There are some watches in the Seiko-sphere that have truly outsized histories and reputations. And Seiko, in that way that Seiko does so well, has a tendency to tease their loyal followers, bringing back classic watches in fits and starts. The formula, at this point, is well known: a limited edition version of an iconic heritage model at a price point set for the serious and well heeled collectors, followed a year or two later by an affordable but still very well executed version for the masses. And so it is with the Capt. Willard, known in the Seiko catalog as the reference 6105 (Christoph McNeill went in depth on this reference in an “Affordable Vintage” column here). The iconic watch worn by Martin Sheen’s Benjamin Willard character in Apocalypse Now returned for a hot minute last year as the SLA033. Priced at over $4,000, that watch was prohibitively expensive for many. But now, with the SPB151 and SPB153 seen here, the design returns at a more accessible price that Seiko fans, cinema lovers, and dive watch nerds should be pleased with.
Seiko SPB151 & SPB153
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Dial: Black, green
- Dimensions: 42.7mm
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Water Resistance: 200 meters
- Crown: Screw down
- Movement: 6R35
- Strap/bracelet: Stainless steel bracelet, rubber strap
- Price: $1,100 (SPB153), $1,300 (SPB151)
- Reference Number: SPB153, SPB151
- Expected Release: July