Seiko debuted its 6106 dive watches – like this Deep Blue-dialed 1969 Seiko 6106-8100 "Chevron" automatic sport diver – in 1967 as its first “Sport Diver.” Notably, the 6106 was Seiko's first dive watch - sport diver, that is (more on that below).
Seiko did their homework when they designed these deep blue dials, and pictures do not do these justice. These dials are simply amazing to behold in person, and this dial - with its light uniform patina'd sugar cube-like lume - is no different.
The Chevron is beautiful classic vintage Seiko for several good reasons, starting with the well-spaced dial, which renders the bezeled day/date window unobtrusive. On to one of the best features of the 6106 – the dial. These dials, regardless of variant color, sparkle in the light and were finished better than many of the Swiss watches from the same period, and this amazing deep blue dial is, in our opinion, the best example of all the 6106 variants.
Couple this with very little writing on the dial, and you have a dial that’s purposeful and sparse, finished with Seiko’s famous Suwa logo. Once you add the case-colored bi-directional bezel, which flows well into the radial polished case, you have a nicely elegant and simplistic dive watch.
Seiko’s marketing ads boasted about the 6106’s diving capability, that was “Proof," all the way down to 229 feet! Other ads made it seem like "the choice" for surfers. Granted this makes for some shallow diving, but not at that time.
Also of note? The steel-grey dial variant of this same watch was issued to U.S. military Special Forces in Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG), a multi-service United States special operations unit conducting highly classified covert unconventional warfare operations during the 1960/70s Viet Nam conflict in North Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, issued Seiko watches either directly via its Counter Insurgency Support Office (CISO, run by Conrad “Ben” Baker) or instructing the recon men to buy them on the open market.
But to operate in a non-attributable manner in these countries – where the USMIL wasn’t supposed to be – required atypical equipment. CISO's main mission was to issue standard and untraceable (read, sterile in appearance to offer a fig leaf of plausible deniability when USMIL forces were operating somewhere they weren’t supposed to be in the countries in and around Viet Nam) gear, clothing, and weapons to Special Forces in Vietnam, to include the USMIL’s MACV-SOG. It would cease operation in 1973, following the US withdrawal. Find this other Seiko 6106-8100 variant here, and read more about it here.
We also sourced one for for ABC's The Rookie Sergeant Time Bradford (played abely by Eric Winter, @ebwinter on IG) - given Bradford's USMIL Special Forces background and joint ops with CIA, the watch is a natural fit for his character.
This Seiko Chevron Sport Diver automatic comes on a leather strap, and with nylon strap, spring bar tool, and rugged travel case.
1969 Seiko 6106-8100 "Chevron" Automatic Sport Diver
DIAL: Fantastic Seiko-signed deep blue “resist” chevron dial, with matching hands. Day/date – with English only day variant – at 3 o’clock position works nicely.
CASE: Stainless-steel case measures 38mm x 45mm, with matching “resist” caseback, with correct - albeit a high quality aftermarket one - bezel insert. Bezel spins somewhat freely.
CRYSTAL: Domed acrylic crystal, no scratches.
BAND: Light brown leather strap, with cream-colored accent stitching and stainless-steel hardware. This Seiko Chevron also comes with a gray strap.
MOVEMENT: Seiko 25-jewel 6106 automatic movement, manufactured in March 1969.
CROWN: Recessed unsigned stainless-steel crown.