Exuding a dignified aura like a samurai steadfast in his Bushido beliefs. The overall shape, like something sliced off with a sword, has a cutting edge feel unusual for a diver’s watch and a well-balanced sharpness.
Verification: Why was this watch given this nickname? The Samurai Story
Kishino: When I heard about the “Samurai” nickname I finally saw the light and realized that this was the kind of design that would evoke a feeling of Japaneseness in the eyes of foreign people. There is no doubt that this watch has aspects about it that would make you want to call it a Samurai. The surface of the case and the lug, where the band is attached, are constructed with sharp surfaces that look as if they had been sliced off by a Japanese sword.
Monjugawa: From the side it looks like a helmet. The powerful case sticking out looks like armor. And the body under the armor seems to come in and out of view.
Kishino: The hour markers above the bezel display narrow down towards the point giving the image of a sharp blade. The mesh pattern to the side of the bezel is the diamond shape of the leather wrapping around a Japanese sword and the rivets to the side of the lug call to mind Japanese sword rivets, so upon close scrutiny the reasoning behind calling this watch a Samurai become apparent.
Monjugawa: Perhaps they felt it had the integrity of a samurai in its sharp angle, straight line design that you hardly ever see in diver’s watches. I think that’s why they call it the Samurai.
Kishino: I agree. The details bring to mind vertical and horizontal lines that seem traditionally Japanese. I sense the precision and clear-cut feel that flow through Japanese shapes.
Monjugawa: This unpretentious manly shape does give it a unique character but isn’t this manliness really a reflection of the thoughts of a Japanese-style warrior? That might be going too far but …
Kishino: Without saying anything at all, these details feel samurai-like. That’s the point.
To divers, sea turtles are symbols of good fortune. This is the diver’s watch that, just like the sea turtle, is loved by so many diving enthusiasts.
Verification: Why was this watch given this nickname? The Turtle Story
Kishino: This is the diver’s watch known among its fans as the Turtle. Taking a quick glance at it, the silhouette does seem to be a turtle shape. Looking at it from the side it does appear to have a shell. And if we flip it over the back looks turtle-like, too.
Monjugawa: If we get into more detail, the back surface of the rotating bezel is jagged much like a turtle shell.
Kishino: The Arabian font used on the bezel has a rounded design, and rounded shapes are used for the hour markers on the dial and for the end of the second hand. This roundness is probably what brought to mind the image of a turtle.
Monjugawa: And this four-cornered lug has a powerful feel to it as if the turtle is bracing its legs.
Kishino: Among divers, turtles are said to be the guardians of the seas, right? In that sense, I think the turtle nickname means the watch is auspicious to divers.
Monjugawa: Because watch design involves giving shape to beliefs such as this, I’m sure this Turtle is like a good luck charm to divers.
Koshino: Yes, you’re right. I think everyone loves turtles. The Turtle nickname came up because they feel the same kind of affinity for their watch as they do for turtles. This is a very happy thing.
