For many years, Seiko has provided us with countless incredible tool watches with unbeatable value. Ever since the introduction of the first ever Seiko diver in 1975, Seiko embarked on their unfaltering endeavour to produce capable dive watches with numerous remarkable releases in subsequent years that has grown to be modern classics well-regarded by recreational divers and watch enthusiasts alike. The Prospex, or “Professional Specifications” range of watches are a line up of solidly built timepieces intended for use in the professional world.
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| Seiko Prospex Turtle Mini 200M Automatic Black 2nd Gen - Bracelet Ref. SBDY085 |
Like many of us Seiko lovers, quirky nicknames and new interpretations of past references undeniably evoke excitement to the hobby. The Turtle is widely recognized as one of Seiko’s most iconic professional dive watches, presenting a historic design dating back to more than 4 decades ago in 1977 with the release of the venerable Seiko Ref. 6309, the original 150m cushion case dive watch that was dubbed the “Turtle”. This timeless design certainly aged like fine wine, emitting a warm retro vibe that many enjoy. While it enjoyed most of the limelight, its little brother - the Mini Turtle offered many distinctive characteristics of the Turtle in a smaller, more compact form factor.
Seiko unveiled their latest iteration of the Prospex Mini Turtle which features subtle design refinements for a fresh and contemporary look. Like its predecessors, the Seiko Prospex Turtle Mini 200M Automatic Black 2nd Gen - Bracelet Ref. SBDY085 features a 42.3mm stainless steel cushion case with a lug to lug distance of 43mm and a thickness of 12.6mm. Those with smaller wrists will definitely rejoice with the excellent wearability of this piece.
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| MADE IN JAPAN with 4R35 automatic movement |
Due to its unique case shape and short lug to lug distance, the SBDY085 fits comfortably on most wrist sizes, working perfectly as a daily driver. Finishing is executed skilfully with fine satin brushing on the top of the lugs that transitions to a high polish at the side of the case. Despite having rather simple finishes, it is done to a high level of precision with Seiko’s watchmaking proficiency.
At the 3 o’clock position, the screw-down crown effectively equips this piece with a capable 200m of ISO-rated water resistance, making it a perfect companion to bring with you for diving adventures. This level of water resistance is also achieved as a result of the screw-in case back, revealing Seiko’s signature Tsunami logo, a mark signifying the watch’s competency as a professional ISO-rated Prospex diver. The watch is supplied with Seiko’s 20mm stainless steel bracelet with a fold-over clasp that holds the piece firmly on the wrist.
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| Mixture of case finishing for a premium feel |
Being a true dive watch, the Prospex Turtle Mini houses a stark black 120-click unidirectional rotating aluminium bezel. Operation of the bezel is exceptionally pleasing with deep grooves that provide a firm grip, accompanied with a buttery smooth bezel action with little to no backplay. White contrasting numerals and markers are printed clearly with a large triangle marker featuring a lume pip at the 12 o’clock position, providing great orientation even in the dark.
The dial layout remains relatively unchanged from the previous Mini-Turtle. However, the Prospex Turtle Mini 200M Automatic Black 2nd Gen - Bracelet Ref. SBDY085 brings a delightful dash of colour, utilizing a striking red second hand and printed ‘diver’s 200m’ text for an appealing contrast against the deep matte black dial. Needless to say, the large indexes and broad hands are generously treated with Seiko’s famed proprietary LumiBrite lume, exhibiting a bright and vibrant glow in dark lighting conditions. The dial is protected by Seiko’s proprietary impact-resistant Hardlex crystal that offers considerably higher scratch resistance compared to mineral crystals. At the 3 o’clock position, the crystal features a round date cyclops for ease of reading the date.
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| Seiko's LumiBrite |
The Prospex Turtle Mini SBDY085 is driven by the Seiko in-house caliber 4R35 automatic movement, a notable upgrade from the previous caliber 7S family of movements that were lacking in handwinding and hacking capabilities. This 23 jewel movement features a healthy power reserve of approximately 40 hours and beats at a rate of 21,600 beats per hour. Widely recognized as one of a ‘workhorse’ movement, the 4R35 boasts remarkable robustness from the proprietary Diashock anti-shock system and has a reputation to run reliably for an extended period of time without a service.
As expected from Seiko, the Prospex Turtle Mini 200M Automatic Black 2nd Gen - Bracelet Ref. SBDY085 delivers incredible value for money as a fully in-house professional dive watch with capable specifications. Although it bears the nickname of Mini Turtle, performance and robustness is unrivalled with the classic full-size Turtle. This new iteration of the Mini Turtle is a great offering for those seeking a reliable midsize diver bearing the iconic look of one of Seiko’s most historic models.
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