Seiko Prospex Heritage Turtle 1968 Recreation Automatic Black Dial

The Case:

The Seiko Prospex SPB315J1 is nicknamed the ‘Turtle’ due to its cushion shaped case and its resemblance to the shell of a turtle. Crafted out of super-hard coated stainless steel and measuring 41mm in diameter and just 12.3mm in depth, which marks a continuation of Seiko continuing to make their most classic dive models more compact. The a black unidirectional rotating bezel sits atop of the brushed mid-section of the case. The bezel showcases a gilt 60-minute countdown scale and jagged bezel walls which allow it to be easily operated. A recessed screw-down is located at four o’clock on the side of the case. The case is completed with curved sapphire crystal glass which has been treated with an anti-reflective coating.

The Dial:

The dial is presented in black, with gilt accent, and it exhibits an uncomplicated design, which is typical of classic dive watches as it ensures that they remain easily readable. It features bold gold-framed baton-style hour markers that are filled with a luminescent material, which enables them to be read in the dark. Likewise a gold pencil-style handset is also filled with luminescent material. A 60-second track intersperses the hour markers, allowing for a more accurate reading of the time. A date-display window is nestled in between 4 and 5 o’clock markers. 

The Bracelet:

The watch features an elegant 5-link stainless steel bracelet with newly developed compact clasps to match the slim case. It fastens through the use of a three-fold clasp with a secure lock feature. 

The Functions:

Seiko’s 4R35 automatic movement powers this timepiece, offering an astounding 70 hour power reserve and an accuracy of -15/+25 seconds per day. It offers both automatic and handwinding. It is water resistant to 200 metres, which means it can be worn when diving.