
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Seiko Automatic Chronograph 'Pogue' (Ref. 6139-6000) "Notch-Case", 1969
- Maker / attribution
- Seiko (maker)
- Date
- 1969
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- Japan
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Stock no.
- SKO61396000-MW
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (SKO61396000-MW)
- Catalogue title (original)
- 1969 Seiko Automatic Chronograph 'Pogue' (Ref. 6139-6000) "Notch-Case" (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number SKO61396000-MW), this is a wristwatch by Seiko, made in Japan, dated 1969. 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
Fresh from the personal collection of style icon, automobile enthusiast, and Urban Outlaw himself, Magnus Walker, comes a 1969 Seiko 'Pogue' in fantastic condition. The first automatic chronograph is a heavily disputed claim as multiple watch companies debuted what they claimed as "the first" automatic chronograph in the year 1969. However, The Seiko 6139-6000 was the first automatic chronograph that was available for purchase in May of 1969 exclusively to the Japanese market. Not only was the ref. 6139 the first production automatic chronograph but the watch also features a quickset day and date complication that is operated through the pushing of the button style crown. This rare "notch-case" model is in remarkable condition, with its deep blue dial, rich "Pepsi" bezel, and original stainless steel bracelet. You'd never know it's over 50 years old just by looking at it – so, here's to another 50 with one of the coolest watches Seiko has ever made. Stock # SKO61396000-MW Brand Seiko Style Automatic Chronograph Model 6139-6000 Serial 94XXXX Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Gold Millimeters 45 Bracelet Uncle Seiko "H-Link" Bracelet CASE & BRACELET This early example 'notch-case' is one of a few produced in 1969. The name refers to the subtle notch in the case that slightly exposes the crown. It was replaced with a more flush design in 1970. The case itself remains very well preserved with only light evidence of previous polishing present, showing crisp original factory lines and finishing with only gentle signs of use. The "Pepsi" tachymeter bezel is in overall excellent condition and remains bright in coloration with only a couple small dents from wear. The case retains its original button crown and pump pushers. The case back shows minor signs of honest wear but its factory markings remain crisp and deep. There are a few small crude engravings, one behind each of the lugs, including an "LA", "D", "VIG", and "NE". The watch will come supplied on an Uncle Seiko "H-Link" stainless steel bracelet that will fit up to an 8 1/4-inch wrist. DIAL & HANDS The original gold sunburst dial is in beautiful vintage condition, showing only minimal elements of age and gentle markings. The inner rotating timing ring remains bright yellow in coloration. The original lume plots have taken on a light grey color which is common for Seiko lume in this era and exhibit no degradation when inspected under UV light. The original luminous hands have aged slightly lighter than the dial and match the overall aesthetic of the watch, under UV light inspection the minute hand exhibits some minor lume loss and remains stable while the lume in the hour hand remains fully intact. ACCESSORIES
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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