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With the Seiko Prospex Turtle Land Tortoise, the Japanese watch giant ventures out of the comfort zone of professional diving watches. But don’t worry – the Turtle Land with the name suffix “Tortoise” combines the usual qualities with some useful extras! Together with Uhrenarena.de I have tested the green “Turtle”!

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About Uhrenarena.de

In my watch reviews, I would like to present not only exciting and interesting timepieces, but reputable online retailers, where it is worthwhile to stop by. One of them is Uhrenarena. The online retailer offers a large and qualitatively very good selection of wristwatches and jewelry. In the store you will find well-known brands like Casio, Fortis, Fossil, Seiko, Tissot, Zeppelin, Boss, Hilfiger and many more! 

Seiko Prospex Turtle Land Tortoise SRPH15K1
Photo © 2022 by WATCHDAVID® – All rights reserved

Worldwide shipping and secure payment options make Uhrenarena a real alternative to local jewelers. Nevertheless – advice and contact are important, especially for luxury goods like watches and jewelry. Therefore, a competent customer service is at your disposal. If you still prefer to buy locally, you can visit the store in Regensburg, Germany.

All watches are brand new and come with original packaging and all important papers. The Seiko Prospex Turtle Land Tortoise was sent to me fast and uncomplicated. 

A land tortoise

In fan communities, bulky reference names are often replaced by affectionate nicknames. This tradition can be found especially at Seiko. SNE577P1? Much clearer is the name Tuna. Tuna, Samurai, King Samurai, Alpinist and other legendary model series characterize Seiko’s sophisticated Prospex collection. Those who want to rely on this professional standard always reach for the models with the eye-catching X on the dial at Seiko. 

Among the important watches from the Japanese, one name should also not be missing: Turtle. Obviously, it is the well-known cushion shape of the case that helped the diving watch get its name. For some years now, it can be observed that Seiko is increasingly launching more “land-suitable” watches on the market. That means a compact design, other functions and a lot more! 

Seiko Prospex Turtle Land Tortoise SRPH15K1
Photo © 2022 by WATCHDAVID® – All rights reserved

To what extent my today’s test model with the reference number SRPH15K1 brings along these skills, that is to find out now in the watch review!

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I would not have expected that…

Love at first sight? I have to admit that the rich green of the dial and bezel didn’t convince me right away on the first photos. However, the Seiko Prospex Turtle Land Tortoise can quickly change that opinion. Hidden in the delivered black box is a timepiece that, contrary to expectations, looks very good! In reality, the green shade is more like the vintage look of the Seiko Prospex Alpinist SPB155J1.

The original box comes with all important accompanying papers as well as the warranty card. Seiko does not include extensive accessories. 

The Seiko Prospex Turtle Land Tortoise on the wrist.

Seiko Prospex Turtle Land Tortoise SRPH15K1
Photo © 2022 by WATCHDAVID® – All rights reserved

First of all: the typical Turtle look with the cushion-shaped case has remained. After all, we love the model series for its somewhat chunky design. Surprisingly new and pleasant, however, is the case size. Many Turtle models like to reach a diameter of 45 millimeters. My Turtle Land Tortoise is limited to a medium-sized 42 millimeters. These dimensions are also positively noticeable on the wrist. For me, at least, the smaller size definitely suits me better than the previous watches. In addition, the case protrudes clearly under the dial, which makes the watch look smaller. 

The Seiko Prospex Turtle Land Tortoise is now one size smaller and weighs “only” 150 grams including the stainless steel bracelet. The low case height of 12 millimeters is solid.

And visually? The watch connoisseur noticed it immediately. Instead of the previous diving bezel, Seiko has given the Tortoise a compass bezel. However, this means that the watch loses one of its most important components for professional diving. I don’t think this really bad, because the timepiece still brings some practical functions, which make the Seiko Prospex Turtle Land Tortoise quite suitable for outdoor use…

How to determine the cardinal points with a watch

Seiko Prospex Turtle Land Tortoise SRPH15K1
Photo © 2022 by WATCHDAVID® – All rights reserved

Turtle fans don’t have to expect any innovations in the case. The distinctive shape has remained, as have the largely matte polished, functional surfaces. The case finish is extremely successful. In general, as is so often the case with Seiko, the Prospex Turtle Land Tortoise can compete in quality with premium watches from the low four-digit price segment. When it comes to the price-performance ratio, no one is fooling the Japanese. 

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On the back, the screwed case back stands out. The scale with letters and corresponding explanations is striking. These are the so-called “Ground to Air Emergency Codes”. In an emergency, you are supposed to form the corresponding letters on the ground in order to communicate with the mountain rescue helicopter, for example. In the mountains, the scale can therefore be useful. 

Although the Prospex Turtle Land Tortoise is no longer a designated diver’s watch, Seiko gives it water resistance to a depth of 200 meters. Can’t hurt, even if you have to search for such a deep mountain lake first. On the front, scratch-resistant and high-quality sapphire crystal is used. 

The most exciting design feature, however, is the compass bezel. Rotating on both sides without resistance, the time and bezel can actually be used to read the cardinal directions with some degree of accuracy. A quick tutorial: align the watch with the dial facing up, parallel to the ground. Then take the half angle between the hour hand and 12 o’clock and align it with the sun. Using the bezel, you can now read the cardinal directions. However, you should not put too much emphasis on the exact accuracy. But we leave latitudes, daylight saving time and so on aside.

The automatic movement in detail

Seiko Prospex Turtle Land Tortoise SRPH15K1
Photo © 2022 by WATCHDAVID® – All rights reserved

Of course, Seiko builds the movement in-house. In this case, a 4R35 automatic caliber is used. With 21600 vibrations per hour and 23 jewels, it promises 41 hours of power reserve when fully wound. The 4R35 shows its strength in outdoor activities. It is considered to be particularly robust and durable. Only the accuracy is – let’s say – okay with a deviation of about +/- 25 seconds per day. But we are in the mid three-digit price segment.

I really like the position of the screw-down crown. It is located at 4 o’clock and therefore does not come into contact with the back of the hand, which noticeably improves the wearing comfort in everyday life. 

Dial and bracelet of the Seiko Prospex Turtle Land Tortoise.

Seiko Prospex Turtle Land Tortoise SRPH15K1
Photo © 2022 by WATCHDAVID® – All rights reserved

I never thought I’d say this, but I’d take the green Seiko Prospex Turtle Land Tortoise over its black sister model any day. The green hue, which I had reservations about at the beginning, is one of the main selling points in my opinion. The look is refined by a high-quality sunray cut.

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On the dial, you’ll find only the most important functions: Minute, hour second and a date window between 4 and 5 o’clock. The latter is almost somewhat inconspicuous. Thanks to the decent size of hands and indices, the dial is easy to read at any time. Even in the dark, I had no difficulties. Thanks to Lumibrite, bar indices and hands shine very brightly and evenly. I would like to emphasize the gold-colored second hand, which I find very aesthetic.

The Seiko Prospex Turtle Land Tortoise is worn on the classic stainless steel bracelet with matte links and folding clasp with safety pushers. The width between the lugs is 20 millimeters. My bracelet fits securely and comfortably.

My conclusion about the Seiko Prospex Turtle Land Tortoise

Seiko Prospex Turtle Land Tortoise SRPH15K1
Photo © 2022 by WATCHDAVID® – All rights reserved

The Seiko Prospex Turtle Land Tortoise has turned the Turtle diver’s watch into a functional timepiece, which can now be used even more flexibly and has been sensibly modified in some places. Nevertheless, the new Land Tortoise can be identified as a Turtle at first glance. The designers continue to rely on the iconic look. However, if you take a closer look at the somewhat shrunken watch, you can see the innovations. The compass bezel, which blends harmoniously into the design, is striking. 

You won’t be disappointed with the workmanship, and you get the premium quality typical of Seiko at a fair price, which is hard to beat. However, the green dial is likely to be the decisive reason for purchase. Conclusion: if you are looking for a green wristwatch with a functional look, the Seiko Prospex Turtle Land Tortoise is the perfect choice.

In the store of Uhrenarena.de the model costs 579,- Euro. All important links can be found below. My final thanks once again to Uhrenarena for supporting this review!

More about Seiko and the Prospex Turtle Land Tortoise

Here you can find the watch in the store at Uhrenarena.de

The complete brand selection of Uhrenarena

Even more Seiko watch reviews on WATCHDAVID

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Technical Details

NameSeiko Prospex Turtle Land Tortoise

Reference numberSRPH15K1

BrandSeiko

Categorydiving watches

Price from579,- Euro

Warranty2 years

Case Material316L stainless steel

Diameter42.00 mm

High12.00 mm

Watch GlassSapphire Crystal

Watch TypeAutomatic

Waterproof20 bar (200 m / 660 ft)

Movement NameSeiko 4R35

Power Reserve41 hours

Functionsdate / hour / Minute / second

Dialgreen

Indicesdashes

Special Featuresindices filled with luminous material

Bezelbidirectional / compass bezel / green

Bracelet Colorgrey

Bracelet Material316L stainless steel

Clasp316L stainless steel / folding clasp

Auch verfügbar auf Deutsch