2022 Seiko Prospex Turtle U.S. Special Edition SRPH59 Blue
Ref: SRPH59 (4R36-11W0)

Points of Mention

This watch is sold with its original Seiko box and Seiko paperwork. The watch comes paired with its original Seiko 22mm polished and brushed stainless steel bracelet with a folding clasp and flip-lock plus a 22mm Seiko rubber strap with a signed keeper. The watch is from Circa. 2022 and is sold in worn condition, but overall very fair condition as you can see from the photos. The watch comes with our 12-Months Warranty.

The Watch

Here we have a 2022 Seiko Prospex Turtle U.S. Special Edition SRPH59 with its characteristic 45mm brushed and polished stainless steel case, this “Turtle” case shape has been around since the introduction of the 6309 in 1976. Seiko has used this US Boutique Edition to bring awareness to the Oceanic Society whose purpose is to save the seven species of sea turtle. The lug-to-lug length of 48mm and a case thickness of 13mm give the watch an impressive wrist presence, Seiko has mastered wrist ergonomics making the watch sit on your wrist like a cushion. At 4 o’clock we find the screw-down crown fitted in an indent to the case, a unidirectional bezel that has deep double knurling for extra grip with a blue ceramic dive insert and large silver numerals. The flat sapphire crystal sits above a striking blue-textured dial, this dial has a subtle sea turtle shell pattern overlay and the vibrant colour reminds us of the shimmering waters found in the equatorial seas. Applied disc and rounded baton indexes have a polished border and are infilled with Seiko LumiBrite marking the hours, at 3 o’clock a day/date window with Kanji days. The hands consist of an arrow and sword combination with polished borders and infilled with LumiBrite complemented by a lollipop counterweighted sweeping second hand, at 12 o’clock we have the Seiko motif and at 6 o’clock the Prospex logo “Automatic Divers 200m” completes this oceanic aesthetic. On the reverse, a screw-down case back with the Seiko Tsunami embossed in the centre with an engraved turtle, inside an automatic Seiko Cal. 4R36, 24 jewels, 21,600 beats per hour, both hacking and hand winding. The watch comes with a Seiko 22mm polished and brushed stainless steel bracelet with a folding clasp and flip-lock plus a 22mm Seiko rubber strap with a signed keeper and also comes with its Seiko presentation box and paperwork.

Personal Note

The Brand

Seikos' history began in 1881 when Kintaro Hattori established the K. Hattori retail and repair store. In 1892 Seikosha was established to make wall clocks. 1895 saw the production of their first pocket watch. 1913 saw the launch of their first wristwatch, the Laurel. In 1924 the first Seiko was manufactured. Daini Seikosha (now Seiko Instruments Inc.) was established in 1937. Seiko was listed on the Tokyo stock exchange in 1949. The Suwa factory became independent and formed Suwa Seikosha Co., Ltd. (now Seiko Epson Corporation in 1959). In 1956 Seiko launched Marvel as their first true in-house made watch; they continued to make this watch until 1959. Japan’s first chronograph watch was introduced for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics; it was called the Seiko Crown Chronograph monopusher. Not stopping there Seiko launched Japan's first true divers watch the Seiko Diver’s 150M fitted with the automatic Caliber 6217 which later was given the nickname “62MAS” by collectors. The company name was changed to the Seiko Corporation in 1990. Innovation at Seiko continues today with GPS Solar watches.