Hi all,
I've managed to aquire this 'Turtle' which I'm currently in the process of repairing. It came with a 'stuck' bezel, which turned out to be a cheap crystal replacement which was not fitted correctly, jamming up the bezel.
The addition of a better quality crystal has resolved the bezel issue and it now works a treat. I'm now turning my eye to the rest of the watch.
I've done some research on the dial and it seems to be consistent with the 1977 date of this watch. Specifically the Suwa logo (used for pre 81 watches produced in Japan I believe), and the pronounced bevel around the day/date window.
My only real concern is it looks too clean if I'm honest. The lume on the dial and hands appears consistent.
Can anyone offer any other opinions or telltales I might be missing?
Cheers

 

I don't know if this will be helpful, but I'll leave a picture of my 6306-7000.

 

Looks original and nice to me.

 

My opinion is original as well, and I seen millions of 'em in the south pacific so I should be able to spot an imitation.

 

Dial looks original to me too. The lume on the repro’s is often finer. My birth year. Not a September by any chance?

 

It looks original to me.
On repro dials, the small print at 6 is never as fine as this and in most cases, incorrectly spaced.

 

Looks original to me too! It's been awhile since I researched these so the reproductions might have got better, but the usual telltale signs of a fake were the lack of a beveled day/date window. I also noticed the original dials have marker lume plots there are not perfectly centered, whereas the aftermarket ones were bang on centered.

 

Unfortunately it's a June '77' watch

 

Looks fine. Giveaways are the day date window cutout, the printing & pattern on the lume.

 

...and the lume pip on the bezel being too small, and the bottom marker going too low towards the insert. As mentioned above though, AM parts might have become "better" (i.e harder to spot) in the last few years.

 

This one is original

 

Agreed, just wanted to add some relevant info if someone finds this thread later and wants a rundown on how to spot a fake "Turtle"!

 

This one is AM dial
SEIKO text is off and not in typical shimmery silver paint
Lume is very raised and shiny and look how it glows!!
Hand steel edges are more rounded, not sharp
Date window is a little beveled but not enough
Bezel is also AM small shiny lume pip

 

...and "A" at six are pointy and not flat as they should be.

 

Good point!!