7 Reasons Seiko Will NEVER Make a Watch this Good Again! 

Excellent information. I have a Dec 1975 Pogue, which has been my everyday watch since June 1976 (original owner, 8th grade graduation gift). My Pogue is still all original, but during it’s last service 8 months ago (see Blair Watch Project Channel on RU-vid) it had two more jewels added to the upper and lower arbor port of the main spring, which is the weakness of the Seiko movement. With the new jewels, it can now run technically forever as a long it gets serviced. My watch is running 3-4 +/- per day now. Keep up on the good video content. I enjoy watching your videos.

These speedtimers were very popular among navigators for the U.S. military in the Vietnam era. We have one in a display case at the officers’ club at NAS Whidbey Island, which was one of the two primary bases for the A-6 Intruder, aircraft and crews.

I love this informational review and my automatic 60139 that got me through pilot training in the USAF for over 20 years of accurate timing! Funny, but it was considered a pilot "big watch" in the early seventies but wasn't that big. After being my fav watch in the AF and Army aviation, it langiused after stopping. Due to do a good job of timing. A few years ago, I had it rebuilt and timed. Well worth the investment, I frequently wear it for it's classic good looks and perfect time keeping. Astounding that I paid $65 for it new from a Viet Nam vet coming come.

This chronograph was designed for actually timing events. It has a 30 minute timing sub-dial, instead of a hard to read 60 minute sub-dial. The lack of hacking is not a problem since there is no running seconds hand anyway. No hand winding is a reasonable trade-off considering the innovative functioning of the crown.

Looking at my modern solar Speedtimer and then back at yours - it's incredible the heritage, evolution and change watches go through yet at the same time the older ones stay relevant and totally cool. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for sharing, I have always been a big fan of Seiko and it was the trilogy of Seiko, Bulova and Citizen that start my watch obsession. I had no idea that the crown of this model had the functionality that it had. As you know I already purchased the modern speedtimer based upon your video. Its snowing here so perhaps its a good time to make a cup of tea and research the model further. Well done!

I have had a 6139 Bruce Lee since 1972 as a Christmas present and its been serviced recently and runs great. My current crop of restored 6139 models is growing rapidly as I love these chronographs.

This was a very well researched and executed review.. Thank you!

I'm only coming across this video close to a year after its creation, but it's probably the best overview of Seiko's 6139 I've seen thus far. I was lucky enough to come across a fairly clean and unmolested 6139 "blue eye" over a decade ago, and love it possibly more than the day it arrived - at the time, it was still in the realm of "affordable classics", particularly in regard to mechanical chronographs. (They're still cheaper than, say, a modern-day Prospex Speedtimer, but not be nearly as wide a margin as when I bought mine.) One point regarding servicing: I'm not sure if this is still the case, but when I enquired two years ago, Seiko was still listing the 6139 among the watch movements they still serviced, and that's where I sent mine for a once-over (I'm lucky to live not crazy-far from their US HQ here in New Jersey), and at a very reasonable price. As far as the whole "who's on first?" debate, the consensus is shaping up that. based on the metric of serial production - rather than simply making a press announcement - Seiko, not Zenith, was indeed first with the 6139, which is rather amazing when you consider that Seiko was *also* simultaneously working on both the *6138* chronograph (which came along a bit later), *and* the watch that ultimately brought the Swiss watch industry practically to its knees…the Astron quartz. (Mind you, I'm not out to slag Zenith here - the El Primero movement is a true tour de force in its own right.) Also: you mention the 6139 example in your video as having a sapphire crystal…unless that's an aftermarket add-on, that's probably *not* sapphire, and likely not even Hardlex (which Seiko came up with some years later, if I'm not mistaken). My 6139 came with a high-grade plastic crystal, which was pretty much the material of choice at the time (Omega Speedmaster, anyone?), which is more than good enough.

Beautiful macro work.....might i ask what camera and lens you're using? Are some of the shots digital zooms, or are you able to get this close optically? I use a full frame sony with a vintage Pentax 50 macro. Even though it is the first version that was 1:1, it cannot get this close.....that's why i ask. Thjanks

Superb review of the favorite vintage from my collection. It came to me in ‘72 from my uncle in the Air Force for high school graduation. It was on my wrist for every girlfriend through the 70s. It timed ventilator cycles during my anesthesia residency. Finally it went into a terminal spin when I pressed the stopwatch in 1982. I set it aside for a Casio I thought more suitable for hard knocks in the operating room. l FOOLISHLY lost track of it. Mine was a 6139-6010 with its blue dial, 39mm diameter, slimmer cushion case and no internal rotating bezel. The smaller size was perfect for my 7” wrist. About 10 years ago I replaced it with an identical one on Ebay. It’s not QUITE the same as my original, but I’m different too, 40 years later.

My father gave me his pogue watch that was given to him as a kid in 1975. The watch is engraved with my fathers name and year and from whom given it to him. It has not ran in 20+ years and i just took it to my local jewler they opened it and looked at it and said it only needed a cleaning aka servicing and they would have to send it out to be serviced and crystal swapped. They quoted me 6 weeks and will cost an estimated $180. Only thing i need to find is a original strap/band as my dad wore it on a custom stering silver band

I agree, these are criminally underrated. I've managed to get a Pogue that was given to an employee of Rohr Inc aerospace company, which is a nice little space connection. My Cevert and Coke bezel Seiko 5 Speedtimer are in remarkable condition. I love all three dearly.

The timing on this is remarkable Sam...I have been waffling on buying a Pogue and I think you just pushed me over the edge 🙂👍

Adding to the point of serviceability, these things used excellent sealing technology and can almost always be brought back to their original water resistance. Unless you have a REALLY rough example with pitting on the sealing surfaces, chances are after replacing the gaskets you’ll have your full 70m water resistance again. Incredibly the crystal gaskets also almost never need to be replaced. Seiko really seemed interested in making things that last during this era, and they were definitely flexing that with the 6139. Would love to know the names of some of the people involved in the designing/engineering of them

Iam new to thw chanel but one thing I must say, this guy really know what he is talking about. Hes right on the mark about everything said on this video.

Nice review. Looks like I need to find a vintage Seiko for the collection.

As far as I know, 6139 is an engineering marvel. If I’ve got my information right, it has a very complex ingenious clutch system on the main stem of the hands. Is that right?

Great video. Wished I'd seen this 3-weeks ago before I attended an antique fair. Had a blue version with Pepsi dial in my hand but the watch and bracelet were in such poor condition I passed. Wish I hadn't now. Instead, bought an old Rolex for my daughter. What a mistake that turned out to be. Next time...

I agree 100%. Not only do I own the exact same 6139-6002 but (although I own 4 other 6139 references) the case design of the Pogue watches is the best Seiko ever made.

This watch features prominently in an episode of Columbo. It is central to the plot and we even get a close up shot of it.

100% true. That is why we, Seiko lovers, search for 6139 and 6138 rather than new chronographs.

Could you imagine a Seiko 5 nowadays having an automatic chronograph? An auto chrono is a serious luxury now.

Well done Sam!

Great vid segment Sam. Well documented and produced as usual. Thanks for what you do for the WIS community.

Hola, tengo un 6139-7080 del año 1974, no es igual pero me encanta también y como dices a pesar del tiempo camina estupendo y claro es lindo

I totally agree, it's not only a great Seiko, it's one of the greatest chronographs ever made, by anyone!

I never knew these had an inner rotating bezel! Does it stay in place when worn? None of the inner rotating bezels of my Alpinists do, but who cares:)

classis watches i remember them in the early 80s cheers good review...

If the watch has been sat in a draw for a few days and you want to get it running, do you have to shake it gently to get it running?

In 1970 the JDM Speedtimer was 18,000 Yen which was $50.

These have gotten very pricey, I managed to locate a near mint condition somewhat overlooked Seiko Helmet for $400 a few years back and am very pleased with it.

I finally put my SSC815 on a blue sail cloth strap. Much more comfortable than the supplied bracelet.

Love the video and the watches. However a little slip, they didn't use a sapphire crystal. You probably know that already though. :)

Need my Blue Pouge serviced, do you have contact information for someone

The version with the silver dial is the least common and very eye catching. I’ve been fortunate enough to collect the silver, gold and blue versions. The number of people who don’t know how to quick set the date on their 6139 is amazing.

Clickbait? 😮 Cool video. Do you think Seiko is somehow scared to reissue these or is it just a matter of time?

So, what I take from your adjusted for inflation statements is that there's less than $500 of value in their new chronographs, and a more than $2500 watch collector excess profits tax tacked on. That, plus the new ones are, um, well let's just say bereft of pulchritude.

I'm having a hard time justifying a Seiko addition to my collection. The pricing has gone up so fast that they are beginning to compete with other brands that may be equal or better value. However, I continue to search.

How much was an omega Speedmaster in 1969?

The modern speedtimers also lack in the finishing department, at least compared to this one. You'd have to go up to their 2500-3000 dollar range to get something better than this.

Adjusting for inflation my a××. How much $ was a speedy, or any other chrono, in 1969 is the real question...

100 dollars in 1973 worth today more like 700.

I don't think it's sapphire crystal.

Nice watch, dodgy advertising.