There’s a reason most frugal watch enthusiasts love Seiko dive watches: they’re rugged, reliable and handsome. Vintage shoppers love them too, since they can find old Seiko icons like the Seiko 6309 “Turtle” on eBay for just a couple hundred dollars. This year, Seiko made both groups very happy with a modern reissue of the Turtle, the SRP777, which brings 200 meters of water resistance, an automatic movement and old-school looks to the table for just a few hundred dollars.
The SRP777 is a dead ringer for the original 6309. It has the same cushion case shape, the same bezel and, with the exception of Seiko’s “Prospex” logo, a dial that’s nearly identical to the original. What’s more, it meets the International Organization for Standardization’s (ISO) requirements for a dive watch, meaning it’s magnetic and shock resistant. Thus, it’s one of the few options for buyers who want the vintage diver look with modern performance. Buyers no longer have to look to more expensive Swiss manufacturers like Tudor, or Omega, or Oris for that — Seiko gives it to them for a fraction of the price.
Winding: automatic with hand-winding
Certification: ISO 6425
Case Diameter: 44.3mm
Water Resistance: 200 meters
Power Reserve: 41 hours