Seiko Turtle Eucalyptus SRPJ53K $599 Delivered @ Starbuy

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• 

  rosebank on 26/01/2023 - 10:50

  This is a nice colour, but there was a LE King Turtle that was quite similar with a pelican case and extra strap for $499.

  Personally, I refuse to buy a non-King Turtle for over $500.

• 

  killertaxi on 26/01/2023 - 10:55

  SPB347J is also on sale for $999 (33.4% off RRP). Lowest I've seen the Sumo Noosa, ordered one for myself.

  • 

    rosebank on 26/01/2023 - 11:07

    -1

    That's a very nice watch, but I have a personal policy of not paying over $800 for a Seiko with a 6R35. And I already have 2 Sumos

    • 

      killertaxi on 26/01/2023 - 12:38

      Fair enough. Dunno if I can do the same. The Seiko re-issues of the 62mas, MM200r and Willard are tempting me too much! This will be my first 6R35, but I have a couple of 6R15's and have/had heaps of NH35/4R35's. I find the movements to be generally pretty good.

      • 

        rosebank on 26/01/2023 - 14:10

        I feel like there's a gap between $800-2k for a new movement, like just chuck a couple of complications in there or something to justify the cost, or make a more accurate movement with a longer power reserve. 4R36s are used in $300 Seiko 5s ffs.

        I really like the 62MAS and Willard but can't justify the cost. $2k+ is used Sinn territory. I happily paid $7k for a Grand Seiko snowflake, so I'm willing to drop cash on cool Seikos, but using the same movement in $300 to $2k watches is just incomprehensible to me.

        • 

          killertaxi on 26/01/2023 - 17:56

          +2

          @rosebank: While the movement that comes with a watch is important, it's the design of a watch that hooks me in first, and there's something about Seiko's designs that really speaks to me. The 7S/4R/6R family of movements aren't the best time keepers out there, but at least they are more easily and cheaply serviceable and replaceable. This is what's keeping me away from watch's with the Powermatic 80, where to even regulate the movement it has to be sent to Swatch. 6R35 also has a 70 hour power reserve btw.

          The Seiko RRP on these watches is ridiculous. For example, I can't get over Seiko putting the 6R31 in King Seiko's and asking $2650. I wouldn't spend $2k on a watch with a 6R either, but you can find these on special often. Like this SPB257J Willard for $1250, which I think is a respectable deal:
          https://starjewellers.com.au/products/seiko-spb257j-the-blac…
          I have a Sinn 104 btw, and I'm finding myself wearing and enjoying my Seiko's more often.

          Also congrats on owning a Snowflake, amazing watch!

          • 

            rosebank on 26/01/2023 - 18:29

            +1

            @killertaxi:

            While the movement that comes with a watch is important, it's the design of a watch that hooks me in first

            I buy Ciga Design watches with "bad" movements because I like the designs. Edit: one of the first expensive autos I bought my self was an Ikepod Megapode

            The 6R35s are a great workhorse, and keep time quite well (mostly). I have a blacked out LE tortoise but only paid around $650.

            I had a Sinn 104 but it was my least favourite so I sold it. I currently only have a 356 sa gr, 856 utc and U1. I'm a massive Sinn fanboy, but have always loved Japanese watches since my youth, becuase my grandpa used to be a watchmaker and mostly dealt with Seikos and Citizens.

            I have been a loyal Seiko customer for over well over 20 years, and own vintage turtles, a bullhead and other weird models. I just don't understand why they are not innovating. For example Citizen has so many eco-drive movements with many different complications. I recently bought one that has an altitude meter thats accurate to 6000m according to another user here, and perpetual cal, power reserve etc. Seiko has solar, solar chronos and the arnie. I love ana-digi and have 3 arnies, but give me something different!

            With the prospex range, it's just the same shit over and over with slight variations. Or LEs that are way overpriced. You have great taste; the 62mas, MM200r and Willard are all fantastic looking watches, just too rich for me.

    • 

      pennypacker on 26/01/2023 - 14:46

      +2

      Yikes. You've got a lot of Seiko business rules in your life, it seems.

      Turtle <$500 = Yes
      Turtle > $500 = Refused!
      King Turtle > $500 🤔
      6R35 > $800 = Refused!
      62MAS = Refused!
      Willard = Refused!
      Grand Seiko Snowflake $7k = Happily paid!

      • 

        rosebank on 26/01/2023 - 14:54

        It seems like you're comparing a 6R35 to a Spring Drive. I see nothing wrong with refusing to pay over $800 for a 6R35. And I'd rather buy Sinns if we're approaching $2k, and happy to pay more.

        Turtles are whatever, I have plently and don't really care. My only "Seiko business rule" is not paying over $800 for a movement that is used in Seiko 5s.

        • 

          pennypacker on 26/01/2023 - 17:44

          @rosebank:

          It seems like you're comparing a 6R35 to a Spring Drive

          Nothing of the sort. I was simply cataloguing your statements.

          • 

            rosebank on 26/01/2023 - 18:09

            @pennypacker: Ok, I'll concede my confusing reasoning about turtles, but your cataloging of my statements, with your own exaggerated commentary is what prompted my "comparing 6R35 to SD"

            6R35 > $800 = Refused!
            62MAS = Refused!
            Willard = Refused!
            Grand Seiko Snowflake $7k = Happily paid!

            This is a bit disingenuous, with no context and pricing. I simply said I can't justify paying for a 62MAS or Willard. And paid $7k for a completely different class of watch.

            But anyway, this conversation is going nowhere, I stated my reasons for how I spend my money. Happy Australia Day buddy.

        • 

          Akesio on 26/01/2023 - 23:44

          +1

          @rosebank:

          My only "Seiko business rule" is not paying over $800 for a movement that is used in Seiko 5s.

          So you're saying that Seiko shouldn't have upgraded their Seiko 5 line. If they just kept using the same old 7S movement in them, then you will happily pay $800 for a 6R turtle today?

          • 

            rosebank on 27/01/2023 - 00:59

            +1

            @Akesio: I honestly got confused with the 4R and 6R because I was replying to 2 comments at the same time. So my apologies.

            I have never cared for the old Seiko 5s nor the new ones, and don't even know what movements they used, I had to google the current one.

            I think my thoughts on Turtles have been discussed to death in this post and others.

            The most I've paid for a 6R is the SPB097J which was a while ago. Since then I have only bought a couple of tortoises and an Arnie. I think I paid a bit over 800 for a panda speedtimer, but that was a gift, and most of my modern seikos are under 500.

            The vast majority of my watch purchases these days are Citizen eco-drives and ana-digis, Ciga design and other random brands, Timex, G-shocks, and Baby Gs, because, to me, Seikos are getting boring and the interesting ones are overpriced.

            I hope my reply is satisfactory.

            • 

              Technics on 27/01/2023 - 11:46

              +2

              @rosebank: Your rules are pretty spot on IMO. The SPB097J is a great watch for the price they were being cleared out for. The SPB083J was also available for decent money on a deal here recently and the basic black SPB077J was going for just over $700 at one point. The first gen MM200 (and 62MAS reissues) were good mid-tier options provided you didn't mind the hands. They had diashield and much better dials than a <$500 Seiko. The second gens all use the same process for printing the lume as the lower end models so it was a backwards step. I picked one up and the hands are nicer (well more conservative anyway) but the dials aren't and the value isn't there. The extra power reserve is nice but not all that important for most people. There's clearly been a big push to cut costs and fatten profits on the mid-range models and it shows. With the 6R35 they are mostly underwhelming at the current prices. The days of the SKX and SARB lines offering a real value sweet spot seem to be long gone too.

              Starbuy did have some deals on some King Turtle models at the end of the year though. With those discounts they were good value for pretty much bulletproof watches (although don't drop them).

              • 

                rosebank on 27/01/2023 - 12:25

                +1

                @Technics: Thank you for being a voice of reason, much appreciated.

                I'm gonna be honest: I don't actually keep up with which movements are in which models, but the 6R being in $2k+ RRP models stand out to me like a sore thumb. I have Sumos with 6Rs that cost $600. I was completely surprised when I checked the King turtle, samurais and other LEs and they all use the 4Rs with RRPs over 1k, I just assumed they would upgrade to 6R. The 70hr power reserve is a bit iffy, I've never had one last longer than 2 days.

                The days of the SKX and SARB lines offering a real value sweet spot seem to be long gone too.

                Agreed. I bought my first SKX in Singapore for $150 in 2009, I bought a bunch of SARBs for around $300 before they were discontinued. I will hold onto my Alpinist til the day I die, because there's no way I want "Prospex" on the dial.

                Yeah, as I've said multiple times, a "special edition" turtle at $600 on sale are a hard pass for me because you can buy a king right now for a few dollars more. And I have plenty of turtle/tortoises so I'm in no rush to buy more.

                Unrelated, but is your username a reference to the SL-1200?

                Edit: I regret not getting a MM300 when I had the chance, and I still think about to this day

                • 

                  killertaxi on 27/01/2023 - 14:01

                  +1

                  @rosebank: Problem with the MM300 (and other Seiko's with the 8L35), is when it comes time to service them. Seiko doesn't service the 8L in country and sends them to Japan. Last quote I could find for a 8L35 service was from Feb 2018, and the costs started at $710. As far as I'm aware, finding an independent watchmaker that will work on a 8L is rare, as they can't get access to spare parts.

                  That's one thing the 7S/4R/6R family of movements have going for them, being able to shop around to get them worked on. Comparable ETA's and Sellita's to the 8L are much easier to get worked on by most watchmakers as well.

                  If you'd like to try the MM300, I recommend checking out the Proxima PX1683. Got one myself one with a NH35, only cost me $240 all in. Not the real thing, but a massive saving for the same experience!

                  Out of curiosity, have you needed to get the 9R65 in your Grand Seiko serviced yet? I believe these need to be sent back to Japan as well. I wonder what damage Seiko would want to do to your wallet to get one of these serviced!

                  • 

                    rosebank on 27/01/2023 - 14:11

                    +1

                    @killertaxi: I don't really consider servicing costs when I buy watches. The GS is only 3years old and I've worn it maybe a dozen times and I believe it does need to be sent back to Japan. But I'll deal with it when the time comes.

                    I have an Ikepod Megapode that needs to be serviced, and it has a monocoque design and needs to be opened from the front, but it's got a 7750 so it shouldn't be too bad.

                    The Proxima looks nice, but I'm already set on getting a Doxa as my next watch.

                    • 

                      killertaxi on 27/01/2023 - 14:15

                      +1

                      @rosebank: Oh, which Doxa? SUB 300T is tempting me also! Just wish Doxa had better lume.

                      • 

                        rosebank on 27/01/2023 - 14:26

                        +1

                        @killertaxi: Preferably a vintage Sub 300, otherwise a 300T. As long as it's orange

                • 

                  Technics on 28/01/2023 - 19:42

                  +1

                  @rosebank:

                  Unrelated, but is your username a reference to the SL-1200?

                  Not the SL-1200 specifically. I once owned a ton of their Hi-Fi gear. Never had the DJ staple though.

                  I regret not getting a MM300 when I had the chance, and I still think about to this day

                  Yeah it's not quite the same now that it doesn't say it on the dial. They are very good looking pieces. Something simple but done well. I've considered the more recent versions but you have to be careful what you wish for sometimes. I've seen some pretty beefy blokes complain about the thickness/chunkiness. Even seen a few say they prefer the MM200 which would be a hard pill to swallow after that much sunk cost. The thing is I don't see myself ever needing 200m let alone 300m and in some ways being able to handle that is a liability. Nothing else looks quite like it though.

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  bboyballsohard on 26/01/2023 - 11:08

  Nice. Very nice, very very very good

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  Daabido on 26/01/2023 - 12:33

  It is a great watch.

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  markdownhunter on 26/01/2023 - 14:10

  +1

  wish they had these eucalyptus and noosa LE on ceramic bezels and sapphire crystal. the king turtles have it and cost less youd think they would atleast have sapphire crystal on these LE Australian ones

  • 

    killertaxi on 26/01/2023 - 16:56

    +2

    I agree with the Eucalyptus (SRPJ53K), wish this was based on a King Turtle!

    The Noosa (SPB347J) does come with a sapphire crystal at least. I also personally think the aluminum bezel insert looks nicer then the ceramic used on the new Sumo's (SPB321J). I also prefer the older bracelet that uses female endlinks.