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Seiko Automatic "Bullhead" Chronograph (Ref. 6138-0049) Brown Dial, 1975 — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Seiko Automatic "Bullhead" Chronograph (Ref. 6138-0049) Brown Dial, 1975

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Seiko (maker)
Date
1975
Country of origin
Japan
Object type
Wristwatch
Stock no.
SKOACH61380049-2
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (SKOACH61380049-2)
Catalogue title (original)
1975 Seiko Automatic "Bullhead" Chronograph (Ref. 6138-0049) Brown Dial (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number SKOACH61380049-2), this is a wristwatch by Seiko, made in Japan, dated 1975. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. 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 — Craft & Tailored

This is the classic 6138-0049 Seiko Bullhead chronograph. Seiko started producing this timepiece in 1975 and concluded the production in 1978. The 6138 line of Seiko's are highly collectible for two reasons; the Seiko-designed 6138B movement is very precise and highly accurate, and they are a blast back into the iconic design trends of the 1970s. The name Bullhead comes from the unique ergonomic shape of the case that features an asymmetrical thickness, being thicker at the top and slimmer at the bottom. Rather than having the crown and chronograph pushers on the right side of the case, like traditional chronographs, the movement has been rotated so the crown and pushers are at the top of the case, at the 12 o'clock position, giving the chronograph pushers a resemblance to the horns of a bull. The theory behind this unique design is you’re less likely to engage or disengage the chronograph with the pushers at the top, as opposed to the side. The design of the Seiko Bullhead was built around the active sporting lifestyle. The Seiko Bullhead came in two dial variants; a copper dial with gold subdials and a black dial with light blue subdials. Brown bullheads also come in additional SpeedTimer variants. SpeedTimer Bullhead variants were produced for the Japanese Domestic Market and were sold exclusively in Japan and surrounding areas. The Bullheads produced for the rest of the world wore the standard "Chronograph Automatic" markings. Stock # SKOACH61380049-2 Brand Seiko Style Automatic Chronograph "Bullhead" Model 6138-0049 Serial 52XXXX Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Brown Vignette Millimeters 43.5 Bracelet Seiko "Fishbone" Bracelet CASE & BRACELET The impressive asymmetrical case shows strong angels and finishing throughout with only minimal signs of previous use. The brown tachymeter bezel is in excellent condition with no fading or notable signs of use. The case retains its original pump pushers and crown. The case back retains its original factory markings in deep and crisp condition. The original Seiko "fishbone" style bracelet retains 15 links showing minimal stretch and will fit up to a 7-1/2 inch wrist. DIAL & HANDS The original brown vignette dial is in exceptional original condition showing no age or damage. The lume remains fully intact and bright white in coloration. The original hands match the dial perfectly with no degradation present under U.V. light inspection. ACCESSORIES None. The watch is keeping time and functioning perfectly, previous service history is unknown.

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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