Seiko Navigator Timer 'Proof'

While we have a strong affection for many complications — think chronographs, moon-phase indicators, and minute repeaters — it’s one of the most rudimentary complications that proves the most practical for regular use: the GMT.

A GMT watch offers the added functionality of a second time zone, and whether you're a pilot, jet-setting international playboy, or simply want to keep track of the time in another part of the country world for business reasons, the GMT proves to be a useful tool for any day of the year. 

Traveling as much as we do, you'll often find us with GMT watches strapped to our wrists. And if you were to ask our colleagues in the watch industry what they most often wear, you'd be surprised to hear how many will answer the same way. These are quite simply the most practical timepieces for the world of international commerce...and they generally come with killer looks, to boot.

One of our all-time favorite GMT watches is the Reference 6117-8000 by Seiko. Produced in the late 1960s and early 1970s, it brings together a great case design, a robust, Japanese-made movement, and a stunning dial/bezel layout for a bargain price. Supremely useful yet well proportioned, it’s the type of watch that no sane collector could possibly turn down.

This particular Reference 6117-8000 is housed in a 38.5mm stainless steel tonneau case with a domed acrylic crystal, an unsigned 4 o’clock crown, and a rotating, bidirectional bezel with a 24-hour insert. Its dark grey sunray 'Proof' dial is a picture of legibility, with an outer minute track with lumed hour indices, an inner hour track with applied indices, a lumed ‘baton’ handset, a red 24-hour hand, and a date window at 3 o’clock. Using the 24-hour hand in conjunction with the 24-hour bezel, one can quickly and easily track a second time zone.

Powered by the Seiko Calibre 6117A automatic movement with 17 jewels and paired to an Analog:Shift leather strap, the Reference 6117-8000 is the perfect traveling companion for the discerning collector. Don’t let this well-sized gem slip through your fingers — or off your wrist! 

For over 140 years, Seiko has been cranking out innovative and impeccably engineered watches at every price point, from entry-level Seiko 5s to world-class haute horlogerie pieces under the Grand Seiko brand. Underpinning the company’s efforts has been the mass production of reliable and accurate movements paired with a wide array of case and dial configurations.

Founded in 1881 by clockmaker and businessman Kintarō Hattori in Tokyo, Japan as “K. Hattori,” Seiko began importing Western timepieces and selling them in the local market. In 1892, Hattori changed the name of the firm to Seikosha (“house of exquisite workmanship”), which was further altered to “Seiko” in 1924. Following the Second World War, during which Seiko produced watches for the Japanese military, the company began its streak of innovations based upon affordable, in-house movements and Japanese savoir faire. These included myriad dive watches such as the famed 6105 and the fan-favorite 6139 chronograph.

Later, in 1969, Seiko would go on to produce the Astron, the world’s first quartz watch. This technological innovation was followed by the Seiko Kinetic in the 1980s, which married quartz accuracy with automatic, self-powering functionality. Today, Seiko’s product offerings are vast, including dress watches, dive watches, chronographs and much more, all of which are powered by in-house movements comprising different types of technology.

Despite a move toward luxury positioning and pricing in the brand’s modern offerings, vintage Seiko classics can still be had at incredibly reasonable prices today, making them a favorite entry point into the vintage watch world for myriad collectors. From their availability in post exchanges on military bases around the world to their fame from films such as Apocalypse Now to their presence at six Olympic Games, Seiko watches are deeply ingrained in the consciousness of the contemporary collector.

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a two-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.