Mario, I think that the 1986 release is correct.
The Ashtray does not appear in the 1985 Vol. 2 Seiko catalog but has shown up a year later in the '86 Vol. 2 catalog. I do not have the '86 Vol 1 catalog but should have one in a few weeks time.
At around this time the golden tunas also changed from the 7549 to the 7C46 that the ashtray also uses. According to Seiko the 7C46 was first released in March 1986. This is the watch release date and production of watches obviously occurs before the release. I would assume that all of the 85 models you see will be towards the last half of 85.
My guess is that both the ashtray and the 1000m golden tunas were released together.
It would be an unusual marketing decision to discontinue the 600m 7549, then release the 1000m version in March, and then release another 600m diver just a couple of months after.
In summary I would estimate that the ashtray was released in March 86 but have been manufactured from late 85.
The ashtray continues to appear in Seiko catalogs till the start of 93 so it would likely have finished some time around then.
The Ashtray does not appear in the 1985 Vol. 2 Seiko catalog but has shown up a year later in the '86 Vol. 2 catalog. I do not have the '86 Vol 1 catalog but should have one in a few weeks time.
At around this time the golden tunas also changed from the 7549 to the 7C46 that the ashtray also uses. According to Seiko the 7C46 was first released in March 1986. This is the watch release date and production of watches obviously occurs before the release. I would assume that all of the 85 models you see will be towards the last half of 85.
My guess is that both the ashtray and the 1000m golden tunas were released together.
It would be an unusual marketing decision to discontinue the 600m 7549, then release the 1000m version in March, and then release another 600m diver just a couple of months after.
In summary I would estimate that the ashtray was released in March 86 but have been manufactured from late 85.
The ashtray continues to appear in Seiko catalogs till the start of 93 so it would likely have finished some time around then.
