My Eastern Watch Collection: Seiko Prospex Land Tortoise SRPG13K1

For 2021, Seiko came out with a new sub-range of sport watches using the classic 'turtle' casing for land use. Although having the same overall water resistance to the dedicated diving models, this new set of watches have bi-directional bezel with compass bearing instead. To differentiate, this new sub-range has been give the nickname 'Land Tortoise'. There are current four models available: SRPG13K1, SRPG15K1, SRPG17K1 and SRPG18K1.

As a collector, it would be good to have at least one of the models. I had the opportunity to see all four at once and the most stunning to me is the SRPG13K1. It didn't take me long to decide that the SRPG13K1 will follow me home.

The Series

The new watches look like the Sea Turtle (generally they are known as 'Turtle' but since the new series were given the nickname 'Land Tortoise', I suppose 'Sea Turtle' would be more appropriate), only with different hands, dial and bezel designs. It also has been downsized from 45 mm to 42.3 mm which would be more wearable to a bigger group of fans. When my dealer informed me that he has the set in his shop and showed me some pictures, I was intrigued by one of the photos that showed the case-back. It was reminiscent of the Seiko Prospex Fieldmaster SBDC011 and the Seiko Prospex Automatic Field Watch Green SRPD33K1 which have similar case-back graphics.

The four models have different colours for dial, bezel and case while paired with distinct strap materials. Surprisingly, there is no bracelet option for the series at this juncture. All models utilizes the automatic 4R35 movement for power.

SRPG13K1 Strap Polyester MSRP RM2,020	SRPG15K1 Strap Polyester MSRP RM2,020
SRPG17K1 Strap Calfskin MSRP RM2,020	SRPG18K1 Strap Calfskin MSRP RM2,230

Although it has the same 200 meter water resistance of the Sea Turtle, the Land Tortoise is catered instead for activities like hiking and mountaineering. Here, a bi-directional compass bezel is made available to be more instep with the targeted activities.

The Watch

Made out of stainless steel, the watch has the same generic shape of the iconic turtle form albeit smaller than the current diver version. The Land Tortoise has a diameter of 42.4 mm with a thickness of 11.7 mm. Lug width is 20 mm and the lug-to-lug length is 45.2 mm. The SRPG13K1 has varying degrees of earthly green tones to the dial surface, chapter ring and bezel insert. Protecting the dial is a flat sapphire crystal.

The latest Sea Turtle I have in my collection is the Seiko Prospex King Turtle Diver SRPE03K1 (please click her to read more about this watch). A photo of the watch can be found on the right.

The King Turtle has the dimension of 45 mm wide by 47.7 mm long by 13.2 mm tall. Lug width is 22 mm. The Land Tortoise is definitely a scale down version of the King Turtle with varying degree of resizing of the main dimensions (reduction: diameter 5.8%; length 3.8%; height 11.4%; lugs 9.1%). Although the resizing is not consistent across the board, the overall output remains true to the original design philosophy with no obvious visual changes except for the size.

When comparing the Land Tortoise to the King Turtle that I already owned, a number of distinct differences were noted. Disregarding the dial texture, some of more obvious differences are as follows:

The SRPG13K1 only has the date complication and is located at 4:30 whereas the SRPE03K1 has both day and date complications located at 3:00
No hour marker needed to be eliminated to fit in the date complication for the SRPG13K1 unlike the SRPE03K1
Whereas the hour markers on the main four corners are the same for both, the other hour markers are rectangular for the SRPG13K1 while it is circular for the SRPE03K1
On the SRPG13K1, the hours hand is an arrowhead design and the minutes hand has the syringe design while on the SRPE03K1, it is the opposite
The bezel on the SRPG13K1 is bidirectional and has compass markings while the bezel on the SRPE03K1 is unidirectional has minute markings
There is no cyclops on the sapphire crystal on the SRPG13K1 unlike the SRPE03K1

I am rather pleased that Seiko decided to locate the date aperture at 4:30. The whole dial looks cleaner as there is no missing hour marker which would then breaks the symmetry of the design. Meanwhile, all hour markers as well as the hands are painted with Lumibrite paint.

Instructions on how to use the compass complication is provided in the manual below.

Seiko Compass

Like the King Turtle, the Land Tortoise has five lines of texts and logo on the dial. The brand, the Prospex logo and the type of movement are similar for both (applied for the brand and printed for both the logo and the word "AUTOMATIC"). However, for the fourth line of text, Seiko printed "20BAR" (for the King Turtle it is "DIVER'S 200m"). Meanwhile, the fifth line is rather small, right at the bottom edge of the dial in very small font, "4R35-03L4 R2" (this is the manufacturing code for the design).

If you look at the photo above, the sterile screw-down crown has well protected shoulders, partially protecting it from side impact.

Note the short lugs and the pass-through hole for the spring bars. The short 20 mm wide lugs keeps the watch from being too long. The hole on the lugs also helps making strap changes easier.

The watch is paired with a thick polyester (top) and leather (bottom) hybrid strap. There are thick stitches at the sides and the buckle holes are reinforced with a leather strip. Out of the box, the strap is rather stiff. Even after wearing it for awhile, the stiffness is lessen but not the the level I feel comfortable with. I do recommend you replace the strap with something thinner for comfort.

The case-back has interesting graphics. There are a series of ground-to-air signals and their meanings etched on the case-back. This feature has been added to a few models of Seiko before such as the Seiko Prospex Fieldmaster SBDC011 and the Seiko Prospex Automatic Field Watch Green SRPD33K1.

Meanwhile, underneath the case-back is the 4R35 automatic movement from Seiko. This movement operates in the 21,600 vibrations per hour category. Comes with 23 jewels and has a power reserve of approximately 41 hours.

Above is the photo of the watch in the dark. Note how bright the Lumibrite paint in the dark.

The Wearing Experience

Compared to the King Turtle, the Land Tortoise is a more wearable for my 6.75 inch wrist. Seiko found a sweet spot for the size and a lot of people will find this model and size much more agreeable than the turtle divers. Below is a video of the watch on my wrist.

My only negative comment is the choice of strap. For a watch of this size, pairing it with a thick strap is not a good idea in my opinion. A simple leather strap or canvas strap is more than sufficient. The standard strap given is just too thick and stiff.

Specifications

Model Number: SRPG13K1
Case Material: Stainless steel
Crystal: Sapphire
Illumination: Lumibrite on hands and indexes
Band Material: Polyester and leather combination
Water Resistance: 20 bar
Thickness: 11.7 mm
Diameter: 42.4 mm
Length: 45.2 mm

Lug: 20 mm
Weight: 87.0 gm

Caliber Number: 4R35
Movement Type: Automatic with manual winding

Jewels: 23

Frequency: 21,600 BPH or 3 Hertz
Power Reserve: Approximately 41 hours

Rotating bezel
Screw-down case back
Screw-down crown
Date display
Stop second hand function

MSRP: RM2,020

Availability: May 2021

Purchase Price: RM1,454

Purchase Date: 6 May 2021

Vendor: City Chain, Mid Valley Megamall

Serial Number: 116123

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