
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Seiko Automatic Diver (Ref. 6105-8000) "Proof / Proof", 1969
- Maker / attribution
- Seiko (maker)
- Date
- 1969
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- Japan
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Stock no.
- SKO61058000-3
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (SKO61058000-3)
- Catalogue title (original)
- 1969 Seiko Automatic Diver (Ref. 6105-8000) "Proof / Proof" (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number SKO61058000-3), this is a wristwatch by Seiko, made in Japan, dated 1969. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Craft & Tailored
Founded in 1881, Seiko is a favorite among many watch enthusiasts. The storied Japanese timepiece manufacturer has a rich history of innovation and the company is famous for producing everything from rugged mechanical dive watches to advanced, high-accuracy quartz models and everything in between. With a cult-like following, there is a specific sense of satisfaction that comes from wearing a Seiko – that you're part of a long lineage of top-tier watchmaking. This ref 6105-8000 from 1969 is one of the brand's earliest forays into the world of dive watches, and the predecessor to a whole lineage of icons to follow. Its shape and design have inspired droves of competitors, and have accompanied even more wrists on all sorts of subsea excursions. Whether you're looking for your first Seiko or you want to add to a growing collection, this legendary piece will fit in nicely and stay faithfully by your side for years—or decades—to come. SPECS Stock # SKO61058000-3 Brand Seiko Style Automatic Diver Model 6105-8000 Serial 91XXXXX Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Matte Black Millimeters 41 Strap Tropic Rubber Strap CASE & BRACELET The C-shaped case measures 41 millimeters and is in excellent condition showing minimal evidence of polishing in the past and honest signs of use. It features a substantial steel Seiko-signed crown set at the 4 o'clock position. The black bezel exhibits some scratches and honest wear and the luminous pearl at 12 o'clock is still a pale green color. The original "Water Proof" case back shows light signs of use with all of the factory text and markings remaining present and in excellent condition. The watch will come supplied on a two-piece tropic rubber strap. DIAL & HANDS The gorgeous matte black dial is in great overall condition, with no notable damage and virtually no markings or wear. The lume at every hour marker shows varying degrees of age and patination, but is still a pale green coloration. The original handset is in overall excellent condition, with the sweep seconds hand showing some patination at the end, and the inlaid lume matches the dial perfectly. Under UV light inspection both the dial and hands display no degradation. ACCESSORIES None. The watch is functioning perfectly and keeping time, previous service history is unknown. A movement service can be provided upon request.
Historical context
Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.
Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology
Atlas type guide
Dive and water-resistant watches
Keeping water and dust out of a wristwatch was a long-standing challenge. Rolex's screw-down Oyster case (1926) and Omega's Marine (1932) were landmarks; in the early 1950s Blancpain's Fifty Fathoms and Rolex's Submariner defined the professional dive watch with rotating bezels for timing dives, luminous dials and high water resistance. The ISO 6425 standard (1982) later codified what a 'diver's watch' must do.
Dive watches became icons of post-war design and exploration, and their evolution — helium escape valves, ceramic bezels, saturation-diving depth ratings — records the history of underwater work.
What to look for
- Unidirectional or bidirectional rotating bezel with minute markings.
- Screw-down crown and case back; depth rating printed on the dial.
- Luminous hands and markers (radium before c. 1960, tritium c. 1960–1998, then Super-LumiNova).
- Reference numbers on the case between the lugs or inside the back.
Dating clues
- Screw-down Oyster cases: from 1926.
- Professional dive watches: from 1953.
- Tritium 'T' marks on dials: c. 1960–1998.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
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