Seiko 6106-8100 from July 1968 "Blue Kranz"
Seiko 6106-8100 from July 1968 "Blue Kranz"
This watch is a lesser known variant of the silver dialed “Gene Kranz,” who was the famous director of the NASA Apollo program. These models were also apparently issued to some form of early Special Forces in Vietnam. There is a written requisition for them, but I don’t know the dial colors. Down the line, you never know what will be found.
Watch is completely original. The movement is fully serviced, including upper and lower arbor jewels. 6106-B 17j movement, freshly serviced. Great numbers! Case rebuild with all new seals. Bezel turns smoothly as it should.
Full length correct original bracelet, which I cleaned and tightened up. Case shows a light polish, but case lines are still intact. The watch lived an active life and shows moderate wear in places, especially the bezel insert. The dial has beautiful vibrant Seiko blue and faintly patina’d but bright markers. Lume is the correct Diani green and it is original. The silver dial printing has faded, probably due to moisture intrusion or sun.
This watch is an unusual survivor. It is a very late example of the Diani made 7 digit casebacks. Diani produced dial, handset, and caseback, which leads me to wonder how much of this thing Diani made.