Vintage Seiko 6105-8110 (1968-77)

Following my dive into the Sekio divers watches , my hunt for the vintage seiko divers continues. From reading the various forums, the information for the The 6105 was that it was made in two distinctive body styles: the cushion-cased 8000/8009 (with a thinner case, which I have found last week) and the fatter and larger, asymmetrically-cased 8110/8119.  

Below is the example of the thinner cushion-cases 6106-8000.

Either model is an iconic piece for vintage Seiko enthusiasts. They were the second true dive watch made by Seiko (for the 150m series) following the Seiko 6217 (62MAS). The 6105 was produced from 1968 to 1977, the 6105 greatly influenced the design of the cushion-case Seiko 6309 that succeeded it 1976 — a watch that became a Seiko collector’s piece in its own right. Even the modern Seiko SKX is directly descended from the 6105′s design heritage. The 6105 becomes a big deal in the Seiko dive watch world, with the blessing of Martin Sheen wearing the watch in the movie.

IN APOCALYPSE NOW, CAPTAIN WILLARD (PLAYED BY MARTIN SHEEN) WEARS A 6105-8110. 

During the Vietnam War, U.S. troops were known to buy Glycine Airman watch for the pilot and the Seiko 6105-8000/8009′s at the PXs (Post Exchanges) on bases in Southeast Asia. Many soldiers wore them through the rigors of combat. Lots of pieces made their way back to the States on the wrists of service members after their tours were done and some remainder in SE Asia

In Apocalypse Now, Captain Willard (played by Martin Sheen) wears a 6105-8110. 

The 6105-8000 features a larger 41mm cushion case with a signed crown (a rarity for Seikos of the time) at the 4 o’clock position. The in-house automatic 17 jewel 21,600 bph cal. 6105A powers the watch. There were the hacking and non hacking movements and all had quick-set dates and could not be manually wound. All these were tough tool watch that can withstand the heavy usage and abuse.

There were two dials with early models with “waterproof” on the dial were non-hacking, and that the later models with “water resistant” were hacking. All of the watches were waterproof down to 150 meters. The only 300m divers were the rare 6215-7000 and the 6159-7001. For those who is looking for the 600m vintage Seiko diver will have to look for the 6159-5010, a titanium version.

For those who does not want to invest huge cash in getting the vintage 5513, 1680 Rolex divers, the 6105′s history with its quality features is a great bargain, US600-1000, depending on conditions.