Seiko
captain wilhard

Seiko 6105-8119 watch (US market), also known as the Seiko Captain Willard, dated 1975 — a vintage collector’s piece in perfectly preserved condition, with all original parts intact. This legendary model gained fame on Martin Sheen’s wrist in the film *Apocalypse Now* during the Vietnam War (see our blog article "Une Montre, un Film" on Mostra Mag). This emblematic 1970s watch marked a pivotal era where Seiko was conquering the global watch market with innovative models.

Highly appreciated by both deep-sea enthusiasts and broader American watch collectors, this robust, reliable, and above all economical model quickly set new standards, challenging its Swiss counterparts. Its reputation soon caught the attention of the federal administration and procurement offices at the Pentagon.

Initially adopted through contracts with the US Coast Guard, the model became widely used across the West Coast states, spotted on the wrists of airlifted Search & Rescue divers. It was also seen at American bases in Guam, the Philippines, Japan, Singapore, and even in the Indian Ocean at the Diego Garcia naval base, worn by Navy SEAL detachments and explosive ordnance divers responsible for inspecting incoming and outgoing ships to ensure no mines or charges were attached to their hulls.

This collectible watch still bears the engraved caseback markings and reference numbers that date its manufacturing. Retaining all original components in remarkable condition, the dial of this Seiko Captain Willard remains well preserved given its age. Its tritium-treated indexes and luminous markers are almost fully intact, though naturally dimmer after fifty years. (Even the red “stop light” on the second hand retains its original tritium dot.)

The bezel (60-click, compliant with diving specs of the era) and its insert are in good condition. The screw-down crown is positioned at 4 o’clock and protected by a robust crown guard. The case is stainless steel, 44 mm in diameter, with screw-down caseback.

The Seiko 6105 Captain Willard is powered by the Seiko 6105B automatic mechanical movement. This hackable movement (for time synchronization) features 17 jewels, beats at 21,000 vibrations per hour, and offers a power reserve of approximately 32 hours once fully wound.