Why This Watch Matters

A funky dive watch from 1987, this Seiko "Ashtray" is surprisingly great on the wrist and is in nearly new-old-stock condition.

The Full Story

In the lineage of Seiko professional dive watches that starts with the 62MAS in 1965, the Seiko "Ashtray" fits in right after the ref. 7549-7009  In 1987, after roughly nine years of the Golden Tuna's success, Seiko revamped its professional diver series, as it had a habit of doing through the '70s and '80s. Where competitors like Rolex and Omega found success in a model like the Submariner or Seamaster, then continued to produce that successful watch without major changes for years and years, Seiko was different. The Japanese watch manufacturer made improvements whenever they could, no matter how successful a model was.

The first Golden Tuna 600m was upgraded to a 1000m professional diver, opening a hole in the catalog during the 1987 redesign for a consumer who needed a serious dive watch but didn't need the 1000m "Big Golden Tuna." In this context, the Seiko "Ashtray," a 600m professional diver, was born. The model gets its nickname from the uniquely styled bezel, mimicking the contours of a classic glass ashtray. The ref. 7C49-6009, like the one we are offering here, is the first Ashtray, distinguished by its stainless steel case and titanium bezel. Unlike the later full titanium case and bezel version, this first-generation Ashtray carried over the black and gold color tones from the Golden Tuna and other professional Seiko dive watches of the 1970s.

With remnants of the original sticker still on the caseback, this Seiko is in nearly new-old-stock condition with very few flaws overall. 

The Fine Print

Maker: Seiko
Model: Professional Diver's 600m
Reference: 7C46-6009
Year: 1987
Case No: 741645
Material: Stainless steel
Dimensions: 45.5mm diameter; 15.5mm thickness
Crystal: Sapphire
Lume: Yes, tritium
Caliber: Seiko, quartz, caliber 7C46
Bracelet/Strap: Seiko rubber strap with stainless steel Seiko buckle
Lug Width: 22mm
Box/Papers: No

What we Love and What You Should Know

This Seiko Ashtray is in overall excellent and nearly new-old-stock condition. The case is strong and shows some light scratches and handling marks. The engravings on the caseback are all clearly visible and very crisp. The caseback still has a part of its original sticker.

The dial is in great condition without any blemishes and has retained a gorgeous soft matte black finish. The lume on the handset and dial have all aged to a matching off-white patina.

The bezel is in great condition with sharp notches on the edge; it rotates as it should. The bezel has one mark near 10 o'clock. The lume pip at 12 o'clock on the bezel has developed a light patina that matches the lume on the dial and hands. The crown is correctly unsigned. The dial, case, and movement are all signed by Seiko. This watch was photographed on a 175mm/6.9inch wrist.