Head-to-Head Comparison

Updated September 5, 2026

Seiko Prospex "Turtle" vs Stauer 1920s Retrograde

Seiko's diver meets Stauer's dress watch

Quick Verdict

The Stauer 1920s Retrograde ($100–$150) delivers Quartz technology in the tier below the Seiko Prospex "Turtle" ($500–$1,000). The 1920s Retrograde measures 43mm and is rated 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer. The Prospex "Turtle" justifies its premium with Made in Japan heritage and Automatic Caliber 4R36. Both represent excellent choices in the luxury watch category.

SeikoProspex "Turtle"$500–$1,000 Check price Stauer1920s Retrograde$100–$150 Check price

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Seiko

Prospex "Turtle"

$500–$1,000

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Stauer

1920s Retrograde

$100–$150

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Specifications Compared

Feature	Seiko Prospex "Turtle"	Stauer 1920s Retrograde
Price	$500–$1,000	$100–$150
Case Size	45mm	43mm
Movement	Automatic Caliber 4R36	Quartz
Caliber Type	In-House Automatic Manufacture	Quartz
Power Reserve	41 Hours	Battery
Water Resistance	200m (20 ATM) Diver	100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer
Crystal	Sapphire Crystal	Mineral crystal
Case Material	Stainless Steel	Gold-tone stainless steel (listing photo shows a gold-tone finish; Amazon spec table says stainless steel)
Origin	Made in Japan	Stauer (USA brand, imported)

Category-by-Category Analysis

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Design & Aesthetics

Edge: Draw

Seiko's design language vs Stauer's approach

The Seiko Prospex "Turtle" features a Stainless Steel case at 45mm with Sapphire Crystal protection. The Stauer 1920s Retrograde offers Gold-tone stainless steel (listing photo shows a gold-tone finish; Amazon spec table says stainless steel) construction at 43mm with Mineral crystal. Both represent their brand's distinct design philosophy and heritage.

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Movement & Performance

Edge: Seiko

Automatic Caliber 4R36 vs Quartz

The Prospex "Turtle" runs the Automatic Caliber 4R36 (In-House Automatic Manufacture, 41 Hours power reserve) at 21,600 vph (3 Hz) frequency. The 1920s Retrograde uses the Quartz (Quartz, Battery reserve) at standard. The Prospex "Turtle" edges ahead on power reserve.

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Wearability & Fit

Edge: Stauer

45mm vs 43mm — different wrist presence

At 45mm, the Prospex "Turtle" has a bolder wrist presence compared to the 1920s Retrograde at 43mm. Water resistance differs: 200m (20 ATM) Diver vs 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer.

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Value & Cost of Ownership

Edge: Stauer

Stauer sits in the lower tier

The Seiko Prospex "Turtle" sits at $500–$1,000 and the Stauer 1920s Retrograde at $100–$150. On the specs that outlast any price: the Prospex "Turtle" uses Sapphire Crystal with 41 Hours, against Mineral crystal and Battery on the 1920s Retrograde. Service intervals are typically 5-7 years for both.

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Water Resistance

Edge: Seiko

200m (20 ATM) Diver vs 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer

The Prospex "Turtle" is rated to 200m (20 ATM) Diver while the 1920s Retrograde handles 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer. The Prospex "Turtle" is better suited for water activities.

Our Verdict

Seiko

Prospex "Turtle"

Choose the Seiko Prospex "Turtle" if you prioritize In-House Automatic Manufacture engineering, Made in Japan craftsmanship, and 200m (20 ATM) Diver water resistance. At $500–$1,000, it delivers Automatic Caliber 4R36 with 41 Hours power reserve.

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Stauer

1920s Retrograde

Choose the Stauer 1920s Retrograde if you value Quartz technology, Stauer (USA brand, imported) heritage, and 43mm proportions. At $100–$150, the Quartz with Battery power reserve makes it a compelling choice.

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The Bottom Line

The Seiko Prospex "Turtle" and Stauer 1920s Retrograde represent two distinct approaches to fine watchmaking — the Seiko bringing Made in Japan tradition while Stauer delivers Stauer (USA brand, imported) engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Seiko Prospex "Turtle" is the better buy if you want a mechanical movement; the Stauer 1920s Retrograde is the better buy if you want quartz accuracy with no servicing. For water, the Seiko Prospex "Turtle" is rated 200 m against 100 m, which is the difference between swimming and diving on one side and splashes on the other. On price, the Stauer 1920s Retrograde sits a band lower ($100–$150 against $500–$1,000), so it is the cheaper way into the category. Neither is better at everything; the spec table above shows movement, case size, water resistance and crystal side by side so you can weigh what matters to you. We do not test units, so this is the makers' data, not a bench result.

The Stauer 1920s Retrograde offers better upfront value, sitting a tier lower at $100–$150. However, the Seiko Prospex "Turtle" may justify its premium with superior finishing, heritage, or resale value.

Both are suitable for daily wear. The Prospex "Turtle" at 45mm with 200m (20 ATM) Diver water resistance handles everyday situations. The 1920s Retrograde at 43mm with 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer is similarly capable. The Prospex "Turtle" uses Sapphire Crystal while the 1920s Retrograde uses Mineral crystal. Sapphire resists scratches noticeably better than mineral glass.

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How This Page Was Made

Our comparisons are generated from a hand-maintained specification database and reviewed under our editorial standards. We use AI tools to assemble pages from that data. We don’t invent specs: every number traces back to the database, and when we correct an entry, the fix is applied site-wide. As an Amazon Associate, The Horologist earns from qualifying purchases.