Based on my reasearch, the lume used by Seiko in that era was Promethium-147. It is used as a beta particle source. Its power density is about 2 watts per gram. Mixed with a phosphor, it was also used to illuminate Apollo Lunar Module electrical switch tips and painted on control panels of the Lunar Roving Vehicle.
Just some more info for those interested: The strap is period correct - the originals came on three different straps, including the waffle strap. Probably an Uncle Seiko repro. The bezel should be 60 clicks: there is a small clickball underneath the bezel. The crown can be rebuilt with special techniques to remove and replace the old gasket - the pros such as Spencer Kline and VTA can do it.
Hi Paul..I have this exact watch given to me as a gift in 1975. I would love to get a new strap, do you know where I can get a strap like the one in the video ? Any info would be very much appreciated. Thanks, JM
mbtadhl hi JM. There’s a gentleman based in the USA who makes reproductions of this strap. Go to uncleseiko(dot)com and you can buy them from there. He has many accessories for vintage and modern Seiko watches.
Stupid question: would you trust Seiko (NA) to do this. I'm stupidly close to the city and could find an indy, but I feel good on a factory service on such a popular watch, unlike my seamaster which I can't even find details online, and omega wants an arm and a leg to even look at despite it being essentially NI (70 year old) B
@@Justmyownopinion5999 I doubt Seiko would be able to service it. From what I’ve heard, they probably don’t have the parts. These 6105 movements are also prone to wear at the mainspring arbor ports which are tricky to repair. I’d go to a watchmaker who has experience with vintage Seiko watches.
@@williamstalvey6920 Not every day. I have a few nice watches I cycle through. This is the only high end Seiko I have though. I have a SKX007J one that I wear a bit to work here and there. I have a couple Rolex watches that I wear here and there too.
Just got mine back from an amateur repair guy. Had not worked in years. Running now. :) I told him to NOT replace anything, just fix/clean it. He removed some of the lume from 2 of the hands! Not sure why but maybe it had corrupted so much it was stopping it from running? Or just fell out when he cleaned it? Anyway, I bought it from the ship's store when I was in the Navy, circa '78. They're going for crazy prices on ebay.
Man, the more I see this watch and hear stories about it the more I fall in love with it. I can't find one anywhere so have settled for the Heimdallr clone, not ideal but at least I can enjoy the style of this original Turtle.
I’ve been told the holes on the bezel help witch cleaning. You can submerge the watch and spin the bezel around to dislodge any dust, metal shavings etc and gently slosh it around in the water to have all that debris leave through the holes. Also helps drain out any water stuck under the bezel to avoid salt damage or mineral deposits.
The crown can be repaired with a new "O" ring but only by experienced watchmakers. I have just had my 6105 serviced and new gaskets and original NOS Seiko crystal fitted. The original crown has been fitted with the new "O" ring and the subsequent water pressure test was good.
Bezel action, if I could guess, is similar to the 7548-7000 or 7010. I have a 7010 and it has a small ball bearing insert which mates with those notches in the bezel. Cheers
Mine is in sorry shape but sort of works. Half the lume is just gone. Amazing how much these things are worth now. I paid about 75 bucks for mine circa '77, while in the USN.
I own a Seiko 6105 8000 that I purchased in Thailand 1968 in the military. I got an estimate that's out of the ball park for me $600. Any suggestions? Can I sell it for parts, and who would you recommend? I'd like to get it fixed, it has sentimental to me. I purchased it when I was 19, I'm 72 now.
The 6105-8110 and 6217-8000 are so iconic, back in 80's I had a 6209, I have no idea what happened to it, but these new SRP's aren't bad at all, I have 777 on an Uncle Seiko that just screams new vintage LOL
Thx for showing this, Rob! That's my favorite second hand - the stoplight or traffic light seconds hand. The narrow strap width makes me think of the past and how we've made straps and bracelets too massive today - I'm thinking of my strapcode Super Engineer I bracelet that looks great but is damn heavy. -Link to Spencer Klein's 6105 identification guide: th-cam.com/video/sM8o3tEuNU8/w-d-xo.html
I have a watch like this, it's all original but the lume is falling out, do you think i should re lume it or just leave it like that. It's completely missing from some markers, and the minute hand is a little rusty.
Rehak Mate I own several 6105s. If the watch is as you describe it's certainly worth getting it professionally relumed (someone with vintage Seiko experience) and serviced. Due to the faulty design of the crown, your dial, hands and movement have been exposed to water intrusion. What you have on your dial and hands is rot. It's only going to get worse.
@@walteralvarado7090 Thanks for answering, that's exactly what i thought should be done. I know a watch master with a lot of seiko experience, even with this exact watch so that won't be a problem. I'll ask him what he can do about the little corrosion on the minute hand. I don't want to replace anything though, only relume it and get the minute hand cleaned if possible.
@7:23 HEY everybody - look at the two bezels side by side. Finish on the SKX is shiny and smoother like a chistmas ornament while the 6105 has a grippy coin edge. That what I dont like about the Turtles - the bezels are too decorative instead of all business. (I have a padi diver and want to change the bezel because of it)
I not sure if it’s the camera but I s the lume pip on the seconds hand brighter than the markers? If so, that could be a a service replacement or aftermarket part. Crazy nice regardless!
When I was a young paratrooper in the 82nd some guys wore this, wish I bought one back then.
Though the Citizen Challenge diver was superior due to the use of a screw down crown
Based on my reasearch, the lume used by Seiko in that era was Promethium-147. It is used as a beta particle source. Its power density is about 2 watts per gram. Mixed with a phosphor, it was also used to illuminate Apollo Lunar Module electrical switch tips and painted on control panels of the Lunar Roving Vehicle.
Are you sure its not tritium? It's got a T on the dial. Never heard of a 6105 lumed with Pm. Can you share a citation from your research?
Just some more info for those interested: The strap is period correct - the originals came on three different straps, including the waffle strap. Probably an Uncle Seiko repro. The bezel should be 60 clicks: there is a small clickball underneath the bezel. The crown can be rebuilt with special techniques to remove and replace the old gasket - the pros such as Spencer Kline and VTA can do it.
Hi Paul..I have this exact watch given to me as a gift in 1975. I would love to get a new strap, do you know where I can get a strap like the one in the video ? Any info would be very much appreciated. Thanks, JM
mbtadhl hi JM. There’s a gentleman based in the USA who makes reproductions of this strap. Go to uncleseiko(dot)com and you can buy them from there. He has many accessories for vintage and modern Seiko watches.
Stupid question: would you trust Seiko (NA) to do this. I'm stupidly close to the city and could find an indy, but I feel good on a factory service on such a popular watch, unlike my seamaster which I can't even find details online, and omega wants an arm and a leg to even look at despite it being essentially NI (70 year old) B
@@Justmyownopinion5999 I doubt Seiko would be able to service it. From what I’ve heard, they probably don’t have the parts. These 6105 movements are also prone to wear at the mainspring arbor ports which are tricky to repair. I’d go to a watchmaker who has experience with vintage Seiko watches.
Thanks for showing this piece of Seiko history. That watch has personality. It would be a keeper.
I just bought one of these and got it serviced! I’m also the second owner. From 1970.
Do you still wear yours every day?
@@williamstalvey6920 Not every day. I have a few nice watches I cycle through. This is the only high end Seiko I have though. I have a SKX007J one that I wear a bit to work here and there. I have a couple Rolex watches that I wear here and there too.
How much for a willard to be serviced
Not a single mold on the lume!! BEAUTIFUL !!
I’m getting my 6115-8110 next week. Can’t wait!!!!!!
I love this watch! What an amazing piece!
This watch has character plain and simple
U've seen Apocalypse Now (1979) in which Martin Sheen played Captain Benjamin Willard wore The Seiko 6105.
Spencer Klein is incredible
Just got mine back from an amateur repair guy. Had not worked in years. Running now. :) I told him to NOT replace anything, just fix/clean it. He removed some of the lume from 2 of the hands! Not sure why but maybe it had corrupted so much it was stopping it from running? Or just fell out when he cleaned it? Anyway, I bought it from the ship's store when I was in the Navy, circa '78. They're going for crazy prices on ebay.
So they were worn by American servicemen
The dial and hands are so clean!!
This is a beauty. Great Video Rob! Thanks
Man, the more I see this watch and hear stories about it the more I fall in love with it. I can't find one anywhere so have settled for the Heimdallr clone, not ideal but at least I can enjoy the style of this original Turtle.
I feel so blessed i inherited this watch, it's in similar shape, the bezel is in even better shape.
That's pretty impressive to see.
I’ve been told the holes on the bezel help witch cleaning. You can submerge the watch and spin the bezel around to dislodge any dust, metal shavings etc and gently slosh it around in the water to have all that debris leave through the holes. Also helps drain out any water stuck under the bezel to avoid salt damage or mineral deposits.
Spencer has figured out how to rebuild the crown.
That is a cool piece of history!
There is a detent ball under the bezel. Great review, Rob!
The crown can be repaired with a new "O" ring but only by experienced watchmakers. I have just had my 6105 serviced and new gaskets and original NOS Seiko crystal fitted. The original crown has been fitted with the new "O" ring and the subsequent water pressure test was good.
They clicked. Mine still clicks as it was rebuilt. Great video, man.
Stayed to the end, glad I did as I was trying to find out whether the bezel was lumed or not. Just the pip.
Great video Rob I love how excited you get brother it's really fun to witness great watch🤘🤘
What a beauty!
Seiko Divers legacy right there!
Wow! Nice video and some history!
The 6105 is known as the Captain Willard due to Martin Sheens character wearing one in the movie Apocalypse now.
Davey Jones Owes Me Two of these!
Better My Pretties,,, Than Me Dude?
Randy Rules.
I like how familiar the font on the bezel insert is. Also it sounds like a Yeti broke into your house.
Bezel action, if I could guess, is similar to the 7548-7000 or 7010. I have a 7010 and it has a small ball bearing insert which mates with those notches in the bezel. Cheers
The seconds hand did stop when the crown was pulled out
Mine is in sorry shape but sort of works. Half the lume is just gone. Amazing how much these things are worth now. I paid about 75 bucks for mine circa '77, while in the USN.
Do you still wear it?
Great information
That’s amazing.
I own a Seiko 6105 8000 that I purchased in Thailand 1968 in the military. I got an estimate that's out of the ball park for me $600. Any suggestions? Can I sell it for parts, and who would you recommend? I'd like to get it fixed, it has sentimental to me. I purchased it when I was 19, I'm 72 now.
Sell it for parts? Are you crazy?!
I love it
Great video and cools Tory behind the watch
Lovely!
Amazing
Polish it and install a shiny new bezel insert!
Just kidding, please don’t.
evvignes yeah! Just please don t! :)
I was getting worried when I started reading your post😆
only thing that needs to be replaced is the crystal, and its actually still good so i take that back.
That's amazing
😍
Rob, the 6105B movement in this watch is hackable. The earlier version is not.
Thank you
How much does this watch rate tonday compared to a Turtle for example ?... Thank's. :-)
Do you have a Geiger handy? I want to measure the radioactivity on that sucker!
6105B actually hacks I'm sure. Nice vid anyway. And the bezel should click originally.
Cool watch.
Nice watch
How can be sold that watch now??
The 6105-8110 and 6217-8000 are so iconic, back in 80's I had a 6209, I have no idea what happened to it, but these new SRP's aren't bad at all, I have 777 on an Uncle Seiko that just screams new vintage LOL
Really cool
Thx for showing this, Rob! That's my favorite second hand - the stoplight or traffic light seconds hand. The narrow strap width makes me think of the past and how we've made straps and bracelets too massive today - I'm thinking of my strapcode Super Engineer I bracelet that looks great but is damn heavy. -Link to Spencer Klein's 6105 identification guide: th-cam.com/video/sM8o3tEuNU8/w-d-xo.html
I mean how much can i sold it.. ?
how fast it’s run for the bph??? 36000 or 28800???
The affordable original to the sla033. I've checked ebay sales and have gone under $1000 USD.
Yakena1 I also just checked eBay and I’m seeing them going anywhere from $2000-$6000 Australian.
If Seiko 1 of these days re-release The Sla033 full time I'd be relieved. Not pleased that only 2500 Pieces were made. 😡
Yeah and I’ve spoken with my local watch maker and he’s getting one in, unfortunately in Australia it will be priced at $7500. Fecking insane.
Too big for me, but what a beauty
Are u a fan of the film?
The dial appears to be relumed and the H/M hands are after market. Still nice!
I have a watch like this, it's all original but the lume is falling out, do you think i should re lume it or just leave it like that. It's completely missing from some markers, and the minute hand is a little rusty.
Rehak Mate I own several 6105s. If the watch is as you describe it's certainly worth getting it professionally relumed (someone with vintage Seiko experience) and serviced. Due to the faulty design of the crown, your dial, hands and movement have been exposed to water intrusion. What you have on your dial and hands is rot. It's only going to get worse.
@@walteralvarado7090 Thanks for answering, that's exactly what i thought should be done. I know a watch master with a lot of seiko experience, even with this exact watch so that won't be a problem. I'll ask him what he can do about the little corrosion on the minute hand. I don't want to replace anything though, only relume it and get the minute hand cleaned if possible.
Rehak Mate Leave it 100% original. He should be able to take care of the minute hand. Best wishes!
@@walteralvarado7090 Ok. Thank you.
U've heard about the new Seiko Sla033?
Yes! I bought one and love it
What is the diameter size? Thanks !
Mate you have said that this watch hasn't got the hacking feature but when you have pulled the crown the seconds hand stopped...how is that?
It may have had a newer movement put in it
Lugs are 19mm.............I have squeezed 20mm Natos on mine
@7:23 HEY everybody - look at the two bezels side by side. Finish on the SKX is shiny and smoother like a chistmas ornament while the 6105 has a grippy coin edge. That what I dont like about the Turtles - the bezels are too decorative instead of all business. (I have a padi diver and want to change the bezel because of it)
isn't the 6105B is hacking?
Bizarre looking case 😅
I not sure if it’s the camera but I s the lume pip on the seconds hand brighter than the markers? If so, that could be a a service replacement or aftermarket part. Crazy nice regardless!