SEIKO Captain Willard: A Timeless Classic

The Seiko 6105-8110, or its US 8119 version, is a watch with a rich history and an impressive list of notable wearers. Worn by Naomi Uemura between 1974 and 1976 when he completed a 12,500km solo dog-sled run from Greenland to Alaska, and also speculated to have been worn on his 1978 North Pole expedition. Canadian astronaut Dr David Williams also wore this watch, receiving it on his 21st birthday, wearing it in space on the 1998 mission STS 90, and underwater in the Aquarius undersea research habitat. The watch has also been worn in movies such as Wild Geese, Soldiers Sweetheart, High Velocity, and Apocalypse Now.

On this video, we will overview the origins of this watch and its popularity, and show you my own as an example. In Seiko Diver Land, the watch was preceded by the 6217 Seikomatic self-dater or 62MAS in 1965, which was the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition's watch of choice and Seiko’s first diver watch with 150m water resistance. Then came the 300m water resistant watches, the 6215-010 and the 6159-011. Even these weren’t enough for saturation divers going deeper than 300m, leading Seiko to appoint Ikuo Tokunga to drive the development of more professional watches, such as the 600m Seiko 6159-022 titanium grandfather Tuna.

The 6105 range was introduced in 1968, first with the more standard symmetrical 6105-8000, but in 1970, the much cooler 6105-8110 arrived, both marked as Suwa as opposed to Daini, which were the two semi-competing divisions of Seiko. The watch is known as the Captain Willard due to it being worn by Martin Sheen in the film Apocalypse Now. It was also widely adopted by soldiers who acquired them from postal exchanges or PXs at around 75 dollars.

Seiko has emphasized the real-life link with Naomi Uemura, releasing a limited edition in honor of his 80th anniversary in a cool blue color. The watch was the beginning of Seiko's cushioned case look, which set the design language for the 6309 Turtle, with the crown guards or shoulders protecting the crown positioned at 4 o'clock, and a "turn and lock" mechanism. A quick seiko shuffle is needed to get the 6105B automatic movement started.

In this video, we will take a closer look at the history, features and legacy of the Seiko 6105-8110, a watch with a rich history, worn by some of the most adventurous and accomplished people of the 20th century.

0:00 Famous wearers of Seiko 6105-8110
0:50 History from the 62MAS to 6105
2:30 Hands on overview

I hope you enjoy the video!

#seiko #61058110 #seikocaptainwillard

[vincentcalcopietro]

Still wear mine everyday and it’s never had a service, and still keeps better than perfect time. Has patina but it gives it so much character. In my opinion these watches should be left as they are . Only service them if they really need it. 1971 and still running strong. 💪

[jltrem]

One of my favorite films is "Apocalypse Now" and one of my favorite actors was Richard Harris, so I'm glad to find he too sported a Willard. Mine's a Steeldive.

[tacticaltruth]

Well, now I gotta get one of these. Thanks for the video. Really nice overview of the watch.

[THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR]

Superb!! I’ll be referencing this with my Willard soon matey;)

[TickSweep]

What a stunning watch and the new ones look awesome as well

[kurts]

Whoa great review!!! Didn't know the 6105s were in all those other movies!!!

[garethsigrist]

Awesome video as always! The Willard is such an icon and as you pointed out, so much of what we think of quintessential Seiko diver watch is right there from the off.

Loved getting a look at your Willard and the superb restoration job you had done on it. Such a cool watch!

[HHIto]

My hats off to the Navy Seals & Macv-SOG operators that were able to wear the Crown (Rolex & Tudor), but for the average grunts, I'd have the Seiko 6105. It's the GI Joe watch, Cap. Willard, tells the time, and spares a few bucks in your pocket to buy some uhum! Need that occ uhum to release tension, right-tio? 💋

[WesWatchRoom]

Nice work with the video mate, really well thought out and well done. Always learn something new watching your channel

[timescribe]

Really great video! The effort put into researching this is outstanding! It's given me a new appreciation for this watch

[degenerateWA]

Outstanding! As watch collectors we all strive for a watch from a brand with presence, with heritage, orwith some personal history, and you have one with all 3. The closest thing to a horological Triforce🤘

[robalexander]

Thank You, a nice informative video, i have just purchased a new SPB151J Willard and a new SPB317 Turtle both are nice watches, i have fitted both with a Matt Supreme strap from Crown and Buckle which looks so smart 👍

[watchsixto]

Awesome work and thanks for putting in the hard work for making this happen 🙏

[timtimecollector]

Great video, I didn't realize there were all those other earlier versions of the watch. I was thinking about my SD 1970. I think it might be noticeably bigger than your original Seiko 🤔☺️

[timothywillis]

Great video! I have the watch too! Love it!

[stevenblack]

Can you please reupload this video, but then with the background music volume to setting one or two? I had no idea what you where talking about, while this is a subject that I find very interesting. Thank you in advance.

[brewerjmichael]

It’s a really beautiful watch and the restoration did wonders for it. Did you say the H-link bracelet came from Uncle Seiko? Did you have to modify it make it fit so well? Enjoy it and wear it in good health!

[fw]

In the US Spencer Klein is the Willard Wizard!

[garyshepherd]

Martin Sheen had the chocolate bar strap, not the waffle.

[KillingTimeWithNorman]

Great background on this piece! Fried egg case!