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Top Vintage Seiko Divers: 62MAS, 6159, Willard, Turtle and Tuna

A historically grounded comparison of the 62MAS, 6159, 6105, Tuna lineage, and Turtle references. Learn how their roles, dates, nicknames, and variants differ—and what to verify before buying or exposing a vintage watch to water.
Estimate5–6 min Catalogued SpecialistWatchRanker Team
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The top vintage Seiko divers are the 1965 62MAS, the 1968 6159 high-beat professional diver, the 6105 family associated with the Willard nickname, the 1976 6306/6309 Turtle references, and the Tuna design lineage that began with the 6159-7010 professional diver in 1975. This is a reasoned selection based on historical importance, distinctive design, and each family’s role in Seiko’s diver development—not an objective ranking.

Reference numbers are more precise than collector nicknames, which can cover different models or be disputed. The table below compares the sourced milestones and original depth ratings; neither a model’s historical rating nor its reputation establishes the present condition or water resistance of an individual vintage watch.

The short list at a glance

Family or reference Milestone Original depth rating Historical role and design Nickname or naming note
6217-8000/8001 1965 150 m Japan’s first 150 m diver’s watch and the start of Seiko’s diver line 62MAS
6159-7000/7001 1968 300 m Hi-Beat professional diver 6159; distinguish this 300 m milestone from the later 600 m Tuna lineage
6105-8000; later 6105-811x 1968 onward 150 m Recreational diver family; later references are associated with the Willard nickname Use Willard carefully; usage most often refers to later 811x references
6159-7010 1975 600 m professional-diver lineage Beginning of the Tuna design lineage Grandfather Tuna is a collector nickname
6306 and 6309 Turtle references 1976 Not specified in the reviewed sources Japanese-market 6306 and export-market 6309 references; cushion-shaped case Turtle

Historical dates and model specifications here follow Seiko’s history and the specialist chronology. The nickname labels are collector shorthand, not a substitute for checking the reference and variant of a particular watch.

1. The 1965 62MAS: Seiko’s starting point

The 6217-8000/8001 family is the essential starting point for a history of Seiko divers. Seiko calls its 1965 model Japan’s first 150 m diver’s watch, and the specialist chronology identifies the family as the beginning of Seiko’s diver line.

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Collectors call it the 62MAS. That name is convenient, but a full reference is more useful when identifying a watch, comparing variants, or assessing a listing. Seiko’s official history summarizes the origins of its diver line this way: “Everything started with a letter from a professional diver in Hiroshima prefecture of Japan.” This is Seiko Watch Corporation’s summary of the company’s history.

2. The 6159: a 300 m Hi-Beat professional diver

The 6159-7000/7001 belongs to a different branch from the recreational 6105. The specialist chronology identifies the 6159 as a 300 m Hi-Beat diver in 1968, a professional model with a role and specification distinct from the 150 m 6105 family.

Keep that 300 m milestone separate from the professional 600 m Tuna history. Seiko Museum’s account of the later 600 m professional diver says it used the Cal. 6159 movement; that connection does not make the 6159’s 300 m specification and the later 600 m milestone the same watch or model.

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3. The 6105 and the Willard nickname

The specialist chronology identifies the 6105-8000 as a 150 m model in 1968. The family continued into later references, and collector usage most often associates “Willard” with the later 6105-811x references. The earlier 6105-8000 has disputed nicknames, so avoid using Willard as if it precisely identifies every 6105.

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Reference numbers matter more than shorthand: check the case and reference before assigning a nickname or making claims about a particular watch. A model’s collector association is not proof of military issue, expedition use, or other provenance for an individual example.

4. The 1975 Tuna lineage

The specialist chronology identifies the 6159-7010 professional diver as the beginning of the Tuna design lineage in 1975 and records “Grandfather Tuna” as a collector nickname. Seiko Museum provides the professional-use engineering context for Seiko’s 600 m diver and notes that the design used the Cal. 6159 movement.

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  • -The waterproof level of this watch has reached 10 ATM waterproof, which can work normally at a depth of 100 meters (330ft) underwater. It is not only suitable for wearing in water activities such as swimming, diving, snorkeling, surfing, rowing, water skiing, but also suitable for wearing in daily life and outdoor sports, such as jogging, hiking, climbing, cycling, etc.
  • -The built-in stopwatch and timer function of the watch can meet the precise timing needs of exercise and sports competitions.
  • -The dual time zone display function will make your trips more convenient; 12/24 hour format display can meet the time reading habits of different people.
  • -Support multiple useful functions, such as: alarm clock, hourly chime, calendar and back light.
  • -The watch battery is replaceable. If you find that the watch is not working or the text on the display is not clear, please replace the watch battery in time.

“Tuna” describes a design lineage, not one identical watch. Use the reference number when discussing a particular model, and do not conflate the 1975 600 m professional-diver milestone with the 1968 300 m 6159-7000/7001.

5. The 1976 Turtle references

The specialist chronology lists the 6306 and 6309 Turtle references in 1976. It identifies the 6306 with the Japanese market and the 6309 with the export market, and attributes the Turtle nickname to the cushion-shaped case.

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The references are related, but they are not interchangeable labels. Check the exact reference and market variant rather than assuming every 6306 and 6309 dial, movement, or production detail is identical.

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How to choose a vintage Seiko diver

If you value… Start with… Why
Historical starting point 6217-8000/8001 62MAS Seiko identifies the 1965 model as Japan’s first 150 m diver’s watch and the specialist chronology marks it as the start of Seiko’s diver line.
A high-beat professional diver 6159-7000/7001 The 1968 model is identified in the chronology as a 300 m Hi-Beat diver.
The Willard-associated family Later 6105-811x Collector usage most often points to these later references; the nickname is not precise for every 6105.
The Tuna lineage 6159-7010 The chronology identifies it as the 1975 beginning of the Tuna design lineage.
A cushion-case diver 6306 or 6309 The 1976 references are associated with the Turtle nickname; market variant and exact reference matter.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

What to check before buying

The historical record describes model families, not the current condition, originality, service history, or water resistance of a particular watch. A marketplace listing is a starting point for research, not verification.

  1. Confirm the exact reference. Compare the case and reference markings with the claimed family and variant; do not rely on a nickname alone.
  2. Assess originality and condition. Review the dial, hands, bezel, case, and any disclosed replacement or service parts. Ask for clear photographs and relevant service information.
  3. Check the movement and service record. Seek evidence that the movement matches the claimed reference and ask what work has been done.
  4. Treat provenance as a separate claim. A model’s historical association does not establish the history of an individual watch; ask for documentation supporting special provenance.
  5. Do not assume present water resistance. A vintage model’s original depth rating does not show that a decades-old example remains water-resistant. Have the individual watch inspected and appropriately pressure-tested before any water exposure.

FAQ

What was Seiko’s first diver’s watch?

Seiko identifies its 1965 6217-8000/8001 62MAS as Japan’s first 150 m diver’s watch and the start of its diver line.

Is the 6159 the same as the Tuna?

No. The 6159-7000/7001 is identified as a 300 m Hi-Beat professional diver in 1968. The specialist chronology identifies the 6159-7010 as the beginning of the Tuna design lineage in 1975.

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Which Seiko references are called Willard?

Collector usage most often associates Willard with later 6105-811x references. The nickname is shorthand and does not precisely identify every 6105.

What is the difference between the 6306 and 6309?

The specialist chronology identifies the 6306 as a Japanese-market Turtle reference and the 6309 as an export-market reference. Verify the exact watch and variant rather than treating them as identical.

Can I dive with a vintage Seiko that was rated for 150 m or 600 m?

An original depth rating does not establish present-day water resistance. Have the specific watch inspected and pressure-tested by a competent watchmaker before exposing it to water.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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