Seiko diver 6105-8009

Seiko vintage diver 6105-8009

This year has been particularly lazy with writing the Watchopenia blog... Like what people say, not everyday is Spring time... but for those in winter, the spring would not be too far also.... When I was feeling down and felt summerse in deep water that I remembered apart from Grand Seiko and vintage seiko, I do have a humble collection of seiko divers. Seiko divers are great watch and really values for money. They are durable, solid and reliable time pieces.

6105 is the second generation of Seiko divers produced from 1968-1977. There are 2 series of Seiko divers using the calibre 6105: The early symmetrical cushion cases using cal.6105A (6105-8000 and 6105-8009) and the later large asymmetrical cushion  cases using cal.6105B (6105-8110 and 6105-8119). 8000 and 8009 or 8110 and 8119 are the same watch and same model; Seiko uses the o and the 9 to differentiate the marketing zones.  All 6105 divers are waterproofed to  150m.  Cal 6105 movements are 17 jewels automatic with quickset date. Some have hacking property and are beating at 21,600bph. This is purely self winding watches and cannot be wound manually. 

I have 2 units of 6105-8009. Both are restored to the best condition possible using original parts. The same model as Mr. Naomi Uemura used it for the Arctic Ocean expedition. I have one in original Seiko rubber band and another in Seiko stainless steel jubilee bracelet. The case is made of stainless steel with a bi-directional bezel. 6105-8110 and 6105-8119 shares the same turtle case with 6309-7040. That is why I prefer the earlier version, the 800x. The crown of 6105 is with the turn and lock mechanism and unlike Rolex or newer Seiko diver with the screw down crown. The crown of 6105 is signed with an arrow and the word lock. Most Seiko divers do not have a signed crown. 

Buying a Seiko diver is an investment also. During the 1970's one of this 6105 was estimated to be less than USD50.00. Today one of this classic in mint condition can easily hit the USD600 mark. I have never worn this watch merely it is just too heavy for my wrist. But to be honest, it is a huge watch and really attention seeking piece of jewellery. 

In the movie Apocalypse Now, Martin Sheen wears the classic asymmetrical 6105-8110/8119 diver on one of the rarer strap options available for this watch: (taken from http://forums.watchuseek.com/f281/seiko-movies-207229.html)