Vintage Seiko Dive Watches, 1965-1986

A quick trip through Seiko's diver watch history - from the 62Mas through the early quartz diver era - using watches from my collection.
Unfortunately the 7549-7009 'Golden Tuna' is not included - it's away at service.
Apologies for the quick wrap at the end - was having thermal problems with my iPhone 11 Pro throughout, and the Arnie started melting.
Edits:
1. Should have discussed the 6548 midsize divers. These are pretty cool. Produced from 1978-1985, with the same coloration options and 150m rating as the larger 7548. Also had a deeper cut on the bezel and applied lume frames, with a 1/2 split triangle at 12.
2. Should have mentioned that the 630x was the first day/date Seiko diver, which quickly became standard.
3. Should have mentioned that the ladies diver is the 2205 mechanical diver. There are also the 2625 ladies quartz divers.
4. Have word from a friend that Tanaka was more involved than represented in the video - working on all of the represented Seiko diver generations up through the 7549-7010 'Golden Tuna'.
5. Should have mentioned that the Chocolate Bar GL721 was sold in colors other than black, but are very rarely seen. Specifically: orange, blue, red and green.
6. The flat-vent strap reference is the GL831. Modern execution is the DAL1BP.
7. Should have mentioned that the failure in the 6215/6159-700x was due to helium entering the case when saturation diving, and expanding when surfacing - blowing off the crystal. The Grandfather Tuna changed the gasket material and construction to prevent helium intrusion - and this tech is still in use in Seiko's modern professional divers. Some other watchmakers introduced automatic (spring-loaded) or manual helium escape valves (HEV aka Helium Release Valves/HRV), instead of preventing helium intrusion.

[@paranormalskeptic3893]

This is a DREAM collection of Seiko divers, I am extremely jealous. Just an amazing collection !

[@watchcodex9510]

Recently extended this back through the SilverWaves to the Cronos Seahorse and Blue Yacht. Should probably revisit.

[@1malikalik]

TGV has left the building. This collection is on a whole different league. Am blown

[@marcelodietrich8674]

Forget the Hokey Pokey! THIS is what it's ALL about! What a GLORIOUS selection of SUPERB watches! Thank you for sharing them with us!

[@bernardtang83]

I'm floored. Your collection is sublime!

[@watchcodex9510]

Thanks Bernard. If you have a couple hours, check out the SOTC.

[@gmshadowtraders]

Holy sheet.... this is absolutely incredible. THIS is what I wanted to see! What an amazing collection of Seiko divers. I already know it's gonna be the best video on the subject I've seen and I'm just going through it now. Subscribed.

[@watchcodex9510]

Thanks. Just trying to give a little back. Wish this video existed 7 years ago.

[@gmshadowtraders]

@@watchcodex9510 Classic collection, it really covers everything. Goodness knows how much you spent over the years. Do you plan to get any of the new Prospex releases, SLA037 perhaps? Or are you strictly old school like that? And lol @the melting rubber band in the video haha what was up with the cricket chirpers tho you on an island or something :)

[@watchcodex9510]

@@gmshadowtraders Thanks. Check out my SOTC for a broader look at the collection. Mostly into vintage, but have some modern stuff. I have some modern Seiko divers, but was trying to keep this focused. Have the 017 and 033, on the list for the 039.

[@watchcodex9510]

@@gmshadowtraders Oh as for the crickets - just outdoors, out of town, and it's getting to be summer.

[@pibblesnbits]

This is a mindblowing collection. Just wow.... Hoping you amassed this collection well before seiko became popular. This would have been really easy to acquire 20 years ago, but today....not cheap. Amazing how you have so many in such good condition with original bands.

[@watchcodex9510]

I did get most of these at far less than current market. Would definitely be priced out if I was starting today.

[@Ge0rGi.]

I'm speechless !! What a great collection you have!!

[@watchcodex9510]

Thanks. See SOTC video for a broader look.

[@saulo2264]

That teal dial is beautiful!!

[@watchcodex9510]

Agree. Not easy to find in nice nick, but worth the hunt.

[@ashwanigahlot380]

Very. Very. Nice collection

[@Andrew.W75]

Amazing collection, very comprehensive. Interesting to see such good examples of all these models. I have a few of these myself but nothing like this many!

[@watchcodex9510]

Appreciated. Condition definitely a complicating factor. Which do you have?

[@Andrew.W75]

@@watchcodex9510 I've got the following divers, a 7548-7000 from 1981, a 6309-7049 from 1986 & a 6105-8119 from 1973. I also have some non divers, a 6139-6002, a 6138-0017, a 7019-8010 & a King Seiko 4502-7000. Thanks for asking, cheers

[@OutpowerFPS]

Drool from beginning to end. Thank you for sharing.

[@Daavi85]

Awesome collection 🔥🔥👌When my father passed his dive certification back in the early 70's my grandmother bought him a 6105-8119 that he always dove with, I remember shacking it as a kid and being fascinated how it would start to tick away, we talk about it today how we wish we knew what happened to it, it seems to have been lost unfortunately but what a cool watch, I bought him an SKX 007 a few years back and he loves it, says it reminds him alot of his original and wears it all the time.

[@watchcodex9510]

Thanks, and how cool your dad was. Nice move with the SKX - definitely some 6105-811x DNA there.

[@Daavi85]

@@watchcodex9510 Yup, that was his dive watch he wore on every dive well into the 80's, he said alot of diver's he knew wore Seiko diver's, back then they weren't really expensive but were quality and had a solid reputation in the dive community, his served him well and now we have matching SKX's, he also really likes the fact that the 7S26 movement is basically the direct defendant of his original if I'm not mistaken, so thank you for your response and I look forward to more of your content, again great collection and knowledge 👍

[@yokosomike]

Nice collection, thanks for sharing!

[@hermanzk9916]

what a great collection!

[@Jason-hv4eu]

Great collection! Thank you for sharing. I hope you make more videos!

[@yoon-kicha36]

you have amazing seiko vintage diver collections! Nice seeing rare vintage divers

[@watchcodex9510]

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed.

[@evetadalakiandalakian5609]

Absolutely Amazing seiko diver collection and a very knowledgeable collector thank you

[@HHIto]

Nice collection! My goal is to have ONE Seiko diver, probably the SLA 050.

[@trailblazer2339]

Thank you for sharing. Amazing collection you have got!

[@luckygoldpanda]

Thanks so much for the video! A really wonderful reference and neat to see them all in one place and be able to see the evolution of Seiko divers. I hope the Arnie is ok! lol

[@watchcodex9510]

Thanks. Yeah - it's okay but swapping that strap for a modern one.

[@gtrfreak]

Thanks, just got my first seiko a 6309-704LT , love it and got some nice compliments on it already

[@michaelng5001]

Amazing Seiko vintage diver collections!

[@bcc9853]

Thanks for sharing your collection and amazing knowledge. Very informative

[@Vigges666]

Great overview and walkthrough! More of that please!!

[@watchcodex9510]

Cheers Viktor

[@OGcottoncandyrandy]

That teal dial is a birth month and year for me, I’ve been after one for years

[@watchcodex9510]

Check out Yahoo Japan. Usually see one or two a year.

[@karma247ajm]

Great video with lots of good information. Subscribed and looking forward to your next one.

[@watchcodex9510]

Thanks Andrew. Working on upgrading my AV setup for the next one.

[@jepryx]

What a cool vintage you have

[@canonyeo4286]

Awesome, awesome, awesome. I collect vintage seiko. Only 5 divers. I love all of yours.

[@malkinmalone]

Great video! this is so cool.

[@kikomachine8276]

Wow! Amazing collection you got there Sir! I enjoyed the video. Thank you so much.

[@Archaeobeat]

This is a fantastic collection and history of Seiko divers. Congratulations for collecting and sharing with all of us. As a archaeologist and historian I think you have done a well researched job. Keep up the great work.

[@HRM.H]

Very great collection. I have recently gotten a vintage 5Y23-6069 in old-stock state. I got it for a very fair price.

[@peterstone9705]

Amazing collection ! Great video thanks, subbed 👍🇬🇧

[@watchcodex9510]

Thanks Peter - I don't post that often, not trying to turn this into a side hustle - but hope when I do it's worth the watch.

[@finsterclause7184]

Whoah impressive collection of Seiko divers ! I’m late to the game & purchased my first diver 2 months ago, SBBN 031 Tuna. Such an incredible watch. Again, very impressive Seiko collection!

[@theenavybluemonster]

This was awesome! A Seikohead’s dream. Thank you for sharing.

[@richardclarke1693]

Best Seiko diver presentation I’ve ever seen. Great work!!!

[@AlcibiadesHidalgo]

Very cool collection! Thanks for sharing it and for all the information. Cheers

[@reactormonk6616]

What a great video bro! Congrats !

[@AlbLoHe]

AWESOME VIDEO... VERY INFORMATIVE. KEEP IT UP!

[@markh2351]

This is great to see, so informative, thank you :-)

[@cole650]

Only just found this, fantastic I have 90% of what you show and a few more but can never afford the Scubapro! A fantastic collection Sir, Seiko we're such leaders in the watch game back in the day, for the people that can afford your AP and Patek go for it, for the rest of the normal people you can never go wrong with a Seiko, treat it well and they will last a lifetime. I have had the Arnie on my wrist every day for years and did some wild things with it when I was a younger man and it never let me down, from jungles to deserts, the top of mountains to the bottom of the sea it keeps going strong. Still working today, I have to say though I don't like the new release design of the Arnie the buttons are just too big, a great shame as the solar movement would have made the original a perfect fit for me..... Stay well and thank you again

[@MrPuttaThailandGet]

I love seiko

[@Barnaby_bo]

Nice collection congrats

[@ReJoys777]

THANKS 👏 👏 👏

[@roadgent7921]

Teal 7458 - rare as Hen's teeth!!

[@ericb8888]

Incredible collection and knowledge , had to watch it twice to fully appreciate it . Grandfather Tuna is THE quintessential dive watch and that's a stunning example ! The story behind the presentation to the Kure District Sat diver who wrote the complaint letter is SEIKO at its best . The RAF Regiment " Bond " strap was sold in Woolworth's in the UK ;) Thanks for sharing and more power to you mate .Would love to see the Titanium Shoguns as well as the Golden Tuna .

[@watchcodex9510]

Thanks for the kind words. Re: the Grandfather Tuna - yeah definitely should have gone into that more. Didn't know that about the Bond NATO - neat. For my even-mm straps I go with MOD supplier Phoenix, but with these 19mm lugs I had to look elsewhere.

[@ericb8888]

Watch Codex . I'm ex Royal Navy and I've still got my 18mm Phoenix that was on my signed in / out CWC RN Diver . Great strap however can't say the same for the watch . Known as G10 s as that was the first part of the form you signed to get them and known colloquially as " Pusser's" straps which is Naval slang for Purser which was the stores division ;) Again , tremendous collection and in depth hands and crown knowledge. Subbed ;)

[@NachiketaKumar90]

Brilliant! Subscribed!

[@innotexsystemcorp584]

amazing

[@breadring]

I can hear someone winding up a rolex in the background.

[@CanalCCTS]

A mais espetacular coleção seiko que eu já vi

[@NICHOLSON7777]

...and then theres these other 62mas examples... me with my mouth still agape at the small crown with OG strap.

[@heri4313]

Awesome collection, I have the 2205 diver with the black dial and it really fits on my hand. I have a really small wrist, 35mm is a maxinum for me. Can you recommend any other 35mm mechanical Seiko diver?

[@johnshropshire3399]

👍👍👏

[@JustlivinWoodworks]

I’ve got one inherited from my great grandfather. I can’t find it anywhere online. It’s got a light blue background with dolphin on the underside. Stretch band crystal cover. Any idea what it is?

[@garyk8285]

Interesting. The 6159 and 6105 models, do you know what price they may have been new back when they were released? And what their approximate Used price value was (decent condition) through the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, to date? Just your wild guess... And lastly, what's your favourite 6105 model? Cheers

[@watchcodex9510]

Hey, Gary. Check out Anthony Kable's website plus9time.com. In the "Seiko Catalog Collection" section he has scans of all the vintage Seiko dealer catalogs going back to 1966, which include pictures and pricing information. I've only been collecting for about 10 years, but I think in the 80's/90's the 6159 and 6105s were cheap - in the hundreds. They were likely few and far between, though - higher prices have pulled more onto the market. Now - a nice 6105 is ~3500 and a nice 300m 6159 is ~8500. My favorite 6105 is probably the DVDP1973 (Dry Valley Drilling Project) 6105-8110. Cheers.

[@M3LTUP]

You know it's hot when your watch strap is melting. This is why i wear all mine on Zulu straps.

[@watchcodex9510]

Yeah was worried about thermal shocking the lume. Hot day = bad call

[@eddieg849]

Talk about watches that are worth well over $10,000 and it being Seiko

[@masudaharris6435]

That's why I don't like those resin bands. I had it happen on a Casio once. I own that small orange diver but the stainless steel band actually broke on me and I haven't been able to find a replacement band for it since it's an odd size.

[@symphoniqueadams7485]

Awesome video! Did seiko ever released a diver's watch that's 34mm? Thanks in advance for the reply! More power to your channel

[@TheCamiel12345]

Do you know what lume Seiko used in the 2205?

[@g.j.r4069]

Teal vintage are worth a mint

[@obstn81]

where did you send your golden tuna for service??? i am having a hard time finding a competent person who is taking new customers for mine?? tia

[@hcwm2]

So, what happened to the Arnie afterwards? Did the band melt away?

[@watchcodex9510]

Haha. That GL831 is alive and still on the Arnie - just need to keep it out of the heat.

[@xipishi]

6458

[@heklik]

are those with it's original dial ?

[@watchcodex9510]

Yes - all watches completely original/unpolished

[@joecruz2440]

Hello! Kindly pls let me know if you’d like to sell the Ashtray. Thank you

[@watchcodex9510]

Hello - sorry, nothing for sale on this channel. Just for sharing.

[@JimmyCrooks741]

Any interest in selling your Teal 7548?

[@watchcodex9510]

No, sorry. I had a second one which I sold a while back.

[@TheSilverDubberII]

For ladies? Dood, it's for women.

[@user-nh6ts4yp3k]

Amazing collection!!!!!

[@clashers_tv540]

Your 62 mass is not original.its homage

[@Leo-Crespi]

amazing