The Seiko 6105-8110 “DVDP1973”: A Diver’s Watch in Antarctica

Introduction

Among Seiko’s many iconic divers, few hold a story as compelling as the 6105-8110 “DVDP1973.” Unlike standard production models, this small group of watches carried a custom dial marking that tied them directly to one of the great polar science projects of the twentieth century—the Dry Valley Drilling Project in Antarctica. They were not retail pieces, nor catalogued variants, but rather field-issued tools given to scientists who braved the harshest conditions on earth. Today, they stand as rare artifacts linking the worlds of horology and exploration.

What “DVDP1973” Means

The inscription “DVDP1973” refers to the Dry Valley Drilling Project, a multinational program carried out between 1973 and 1975 in Antarctica’s McMurdo region. The initiative brought together New Zealand, the United States, and Japan, aiming to drill boreholes and recover sediment cores that would shed light on Antarctic geology and the history of its ice sheets. Over two years, the project produced fifteen boreholes across McMurdo Sound and the Dry Valleys, laying crucial foundations for later stratigraphic science. The watches bearing this marking were presented to participants in recognition of their involvement, making each example a personal memento of a landmark scientific effort.

The Role of Dr. Tetsuya Torii

The strongest thread connecting the watches to the project is Dr. Tetsuya Torii, a renowned Japanese geochemist and a central figure in Antarctic research. Torii was known not only for his scientific leadership but also for personally arranging Seiko diver’s watches for his colleagues. Several surviving accounts confirm that Torii provided 6105s printed with “DVDP1973” to scientists during the drilling program. Later expeditions in the 1970s further attest to his practice of gifting project-marked Seikos. The association of these watches with Torii gives them both scientific and cultural weight, embodying a gesture of camaraderie among those working in extreme conditions.

The Base Watch: Seiko 6105-8110

The foundation of the DVDP1973 is the Seiko 6105-8110, one of the most recognisable dive watches of its era. Produced between the late 1960s and 1977, the 6105 was Seiko’s professional diver rated to 150 metres. Its asymmetric cushion case, with the crown recessed at 4 o’clock, gave it a distinctive look and superior protection against knocks. Large rectangular luminous markers ensured legibility, while a bidirectional timing bezel offered practical dive timing. The automatic calibre 6105B powered the watch, and a hardened Hardlex crystal gave it resilience against impact.

The 6105 became legendary not only among divers but also among soldiers in Vietnam, where its ruggedness made it a trusted companion. Its design would later inspire Seiko’s “Turtle” line, cementing its influence in the brand’s diver lineage.

Dial Layout on DVDP Pieces

The defining feature of a DVDP1973 watch is its dial. Known examples use the late-production “WATER 150 m RESIST” layout, with the added “DVDP1973” printed just above the depth rating at six o’clock. The style of the text is consistent with period Seiko printing, but the marking itself was unique to this project. Placement and font match the era’s production methods, supporting the conclusion that these were genuine Seiko prints rather than later alterations.

Surviving examples suggest only a very limited number were ever made, and they appear to have been distributed selectively among senior scientists rather than widely issued. This scarcity is a major factor in their collectability today.

Antarctic Science and the Dry Valley Drilling Project

To appreciate the watches fully, it is important to understand the scale and impact of the Dry Valley Drilling Project itself. Carried out between 1973 and 1975, DVDP was among the earliest major international efforts to drill through Antarctic sediments for climate and geological study. The results advanced understanding of the Transantarctic Mountains and the evolution of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet. Reports and bulletins published in the years following the project remain essential references for Antarctic geology.

The Japanese team’s involvement, led by Torii, was particularly significant. Their collaboration underscored Japan’s commitment to polar science and added a layer of symbolic importance to the decision to use Seiko watches as part of the project’s unofficial kit.

Historical Significance of the DVDP1973 Watches

These watches occupy a rare intersection of tool-watch heritage and scientific exploration. Unlike commemorative editions sold to the public, they were working instruments marked for a specific purpose and place. They represent Seiko’s standing as a producer of reliable dive watches chosen for demanding conditions, and they embody the camaraderie of the Antarctic research community.

Just as the Rolex Explorer is forever linked to Everest, the Seiko 6105 DVDP1973 ties the brand to Antarctica’s Dry Valleys. They stand as physical reminders of a project that pushed scientific boundaries in one of the most inhospitable environments on earth.

Collecting and Authenticity

Because “DVDP1973” was a project-specific marking rather than a retail reference, provenance is paramount. 

The very few DVDP73 watches are not commercial rarities but historical artifacts. Their appeal lies in the story they tell, the scientific work they represent, and the narrow circle of people who originally received them.

Conclusion

The Seiko 6105-8110 “DVDP1973” is far more than a rare dial variant—it is a timepiece bound to a moment of scientific discovery in Antarctica. It demonstrates how watches can transcend their role as instruments, becoming symbols of exploration, collaboration, and achievement. Few tool watches have such a direct, documented link to fieldwork of global significance. The DVDP1973 remains one of the most evocative Seiko divers ever made: a watch that tells the story of ice, rock, science, and the human drive to explore.

References

• Pennington, C., “Found: A Seiko 6306 From A 1979 Antarctic Research Expedition,” documenting Dr. Tetsuya Torii’s practice of gifting project-marked Seiko divers and specifically noting 6105s with “DVDP1973.”  

• Barrett, P. et al., and subsequent literature on the Dry Valley Drilling Project and McMurdo stratigraphic drilling programs, confirming the 1973–75 drilling timeline and scope.  

• “Report of the Dry Valley Drilling Project, 1973–74,” noting Japanese participation alongside NZ and US teams during the 1973–74 season.  

• McMurdo Dry Valleys History (LTER) bulletin index for contemporary DVDP outputs and abstracts.  

• Gear Patrol overview of the 6105’s design/features within Seiko’s diver lineage.

Case and bracelet in great vintage condition. Light hairlines visible. No pitting or rust. Strap is original Seiko tyre tread strap. Original mineral crystal is scratched but with no cracking or pitting. 

Dial and hands in very good original condition. All printing intact and hands are lightly oxidised.