Seiko has a deep and well-regarded history in the world of dive watches, and none are as iconic and famous as the venerable Seiko 6105 automatic diver. The 6105 is the definitive Seiko diver, and holds its own against all iconic divers of the era - like this strong 1968 Seiko 6105-8000 "Slim Willard" proof/proof automatic diver here, on its original Seiko-signed "chocolate bar" rubber dive strap and with inner/outer Seiko 6105 boxes and a separate vintage Japanese Maruman stainless-steel dive bracelet. Of note, this Slim Willard is the less seen, so-called "proof/proof" 6105-8000 - hence the "Proof" dial and "Proof" caseback.
Seiko debuted the 6105-8000 in 1968, as a replacement of the famed Seiko 6217 “62MAS” dive watch, Seiko’s first (which was known to leak, unfortunately), and would in turn be replaced by the 6105-8110/8119 "Captain Willard" asymmetric-case diver in late 1970.
During the Viet Nam War, Seiko watches among other brands were offered in the U.S. military PX’s (Post Exchanges) on bases in Southeast Asia, including Rolex and Tudor. The 6105 was slightly less expensive during this era than a Rolex or Tudor Submariner, but with a reputation for providing no-nonsense functionality with a build quality that could withstand the harsh climate - Army-issued watches were known to fail in the jungle environment.
In Francis Ford Coppola's seminal 1979 film, "Apocalypse Now," Martin Sheen’s character, Captain Willard wears a Seiko 6105-8110/9, the younger asymmetrical-cased sibling to the 6105-8000 here. He wasn't the only one - many service members, to include U.S. Special Forces and early Underwater Demolition Team (UDT, predecessor to the U.S. Navy SEALs) members wore the Seiko 6105 (both variants) during conflicts of the era. Many 6105s survived combat, with their owners bringing them back after their tour was finished.
Per Fratello’s resident Seiko guru Michael Stockton, “…the Seiko 6105-8000 isn’t an easy find. Head to your favorite auction site and have a look-see. See? The 8110/9 outnumbers 8000/9’s (the “9” versions were for international markets, by the way) by far. And then, trying to find a good one ups the ante further. As an older watch, I suppose that doesn’t help when thinking about the attrition rate and more importantly, the 8000/9 was made for fewer years than its successor.”
This Seiko 6105 Slim Willard comes on it's original Seiko rubber dive strap, and with nylon strap, rugged travel case, springbar tool, and inner/outer Seiko boxes.
