The Divers That Defined 60+ Years of Seiko
Seiko has been making dive watches since the 1960s, and few brands have produced as many recognizable models along the way. From early professional divers to affordable watches that became enthusiast staples, these are some of the most iconic Seiko watches ever made.
Key Takeaways
- The 62MAS started it all in 1965 as the first Japanese diver, and its design still shapes modern Prospex models like the SPB143.
- The range runs from serious pro tools like the Tuna and Marinemaster 300 to everyday favorites like the SKX and Turtle.
- Some became icons through pop culture, like the “Willard” from Apocalypse Now and the “Arnie” from Commando and Predator.
- You don’t need a pricey vintage piece, since the modern Prospex collection keeps these classics affordable.
1. Seiko 62MAS
Released in 1965, the 62MAS was Seiko’s first dive watch and the first Japanese-made diver. Its relatively simple design included a 150m water-resistant case, rotating bezel, and automatic movement, establishing a foundation that Seiko would build on for decades.
Original examples have become highly collectible vintage Seiko dive watches, while the design continues to influence modern Seiko Prospex releases. For anyone looking at the history of Japanese dive watches, the 62MAS is where it starts.
2. Seiko 6159-7001
The 6159-7001 arrived in 1968 and represented a major step forward from the 62MAS. It featured 300m of water resistance, a one-piece case, and a high-beat automatic movement, making it one of Seiko’s most advanced watches at the time. Its case shape, 4 o’clock crown, and bold dial layout also established design cues that would appear repeatedly in later professional Seiko dive watches, including the Marinemaster.
3. Seiko 6105-8110 “Willard”
Produced from 1970–1977, the 6105-8110 is one of the most recognizable vintage Seiko divers thanks to its large asymmetrical cushion case and crown guard. It is commonly known as the “Willard” after Martin Sheen wore one as Captain Willard in Apocalypse Now. Beyond its film debut, the 6105 has become a collector favorite in its own right and remains one of the models most closely associated with Seiko’s 1970s dive-watch design.
4. Seiko Professional Diver 600m “Tuna”
Introduced in 1975, the Professional Diver 600m was developed after Seiko received feedback from a professional saturation diver about the shortcomings of existing dive watches. The resulting watch used a titanium case, protective outer shroud, and specialized construction intended for serious professional diving.
Its unusual shape eventually earned it the nickname “Tuna,” and the design has remained part of Seiko’s professional dive-watch lineup in various forms ever since. Among the iconic dive watches Seiko has produced, few are as immediately recognizable.
5. Seiko 6309 “Turtle”
The Seiko 6309 became popular during the late 1970s and 1980s and is best known today as the original “Turtle.” Its rounded cushion case gave the watch its nickname and made a relatively large diver surprisingly comfortable on the wrist.
Vintage examples remain popular with collectors, while Seiko’s modern Turtle models introduced the design to a new generation. It is one of the best examples of the distinctive case shapes that have helped separate Seiko divers from more traditional dive-watch designs.
6. Seiko H558 “Arnie”
The Seiko H558 was introduced in 1982 and combined an analog display with a digital screen inside a large shrouded case. It became known as the “Arnie” after Arnold Schwarzenegger wore the watch in movies including Commando and Predator. Although it is different from the mechanical divers that make up much of Seiko’s history, the H558 has become one of the brand’s most recognizable watches and has since inspired several modern Prospex reissues.
7. Seiko SKX
The 42mm SKX007 and 37mm SKX013 are some of the most familiar Seiko automatic dive watches among modern collectors. Introduced in the 1990s, they offered an automatic movement, 200m of water resistance, and ISO dive-watch certification at a price that made them accessible to almost anyone getting into mechanical watches.
The Seiko SKX became one of the most commonly recommended affordable dive watches for years and developed a huge aftermarket for straps, bezels, crystals, and other modifications. Even after being discontinued, the SKX is still considered to be among the best Seiko dive watches ever produced from an enthusiast perspective.
8. Seiko Monster
First introduced in the early 2000s, the Seiko Monster quickly developed a following for its oversized hour markers, aggressive bezel, and unmistakably unconventional design. It was affordable, tough, and completely different from most other automatic dive watches available at the time.
Numerous generations and colorways followed, and the Monster eventually became one of the better-known Seiko nicknames among collectors. It may not be as historically important as the 62MAS or Tuna, but it is certainly one of the more recognizable Seiko divers of the modern era.
9. Seiko Samurai
The Samurai first appeared in the mid-2000s and earned its nickname from its angular case and sharply designed hands. Compared with the softer curves of the Turtle, the Samurai has a much more geometric appearance, making it one of the easiest Seiko divers to identify.
Seiko later brought the design into the Prospex collection, where it has appeared in numerous colors and limited editions. Even today, the Samurai remains one of Seiko’s most distinctive dive watches for men.
10. Seiko Marinemaster 300
The Marinemaster 300 sits toward the higher end of Seiko’s mechanical dive-watch lineup and traces much of its design back to the professional divers of the late 1960s. The original SBDX001, first released in 2000, featured a monobloc case, 300m of water resistance, and Seiko’s 8L35 automatic movement. It offered a level of finishing and construction well above models such as the SKX and Monster and became a favorite among enthusiasts who wanted a more serious Seiko diver. Today, the Marinemaster remains an important part of the brand’s professional dive-watch history.
11. Seiko Prospex SPB143
The Seiko SPB143 was introduced in 2020 as a modern interpretation of the original 62MAS. Rather than being a direct reissue, it combined the basic shape and dial layout of Seiko’s first diver with contemporary proportions, 200m of water resistance, and the automatic 6R35 movement. It quickly became one of the most popular modern Seiko Prospex models and is a good example of how successfully Seiko has been able to revisit its older designs without simply recreating them.
Final Thoughts
Part of what makes Seiko dive watches so collectible is just how much variety there is. You have historically important models like the 62MAS, purpose-built professional watches like the Tuna, and enthusiast favorites like the Turtle and SKX007 that became icons simply because so many people loved wearing them.
The good news is that you don’t necessarily have to hunt down an expensive vintage example to get a piece of that history. Many of Seiko’s most famous designs live on through the modern Prospex collection, making some of the brand’s most iconic dive watches accessible to a new generation of collectors.
Did we leave anything out of this list? Let us know!
