A quick trip through Seiko's diver watch history - from the 62Mas through the early quartz diver era - using watches from my collection.
Unfortunately the 7549-7009 'Golden Tuna' is not included - it's away at service.
Apologies for the quick wrap at the end - was having thermal problems with my iPhone 11 Pro throughout, and the Arnie started melting.
Edits:
1. Should have discussed the 6548 midsize divers. These are pretty cool. Produced from 1978-1985, with the same coloration options and 150m rating as the larger 7548. Also had a deeper cut on the bezel and applied lume frames, with a 1/2 split triangle at 12.
2. Should have mentioned that the 630x was the first day/date Seiko diver, which quickly became standard.
3. Should have mentioned that the ladies diver is the 2205 mechanical diver. There are also the 2625 ladies quartz divers.
4. Have word from a friend that Tanaka was more involved than represented in the video - working on all of the represented Seiko diver generations up through the 7549-7010 'Golden Tuna'.
5. Should have mentioned that the Chocolate Bar GL721 was sold in colors other than black, but are very rarely seen. Specifically: orange, blue, red and green.
6. The flat-vent strap reference is the GL831. Modern execution is the DAL1BP.
7. Should have mentioned that the failure in the 6215/6159-700x was due to helium entering the case when saturation diving, and expanding when surfacing - blowing off the crystal. The Grandfather Tuna changed the gasket material and construction to prevent helium intrusion - and this tech is still in use in Seiko's modern professional divers. Some other watchmakers introduced automatic (spring-loaded) or manual helium escape valves (HEV aka Helium Release Valves/HRV), instead of preventing helium intrusion.
9 май 2020
