The Eska Amphibian 250 Green Turtle immediately demands attention with its rich, smoky-green dial and thoughtful vintage styling—proof that reviving heritage need not sacrifice purpose. In a market saturated with reinterpretations, this limited edition emerges with both clarity and confidence.
Heritage Resurrected with Purpose
Founded in 1918 in Granges, Switzerland, Eska built its reputation on robust tool watches, gaining traction across the American, Australian, and Asian markets. However, like many traditional brands, it succumbed amid the quartz crisis, halting production in 1987. The brand reawakened in 2024, reintroducing itself with the Amphibian 250 series, a faithful yet modern muse to its 1960s dive watch — the Amphibian 600. The Green Turtle adds a fresh chapter to this story, following the Black, White Shark, and Red Viper editions.
Technical Credentials Anchored in Substance
At its core, the Amphibian 250 Green Turtle is an unapologetic dive watch grounded in practical performance. It measures a comfortable 40 mm across, stands 13.5 mm thick, and spans 46 mm lug-to-lug—dimensions that balance presence and wearability. Brushed top surfaces contrast with polished flanks, landscaping a case topped by a domed sapphire crystal and sealed with a screw-down crown and caseback, granting 250 m of water resistance—a nod to the reference’s “250” denotation. The unidirectional bezel features a black sapphire insert and a luminous 60-minute countdown scale for intuitive dive timing.
Inside, the dependable Sellita SW200 automatic calibre powers the watch, offering 26 jewels, a 4 Hz beat rate (28,800 vph), hacking seconds, and around 38 hours of reserve—a workhorse movement that reinforces the watch’s reliability-oriented ethos.
Aesthetic Personality Meets Practicality
The Green Turtle’s dial isn’t just for looks—it evokes depth and exploration. The smoked green finish, with graduated darker edges, channels vintage dive-watch aesthetics while remaining restrained. A sandwich dial structure hides Old Radium-coloured Super-LumiNova beneath cut-out markers, granting excellent legibility under low light. Oversized Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock, paired with bold, lume-filled hands and a lollipop seconds pointer, enhance function without sacrificing personality. The accompanying green tropic-style FKM rubber strap resonates with the turtle motif, adding comfort and style in equal measure.
This is a tool for daily wearers who appreciate retro cues but want a dive-ready piece—whether heading underwater or navigating urban environments. Its design hints at 1960s dive watches, but the execution feels undeniably modern.
Final Thoughts: Accessible Character, Limited Charm
The Eska Amphibian 250 Green Turtle is a watch with genuine intent—not flashy, not overblown, but thoughtful in its homage to vintage dive DNA. At a launch price of €825 excl. VAT (around $900–$950 USD), it presents a compelling value proposition for collectors and enthusiasts alike. Limited to 136 pieces—a clever reference to 250 m being approximately 136 fathoms—it’s available now directly from Eska.
In my view, the Green Turtle succeeds where many reissues falter: it feels alive—practical, thoughtfully detailed, and honest. It’s a revival that respects both past and present. And hey, if you’ve been daydreaming about a grounded, genuine diver with a touch of vintage green charm—this might just be it. Otherwise, here is another idea that I personally love : Vulcain’s Skindiver GMT Purple.
