Seiko · ref 6309-7040 · 1976–1980s
The 6309-7040 is the original Turtle, named for its rounded cushion case, and it's the vintage Seiko diver most collectors start with. Seiko launched it in 1976, right after the Japan-only 6306 that Ikuo Tokunaga designed, and kept making it into the 1980s, until 1982 or as late as 1988 depending on the source. The case is about 45mm wide but has short lugs, so it wears smaller than the number suggests. It's rated to 150m, with a screw-down crown at 4 o'clock, 22mm lugs and a 17-jewel automatic that neither hand-winds nor hacks. The 6309-7049 is the same watch under another market's reference. Early examples made in Japan have a Suwa symbol above 6 o'clock, which Fratello says disappeared around 1980 or 1981 when production moved elsewhere in Asia. Seiko brought the design back in 2016 as the Prospex SRP777. Many original Turtles were worn hard in the tropics and patched up with cheap parts, so the time you spend checking the dial, hands and crown is time well spent.
The threaded crown tube is part of the case, so stripped crown threads turn the whole watch into a parts donor. Many have aftermarket dials, hands and inserts from cheap repairs, and the Hardlex crystal chips and scratches easily.
Buying guide
For a Turtle to wear, we'd take the US one titled fully functional at $655 delivered once the seller answers about its bezel insert, or pay $730 for the New Zealand watch titled just serviced. There are about 44 for sale and most ask $675–975 delivered; the 6309-7049 is the same watch under another market's reference, and Suwa-symbol dials with a stated service sit at the top. Read the caseback for 6309-7040 or 7049, check that the serial's year and month fit the dial, and ask whether the crown screws down cleanly, since stripped crown tube threads turn a Turtle into a parts donor. Check the seller's feedback and return policy on the item page too, because eBay's search cards don't show them.
$450.00delivered
The lowest fixed price on a Turtle at $450 delivered, about $225 under the $675–975 band. The seller says it runs but needs service, so plan on one, and ask whether the crown screws down cleanly.
SEIKO 6309-7049 Turtle Vintage 1987 Diver 44mm Automatic Runs but needs service
$655.17est. delivered
Titled fully functional at $655 delivered, just under the band, from a US seller. The photos show a blue-tinted bezel insert, so ask whether it's original, and price it as a wearer if it isn't.
Vintage Seiko Automatic 6309-7040 Turtle Diver Fully Functional Day - Date.
$730.00est. delivered
Titled just serviced, for $730 delivered, near the bottom of the band. It ships from New Zealand, so allow for import fees, and ask what the service covered.
Seiko 6309- 7040 Original "Japan 704LT" Movement Just Serviced
$950.00delivered
A Suwa-symbol dial dated July 1979, titled serviced with a timegrapher video, for $950 delivered at the top of the band. The serial should start 97 to match that date.
Vintage Seiko 6309-7040 Turtle July 1979 Suwa, Serviced, time grapher Video
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 5, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 5, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$450.00delivered
$450.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$450.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
6309-7049 titled 1987. Runs but needs service, per the seller.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$655.17est. delivered
$649.00 + $6.17 shipping
Buy It Now$649.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Titled fully functional. Photos show a blue-tinted insert, so ask if it's original.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Serviced$730.00est. delivered
$680.00 + $50.00 shipping
Buy It Now$680.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Titled just serviced. Ships from New Zealand.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Refurbished$950.00delivered
$950.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$950.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Suwa dial, July 1979, titled serviced with a timegrapher video.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$710.19est. delivered
$700.00 + $10.19 shipping
Buy It Now$700.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
6309-7049 titled 1981. Check the serial agrees.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$749.00delivered
$749.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$749.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
6309-7049 dated August 1978, titled 5 bar tested.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$750.99est. delivered
$720.99 + $30.00 shipping
Buy It Now$720.99
Our take
Titled working. Ships from Japan.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$1,387.93est. delivered
$1,373.81 + $14.12 shipping
Buy It Now$1,373.81
Our take
Titled 100% original, March 1980. About $410 over the band for that claim.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Prices change daily. The live eBay search shows everything listed now, including anything new since Oct 5, 2026.
See every listing on eBay ↗eBay searchA fresh strap, a set of spring bars and a spring-bar tool are the cheap part of making an old Seiko 6309-7040 Turtle wearable again. This searches Amazon for the usual kit.
Search straps & tools ↗Amazon search
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Diveref 6309-7290
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