Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Seiko 6139 'Pogue' Chronograph, 1971
- Maker / attribution
- Seiko (maker)
- Date
- 1971
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- Japan
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Dimensions
- Case 41 mm
- Stock no.
- 40991801
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Analog/Shift (40991801)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Seiko 6139 'Pogue' Chronograph (English)
View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by Analog/Shift (dealer), New York (stock number 40991801), 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. Recorded dimensions: Case 41 mm. 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 — Analog/Shift
Everyone knows that the first watch worn on the moon was an Omega Speedmaster, one of history's greatest manually winding chronographs. But did you know that the first automatic chronograph worn in space was a Seiko? As with any vintage Seiko, originality is key — and given the ready supply of Asian market 6139s with aftermarket parts, it is increasingly difficult to find an honest example. But we like a challenge, and we've turned up this entirely correct example for your consideration. Dating to 1971, this 6139-6005 features a 41mm stainless steel case with a ‘Pepsi’ tachymeter scale on the bezel, barrel chronograph pushers, a recessed crown, and a dual-language calendar (English and Spanish). The epic yellow sunburst dial features applied indices, a day-date window at 3 o’clock, a subsidiary counter at 6 o’clock and an internal rotating elapsed-time bezel. This stunning example remains in an absolutely untouched and unpolished state, and comes fitted to a correct stainless steel multi-link bracelet with signed locking clasp. Not many Seiko 6139 Pogue’s walk in through our doors in such exceptional condition -snag this one while you can!
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 timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: 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.
Read next:Flyback chronographChronograph
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