Our App Wristpick - Your Mobile Watch Collection now available on iOS App Store!
Our App Wristpick - Your Mobile Watch Collection now available on iOS App Store!
A comprehensive collection of Turtles, King Turtles, Mini Turtles, Slim Turtles, Captain Willards and Land Tortoises.
Errors and missing references may exist—please use the contact form to notify.
The Seiko Turtle originated in 1976 with the 6306-7001, a 150m automatic diver recognizable by its cushion-shaped case and 4 o'clock crown guard. Seiko produced the line through the early 1980s using the 6306A and later 6309A automatic calibers, as well as the 7548 quartz movement. Notable variants include the SCUBAPRO 450 collaboration, limited to approximately 1,000 units, and the extremely rare Antarctica expedition models produced in quantities of around 20 pieces each. The original Turtle series established the case shape and design language that Seiko would revisit decades later across multiple product lines.
In 2016, Seiko reintroduced the Turtle as part of its Prospex line, updating the design with modern specifications while retaining the original cushion case silhouette. The New Generation models use a 45mm stainless steel case with 22mm lug width, powered by the 4R36 automatic movement with hacking and hand-winding capability. The crown is positioned at 3.8 o'clock and the crystal is Hardlex mineral glass. Seiko produced this generation through 2023, releasing numerous dial and bezel color combinations including standard production models, limited editions, and regional exclusives such as the PADI and Save the Ocean collaborations.
The King Turtle is a premium variant of the New Generation Turtle, sharing the same 45mm case dimensions and 4R36 automatic movement but upgrading two key components: the Hardlex crystal is replaced with sapphire, and the aluminum bezel insert is replaced with ceramic. These material upgrades improve scratch resistance and long-term durability. The King Turtle retains the 22mm lug width and 3.8 o'clock crown position of the standard Turtle. Seiko released the King Turtle in a range of distinctive dial textures, including the waffle pattern that became closely associated with the series.
The Mini Turtle scales down the Turtle case design to 42mm with a 20mm lug width, making it more accessible for smaller wrists. It uses the 4R35 automatic movement, which shares the hacking and hand-winding capabilities of the 4R36 but omits the day complication, and features a Hardlex crystal. The crown is repositioned to 3.0 o'clock, giving the Mini Turtle a more symmetrical profile compared to its larger counterparts. Seiko produced the Mini Turtle in a variety of colorways, several of which were released as regional or limited-edition variants.
The vintage Slim Turtle refers to Seiko's thinner-cased dive watches from the late 1970s and 1980s that share the Turtle's cushion case silhouette but with a reduced case height. These models were powered by either the 7548 quartz caliber or the 6309 automatic caliber. Seiko produced them in both JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) and export configurations, with differences in dial text, day wheel languages, and color options between markets. The Slim Turtle design represented a more everyday-wearable alternative to the standard Turtle while maintaining 150m water resistance.
The modern Slim Turtle is a contemporary reinterpretation of the vintage slim-cased Turtle divers, featuring a 41mm case that measures just 12.3mm in thickness. It is powered by the 6R35 automatic movement, which offers a 70-hour power reserve — a significant upgrade over the movements used in both the vintage Slim Turtles and the New Generation series. The crown is positioned at 4.1 o'clock, and the specification includes sapphire crystal, ceramic bezel insert, and 200m water resistance. These models are part of Seiko's Prospex line and use the SPB reference numbering system, placing them above the SRP-series Turtles in Seiko's product hierarchy.
The Captain Willard takes its name from Martin Sheen's character in Apocalypse Now (1979), in which Sheen wore a Seiko 6105-8110 on screen. The original 6105-8110, produced in the early 1970s, features an asymmetrical cushion case with a distinctive bayonet-style crown at 4 o'clock and is powered by the 6105B automatic caliber. Seiko has since produced modern reissues under the SLA and SPB reference lines, using either the high-grade 8L35 movement or the 6R35 movement with 70-hour power reserve. The modern interpretations retain the period-correct case proportions and crown design while adding contemporary specifications such as sapphire crystal and improved water resistance ratings up to 200m.
The Land Tortoise series adapts the Turtle case design for land-based use by replacing the rotating dive bezel with a fixed compass bezel marked with cardinal directions. These models are powered by the 4R35 automatic movement and retain 200m water resistance despite their land-oriented positioning. The compass bezel is intended as a directional reference tool when used in conjunction with the sun, rather than a functional electronic compass. Seiko released the Land Tortoise in earth-toned colorways suited to field and outdoor use, distinguishing them visually from the ocean-themed palette typical of the dive-oriented Turtle models.
