1970's Seiko 6105-8110 'Captain Willard'
You may have seen the Seiko ref. 6105-8110 before. It was featured prominently on the wrist of Martin Sheen's character, Captain Willard, in the seminal 1979 Francis Ford Coppola film, Apocalypse Now. The inclusion of the watch was no mistake – the Seiko 6105 dive watch was popular among U.S. servicemen during the Vietnam War in the early 1970s. It was favored for its rugged nature and resistance to the harsh jungle environment. The 6105 is one of the most celebrated vintage tool watches out there today, not only because it played a role in the Vietnam War, but it was also popular with divers of the time.
Seiko produced the 6105-811X from 1970-77, which came in two dial variations. Early models from 1970 were labeled “Water 150m Proof” on the dial, and “Waterproof” on the case back. However, and at some point that same year, Seiko changed the text to “Water 150m Resist” with “Water Resistant” on the back to meet U.S. Federal guidelines ahead of a January 1972 deadline. Further, the 6105-8110 and 6105-8119 are identical, with the exception of the last digit in the reference number, which indicates the market the watch was originally sold.
Information:
Reference: 6105-8110
Serial: 370XXX
Strap: Black Rubber Strap
Case Size: 44mm x 12.5mm Thickness x 49.5mm Lug to Lug
Lug Width: 19mm
Case Metal: Stainless Steel - Unpolished
Crown: "Lock"- signed crown does not lock, unfortunately, but does close fully; Seiko's 6105 design did not feature a screw-down crown, but instead a mechanism that locked the crown in place to keep it from moving.
Movement: 6105B - Serviced December 2023 - One year warranty - Automatic
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Accessories: N/A
Crystal: Plexiglass
Bracelet size: 7.75”
Condition: Great Vintage condition
Case is unpolished and is in great shape with a few marks and micro wear. Strap is in like new shape. Dial is in incredible shape with lume intact. Hands are in great shape with lume intact as well.
History of Seiko Watches
Seiko's history began in 1881 when Kintaro Hattori opened a watch shop in Tokyo. In 1892, he established Seikosha, a factory for producing wall clocks. The company quickly progressed, creating Japan's first wristwatch, the Laurel, in 1913. Despite setbacks like the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, Seiko persevered, launching its first watch under the Seiko brand name in 1924.
The post-World War II era saw Seiko's rapid growth and innovation. They introduced Japan's first automatic wristwatch in 1956 and launched the prestigious Grand Seiko line in 1960. Seiko achieved international recognition for accuracy in 1968, winning a Geneva Observatory competition.
The company made a name for its divers in 1965 with the introduction of their first professional dive watch, the 62MAS. This was followed by the iconic 6159-7001 in 1968, which was water-resistant to 300 meters. Seiko gained international recognition in 1975 with the release of the 6159-7010, nicknamed the "Tuna Can" due to its distinctive case shape. In 1969, they revolutionized the industry with the Astron, the world's first quartz wristwatch, ushering a new era of watchmaking that would send waves across the industry through the 70s and 80s. From its humble beginnings to becoming a global watchmaking giant, Seiko's history is characterized by resilience, technological advancement, and a commitment to precision.
