More evidence the 1960s and 1970s were a golden era for Seiko - and in particular, it's dive watches - is clearly evident here, with Seiko's iconic, dare we say legendary 1967 Seiko 6217-8001 "62MAS" automatic dive watch.
The Seiko 62MAS (auto[MA]tic [S]elfdater," ie: an automatic movement with date) holds the mantle of Seiko’s first dive watch, and as such occupies a quite important position within the Japanese brand’s overall history. Within a few short months of the watches debut, Seiko replaced the 62MAS’s small crown on the initial 6217-8000 with the famous "Big Crown" of the 6217-8001 (like on the example on offer here).
First launched in 1965, the Seiko 62MAS was the brand’s debut foray into the diving world – no doubt Seiko saw opportunity with more recreational divers and a market for the professional set such as welders, and then some.
The diver would serve as the foundation for countless other Seiko dive watches that would be released during the years that followed – the 6105 “Captain Willard,” 6306/6039, 7002, and SKX. The list goes on and on.
With its utilitarian appearance, highly legible dial, and clean case shape without crown guards, the Seiko 62MAS embodies everything iconic about these early dive watches. The two 6217 dive references were the building blocks for many other iterations of iconic Seiko divers and the 62MAS has become a true vintage grail piece for collectors of every level as a result.
It’s hard not to love the original design of most collectibles and we strongly know from experience these pieces are fully deserving of the cult-like following they've earned in recent years.
But don’t take our word for it – as usual, Fratello’s Seiko guru Michael Stockton has some words on the 62MAS, “It is the ‘ur-diver,’ the alpha, the patriarch…you get my point. All professional divers from Seiko owe at least some of their design to this piece and as you can see in the pictures, things like bezel font, dial color, and markers to some degree still bear a familial resemblance in today’s pieces.”
“If you are a Seiko vintage diver collector and you do not own a 62MAS, I’d bet 10:1 that it’s on your list…For the Seiko collector or even the general vintage watch connoisseur, the Seiko 62MAS is a significant piece to consider. Sure, it lacks some of the innovations and features of models such as similar period Submariners or Seamasters but there’s something satisfying about owning the first of a now legendary line of watches.”
This Seiko 62MAS comes on a canvas strap, and with nylon strap, spring bar tool, and rugged travel case.
1967 Seiko 6217-8001 "62MAS" Automatic Dive Watch
DIAL: Matte grey Seiko-signed dial with polished marker frames and date window; quick-set date function works as designed. Markers are applied, chrome-bordered and lume filled - lume continues to shine following exposure to strong light. The 62MAS's iconic hands, which were found on several Seiko models subsequent, are iconic for the sweep second hand with its rectangular lume-filled pip
CASE: Stainless-steel cushion case measures 38mm x 46mm, with matching caseback. Coin edge bezel rotates smoothly in either direction, and the glossy black aftermarket insert is in phenomenal condition with no wear.
CRYSTAL: Acrylic domed crystal, no scratches or cracks.
BAND: This Seiko 62MAS comes on an 18mm leather-backed beige canvas strap; it also comes with a black nylon strap – both are great sporty complements to the vintage nature of this Seiko automatic.
MOVEMENT: Seiko 17-jewel 6217 automatic movement, beating at 18,000 bph, manufactured in March 1977.
CROWN: Designed to be without a screw-down crown, this 62MAS features the Seiko-signed stainless-steel "Big Crown," which can be a bit stiff to operate, but works as designed. The crown is notable, as it remains Seiko’s only professional diver with a crown at 3:00 versus the traditional 4:00.
