Seiko watches have always been making waves. Many professional divers actually use their dive watches for their work. The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) is the world’s leading scuba diver training organization. Both started out serving the diving industry in 1965, and to celebrate this special relationship, Seiko announced two Special Edition pieces for the Prospex collection: the Seiko PADI Kinetic GMT’s Diver (SUN065) and the Seiko PADI Automatic Diver’s (SRPA21). Here we review the new Seiko entry level Automatic Diver.
The Seiko PADI Automatic Diver SRPA21, aka Turtle.
Seiko’s journey into the depths of diving watches began in 1965 with the 6217 (also known as the 62MAS). The 6217 was Seiko’s and Japan’s first diving watch, rated to 150m. It was an expensive watch for its time. It sold for ¥ 13,000, which was roughly equivalent to half a month of a college graduate’s salary in those days. This was followed in 1967 by the 6215 which was rated to 300m and was Seiko’s foray into the high end diving watches.The first Seiko dive watches to earn the nickname “Turtle” for its cushion shaped case reminiscent of the shape of a turtle’s back, was probably the 6306/9, which was rated to 150m, made from circa mid-1970s through the mid-1980s. These were extremely durable, reliable and were relatively more affordable. The Turtle returned as the SRP775/777 and in this special edition for PADI: the SRPA21.
It is also appropriate that Seiko partners with PADI to issue this special edition. PADI is the leading diving instructor association since 1965. It has more than 6,300 PADI Dive Centers and Resorts, and more than 136,000 individual PADI Professionals who have issued more than 24 million certifications around the world. And have become a de facto standard to qualify to be a scuba diver.
The Seiko PADI Automatic Diver SRPA21
The watch closely resembles the SRP779K1, which sports a similar blue and red (“Pepsi”) bezel, with a few minor changes. The movement is the same 4R36 automatic movement.
The case, dial and hands
The case is pure “Turtle”. The cushion shape which defined this nickname looks like it means serious business.
The Seiko PADI Automatic Diver SRPA21 looks robust and purposeful.
On handling the watch for the first time, the impression of an awesome heft and purposeful ruggedness prevails. The case is matt finished, but feels smooth to the touch, like a pebble which is weathered the waves for ages.
Even the scoring on the sides of the bezel to increase traction for gloved fingers are not sharp as some dive bezels can be. As a comparison, the Rolex Submariner comes to mind, whose bezel edges are more like they are serrated than the rounded grooves scored on the Seiko. Not the Seiko PADI. It feels smooth. The unidirectional click bezel is smooth to operate and with a light twist, it clicks easily. The clicks are not as distinct as with the Sub, but each is precise, and unmistakable.
Clear, legible displays with large, luminous markers and hands.
The hands are large, as a diver watch needs to be, and the markers very legible. The hands and markers have a thick layer of luminous material. Seiko does not specify, but it looks like the ubiquitous SuperLuminova. The lume glows very bright in the dark.
The very bright lume of the Seiko PADI Automatic Diver. Note the bright dot on top of the triangle is the center marker for the rotating bezel. At 3 o’clock, the luminous marker is absent as the space is taken by an aperture showing the day and date.The arc with the glow is the passage of the seconds hand captured by the slow shutter speed…approximately 7 seconds.
The dial is where the PADI Special Edition differs from the regular SRP775/7. The SRPA21 carries the PADI logo above the markings “AUTOMATIC” and “DIVER’s 200M”, a space occupied by the Prospex logo in the regular “Turtle”. On the PADI, the Prospex logo moves up above the hands, and just below the “SEIKO” marking. The hands are the same shape and size, but the PADI version has the minute hand with a red outline painted on the polished edge.
The dial is also a deep blue hue, with what looks like an anodised finish with a beautiful play with light as it catches at different angles.
The bracelet deserves special mention.
The bracelet deserves special mention. The links are solid, and beautifully made. Well polished and brushed matt finish. The bracelet has the feel of high luxury.
The entire bracelet is magnificently designed and built. The links are solid, and feel very hefty. The sides of the links are polished, and the rest receives a matt finish. The links have no sharp edges, and the feel of a well eroded, smooth pebble remains. The deployant buckle and security clasp works very well, and as this is a dive watch includes the ability to expand so that it can go over the diver’s neoprene suit. And best of all, it is quite beautiful to look at.
The movement: 4R36
The movement is the robust automatic movement Caliber 4R36. This movement is common in many of Seiko’s watches. The movement was first introduced in 2011 where it was well received. It replaced the earlier bumper automatic movements, and was capable of being hand wound and hacked. Power reserve is 41 hours.. And as is Seiko’s custom, the entire watch is made in-house within their facilities. Seiko does not specify which factory the SRPA21 is made.
The caseback, showing the PADI markings and the “Project Aware” engraving.
We did not of course open the watch case to view and photograph the movement. The review watch belongs to a very good Deployant Friend, and the resource to open and examine the movement was not available to us. The movement is said to be reasonably well finished, with a decorated rotor.
The Seiko Automatic Divers PADI SRPA21.
The day and date feature on the movement is perhaps a signature of the Seiko Diver watches. The watch is able to display the day either as a Roman numeral or in the standard 3 letter English abbreviation. We are certain other languages are also available . The user can choose by scrolling forward from the 3 letter day name to the Roman numeral by using the crown. During changeover, the display starts scrolling over at just past midnight, and completes just before 4am. For example, the use chooses to display his day as the name. On Monday, the display would show MON. At about midnight, the day would change to I (for Monday), and the change over complete to TUE at about 4am.
The day and date displays will move backwards when the hands are being set backwards.
Concluding thoughts
Did we skip the Competitive Landscape section? Well, we did, as there are probably no competitors at this price range. The Seiko PADI Automatic Diver SRPA21 retails for S$ 667.70 including GST, it has few peers. We made some references to the Rolex Submariner in the review, but the least expensive version, the Submariner Ref. 114060 with no date retails for S$ 10,030.
The watch is very well made. Exceedingly so. It sometimes makes us wonder that if Seiko can achieve this quality and sell at this reasonable a price, why do we need to pay more for a dive watch? The case and bracelet oozes high quality and class. The dial design is legible, and very clear, even in the dark. The unidirectional bezel works well, although if we had a nick to pick, it would be here as we prefer a more positive feedback as it goes through the clicks. The entire package is well executed, and very nice indeed. And at this price. Its an instant winner!
One thing to note that though this is a Special Edition, Seiko does not mention that the series is limited in any way.
On the wrist, the 45mm case feels rather comfortable. Perhaps due to the curves on the case as well as the smooth matt finish. But the heft tells the wearer that it is a tough and robust watch ready for almost anything. And well adapted for diving as well as being a part of a casual wardrobe.
The watch wears well, and is very comfortable, despite its 45mm size would suggest. The clean, smooth lines of the case with the matt finishing is remarkably beautiful, and extends its use from the scuba dive to a smart casual wardrobe easily.
Specifications of the Seiko PADI Automatic Diver is found in our Press Release article here.
24 Comments
Are you really serious with your comments about the bracelet.
It is a car wreck of a bracelet.
The first thing anyone should do when buying this watch is remove it and get a decent one.
The watch itself is excellent and I would recommend it to anyone with the words of caution to remove the bracelet
The ‘K’ series which can be identified by lack of ‘made in Japan’ is actually Malaysian movement and case made in China. (it says this on the blue peel off sticker on the back). Quality is still very good at this price, however the ‘J’ series are apparently superior, as you would expect. I have 2 ‘k’ series and they are very good, though have to admit that I was slightly disappointed to discover they are not Japanese movement.
Not true at all. The labelling is all to meet the intended market. J & K have absolutely no difference in quality and are both the same movement, with the only difference being “made in japan” on the rotor.
Of the 40+ turtles that have come through my hands, it’s a 50/50 mix of chapter between the K & J versions for chapter ring alignment and out of the box accuracy.
Collectors always prefer the J versions, but I can tell there is no difference in quality between the two.
I just bought a PADI Seiko, for that price I’m very happy with this watch. Well Done Seiko!
For Watch beginner Seiko is the way to go.
Such a quality at this price range, WOW! That says everything what the best watch brand is…
Just bought a Padi ,Mine says “Special Edition” on the back , it is one Beautiful Watch, I Bought mine for $489.00 Aud, a Steal at that price, It is Gorgeous, and runs perfect,
Nice watch indeed. Some models don’t have Made in Japan written on the dial. What’s the difference? All of them are Japan movement right?
Labelling for intended markets. Both the same movement and same quality.
Just got my PADI based on this review. Even though I have a slim 6.3″ wrist, the watch isn’t too overwhelmingly large. It wears like a 42mm. The dial just pops in sunlight. Awesome! And with discounts, it can be gotten at a very decent price – superb value for $$. Thanks Deployant for convincing me to grab this one!
Just bought one I’m fully satisfied with it very nice very cool watch and I won’t change it for another watch
Just bought my padi seiko have no problems with it at all! A fine piece of time, wouldn’t trade it in for nothing! Matt.
(Y) its almost 1 month after i got my turtle padi srpa21k ^_^ never regret until now to bought this (Y) very well made, so stunning especially you wear it ^_^ the steel bracelet is real heavy but if you want,you can change to nato, rubber or leather, any of this is fit and still stunning for padi turtle ^_^
(Y) i love my turtle padi 4r36, i checked carefully, the bezels click are fully intact,the chapter ring is well aligned, the performance is in very good condition ^_^ , the case is solid combination of shiny and satin finnish ^_^ its they same in the picture, no marke where made in.. (Y) .. bought last october 11 and now still kickass watch :D.. not regret to have this ^_^.
One watch shop in Chinatown told me that it is made in Korea. I know at once he was bullshitting me. Having a “K” in the model number doesn’t mean it is made in Korea. Some online sellers even said that theirs is made in Japan because the model number ends with a “J1”. You know what, I think all these are probably made in China, that’s why the quality is so screwed up!
Ben, you probably either got a lemon or someone tried to rip you off. But you managed to get a refund, so chill, and save the angst.
The watch is either made in Japan or some are made in other countries.
This watch is a joke! I bought on 4 Nov 2016 and within the same day, it stopped 3 times despite me winding it 50 turns. After each winding, it stopped after only 3-4 hours. Also, the date portion has black stains on the white background. Where is the QC?? Seiko is such pure crap!!! Anyway, I returned the watch and got a refund.
They have them in the U.K. From these guys http://seiko-citizen-orient-direct.co.uk/product/seiko-prospex-turtle-padi-divers-200m-srpa21k1-srpa21k-mens-watch/
I live in the U.S. and I just recently bought a SRPA21 from Singapore. I noticed that like the watch featured in your article, my watch doesn’t have the words “Movement Japan” printed at the back of my watch. Here in the U.S., I see the same model watch (SRPA21) but they all have the words “Movement Japan” printed at the back of the watches. I would like to know if there is a difference between these watches (those with and without the printed words “Movement Japan” at the back)? Are some of them made in Japan and others in other countries? Any information on this matter would be appreciated. Thank you.
Thanks Dennis for your comments. We have written to Seiko Japan on your question. We are also keen to find out the answer. Will update when we get a reply from them.
Dennis, we received a reply from our Japanese friends at Seiko PR. Their response is as follows (paraphrased):
Seiko watches are made in many factories which are located not only in Japan but in other countries. Markings on the back do differ. Seiko stands by the quality of every product, regardless of the country of origin. No matter where the factory is located, they are operated under Seiko Japan’s strict guidelines and procedures. Those which are marked “Movement Japan” indicate that the movement is indeed made in Japan. Others which are no so marked, means that the movement is made elsewhere.
Hope this helps.
Spron mainspring is found in the 6R15 movt. The 4R36 doesn’t have it and power reserve is about 40 hrs.
[email protected]: thanks, you are correct. Spron is found on the 6R15 and not on the 4R36. The 4R36 has a power reserve of 41 hours. Edited to reflect that.
I believe the power reserve of the 4R36 is rated at 41 hours
I am a proud owner of the SRPA21K1 PADI as well. It is a supremely well made watch for the price. The shorter lugs make this a very wearable watch. One of my favorite buys ever!