Few dive watches have the cult following of the Seiko 6105-8110, better known among collectors as the “Captain Willard.” The nickname comes from the legendary 1979 film Apocalypse Now, where Martin Sheen’s character, Captain Benjamin Willard, wears the watch throughout the movie.
That cinematic moment helped turn the 6105 into one of the most recognizable vintage Seiko dive watches ever made.
But the watch’s reputation goes far beyond Hollywood. The 6105-8110 earned respect among divers, military personnel, and watch enthusiasts thanks to its rugged construction, excellent legibility, and unique design.
Today, Seiko has brought that legend back with the Seiko SPB153 Captain Willard, a modern reinterpretation of the iconic dive watch.
The Original Seiko 6105-8110 – A Cult Classic Dive Watch
The original Seiko 6105-8110 was produced in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It quickly became famous for its distinctive asymmetrical case and serious dive-watch capabilities.
The case design is unlike most dive watches. It is wide, flat, and protective, with a large crown guard integrated into the case itself. This unusual shape gives the watch a bold, almost industrial look that instantly stands out.
The dial and bezel are equally impressive. Despite containing a lot of visual information, the watch remains extremely legible. Large luminous markers and bold hands ensure that the time can be read easily even in low-light conditions.
One of the most charming details of the original watch is the “traffic light” seconds hand, which features a bright red dot and a distinctive lume shape. It adds personality to the watch while still serving an important functional role for divers.
With its combination of durability, style, and cinematic history, the 6105 became one of Seiko’s most beloved vintage dive watches.
The Modern Seiko SPB153 Captain Willard
Given the popularity of the original watch, it made perfect sense for Seiko to release a modern reissue.
Enter the Seiko SPB153, a contemporary interpretation of the Captain Willard that stays true to the original design while incorporating modern watchmaking technology.
Compared to high-end limited editions like the Seiko SLA033, the SPB153 offers a much more accessible price point while still capturing the spirit of the original watch.
When the SPB153 was first announced, I was eager to get my hands on one. The unusual case design and the excitement surrounding the release made it one of the most talked-about Seiko divers in recent years.
Luckily, working in watch journalism has its advantages. When our publication received a shipment of review units, I quickly claimed one for myself.
First Impressions – The Unique Case Shape
The first thing that stands out about the Seiko SPB153 is its distinctive case shape.
The elongated case and raised crown guard give the watch a very unusual profile. In fact, the shape reminded me of the ocean sunfish, with its rounded body and slightly hump-backed appearance.
Because of that resemblance, I jokingly started referring to the watch as the “Sunfish.”
While the sunfish might look awkward at first glance, it is actually an incredibly capable creature. It can travel long distances, leap from the water, and dive to impressive depths.
In many ways, the SPB153 is similar.
Despite its unconventional appearance, the watch is extremely capable. It is a serious dive watch with 200 meters of water resistance, strong build quality, and the rugged reliability that Seiko divers are known for.
A Modern Dive Watch with Vintage Character
The Seiko SPB153 proves that a watch does not have to follow traditional design rules to be successful.
Its unusual case shape might look different at first, but once you spend time with it, the design begins to make sense. The integrated crown guard protects the crown, the large case provides excellent wrist presence, and the dial remains highly legible.
More importantly, the watch captures the spirit of the original Captain Willard while still feeling modern.
This is exactly what a great reissue should do.
Pros and Cons of the Seiko SPB153
Pros
- Iconic Captain Willard design
- Excellent build quality
- Strong vintage-inspired aesthetic
- Reliable Seiko automatic movement
- 200m dive watch capability
Cons
- Case shape may feel unusual to some people
- Slightly large for smaller wrists
Final Thoughts
The Seiko SPB153 Captain Willard successfully revives one of Seiko’s most legendary dive watches.
With its distinctive design, rich history, and solid modern performance, it delivers exactly what fans of the original were hoping for. While the unusual case shape might not appeal to everyone, it is precisely that uniqueness that makes the watch so memorable.
For collectors, dive watch enthusiasts, and fans of vintage Seiko designs, the SPB153 is a worthy modern successor to the legendary 6105.