"I love the smell of napalm in the morning."

That delightfully morose soundbite isn't the only memorable takeaway from the Vietnam War epic Apocalypse Now. For dive watch enthusiasts, the film holds another: Martin Sheen's use of a Seiko 6105 on screen in his portrayal of Captain Willard. 

While Hollywood's prominent use of timepieces in major motion pictures is well documented (and generally done for paid product placement), there are only a few films that really ‘got it right’ in regards to the watches used on screen. The reason Apocalypse Now stands out as a winner? Because the Seiko 6105 truly was a common choice of GIs during the conflict, and in a way started an entire trend for budget-priced oversized steel tool watches when they returned stateside.

As a diver's tool, the 6105 is a worthy instrument in all regards. Developed by Seiko in the late 1960s, the large asymmetrical watch boasted 150 meters of water resistance, a bi-directional bezel for dive timing and large swaths of luminescent material for high visibility underwater. Used extensively in the field by soldiers and frogmen, the 6105 developed a reputation as a no-nonsense timepiece for professional use, a reputation that has lasted through to this day and undoubtedly inspired countless diving watches in the subsequent decades.

This timepiece is a Seiko Reference SBDX031, a faithful recreation of the legendary Seiko 6105 ‘Captain Willard’. It features all the classic hallmarks we adore including the 45mm asymmetrical stainless steel case with a screw-down crown, and welcomed modern updates that include a sapphire crystal and Seiko’s patented ‘zaratsu’ polishing along the bezel’s upper edge. 

The black gloss dial shows a set of applied indices, a matching stick handset with a ‘stoplight’ seconds hand and a framed date window at 3 o’clock. It comes fitted on a Seiko's comfortable rubber 'waffle' textured strap, and includes its box, booklets, and warranty card, dated 2019.

Whether you’re a Seiko nut, a fan of Apocalypse Now, or simply in need of a robust daily wrist companion with vintage, this numbered limited edition SBDX031 couldn't be more suitable.