The Seiko Turtle and the Seiko Samurai—Which One Is Better?

Some people believe that Seiko created the Seiko 5 Sports Collection to replace the beloved SKX watches. However, some people also believe that it doesn’t do so. They believe that the 5KX offers a more modern look and feel than the SKX and is aimed at those who want a more modern, stylish watch. The Turtle and Samurai, on the other hand, are designed for those who want a more vintage look, something which many believe pays homage to the SKX watches.

But of course, the question stands: which one is the better? The Turtle or the Samurai? Let’s talk about that:

The Seiko Turtle and the Seiko Samurai—Which One Is Better?

The Seiko Turtle and Samurai are two iconic divers that pay homage to the classic 6309 and SKX designs. Both have been released within the past few years, with the Turtle being a direct reissue of the 6309 and the Samurai being a more modern take on the SKX. Both of these watches are great values for serious divers.

Comparing the two, there is not much that sets them apart in terms of design. Both have 200m water resistance, bright lume, 3Hz 4R30 series movements, Hardlex crystal, and easy-to-read dials. The only notable distinction is their size, with the Turtle being slightly bigger at 44.3mm, but the difference is hard to notice. When it comes to choosing between them, it’s a matter of preference and style: the vintage curves of the Turtle or the modern angles of the Samurai. Both are available in a variety of colors!

From that, the Seiko Turtle and the Samurai watches may look similar, but there are a few key differences. The Turtle watch has a case of 45mm wide, but the bezel is 40mm, and the dial is 32mm. It also has a 48mm lug-to-lug size, which makes it appear smaller when worn. The Samurai watch has the same size dial, but its bezel is larger than its case, and the crown is positioned at the 3 o’clock position instead of 4 o’clock. It also has crown guards, which makes it look bigger when worn.

With the numbers above, some assume that the Turtle feels better to wear. However, that’s not the case. The Turtle watch has a flat caseback, while the Samurai watch has a curved caseback which makes it sit more snugly on the wrist. The Samurai is 3mm smaller than the Turtle in this measurement, which could make it more comfortable to wear.

That being said, while the Samurai watch is very comfortable to wear, the design of the bezel makes it a bit harder to grip and use. The angular shape of the case and large crown guards do not help. It is best to grip the bezel at 6 and 12 o’clock with dry, ungloved hands. However, if you plan to use the Samurai as a diving or sports watch or in less-than-ideal conditions, this might be a bigger issue.

Finally, the Samurai and Turtle watches have a small price difference due to the standard material they come with. It is often common to switch out the default bracelet for something else. Both watches have an impressive range of options with a 22mm lug width, such as straps and aftermarket bracelets. The selection is abundant, so there is no clear choice between the two.

Conclusion

So, which is the better option? Well, it is up to you. However, if you’re looking for a watch specifically for diving, the turtle is the better choice. While it is chunky, it has its charm. But of course, if you want an attractive everyday watch, you cannot go wrong with the Samurai. And, of course, it is still a good diver watch. So, the choice is up to you, so pick the one that fits your needs and uses cases the best!

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