Few watch categories have shaped the world of horology as deeply as Seiko’s dive watches. Affordable, reliable, and iconic, Seiko divers have been worn everywhere, from deep-sea expeditions to Hollywood films, from military missions to desk jobs.

But their story didn’t start with fame. It started with a simple question Seiko asked in the 1960s:
“How can we build the most reliable dive watch possible for professional use?”

The answer led to a legacy that transformed the global watch industry.
Here’s the full history of how Seiko became the king of dive watches.

1965  The Beginning: Seiko 62MAS (Ref. 6217-8000/1)

Seiko’s very first dive watch arrived in 1965, called the 62MAS (“autoMAtic Selfdater”).

Why it was groundbreaking:

• 150m water resistance: impressive for the era
  
  
• Large, legible markers made for professional divers
  
  
• Automatic movement suited for real-world use
  
  
• Tested in Antarctic expeditions, proving its toughness
  
  

The 62MAS set the blueprint for every Seiko diver that followed: practical, reliable, and engineered for extreme conditions.

1968  The 300m Professional Diver (Ref. 6159-7001)

Just three years later, Seiko made another leap with the 6159-7001 in 1968.

What made it special:

• 300m water resistance
  
  
• High-beat 36,000 vph movement
  
  
• One-piece case for superior durability
  
  

This model is known today as one of the most important tool watches ever created. It also laid the foundation for Seiko’s modern “Marinemaster” designs.

 

1970  The 6105: The Adventure Icon

In 1970, Seiko released the 6105, the diver that truly made Seiko famous worldwide.

It earned its reputation for two reasons:

1. Naomi Uemura, the legendary Japanese adventurer

Uemura, who climbed Denali solo and traveled from Greenland to Alaska by dogsled, wore a Seiko 6105 on many of his expeditions.
Its reliability under extreme conditions helped cement its status as a true adventure watch.

2. Hollywood

The 6105 gained pop-culture fame when worn by Martin Sheen in the film Apocalypse Now.
Collectors often call it the “Captain Willard”.

This model introduced the cushion-shaped case that would become a Seiko signature.

 

1976  The Birth of the “Tuna Can” (Ref. 6159-7010)

One of Seiko’s most radical watches arrived in 1976 after a professional diver complained that no watch could withstand helium saturation diving.

Seiko responded with the world’s first:

• Monocoque titanium case
  
  
• L-shaped gasket to prevent helium entry
  
  
• Outer ceramic shroud
  
  

Its oversized cylindrical case earned the nickname “Tuna”.
Professional divers still consider it one of the most reliable dive watches ever built.

 

Late 1970s–1980s  The 6309: The Birth of the “Turtle”

Released in 1976 and running until the late 1980s, the 6309 is one of the most beloved Seiko divers ever.

Features:

• Cushion “turtle shell” case shape
  
  
• 150m water resistance
  
  
• 6309 automatic movement known for surviving decades
  
  
• Affordable, rugged, repairable
  
  

It became the everyday diver for a whole generation and remains a favorite among collectors.

 

 

1982  World’s First Analog–Digital Professional Diver (H558-5000)

In 1982, Seiko released the first analog-digital hybrid diver, the H558.
This watch became famous when Arnold Schwarzenegger wore it in films like Predator and Commando.

This model showed Seiko's willingness to innovate far beyond mechanical watchmaking.

 

1990s–2000s  Professional Grade Evolution

Through the ’90s and early 2000s, Seiko refined its dive watch technology:

Major advancements:

• Hardlex mineral crystal improvements
  
  
• Better lume (LumiBrite)
  
  
• More accurate movements
  
  
• Increased water resistance
  
  
• Marinemaster 300 revival
  
  

Seiko divers became recognized globally as the best value-for-money dive watches.

 

2010s  “Turtle” and “Willard” Reissues

Seiko began reviving its legends:

Reissues included:

• SRP77x series — modern Turtles
  
  
• SLA033 — 6105 Willard tribute
  
  
• SPB14x — modern 62MAS reinterpretation
  
  
• SLA017 — premium 62MAS reissue
  
  

These models allowed a new generation to experience the classic Seiko diver DNA.

 

The “Black Boy”  A Legend in the Affordable Diver World

One of the most popular Seiko models ever made, the SKX007/009 and related models, are often referred to as the “Black Boy” or “Pepsi Boy.”

Why they’re iconic:

• ISO-certified 200m diver
  
  
• Bulletproof 7S26 movement
  
  
• Affordable but professional-grade
  
  
• Simple, functional design
  
  
• Massive global fanbase
  
  

Production ended in 2019, but these models remain highly collectible.

 

Today  Seiko Continues the Legacy

Modern Seiko divers still follow the same philosophy established in 1965:

• Practical
• Durable
• Accessible
• Built for real use
  

From the Prospex line to the budget-friendly Seiko 5 Sports divers, Seiko continues to dominate the tool-watch world.

 

Why Seiko Divers Matter

Seiko didn’t just create dive watches.
They democratized them.

Before Seiko, professional-grade dive watches were:

• Extremely expensive
• Mostly Swiss
• Not accessible to everyday people
  
  

Seiko changed that by offering:

• Tool-grade engineering
• Real-world testing
• Affordability
• Constant innovation
  
  

Their divers continue to be the gateway into the world of watch collecting for millions.

Final Thoughts

Seiko diver watches have earned their legendary status through decades of innovation, durability, and real-world performance. From the iconic 62MAS to the explorer-proven 6105 and modern Prospex models, Seiko has consistently set the standard for reliable dive watches.

For collectors and enthusiasts, vintage Seiko divers offer the perfect balance of history, functionality, and value. Their timeless designs and proven toughness make them not only great tool watches, but also meaningful pieces of Japanese watchmaking history.