To celebrate the 55th anniversary of what is likely Seiko’s very first 70m sport diver, the SRPK17 was unveiled in mid 2023. A near mirror image to the original, this faithful reissue proved the timeless design of Seiko’s 6106-8120 needed little to no improvement. Your own SRPK17 is likely just a couple of clicks away, but we’re guessing you’re here because, like us, the reissue is just a reminder that there’s nothing like the original, and this one has a story worth sharing. Confirming this reference as the origin point for Seiko’s prolific 70m history is not without some ambiguity, but with serial numbers dating the earliest examples to February of ’68, the case can certainly be made. We can say that it was certainly the Flagship light diver for Seiko as it was ubiquitous in marketing, and even earned the cover spot of the official 1968 catalog. This example is among the earliest produced as confirmed by its February ’68 serial number, and found its way to us quite by accident. To ensure water resistance, the mineral crystal is topped with a retaining ring to secure it in place against the L shaped crystal gasket. This specific retaining ring is shared with only one other model, and that’s the 6105-8000 “Slim Willard” released the same year. A service client recently sent in his own 6105-8000 for service, and the retaining ring was missing. After a long search, he was able to procure this 6106 for the purpose of sacrificing its retaining ring to complete his 6105. At the completion of that service, this otherwise stunning example of Seiko sport diver history was offered as a donor for parts that might extend the life of some other great pieces. I just couldn’t bring myself to disassemble and part it out, and after some consideration, decided to experiment in hopes of a viable solution to save this iconic diver. As the retaining ring is at its core a bezel of sorts, I went to my parts bin in search of a bezel that might fit the bill with some modifications. As it turns out, the external bezel of a 5106-8020 Seikomatic-P was nearly a perfect fit for securing the crystal, but would need to be filed and shaped to accommodate the rotating friction bezel of the 6106. After some careful filing and polishing, it was eventually transformed from an external bezel into a perfect retaining ring that allowed for smooth installation and rotation of the bezel. It was certainly a labor of love, and worth the effort to give this Seiko classic new life. For the curious, I documented the process, and it’s being shared as a video series on our Patreon page. The matte black dial is flawless with bright white luminous plots, and the silver block chapter has no missing paint. The hour and minute hands are polished batons that have retained their finish with little to no oxidation, and the bright red lollipop sweep is a nice stroke of color. The coin edge bezel rotates smoothly in either direction, and the gloss black, “count-up” insert has just few small blemishes. The tonneau case is crisp and unpolished, and the original finishes are still clearly visible. The attached bracelet is not the original, but is a genuine Seiko bracelet from a later model that we thought gave a nice nod to the design of the reissue. I even fitted it with a “Seiko 5” clasp for a seamless finish. Post service, the hacking 6106 is keeping near perfect time, and the date can be quick set via the crown. The day is semi-quickset. We’re proud to have saved this important piece of Seiko diving history, and hope you’ll be proud to give it a spot in your rotation.

Seiko Tapered Bar Link Bracelet with 5 Clasp

Serviced- 5/24

Diameter- 39mm

Lugs- 19mm