Vintage Dive Straps: In 1965 Seiko released their first diver the 62MAS (6217-8000) and it was provided on a third party SWISS TROPIC MOD DEP branded strap. Tropic was a very well known dive strap manufacturer at the time and numerous companies used their straps. The strap is marked on the lug ends as Tropic, Swiss Made and 19mm. The buckle end is marked MOD. DEP. which means Modèle Déposé or registered design in French. The buckle is stamped Seiko. The buckle is drilled through and has a flattened top surface. For their second model of diver, released in 1967, Seiko produced their own strap the ZLM01 a.k.a. “Waffle” strap. With a distinctive pattern reminiscent to a waffle iron plate, the strap was provided on the 6215-7000 and later on the early 6159-7000 and 6105-8000 models. The buckle on the strap can be stamped with just Seiko but others examples are stamped Seiko St. Steel Japan G. 1969, the GL721 Chocolate Bar a.k.a. Captain Willard strap [affectionately nicknamed by the GI's after the chocolate bar from Hershey]. This was provided on both the 6159-7000 and 6105-8110 models. TRIVIA ... Apocalypse Now is set in late 1969. The most commonly seen version of this strap is in black but there was also an orange version of this produced. The orange variant offered for sale with a small number of 6159-7000 watches and these appear to have been provided as a second strap. This second strap is not detailed in any of the Seiko watch catalogs or promotional materials. On the rear tip of the tail section there is the Seiko logo and below this the text Japan. In 1972 Seiko released a Watchband Catalog that detailed three dive straps. The first is the GL721 Chocolate bar strap, the second the XGL-731 and the third a previously unknown model. This final strap D-3 was the cheapest of all three at ¥700, was sized at 19mm and was available in three different colors, black, orange and blue. 1972 the third Seiko designed dive strap was the XGL-731 a.k.a. “Tire Tread”. This was only ever provided on the 6105-8110 in the Japanese market and was produced until the end of the models life.
Nice little summary. Recently had an original Waffle strap arrive as part of a parts lot that I bought. Luckily it's clean and supple, since many of these are at risk of cracking from age.
Very cool. A 6105 8000 from 1970 just came in yesterday on original strap. Is there anything you can treat them with to extend life?
Very nice summary I always hope to find some good condition early straps (no luck yet), but I did manage to spot a buckle in a mixed lot a few months ago.