Pre-Owned Seiko Prospex Diver 'Willard' 001-103-02659

WHY WE LOVE IT 

"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 on screen in his portrayal of Captain Willard. 

While Hollywood's prominent use of timepieces in major motion pictures 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, and in a way started an entire trend for budget-priced oversized steel tool watches when they returned stateside.

As a diver's tool, the 6105 is a worthy instrument in all regards. Developed by Seiko in the late 1960s, the large asymmetrical watch boasted 150 meters of water resistance, a bi-directional bezel for dive timing and large swaths of luminescent material for high visibility underwater. Used extensively in the field by soldiers and frogmen, the 6105 developed a reputation as a no-nonsense timepiece for professional use, a reputation that has lasted through to this day and undoubtedly inspired countless diving watches in the subsequent decades. 

The particular Seiko we have here, an SPB151 from the sporty Prospex line, is a modern take on the 6105. Housed in a 42.7mm stainless steel case with a sapphire crystal, an unsigned crown, and a unidirectional rotating dive timing bezel, it features a luminous matte black dial with applied indices, a matching handset, and a date window at 3:00. 

Powered by the automatic Seiko 6R35 movement with 70 hours of power reserve, it comes paired to a stainless steel, multi-link bracelet with a signed, locking clasp and includes its factory goodies. Whether you’re a Seiko nut, a fan of Apocalypse Now, or simply in need of a robust wrist companion, the SPB151 could hardly be more suitable.

Don’t pass this one up!

OVERALL CONDITION

The case is in outstanding condition overall showing only faint signs of wear from gentle use. Luminous matte black dial with applied indices is in outstanding, as-new condition with matching handset. Unsigned crown.