Skip to main content

Seiko’s King Turtle gets a Black Series makeover

All black Seiko King Turtle

Seiko King Turtle Black Series
Seiko

The Seiko Prospex collection, renowned for its professional-grade dive watches, has recently witnessed a striking addition to its lineup – the Seiko King Turtle Black Series, exemplified by the SRPK43 model. This Seiko watch pays homage to Seiko’s esteemed legacy and introduces a fresh take on the classic design, showcasing a sophisticated blend of aesthetics and technical prowess.

Within the expansive array of contemporary Seiko timepieces, the distinctive “The Black Series” offerings stand out as a unique interpretation of Prospex watches. Distinguished by their predominantly black aesthetic complemented by vibrant luminescent details, these timepieces deviate from their predecessors, which often incorporated orange elements inspired by nocturnal diving. Enter the 2024 Seiko Prospex “The Black Series” SRPK43, a fresh take rooted in the iconic “Turtle” diver model. This rendition embraces bright green luminescent accents, drawing inspiration from the immersive experience of peering through a night vision scope.

Seiko King Turtle Black Series
Seiko

The Seiko King Turtle Black Series SRPK43

The Seiko King Turtle Black Series SRPK43 is an embodiment of sleek sophistication. Clad in stainless steel with a hard coating and featuring a ceramic bezel, the timepiece exudes an aura of robust luxury. The black dial, a focal point of this watch, minimizes reflection, ensuring optimal legibility even in the most challenging lighting conditions. The Green Lumibrite Pro, a signature feature of Seiko’s dive watches, takes center stage on the hour and seconds hands, as well as the indexes, creating a captivating visual contrast against the dark backdrop.

Recommended Videos

Technical specifics

A dive into the technical specifications of the SRPK43 reveals the engineering prowess that Seiko is renowned for:

Movement: The watch operates on the automatic 4R36 caliber, showcasing the perfect marriage of tradition and modernity. With the option for manual winding, this movement ensures a power reserve of approximately 41 hours – a testament to its reliability in the most demanding situations.

Case and crystal: The case boasts a thickness of 13.2mm, a diameter of 45.0mm, and a lug-to-lug distance of 47.7mm. The case material, stainless steel with a hard coating, ensures durability, while the ceramic bezel adds a touch of elegance. The sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating on the inner surface provides not only superior scratch resistance but also enhances visibility. The inclusion of a magnifier further elevates the watch’s functionality.

LumiBrite technology: Seiko’s commitment to legibility in low-light environments is evident through the application of LumiBrite on the hands, indexes, and bezel. The Green Lumibrite Pro not only imparts a vivid green glow but also ensures visibility in the darkest places, making this timepiece a true companion for night explorations.

Water resistance: A true diver’s companion, the SRPK43 boasts an impressive water resistance of 200 meters (660 feet). This makes it not just a style statement but a reliable tool for underwater enthusiasts.

Additional features: This Seiko watch incorporates a unidirectional rotating bezel, a screw-down crown, and a three-fold clasp with a secure lock and extender, ensuring a secure fit on the wrist. The screw case back adds an extra layer of protection, emphasizing Seiko’s commitment to robust construction.

The verdict

While the theoretical appeal of this release is evident, our sentiments lean towards the belief that Seiko has already unveiled other watches that exude a more compelling allure. In the grand scheme of Seiko’s repertoire, this feels akin to a mere checkbox tick, lacking the injection of novelty into the brand’s lineup. The latest rendition of the black “King Turtle” diver, though consistent with our penchant for blacked-out aesthetics, appears somewhat subdued compared to its initial counterpart. Admittedly, the new black “King Turtle” diver seems to lack the vibrant resonance that one might anticipate.

Seiko King Turtle Black Series
Seiko

How much is it and where can you buy it?

With its propulsion harnessed by Seiko’s entry-level movements, this latest entrant into “The Black Series” occupies a position below the thousand-dollar threshold. Despite its accessible positioning, this model is a manifestation of elevated craftsmanship, presenting a premium iteration of its foundational counterpart. As a result, the price tag for the Seiko Prospex SRPK43 from “The Black Series” stands at $725. What sets this release apart is its departure from the limited-edition tradition of previous Seiko models in “The Black Series,” and in a noteworthy shift, this newest addition seems destined to become a permanent fixture within the collection. The new Seiko King Turtle Black Series SRPK43 will be available in stores as of February 2024.

Learn More

Sarah Veldman
Sarah has been a freelance writer for over 7 years now, having started while she was living out of a suitcase and traveling…
Topics
TAG Heuer ditches F1 for sailing with surprise Carrera drop
Swiss watchmaker combines motorsports DNA with forgotten sailing heritage in new Carrera
TAG Heuer Carrera ‘Seafarer’promo image

TAG Heuer has delivered a surprise release with the Carrera "Seafarer," a 500-piece limited edition that shifts focus from Formula 1 tracks to yacht decks, paying tribute to the brand's forgotten regatta heritage from the 1950s.
The unexpected drop comes one year after the 60th anniversary of the Carrera chronograph and during a period dominated by Formula 1 sponsorship and F1-themed watch releases. The 42mm model offers a refreshing departure by honoring the "Seafarer" tide-indication watches that Heuer made for American sporting retailer Abercrombie & Fitch in the 1950s.
The original Seafarer represented a chronograph evolution of Heuer's 1940s "Solunar" timepiece, whose tide indicator was developed by Jack Heuer's school physics teacher when the future brand heir was just 15 years old, according to Heuer's memoir "The Times of My Life."
The new Carrera pays subtle tribute to this regatta heritage through carefully chosen design elements. The chronograph minutes subdial at 3 o'clock features quartered segments in turquoise and silver, reminiscent of original regatta countdown timers. A deep blue dial is highlighted by vibrant yellow touches, reflecting the tidal-time indicators that have become highly collectible through recent Hodinkee x TAG Heuer "Skipper" collaborations.
The historical significance of these vintage timepieces is demonstrated by market performance. An original Abercrombie & Fitch Seafarer made by Heuer in 1952 sold at Phillips auction last year for $43,180, far exceeding its $15,000 low estimate.
Powering the new Carrera is TAG Heuer's latest Caliber TH20-00, an upgraded version of the Heuer 02 manufactured at the brand's Chevenez facility. The movement offers bi-directional winding, an impressive 80-hour power reserve, and is visible through a sapphire crystal caseback engraved with the watch's unique number.
Functional features include triangular 5-minute markers on the flange for optimal legibility, maintaining an enduring signature of the Carrera line. A date window at 6 o'clock provides practical utility, while hands and markers are coated in Super-LumiNova for enhanced visibility in maritime conditions.
The release serves as a timely reminder of TAG Heuer's diverse heritage beyond motorsports. While LVMH Group's Formula 1 partnerships dominate current marketing, with TAG Heuer signage replacing Rolex at Grand Prix circuits worldwide, the Seafarer demonstrates how the brand once ruled the waves as well as wheels.
This maritime tribute connects modern TAG Heuer with its broader sporting heritage, showcasing the brand's historical involvement in sailing and regatta timing before Formula 1 became its primary focus. The limited production run ensures exclusivity while celebrating an often-overlooked chapter in Heuer's storied history.
The Carrera Seafarer represents more than nostalgic tribute; it demonstrates TAG Heuer's ability to draw inspiration from its extensive archives while creating contemporary timepieces that resonate with today's collectors and sailing enthusiasts.

Read more
Girard-Perregaux’s latest Laureato is pure horological art
Why the Laureato Infinite Grey Is the ultimate luxury sports watch
The Laureato 42 mm, featuring an ancestral savoir-faire, a breathtaking grey Grand Feu enamel dial.

The Girard-Perregaux Laureato 42mm Infinite Grey blends the collection’s signature octagonal bezel with an elegant, monochromatic aesthetic. Released in 1975, the Laureato stands as a symbol of the brand’s sporty-elegance philosophy. This latest collection recalibrates the formula with a sunburst grey dial that shifts in tone under varying light, creating a dynamic yet sophisticated presence. The polished stainless steel case assures wearers of some serious wrist presence combined with comfort, making it the perfect timepiece for both formal occasions and everyday wear.

High-performance mechanics in a refined package

Read more
Stowa revives WWII-era watch design in limited edition 
Stowa revives aviation history with the Chrono ABT 24H
STOWA and ABT present the exclusive collaboration: the Chrono ABT 24h Limited

Stowa Uhren has resuscitated its aviation legacy with the Chrono ABT 24H Limited Edition release, a meticulously crafted chronograph that blends German precision with vintage-inspired aesthetics. In collaboration with ABT Sportsline and created for the lovers of horological heritage and modern mechanics, this timepiece commemorates Stowa’s historical pilot chronographs while incorporating a high-performance Swiss movement. With only 50 pieces available worldwide, the Chrono ABT 24H is a collector’s dream, standing as the perfect balance of tool-watch functionality and elegant design.

Precision engineering meets vintage flair

Read more