Celebrating World Turtle Day and the ‘Captain Willard’

If you didn’t know, we just celebrated World Turtle Day on May 23^rd. The holiday was initiated by American Tortoise Rescue in 2000 and serves to remind us of the crucial role we play in the survival of these creatures. World Turtle Day not only highlights the importance of protecting our boney-shelled reptilian friends, but also their connection to one of the most iconic dive watches in history – the Seiko Turtle. Let’s explore Seiko’s dive watches and look at a specific example along the way.

One of the most popular Seiko dive watches, the Seiko Turtle, is renowned for its exceptional value, reliability, and rugged construction. The watch gets its name from the cushion shape of its case which resembles the shell of a turtle. This design not only provides a unique aesthetic but serves a functional purpose by increasing protection for the watch’s bezel and crown. The first Seiko Turtle was introduced in 1976 and quickly became a favorite since it met the needs of recreational divers and people looking for a durable timepiece. Seiko produced the Turtle series up until 1988 and then stopped. Fast forward to 2016 and they made a successful return with the SRP777, also known as the “Turtle Reissue”, which marked the continuation of a legacy, securing a permanent position within the Seiko collections.

An iconic example of the Seiko dive watch is the Reference 6105-8119, also known as the “Captain Willard”. This timepiece gained fame when it was featured on the wrist of Martin Sheen’s character, Captain Willard, in the 1979 epic American war film, Apocalypse Now.

The Seiko 6105 dive watch was popular among U.S. service members during the Vietnam War for its rugged nature and reliability in the harsh jungle environment. The 6105-8119 was crafted in 1972 and built with a 44mm stainless steel case. It has a tritium lume and reliable self-winding Seiko caliber 6105B movement. Originally it came on a “chocolate bar” strap: a rubber strap with raised pattern on the top surface. Our example has a green military NATO strap.

In recent years the simple NATO strap has surged in popularity within the watch industy. Originally introduced by the British Ministry of Defence in 1973, the NATO strap was designed for military practicality. Two spring bars and the increased strap length enabled troops to wear a watch on top of their uniforms securely. The versatility of the strap makes it an ideal companion for our Captain Willard.