Seiko Diver 'Skinny Willard'

"I love the smell of napalm in the morning." That delightfully morose soundbite isn't the only memorable takeaway from the Vietnam War epic Apocalypse Now. For dive watch enthusiasts, the film holds another: Martin Sheen's use of a Seiko 6105-8119 on screen in his portrayal of Captain Willard. While Hollywood's prominent use of timepieces in film is well documented (and generally done for paid product placement), there are only a few films that really "got it right" in regards to the watches used on screen. The reason Apocalypse Now stands out as a winner? Because the Seiko 6105 truly was a common choice of GIs during the conflict, in a way starting an entire trend for budget-priced, oversized steel tool watches that they would purchase when they returned stateside. As our founder James Lamdin said, "These were big, bold pieces meant for hard use on the wrists by people who knew how to use them." As a diver's tool, the 6105 is a worthy instrument in all regards: Developed by Seiko in the late 1960s, the large case boasted 150 meters of water resistance, a bi-directional bezel for use in dive timing, and copious swathes of luminescent material for visibility in low light and underwater. Utilized extensively by soldiers and frogmen, the 6105 developed a reputation as a no-nonsense timepiece for use in the field, a reputation that has lasted to this day and undoubtedly inspired countless dive watches — including more than a few homage reissues from Seiko itself! — in the subsequent decades. This timepiece, a Reference 6105-8000, was introduced first and produced alongside the 6105-8110 and features most of the classic hallmarks we adore about the ‘Captain Willard’ — except the -8110s characteristic 44mm asymmetric case. The -8000 was designed with a more traditional tonneau case design and slimmer proportions — and is the reason we’ve dubbed it the ‘Skinny Willard’, despite its already substantial 41mm width. This stunning example features an incredibly strong case with factory finishing, a signed crown at 4 o’clock, a Hardlex crystal and a lovely, fully-graduated bezel insert. Its black dial features a set of luminous, applied indices and matching handset with ‘stoplight’ seconds hand. Powered by the venerable Seiko Calibre 6105 automatic movement with date function read via a framed date window at 3 o’clock, it comes fitted to a period-style black rubber 'waffle' textured Uncle Seiko strap. As the successor to the 62MAS and the older brother to the ‘Captain Willard’, the 6105-8000 helped establish the design language for the brand’s most iconic dive watches, and is one of the most overlooked Seiko models of the period. We hope you'll scoop this up, wear it with pride, and help change that!