Seiko has a deep and varied history in the world of dive watches, and none are as iconic and famous as the venerable Seiko 6105-8110/9 automatic - like this full serviced 6105-8119 here from 1976.
 
The 6105 is the definitive Seiko diver, and holding its own against all other iconic divers of the era. 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. The proof/proof models are rare and command a definite price premium over the resist/resist models. Further, the 6105-8110 and 6105-8119 were rather the same, with the exception of the last digit in the reference number, which indicates the market the watch was originally sold.
 
6105’s suffered from a less than great crown lock design, which often inadvertently allowed moisture to intrude into the case, resulting in “black rot” on the lume on the dial - the watch does not feature a screw-down crown, but instead a mechanism locks the crown in place to keep it from moving, when the user is not setting the time or date. These watches were meant to be used, not hidden away in a safe!
 
Now – on to that nickname.
 
During the Vietnam 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 cheaper 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 6105, akin to the one 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 during the same conflict. Many 6105s survived combat, with their owners bringing them back after their year tour was up in Vietnam.
 
This 6105 comes with a rubber Uncle Seiko strap, nylon strap, Pelican travel case, and springbar tool.