Seiko SBDY083 Mini-Turtle Review | Proof that JDM Seiko is Superior
Browsing Amazon on a daily basis, looking at the same watches over and over can definitely explain why our beloved watch community goes into a frenzy when a new design, color-way, or movement/complication hits the market. This is especially true when said watches are affordable and sized appropriately for most wrists.
Japanese Domestic Market
Well, a little secret, especially when it comes to Japanese makers such as Seiko and Citizen, is that the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) and the superior quality of vendors who offer such watches can be a whole new frontier to those of us who don’t often shop beyond the typical four or five sources. This is definitely an upside of the internet. The ability to easily “shop” 6,800 miles away without getting on a plane or even leaving the house.
Thirty years ago, if you wanted a unique item from overseas, even one that was readily available to the general public of that place, your options were limited to phoning vendors, mailing inquiries to vendors and awaiting a response, or appearing in-person. With this in mind and having exhausted my viewership of the same typical inventories readily available in the USA, I’ve been “shopping in Japan” via a few online vendors that have some very unique pieces indeed. Sure, I must wait a week or two longer for the piece to arrive at my doorstep, but it is always well worth the wait in my opinion.
Not only are JDM pieces beautifully packaged, but almost always exhibit a much better build quality and finishing. I am very happy to report that whenever I order a JDM Seiko, the bezel is always perfectly aligned; I think most Seiko enthusiasts will agree that this trait ALONE is worth the wait and the money.
Not long ago, I was looking for a capable Seiko diver that could replace my SKX as a Seiko with perfect dimensions and the Mini-Turtle caught my attention. As usual the USA-available models popped up first (blue, black, and PADI versions), but having other watches in those color-ways I decided to look deeper into possible JDM models and quickly found the SBDY083. Green being my favorite color, it was a perfect choice. Plus being of the Prospex line, I also knew it would perform without issue and withstand daily wear, all while looking beautiful.
This piece was bought directly from Sakura Watches ($400 USD), which I can say was the most pleasant buying experience I’ve had when buying overseas. The pricing was very competitive, and the shipping was fairly quick considering my location in the eastern USA. Shipping updates were regular, and I could keep track of the item as it moved through customs. I believe DHL was the shipping carrier. A flawless transaction overall. I’ve since bought a few watches from Sakura since then and the experience is always the same. Definitely my JDM vendor of choice!
CONSTRUCTION
You guessed it. 316L stainless steel throughout. But the finishing is beyond any other 316L piece I’ve handled. The case sides are polished while the top has a circular brushing. The polished portions of the case were of a very high mirror finish (sides, case back, bezel). I almost thought it was 904L stainless steel when I unpacked it.
Not only that, the brushed surfaces also exhibited a very tight consistency and directional pattern (circular on case top). So even though brushed, they still gave off a sunburst sheen, without being polished. This quality of polishing and brushing I’ve only seen on Swiss watches. Certainly not on a non-JDM Seiko.
Seiko Mini Turtle Size
For those of us looking at the Mini-Turtle line, probably the main selling point is the sizing and weight. My regular Turtle SRP775 weighs 197 grams on the bracelet, which can get tiresome to wear after several hours. So, it’s good to know that the Mini-Turtle’s case dimensions are 42.3mm in width, with a lug-to-lug of 43mm. Sized for my 6.75-inch wrist with the very nice, supplied bracelet weighs in at 154 grams.
Case-back
The screw down case-back is consistent with other 200m Prospex models, with a slight rounded bevel edge, overall flat surface, and the standard Katsushika Great Wave in the middle. One unique feature of this model is that while you’ll find circular brushing on most other Prospex case backs, this particular case back is treated with a full polish.
The edges of the case back you’ll find etched: Diver’s Watch 200m, Stainless Steel, and 4R35. Collectors will be happy to know the case back also has Made in Japan, Seiko (in large lettering), and the Prospex logo as well. Even with the substantial case back, the total case thickness is 12.6mm.
MOVEMENT
Sometimes a Seiko automatic movement can seem like standard fare by winding and setting action when placed within more widely available or microbrand pieces. Again, this is not the case for this JDM Mini-Turtle. For those of us not aware, the Seiko 4R35 movement contains 23 jewels, beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour and holds a power reserve of approximately 40 hours, all with hacking and hand-winding capability.
Even though it is equipped with a 4R35 movement, the action is smooth to the point where it seems like a much more expensive movement. Perhaps the elevated quality control for this piece is not just cosmetic, but mechanical as well. I would not be surprised if this movement had better deburring and surface finishing of contact/moving components. With all this said, I’m also getting an accuracy within 5 seconds per day.
CRYSTAL / BEZEL
You guessed it again! Hardlex crystal. Simple and flat, it sits just shy of the bezel insert. There is a thin beveled edge to this crystal, which catches the flat outer edges of the indices. This bevel does remind me of the SKX crystal. This element is rather interesting when viewed in the dark with the lume freshly charged. So, in the dark it can seem like the watch has an extra chapter ring.
No “bubble” distortion of the indices is observed like you’d seem to find with boxed or domed crystals. There also seems to be a mild layer of anti-reflective coating, so reflective interference seems minimal. Even though it’s Hardlex, this crystal is a winner. To kick it all off, the crystal also has a very thin, circular cyclops over the date window at the 3 o’clock. Yes, a cyclops is hit or miss depending on your taste, like Pepsi and Coke. But if you like a cyclops, you’ll definitely like this one since it’s much more subtle than the ones you’ll see on a Rolex Submariner or Seiko King Turtle, which tend to sit much taller off the crystal. The symmetry of the dial isn’t sacrificed very much by this cyclops.
The aluminum bezel insert is simply stunning. With thick, white numbering and minute marks all the way around, it certainly gives the reader an accurate look. Said lettering is in intervals of 10, with a recessed luminous pip within the reverse triangle up top. The green paint has a very subtle metallic base to it, which shines just the right amount in natural light. In keeping with the bright finishing of the rest of the watch, the coloring for the bezel insert was very well considered and finished by Seiko. Well done!
Out of the box, the bezel action is 120-clicks with a relatively tight feel. The action I’m sure will loosen somewhat over time as almost any Seiko will. As said before, the alignment was perfect due to superior JDM quality control, in my opinion. Also, rather than this highly polished bezel sitting on top of the case, it sits a little lower, as if pressed “into” the case. So only the bezel knurling is exposed on the sides, while the entire edge of the bezel is exposed near the lug openings. It’s an unusual element to the design but it works well and doesn’t impact the functionality, making the Mini-Turtle unique in respect to the bezel and case design.
The polished screw-down crown is unguarded and unsigned, but with excellent grip. The screw down threading within is buttery smooth. Being unguarded, the crown gives a vintage look and keeps operation user friendly. It also lends more symmetry than your typical guarded dive case. With the reduced size over the traditional Turtle, the crown for this piece doesn’t dig into your wrist as it appears it may at first.
DIAL Design
Seiko is well known for their unique dial designs and this one certainly does not disappoint. Green and with a brushed sunburst finish, the dial certainly catches the light and draws the eye evenly over it. Although the dial and the bezel insert are slightly different in finish, the colors still almost completely match. I believe this is only due to different light hitting each component, since the dial may get a different wavelength due to the crystal.
Lettering upon the dial is well executed with standard and solitary SEIKO at the 12 o’clock. At the 6 o’clock, you’ll the Prospex “PX” logo (You see it now?.....). Below the logo is printed AUTOMATIC, followed by DIVER’S 200m. At the edge of the dial from the 5 to 7 indices, you’ll find the movement coding and “Made in Japan”, which to some of us means a great deal, as is apparent by the elevated quality and finishing of this piece.
Diver Specifications
For the reader who is unaware, the Prospex logo and the statement of “Diver’s” means that this piece, and all other Propsex pieces, meet the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 6425 testing criteria for diver’s watches. To keep this segment short, it shall suffice to say that such ISO minimum testing criteria for mechanical diver watches covers water resistance, hot and cold condensation tests, resistance to external forces, thermal shock, movement-dynamic tests, the presence of time-preselecting components (uni-directional bezel or similar timer), strong luminosity upon all indices/hands, magnetic resistance, shock resistance and resistance to salt water.
So for the 90+% of us who don’t dive on a regular basis, the watch will definitely withstand daily life, year after year. The chapter ring is of moderate height and color matched to the dial. Minutes 60, 15, 30 and 45 are marked in yellow, while all others are marked in sharp white. Each 5th minute marker is double weighted.
Appendages
As most of us know, the reliable Seiko 4R35 movement comes standard with a date complication. The small date window paired with the crystal cyclops makes for excellent sizing when reading the date, without throwing off the dial symmetry.
Again, with this JDM piece, the dates click over with crisp, snappy action and alignment as the date numeral sits perfectly in the borderless frame. Usually, the date wheels for these movements are white with black lettering, but under macro and in sunlight, I found this example to be somewhat of a silvery metallic background instead. The subtle sheen pairs well with the that of the dial and bezel insert. The black lettering is clean and sharp as expected.
Keeping the continuity of metallic elements, the hands and indices do not disappoint. You’ll find the subtly brushed steel hour and minute hands to be of the standard Seiko diver design; stubby hour with syringe pointer at the end, minute hand is a longer arrow/syringe type. Both generously lumed. The seconds hand is an interesting yellow matte finish that matches the yellow marks on the chapter ring, with the back counterbalance a matte black. The counterbalance lollipop tip also has the same lume as the other hands, making it easy to see the seconds hand functioning in the dark; another ISO requirement for dive watches.
Both the indices and the hands exhibit an insane amount of luminosity when charged up and brought into the dark. A real diver in this respect. I’d be very confident even going night diving with this watch on, which some divers know, is the best time to go as the bottom comes alive with life. With Seiko’s standard but strong C3 lume, you could say this watch is green on green on green!
The indices for the Mini-turtle are unique to the model. Most Seiko divers are given simple, printed or applied circular indices, with usually some type of triangle at the 12. The indices for this model are what can only be characterized as a tombstone shape; round on the inner end, with straight edges on the other 3 sides. Though the indices are distinctly Seiko, they do remind me of those applied on the Tudor Pelagos dial. The indices shape is enlarged and given a syringe tip at the at the 6, 9 and 12 position, with the 12 being much wider to aid orientation in the dark. The 3 position also squeezes in a boxy “half” indice between the date window and the chapter ring which is a nice touch and helps keep the dial symmetry. All the said indices are outlined in polished steel, which help these applied indices stand out even more while in ambient light.
BRACELET
In keeping with the moderate sizing, the bracelet is 20mm, which tapers only slightly down to the clasp. All in 316L stainless steel, the faux 3-link oyster bracelet holds the same superior quality of polishing and brushing as the rest of the watch. The same mirror polishing isn’t over the top, but only on the sides of the links and along the thin edges of the center links. The restrained use of polishing on the bracelet allows a nice everyday look without being too flashy.
The end links are also solid and tightly mated to the case, with no rattling or play. As with the cyclops on the crystal, the pressed clasp may be a let-down for some of us. But pressed clasps are not of the same tinny build as they were in days past. In short, it helps not to be a “milled clasp snob” as it allows you to enjoy more watches than you initially limited yourself too. Even though it is a pressed, fold-over construction, the clasp has four levels of micro-adjust, a diver’s extension, excellent finishing and Seiko printed on the safety keeper. Again, this JDM model offers a very smooth bracelet feel (no sharp edging) and clasp action.
The weight of the bracelet also helps to balance out with the watch itself, helping to avoid a top-heavy feel, which is more than can be said for the traditional Turtle. The clasp keeper, push-button releases and articulation on this model are top-notch! As with some other watches with colored dials, the supplied steel bracelet is usually the best option. Dive watches are almost always strap monsters, with nearly endless options, but the watch color of choice in order to maximize strap possibilities is almost always a black dial with black bezel. This green dial did clash with many of the nato straps I have on hand. So, a minor drawback, but certainly not a dealbreaker.
PACKAGING / WARRANTY
Packaging can be hit or miss when ordering from overseas, but Sakura seems to have kept to superior quality when including the JDM boxes and tags. My example came with a sturdy white box and outer sleeve. Inside was the beige plush lining and pillow, with gold Seiko stamped branding. Tags were in English and Japanese, lending further to the JDM authenticity. Outside of the Seiko supplied box, Sakura wrapped everything in a few layers of bubble wrap, inside another sacrificial box with ample postage. In addition to the standard Seiko warranty of 3 years, Sakura Watches also offers its own 5-YEAR warranty. So, you can be assured by this vendor that your purchase will perform without issue beyond the normal break-in period. Another plus!
The Good
Superior finishing and aesthetics!
Dial and bezel are both excellent.
Very accurate movement with a smooth action.
Excellent weight, balance, and feel.
Under macro photography, no debris was found on the dial.
Overall, the elevated JDM quality shows in every component.
Buying experience from Sakura was perfect!
Possible opinion-based drawbacks:
Pressed but smoothly functioning clasp.
Thin, subtle date cyclops.
The Bad
If there are any bad points, they only lie in the wearer’s ability to find an alternative strap for this particular color-way. The supplied bracelet seems to be the best choice (in my opinion).
