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Post by jamestkirk on Aug 2, 2020 11:29:03 GMT
In most of the world, this watch is known for the movie Apocalypse Now, with an actor playing Captain Willard, so most people refer to it as the Seiko Apocalypse / Willard. In Japan, there is a whole other person, it is famous for, as that is a Japanese explorer named Naomi Uemura.
There is a whole story on a French watchforum, which needs to be translated for those not fluent in that language (use Chrome browser to open it), so you can see, that the Japanese never made it public outside Japan, for which this watch really is famous for! Happy Reading!
forumamontres.forumactif.com/t235767-duel-au-pole-nord-rolex-vs-seiko?_branch_match_id=681431599980871566
And then here a Japanse site, also named in above article with some information:
blog.livedoor.jp/pitipititaptaplanlan/archives/50148583.html
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Post by marsss25 on Aug 2, 2020 14:19:05 GMT
That’s a very interesting story- thanks, Captain!
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robmks
Spectacular Member
Posts: 60
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Post by robmks on Aug 2, 2020 15:26:51 GMT
Thanks for the history lesson.
Bob
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Post by John Lind on Aug 2, 2020 16:33:45 GMT
Thanks Johan for the information about Japan and the Japanese climber.
The 62MAS, 6105-8000 and 6105-8110 were commonly referred to as "PX" watches before Apocalypse Now made the 8110 famous as the "Captain Willard". The overseas PX system, more formally known as AAFES (Army and Air Force Exchange Service) began carrying the Seiko divers along with other watches in the Asian Theater during the Vietnam War. Soldiers and marines living in the steamy jungle paradise bought them at low prices barely above wholesale. They could survive the environment and the price was right, especially for the lower ranking enlisted. The 8000 and 8110 are among the iconic GI watches from that era. Higher ranking NCOs and officers also bought them, but most could afford a Rolex Sub or GMT-Master if they wanted one, as those were also inexpensive compared to what they cost in a civilian Rolex dealer jewelry store. Those not wanting to spend that much could also get a Zodiac Sea Wolf. The Zoomies and Airedales drifted toward the Glycine AM/PM Airman and the O&W Early Bird 24-hour pieces as their normal environment, other than some vibration and G-forces, was more benign than a beetle-crunching, bush-beating, ground-pounder's. The preferred pieces for some years now have been the G-Shock and for many higher ranking who can afford it (and want to spend the bux), the Suunto.
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Post by jamestkirk on Aug 2, 2020 20:26:50 GMT
Thank John for your input to this era and watch history! One should have been a future savvy watch collector in those days and buy those cheapies off of returning GI's and officers, from Seiko to Zodiac, to Glycine to Rolex...
I was young and knew that war was going on, but wasn't thinking much of watches in those days, more like stereo equipment...
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Post by John Lind on Aug 2, 2020 23:18:38 GMT
Thank John for your input to this era and watch history! One should have been a future savvy watch collector in those days and buy those cheapies off of returning GI's and officers, from Seiko to Zodiac, to Glycine to Rolex...
I was young and knew that war was going on, but wasn't thinking much of watches in those days, more like stereo equipment... Many of the Seiko and Zodiac were thrashed within weeks and months of their purchase new by the GIs that owned them. The Seiko were cheap enough they were almost considered disposable. The Hamiltons I wore took a very thorough beating. One of the problems with finding decent Seiko 62MAS, 8000 or 8110 from that era is the scarcity of ones in a condition that can be decently restored.
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