Pictorial Review Of My Seiko Shrouded Divers: Parts I-IV

[badern]

Hi guys. I promised Gabe some time back that i would do a pictorial review of my tunas. Took the photos a few months ago (as you can see from the date stamp) and also the model numbers for easy reference. I have also removed the straps and bracelets so as to concentrate attention to just the watches themselves. It also makes it easier to compare them.

Will probably do this in a few parts so it does not get too boring. 
 
1) The first shrouded diver-  the 6159-7010 600m
Mine comes with the more common '600m' font on the dial. There is also the rarer '600' no 'm' version.
I believe this watch is the first Titanium divers watch. The case, shroud screws and shroud is made from titanium. The shroud is coated with ceramic.
The case of this beautiful example dates back to May 1976. This 6159 is actually made up from NOS dial, hands, case and shroud. So cosmetically it's as good as it gets IMO.
 
So enough chat, lets get on with the pictorial review:

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 
 
 
2) First shrouded quartz diver - 7549-7010 300m
Apologies - this example is not 100% original. The insert is aftermarket and the bezel is from a 6309 diver.
Apart from that the watch is all original. The dial font is a variation from the normal 'SQ Divers 300m' version which is more often seen.
The texture of the shroud is original condition (excluding the minor scuffs and blemishes that are present of course)
I believe this diver was released in the mid 70s as well, soon after the release of the 6159-7010.
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
3) First 'Golden Tuna', 7549-7009 600m shrouded diver.
 
As far as i know this model was in production from 1978 to mid 80s. Its almost as large as the 6159 shrouded diver but the shroud does not extend as far down as the 6159's.  This model used the same quartz 7549 movt as the 300m version. The biggest difference in the 7549-7009 is the 'gold' covering which is actually a titanium nitride coating of it's titanium case. The shroud is coated with ceramic just like the 6159's shroud.
This example is all original  with the Ti nitride coating still in good condition (has a strong gold colour). The coating can be worn down to a pale yellow colour. It dates back to August 1979.
The hands on this model is ss as compared to the golden hands of the later 'golden tunas'.
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

I purposely took close-up angled views of inserts, shrouds and casebacks to record the original finish of the respective parts.
My intention of these photos and the posts is to accurately record and present the features of these shrouded divers so that it can be used as a resource for future watch enthusiasts. I know i had a hard time finding good photos of certain finishes and features of vintage watches. So hopefully this review will help for the shrouded divers.
 
 Please feel free to donwload this photos for your own reference. But if they are ever used in an article , please acknowledge me accordingly and link back to SCWF if possible.
 
 

[badern]

This is the continuation to my pictorial review of shrouded divers. I will concentrate on shrouded divers of the 80s to early 2000s.
 
4) 1000m Professional Quartz Diver, 7C46-7009, S23157J
This version of the 'golden tuna' was released in 1986 and is a replacement of the 600m 7549-7009. It has long been discontinued ad replaced by the 1000m SBBN011.
It has the distinctive gold colour Titanium nitride coating on its case, bezel, screws and crown. Even the hands had a gold colour to it. The font and markers on the dial were also a golden colour.
The shroud in this model is significantly different than the earlier golden tuna (7549-7009) - the shroud is completely made of ceramic and not titanium with a ceramic coating.
Like the 7549-7009, the insert is made from acrylic and not able to be seperated from the bezel.
Its dimensions and weight is very similar to that of the 7549-7009 golden tuna.
Here are the pics:
 

 

 

 

 
 


 
 
5) SBBN007 300m 7C46-7011
 
This is the next 300m tuna can after the 7549-7010 300m. I think it was released in 2001/2.
This model has also been recently discontinued and replaced with the SBBN015 and SBBN017 300m divers.
The model shown in the latest pics have had the following mods done : PVD shroud, golden screws, pepsi insert.
So please bear this in mind when looking at the pics:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 


 

The all original version (except the bracelet of course)
 

 

 
 
6) SBBN011 1000m 7C46-0AA0
This is the replacement to the golden tunas. Though obviously the golden highlights have been replaced by a cool PVD look of the bezel, allen screws, crown and case. The movt is still the reliable 7C46 movt. The shroud is also all ceramic.
This model has been replaced by the SBBN013 which looks very similar to the SBBN011 apart from the font on the dial.
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 
 
The next installment will feature shrouded diver from the current batch of tunas.
Hope you have enjoyed this review so far.
 
Cheers
Badern

[badern]

Here is the third installment as promised 
 
7) SBBN015 300m Marinemaster, 7C46-0AC0
This is the latest tuna can - the current version of the original 7549 300m tuna can. This tuna can has a black bezel insert with engraved numbers and dots on the insert. There is also the SBBN017 which has a SS insert similar to the SBBN007.
Both the SBBN015 and 017 has "MARINEMASTER" printed on the dial and signed crowns.
The 015 comes with good quality bracelet and ratcheting clasp.
Here are the pics:
 

 
 

 
 
 

 

 

 
 

 


8. SBDX011 1000m Marinemaster 8L35-00C0
 
Finally we come to the Emperor Tuna. The biggest shrouded diver ever made. 
This is only the third shrouded diver with an automatic movt.  First was the 6159, second was the Limited edition SBDX005 with 8L35 and third - also powered by the 8L35 movt.
The SBDX011 has a stealthy all black look to it that makes it look smaller than it actually is. Even though its made from titanium and SS, the mere size of it means you will never forget that you are wearing it. It also feels a tad top heavy unless its strapped on tight.
It has similar 'skirted' shroud at the lugs just like the 6159 tuna.
Here are the pics:
 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 
 

 

 
 

 
 
Thanks for all the support and encouragement so far guys!
 
The next (and final) part will be group and comparison pics.
Here is a teaser 

 

[DAHASCO]

May as well put this in here.

[martback]

Excellent reference shot, Badern - thanks for your efforts, I've enjoyed your posts. Will be saving the group shot below for reference, I dont believe I've ever seen a more complete collection!

At the moment, the top image search on Google for "Seiko Shrouded Tuna" is this one but I expect the competition to increase.


- martin

[badern]

This installment i will concentrate on group and comparison photos so that you can see the relative size, height etc between the different shrouded divers.
 
1) First up are the 70's trio : The 6159, 7549 300m, 7549 600m

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 
2) Next are the 2 recently discontinued shrouded divers : The SBBN 007 and SBBN011
(note the 007 has been modified)

 

 

 

 
3) The current shrouded divers : SBBN015 and SBDX011
 

 

 

 
 
4) 300m shrouded divers : 7549-7010, SBBN007, SBBN015
 

 
 
 

 
(have to off for a while now - please stay tuned for more pics)
 
 
 
 

[gondhanks]

Wow.... awesome collections... and I have no one of them... 

[seiko5man]

 


 

[mark mck]

This is a great review! Excellent picts!

[slivver71]

great pics and review!!! here's my 2:

[BBK357]

I've owned an 007 and 0015 and LOVED them. I was not aware of the "lug-less" design of some of the older Tunas. So I guess the Halios Puck isn't the first lug-less watch!

[ggyy1276]

Really regret not picking one up when they were still available at a more affordable price way back then 

[excardross]

Its the ultimate collection   Tuna divers. I can only dream of that sort of collection, I'm on a mission though to owning at least one of these soon preferably the 7549 - 300m. They do appear on *bay occasionally some priced way out there, so just got to keep looking. Alternatively after my 20 posts I'll be heading into the Trade area and asking the question. Thanks for sharing these.

[F360Hz]

Great information and photos. Thanks for sharing.

[iwaddell]

Great write up and pics for the Tuna's.
I so want one even more now.

Thanks. My credit card has gone into hiding...

[Edam_]

 Fantastic , everybody will be able to know the different versions of the Seiko Tuna series.


 Thanks.