There exist many legendary vintage Seiko automatic references, but few more so than the venerable Seiko 6309 series - like the near new-old stock (NOS) serviced 1986 Seiko 6309-8900 automatic watch here, on its original Seiko-signed stainless-steel bracelet and with original price tag, Seiko box, and 1960s Seiko 5 promotional matchbox.
The 6309 series of watches was the third generation of Seiko’s recreational and professional divers. The 6309 line replaced the 6105 in 1976 and was produced until 1988, when Seiko replaced it with the 7002 diver.
Produced more or less concurrently was the 6306, which lived a short life in between the 6105 and down-jeweled and less complex 6309, from 1976 to 1981, when Seiko would favor the 6309 until it too was replaced with the 7002 diver in 1988. The 6306 calibre was a successful effort by Seiko to improve the 6105 movement, which allowed for greater lifespan, robustness, and ease of maintenance.
In turn, the Seiko 6309 - like this one here - was also a successful effort by the Japanese watch manufacturer to improve the 6105 movement, which allowed for greater lifespan, robustness, and ease of maintenance, while also reducing the complexity of the interim 6306 movement. And these improvements included more than just dive watches - the 6309 was also used in a range of non-dive watches, like the one here.
Oh - and did we mention both Rolling Stones legendary frontman Mic Jagger and actors Ed Harris (who also wore a Seiko 6139 "Cevert" in the "Apollo 13" film, but that's another story) and John Candy personally owned a 6309? Harris' appears to be his own 6309, as he has worn it in multiple films throughout the last three decades. A slew of other actors have worn the same watch throughout the past several decades on various television shows, Erik Estrada in "CHiPS" (1977-1983) and Nicholas Gonzalez in "Blue Ridge" (2024)
Moves like Jagger, indeed...
This Seiko 6309 automatic watch comes on it's original stainless-steel Seiko bracelet, and with nylon strap, rugged travel case, original Seiko price tag, Seiko box, and springbar tool.
Near NOS 1986 Seiko 6309-8900 Automatic Watch
DIAL: Unmarred silver Seiko 5-signed Seiko dial, with crisp dial writing. Date and day functions - with Japanese/English day variants - at the 3 o'clock position functions as designed. Dial lume and handset lume continues to shine following exposure to bright light.
CASE: Stainless-steel case measures 37mm x 42mm, with sharp case lines. Matching caseback, with crisp engravings.
CRYSTAL: Hardlex crystal, no scratches, blemishes, or imperfections.
BAND: This Seiko 6309 comes on its original Seiko-signed stainless-steel bracelet, which will fit up to an approx. eight inch wrist; it also comes with a dark blue, orange, and white nylon strap.
MOVEMENT: 6300-series Seiko automatic movement, 17 jewels and manufactured in June 1986. This watch has received a full service.
Of note, this crisp Seiko 6309 comes with its original price tag, Seiko box (which may not be for this specific 6309, but close), and 1960s Seiko 5 promotional matchbox.