopping for a number of (reasonably priced) Seiko watches in 2014 — the obligatory SKX007, a Child Tuna (SRP231), and a classic reference 6309. Oh, and I additionally bought an SBDC001, the mannequin that Jorg is defending on this Seiko competitors on Fratello. They have been all extremely well-built watches and wonderful bang for the buck.
My curiosity for the costlier Seiko watches grew, and I questioned how they’d evaluate to manufacturers like Longines, Tudor, Oris, and so forth. Then the Seiko Marinemaster 300 SBDX001 got here throughout my path, and I used to be enthusiastic about it. Again in 2015, I wrote an article about proudly owning that watch, and for a very long time, it was one of many best-read tales on Fratello.
Fifteen years in manufacturing
The SBDX001 relies on a classic Seiko diver from 1968 (reference 6159-7000) and is a part of the Prospex assortment. The SBDX001 doesn’t have the Prospex brand, which got here solely later to the dial of the Marinemaster. The Seiko Marinemaster SBDX001 was launched in 2000 and changed in 2015 by the SBDX017, which carried only some minor updates. The largest updates for the Marinemaster got here with the introduction of the SLA019 in 2018, with a brand new motion (8L55) and a sapphire crystal. However let me get again to the SBDX001 with its Hardlex crystal and 8L35 motion for this Seiko competitors.
In 2015, the retail value of the Seiko Marinemaster 300 SBDX001 was roughly €2,000. And the specs have been very promising! It’s a critical diver’s watch with a monobloc case and Seiko’s 8L35 motion inside. This caliber relies on the Grand Seiko 9S55 however with out the particular fantastic regulation. The 44mm case of the SBDX001 has a elegant end on some surfaces, utilizing the Zaratsu (mirror-blade) approach. Later in 2015, I came upon that the Marinemaster 300 was truly produced in the identical manufacture the place the mechanical Grand Seiko fashions have been made.
Pre-owned powerhouse
The Seiko Marinemaster 300 SBDX001 was — and nonetheless is — clearly a step up from the opposite Seikos I had bought earlier in 2014. It’s an extremely well-built and expertly completed watch that might simply be in comparison with costlier watches from Swiss manufacturers. And I don’t imply simply from the aforementioned manufacturers like Oris, Tudor, and Longines. Certainly, I might even go so far as to say that the SBDX001 was a really critical competitor to the then-current Seamaster Diver 300M mannequin. I additionally like the truth that Seiko didn’t see any purpose to replace this mannequin between 2000 and 2015. It was simply there, being superior because it was.
At this time, the equal of the Marinemaster 300 SBDX001 is the SLA021. Seiko dropped the Marinemaster title from the dial and changed it with the Prospex brand. The retail value right now of the SLA021 is €3,200. Whereas it’s nonetheless a great value for what you get, you may as well discover a pre-owned Marinemaster SBDX001 between €1,500 and €2,000, which I’d suggest.
And sure, the SBDX001 is giant (44.3mm broad × 15mm thick) and heavy (over 220 grams), however it’s a superb dive watch that brings you near what the costlier Grand Seiko diver watches have to supply however for (manner) much less cash. Even after all of the publicity the Marinemaster 300 and its successors obtained, it’s nonetheless a extensively underrated and under-the-radar watch.
Regardless of its measurement and weight, the Seiko Marinemaster 300 SBDX001 will be worn every day. When you have smaller wrists, it won’t be very snug to take action, however not less than you could have a watch you may seize while you’re off diving or swimming (or simply for holidays) with out having to fret. It’s a correct instrument watch however with the perks of good Zaratsu ending and a fantastic mechanical motion.
One Seiko diver to rule all of them
After I bought the Seiko Marinemaster 300 SBDX001, I didn’t have many causes to put on a number of the Seikos I purchased earlier. It did set off me to buy a Grand Seiko later, although. I concluded that, by way of high quality (ending and specs), the SBDX001 is nearer to the watches from Grand Seiko than the Seiko fashions as much as €1,000.
What I discovered attention-grabbing is that, regardless of its 15-year manufacturing run, there are only some Marinemaster 300 SBDX001 watches provided on the pre-owned market. To me, that signifies that patrons of the SBDX001 are usually not letting it go that simply! And why ought to they? Except for Nacho’s weapon of selection for this competitors or all the opposite contenders, the SBDX001 is solely an incredible Seiko watch that provides loads for its value.
Seiko World Cup — Time to vote!
That’s it, of us! The group stage of this very first Seiko World Cup has drawn to a detailed. However earlier than we transfer on to the semifinals, you could forged your vote another time. So, which watch will get your vote? Will it’s Nacho’s humble hero, the SRPC35K1 Mini Turtle? Or will RJ’s Marinemaster SBDX001 be the one for you? Make sure that to vote under, and tune in once more subsequent week for the primary of the semifinal phases of the Seiko World Cup.
