Seiko’s rally divers – such as this sizable 1969 Seiko 6119-7170 automatic dive watch here, on a vintage Seiko stainless-steel bracelet – were a popular series of 70 meter sport divers made by the Japanese manufacture in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
 
Easily discernible, the rally divers obtained their nickname from the distinctive checkered pattern on its bezel inserts, which resembled a checkered racing flag.
 
The Seiko rally series began with the 6106 models, followed shortly thereafter by the 6119s, with a overlap in production between both.  The 6119 duplicated the aesthetic of the 6106 and was meant to improve the design on the 6106 – based on the popularity of the 6106 – and also came out with numerous new variants.  The 6119 on offer here was one of the re-issues of the original highly popular 6106 models.
 
Of note, the 6106 models were produced sans the “Seiko 5”-signed dial and only came in two variants, unlike the plethora of variants the subsequent 6119 came in.
 
This rally diver comes on a Seiko 5-signed stainless-steel bracelet and with nylon strap, hard rugged travel case, and springbar tool.