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The right watch can just about summon the warm ocean spray on your face and sand on your toes. That's basically what Seiko offers in their Save the Ocean line of watches – a collection born from a partnership with Fabien Cousteau (grandson of Jacques). The Save the Oceans watches have become something of a yearly release for the brand, pairing fun watch design with a good cause (the proceeds of each watch go to help preserve the Earth's oceans).Early this year, Seiko unveiled two new additions to the line in the SRPF77 and SRPF79, featuring a grey/blue, almost misty colorway – perfect for a plunge. Those are fine-looking watches, and the proceeds still support marine life, but entering the Summer season in 2021, we thought we'd look back to last year's variants which have a decidedly tropical, strawberry-daiquiri-drinking energy. Summer 2020 was sort of a lost season, so these models never had their day under the sun. Now's their time.The SRPE33 and SRPE39 are known as a King Samurai and a King Turtle with deep blue dials adorned with swimming manta ray illustrations. It's important to note that the E39 and E33 haven't been replaced by the F77 F79 – instead the latter pieces are complimentary additions to the Prospex collection at large.In essence, we're looking at two core models in the larger Seiko stable of divers. Both the Samurai and Turtle have reached icon status at the sub-$1,000 price point by offering real diving utility, automatic in-house movements (to say nothing of accuracy), and Seiko brand heritage. While both watches are different enough in theory, they also share many similar traits. For one thing, they're both fitted to a stainless steel bracelet, both have a unidirectional rotating bezel, and both have the wild, deep blue, manta ray dial.When I first saw the watches, I brushed them off as kitsch. "Who would wear something like this?" I said to myself. "What did you say?" My wife asked from the other side of the apartment. "Nothing, I was talking to myself about watches again."But the more I looked at the dials, the more I understood. We say it all the time, but watches are supposed to be fun and – well – you're looking at a watch with literal manta rays swimming around the dial. The dial surface has a wavy texture to it that actually glistens in direct sunlight and gives off the illusion of moving water even though the dial is stationary. (I'm the guy who checked to see if there was actual water in there.)The dial has a decidedly magical quality that I don't think I've come across before at this price point. For what you're getting, Seiko could've easily quadrupled the price on the basis of the dial alone.So both the Samurai and the Turtle offer a little something different, but they swim in the same ocean in terms of who they'd likely appeal to. For one thing, they're both big. The Samurai comes in at a hair under 44mm, and the Turtle measures 45mm.Surprisingly, it was the Turtle, despite being the larger watch, that wore smaller on the wrist due to the short, rounded lugs. The Samurai has a more rigid – dare I say industrial – design, with sharper, more pronounced angles. On-wrist, it makes a bigger statement with the pronounced angles of the lugs. It is, however, 1mm thinner than the Turtle (12.8mm vs 13.8mm).While both pieces come affixed to steel bracelets, the bracelets are not the same. The Turtle bracelet's polished inner section is reminiscent of the last generation Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch. The Samurai has a more traditional Oyster-style three-link all-brushed bracelet.Now, Seiko is known for producing quality watches at relatively affordable prices – and this release is no different. But it's at the bracelet where you really see the quality suffer. Both bracelets feel almost plastic-like, hollow, or tinny – and I don't mean that to be interpreted as charm. I own a lot of old watches with old bracelets. I have a 25-year-old Rolex Explorer with a hollow-link Oyster bracelet (the pinnacle of jangly) and these are not that.The clasp is sadly disappointing, as well. To me, it's not really about the price. I've handled and owned watches in the same price range with bracelets miles better than this one. I'm also partial to a bracelet rather than a strap, so if these watches had a more robust option – you might be looking at a Manta Ray Turtle owner.Each watch utilizes a different movement. The Samurai employs the 4R35 and the Turtle, the 4R36. What does this mean? Different date features! With the Samurai, you get a simple date with a magnifier (controversial in Seiko circles), and with the Turtle, you get a day-date function with a long rectangular magnifier (even more controversial). As a fan of the SKX line, I am partial to the day-date, but the magnifying rectangle would take some getting used to. Both watches do feature closed casebacks (always a win) with the signature Seiko wave engraving on the back.Summer is less than a week away – and for those of us who consider Memorial Day the official kickoff, it's already here. While 2020-21 has seen plenty of interesting dive watch releases, I'd argue none are as fun and capable as these – especially for the money. And especially especially now that a proper beach vacation is once again a viable option.The Seiko "Save the Ocean" Special Edition King Turtle (SRPE39) and King Samurai(SRPE33). Stainless steel case (43.8mm for the Samurai and 45mm for the Turtle) 200 meters of water resistance, a solid engraved caseback, and a blue manta ray dial. Stainless steel bracelet with three-fold clasp and secure lock. Movement: The 4r35 with date function (SRPE39) and the 4R36 with day-date function (SRPE33). Price: $625.Photos: Kasia Milton
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