Seiko 6139-6005 "True Gold Pogue" Chronograph — view 1 of 6 — View 1 of 6 · Image: Collectors Corner NY · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Seiko 6139-6005 "True Gold Pogue" Chronograph

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.

Maker / attribution: Seiko (maker)
Date: 1971
Historical period: Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
Country of origin: Japan
Object type: Wristwatch
Materials / technique: gold
Dealer: Collectors Corner NY (dealer), New York
Stock no.: Product 9549546324244
Credit line: Dealer listing, Collectors Corner NY (product 9549546324244)
Catalogue title (original): Seiko 6139-6005 "True Gold Pogue" Chronograph - *Unpolished* (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Collectors Corner NY (dealer), New York (stock number Product 9549546324244), this is a wristwatch by Seiko, made in Japan, dated 1971. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: gold. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Collectors Corner NY

One of Seiko's most iconic timepieces is the "Pogue." The nickname comes from astronaut Colonel William R. Pogue, who wore the gold dial variant of this reference on a NASA mission in 1973. We believe both the gold and blue dial variants remain highly undervalued in today's market given their historical significance. This 1971 example is a rare "true Pogue," with the identical ref. 6139-6002 and "RESIST" dial that Colonel Pogue used on his mission, making it the most desirable variant among collectors. It remains in fantastic vintage condition with a beautiful dial and hands and an unpolished case and bracelet, powered by the automatic caliber 6139. If you are looking for a robust vintage piece with plenty of wrist presence, don't overlook the "Pogue" for its fun pop of color and important place in the annals of horology.

Historical context

Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)

Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.

Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.

Read the period in the timeline More wristwatches from this period Earlier: Modern Mechanical Horology

Atlas type guide

Chronographs and split-seconds watches

A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.

Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.

What to look for

Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).

Dating clues

Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
Automatic chronographs: from 1969.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

Mechanisms mentioned

Chronograph — Complication
Self-winding (automatic) mechanism — Component

Record completeness

Maker or attributionRecorded
DateRecorded
Place or countryRecorded
MaterialsRecorded
DimensionsNot in source
Narrative descriptionRecorded
Inscriptions / marksNot in source
ProvenanceNot in source
Several photographsRecorded

Editorial status: Documented — facts as published by the source; not independently verified by Atlas editors.

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Sources & image rights

Record source: Collectors Corner NY (dealer), New York (opens another website in a new tab).

Image rights: © Collectors Corner NY — dealer photographs; permission required (opens another website in a new tab).

Images are hosted by the Atlas for study and credited to their owner. Rights holders may request correction, credit changes or removal, or grant permission, via the editorial office.

Cite this record

"Seiko 6139-6005 "True Gold Pogue" Chronograph." Collectors Corner NY (dealer), New York, Product 9549546324244. Catalogue record in The Horology Atlas, WatchMuseum.org, https://atlas.watchmuseum.org/museum/seiko-6139-6005-true-gold-pogue-chronograph-83a52b.