A Time When Seiko Made Amazing Watches - Seiko 6138 0040 Bullhead 

Bullhead watches need to make a comeback. The practicality of the pusher placements makes way more sense than the current standard placements.

I was just gifted this watch by my father as it was his daily watch for years. He put it in a drawer the last two decades until I discovered it. I fell in love, he grabbed it from me he set the time and began to gently move it back and fourth and it started going just like he left it. I’m honored to own it and it’s stunning in person patina and all.

I bought mine in 1976, a blue/black. It still works like a champ. It is an awesome watch for a lefty.

The Seiko "Bullhead" is simly stratospheric! It's by far the best designed and beautifully crafted bullhead chronograph ever made...! Omega, Breitling, Bulova, Citizen, ecc, they don't even come close to it stylistically speaking...

I just bought one of these while I was on vacation. I'd had it in my mind after seeing your video, and seeing it in person sealed the deal for me. I don't think photos do this style justice, because it is just SO COOL in person. It wasn't cheap, but I bought from a retailer who had serviced it and offered a warranty. My chrono functions as it should and the reset is bang on the money, so I should get a lot of years of use without worrying about impending financial ruin if the chrono reset fails.

What a stunning watch! I love the perfectly suited name for it… the “bullhead” is a great name. The bezel colour is a lovely contrast to the dial, and both the bezel and the dial compliment each other perfectly. I just love the vertical day and date at the six o’clock position, as it balances the two sub dials so nicely. Thank you for showing this stunning watch to us all. The seventies and watches, always reminds me of the times I was swapping watches with other like minded school friends, we were always trying to trade anything just to get what we each considered to be the best looking watch at the time. I saw your video that you made, where you told us the story of yourself and your friend continuously admiring each other’s watch, and eventually swapping with each other. He got your “bullhead” and you got his “tuna” and I was sat thinking wow, both of you got such an awesome watch from your swap, I would have been super happy with either. What I thought was wonderful, was (if I remember correctly) that your friend had said he would swap back, and give you the “bullhead” back if ever you wanted to. You have a great friend Peter, as he has in you!

Stunning example of a great watch. That’s a keeper for sure. Awesome video. Keep em coming. Cheers. ✊

Absolutely awesome watch Peter. It has such a presence! Love that 70's styling.

Thanks for all your hard work Peter, I appreciate it and I enjoy the channel a lot 😇 .

Excellent review, thank you for taking the time to address the lum issues and the general functions of the watch!

I have a 1973 Seiko UFO with the same movement. I got it second hand 15 years ago from an opp shop for $20. They did not know the value. The glass was so scratched, I could not see it was a cronograpgh, but it had 2 button's & a winder. I just polished the original glass, & put it on my wrist, thats all I've done.. It's probably never been serviced, but it keep very good time & the day date cronograpgh works 100%. The lume has fallen out, but other than that & some scratches, in the stainless steal case, it looks great. It still has the original stainless steal band. I use this watch as my every day watch, ive been all over the world with it, USA, Australia, Europe & Asia. Even though I have modern watches, I just use this one, because I never need to replace a battery.

Congratulations. That's a very pristine looking stunner. Thanks for the in depth review.

I buy this watch for 350 dollars from Venezuela one year ago in perfect condition I have the ufo watch too.

Beautiful watch (never seen one even on RU-vid) and great review! THANK YOU!

Eye catcher Peter ‼️ Hard to find this perfect timekeepers in my country but I will go in the search for. Congrats ‼️ Cheers.

Thank you for this video. I just found one two days ago in a thrift shop for AU$3. It's pretty banged up and scratched, and the chrono button jams when pressed, but still works perfectly. I'm going to get it fixed and restored to its former glory and either buff or replace the crystal if possible. This video is very informative and really made me appreciate this incredible find. I plan on keeping it and wearing it. Such a beauty!

Stunning watch, fantastic video,awesome content.thank you for sharing.what a piece♥️

Love this watch. Have just added to my shortlist. I love 70’s watches. Something very special about many of them.

Hi Pete! Another very brilliant watch review, you have a unique approach, so well researched! And now I know where Straton gets it's inspiration from. Cheers!

Ooh, that is so nice, Peter! I am a sucker for vintage chronographs, Seiko in particular. I own two authentic 6139 chronographs (not nearly in as good condition as your 6138) and they are still a joy to wear after all these years. They are so reliable and very accurate, and my amazing watchmaker, Hisao-San, in North Vancouver has no problem in servicing them (and sourcing parts, when needed). I agree on the lume issue... mine are definitely very fragile and I would have preferred no lume.

Great vid and ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS timepiece!

What an interesting and specific reason to seek out the JDM, scraped lume. Rare to see a watch video that delves into the maintenance side of things. Really adds an extra layer to an already informative and beautiful vid.

Thx for sharing your watch. I can absolutely relate. Have an Omega Seamaster from the '50s with separate sec, and one af the first numbers of Rolex Submariner that came to my country in the 60's - The "James Bond Watch". Both from my father's brother. I have "stuff", but those are my most precious belongings....The Omega first because of the history behind it. And now you have created an other "MUST HAVE" in my soul - a Seiko Bullhead

Wow I love this watch! I have never heard of it before. Thanks Peter!

It’s a very nice looking watch, Pete. Thank you for sharing. Greetings from Mexico

Seiko STILL make amazing and outstanding watches!

Thks for sharing yr knowledge on "Bullhead", mine had d same problem on not reseting to original position. Didn't know it's because of the minute hand that slightly thicker. Can't imagine why seiko didn't notice the issue when they roll out the "Bullhead". Cheers

Awesome vintage watches. Im amazed at the variety they provided back then

Super upload of a grail Seiko; if I might add, an extra bonus of the JDM version is having your dual language option in Japanese kanji; to me these are really beautiful as they perfectly fit the vertical position of the day date. Thank you for sharing your comments and knowledge, there is so much to enjoy here.

Enjoyed your video ! I have a similar one, except the sweep hand is orange instead of yellow, so maybe yours is an earlier model than mine... I bought mine brand new in the mid-1970s after graduating from college and working as a computer programmer... I don't remember what I paid for it, but I didn't make a lot of money back then, so it must have been very affordable for me... plus I loved the looks of it. The store that I bought it from, Diamond Wholesale, was located in Warren, Ohio across the street from where I worked... so I would stop in there and browse around on my lunch hour. I wore it for several years... the minute timer hand would move around and not stay in place... I just had it repaired along with a few other watches that I accumulated over the years... always loved the self-wind chronograph watches... seems hard to find good watch repair services locally these days... I found a guy in Texas that repaired it and my other watches. Good to know that the "Bullhead" (I didn't know it was called that !) is such a collectors' timepiece... Thank you for the info... I have no idea where my original instructions went, and it has been many years since I have worn my Bullhead !

Hi Peter, thanks for the interesting video. I have the same model, but not the JDM version. One thing worth mentioning is that because the chrono operates by means of a vertical friction clutch, it is better to leave the chrono running in daily use rather than having it stopped. Otherwise, the clutch is constantly slipping and can wear out. The opposite applies for most other brands, particularly the Swiss, where it is better to only use the chrono when actually timing something, and leaving it stopped the rest of the time. Mine's on the original fishbone bracelet, but I'm really digging the matching brown leather strap you show in the video!

You're awesome - love every review !!!

Thanks for this video, I never knew about this model that you presented.

Beautiful watch to wear and to collect :) I have both the automatic and the Quartz seiko bullhead . The only Quartz which I have is the seiko bullhead reissue SCEB009.

Great video. I used to own the black version, and now I only own a Kakume blue. 6138s are great watches. One small comment: Seiko still makes great watches and movements. They were great in the 70s, and have spent the last few years returning to their former glory.

What a beautiful watch. Thank you for sharing!

I have the blue version. Bought new in 1977. Last year it hat the first (!) revision.

Seiko have the best looking watches. Would love a Recraft series comeback with this included. Another great review Pete.

I am a big fan of the Bullhead. Several companies tried to bring them back, sadly they failed. I picked up a beautiful piece from APH Toscano and another from Stuckx. I think both companies failed. I know Stratton still produces Bullheads if anyone is interested. As for movements, they primarily use the Seiko VK.

This is a beautiful looking watch. I love the 70's style watches.

Great looking watch really think this is a unique one, love that vertical day date at the 6!

Hi PEter, thanks for a new video. I happen to have the exact same Speedtimer bullhead allbeit with an orange tachymeter timer hand.

I have always liked bullheads. I have a Citizen from the 70's and the recent Legera from Straton. These watches are not only fun, Seiko's VK movements are excellent. The watches are also a great conversation starter.

An awesome piece to have in one’s collection. Congrats on the score.

Awesome video man!!! Really enjoyed this

Nice video. The bracelet with the thin center link is called a fishbone bracelet

Nice review Peter, very interesting and informative and a lovely and interesting watch.

Love the video Peter! It seems that Citizen released this model (in quartz version though...battery I assume... ) again in Japan! I wonder, once you are closer that a lot of us followers of your channel, you could delight us with a review of the new model? :-) Greetings from Brussels, L.

Superlative video. I still use my 6138 and it works very well with NOS lume. They were many of 6138´s to sell in Buenos Aires used late 1980´s for less than 30 UD dollars because all wanted quartz. I bought some Seikos and Citizens chronos , I should have bought far more :) Cheers!!!

I have a John Player Special and love it!! Perfect dial and hands. Watch lovers always ask about when I wear it in public.

That is a beautiful Seiko. My favorite Japanese watch brand . Classic rugged look.

What a fantastic looking watch. Amazing condition too.

I picked up one of tbese a year or so ago. Scratched all over but all original and cleaned up great. The epitome of 70's style!

thanks for showcasing this watch. recently saw a video on the seiko "pogue", seiko really made some unique watches. i think they play it too safe with their design choices compared to their 70's watches.

An absolutely beautiful piece, Peter, you have some amazing vintage seikos, I love this clean example of a bullhead, didn't know about the lume problem, so when I buy one in the future I'll get it without lume

Thank you for this pleasurable video my friend. I would just love to see this watch dressed up in that Engineer Bracelet you showed.

man, there used to be so many interesting case designs during the 60s and 70s I’d like to see come back.

These 70s seiko chronographs are great,I've a rather battle scarred 6138 (av017m)which is from 1974,I picked it up around 20 years ago from a small repair shop as an uncollected repair,it works fine and has the original bracelet too.I wear it occasionally, think I paid £45 for it at the time.

I wish Tag heure would do a watch like this such a great design.

I have managed to get myself one these Bullheads. Absolutely love it. I found a Citzien bullhead also.

Have that one...love it!!!!

wow it looks NOS. Excellent piece - congrats!!

Even tho I'm a citizen fan I must admit the seiko bullhead is one of the best looking chronograph ever made

I learned a few things about Seiko from this video and I hope I'm not far too wrong in concluding that the movement in the movement in this watch may well be the Toyota Corolla of watches. It is for this well known reliabilty that I drive a Toyota and own a few Seikos ! Thank you for making this video. What a beautiful watch, reliability aside !

Beautiful. Nice thing about the lume info cause I always thought that chronograph without it makes more sense. Just as dress watch doesn't need a date complication. Just as dive watch doesn't need lumed top on seconds hand. It needs it on the balance opposite just for the reference that the watch is still working under water. I always get a smile when I see chrono with diver bezel lumed on dress leather with digital date widow.

Thanks for the video, Peter. I learn a few things today. I have the blue one. Yours is much nicer. Keep my heart pumping. I have dozen chronographs. I am a seikoholic. I also collect other vintage seiko/gs/ks. Altogether l have 65. Just the other day my watchmaker friend offered me a rare ks. I told l have too stop. I also collect modern GS/seiko, which equally many. My wife says l am an addict, haha..

I read where one of the commentors had said that a couple of companies who made bullheads had gone out of business. That is unfortunate. I have a Dart Wahoo Bullhead and I really like it. I spoke with the owner and sadly he said that this line he did not intend to continue. I believe a company called Detroit Mint just put out something similar to what Brad Pitt wore in a recent film. Your Seiko is awesome. I have the Citizen model from that era. I am happy to say that it still runs fine.

Reminds me of old-school pocket watches..... amazing design.

Taught me things I didn't know about this watch.

I like the Industrial Art component to it. Seiko needs to bring back this edge in it's designs and stop playing it safe. In my visits to bazaars some unique old Seiko's can be found mixed in with misc stuff. A lot of Nam Vet's (70's) brought back a variety of Seiko's, some still sitting around in a old boxes. Another great vid, Peter.

I searched for ages for a good quality pogue,it was my holy grail ,now i have one,but the bullhead ,especially a good one,is like willy wonkas golden ticket,im still searching,i might find one eventually!

Beautiful watch!

I personally prefer the citizen version (i have 3 of them) just because it has the same features but also has a flyback chronograph which the Seiko doesnt have. That said - i would love to get the Seiko on day, this color especially!

Bullheads are great, I just took delivery of my Citizen with the silver dial and orange hands. Sadly, I have never seen one of these Seikos for sale (yet!)

Oh yessssss!You lucky man! That is amazing. How much is original. Looks like it has new parts. I'd rather have new bits than a tatty watch.The pushers make more sense at the top

I love this watch and wish they'd release a modern version of it.

Ive got this same watch on a dark brown leather rally bracelet with white stitching. looks amazing.

I like collecting vintage Seikos. This particular model is on my 'to acquire' list. Aesthetically, l think this Bullhead is nicer looking than the Omega's and Citizen's Bullhead.

I had this watch in the 70’s and loved it. It developed the problem where the second hand didn’t return to the 12 o’clock position so I sent it back to Seiko for repair. It was gone for a long time before I finally got a quote for the repairs. Don’t remember the exact figure but it probably cost half as much as the watch which was probably around $200 at the time. Not wanting to spend that kind of money for a repair I told them to just send me back the watch figuring I just would use it as a constant second hand and forget the stopwatch feature. The watch arrived a few days later fully assembled but without the two pushers in place leaving two holes at the top of the watch rendering it useless because of the dirt etc. that would eventually finish off the watch. Another call to Seiko to complain about what they’d done thinking perhaps they’d make amends but it wasn’t to be. Hadn’t bought another Seiko till only recently but I always loved that watch and concur that it’s design is a classic.

Such a cool watch to have back then and still looks great now.

Im a seiko lover but have one citizen in my collection.octagonal bullhead.its a lovely watch.would love a seiko also.

Seiko needs to reissue this watch and at a reasonable price.

Lovely cool watch Peter, there was also a black dial version as well with a black bezel. I've got the UFO 6138-0017 which is also a very cool watch, you are right Seiko made their best watches in their golden age between the late 1960s to the mid 1980s. One weak point of the movements on these I'm not sure you're aware of is the chronograph wheel, these are staked together & can break apart if the chronograph is reset from just before the 12 o'clock position, so the chronograph hand has to fly back round most of the dial. You are better off letting it just tick past 12 then stop & reset it so it has less distance to travel back & less force is required. Good to see you've bought a 6138 they are great watches & very underrated, cheers

It is a gorgeous watch...😍👌🏻

Nice video. Wearing mine now! Btw don't reset it when it's near the bottom of the dial. You can destroy your chronograph clutch.

Bullheads are not only fun, they are quite practical. Pity more companies aren't making them these days.

Stunning

what a watch.. amazing

Beautiful

Interesting point on the lume as nearly all lumed watches, the lumen is applied to the underside of the hand and should not interfere with the reset of the chrono secondhand. I can only think some older eatches were relumed from above at a later date causing issues or blobs of lume sticking up. The 6138 are great movements. I have 3 6138 UFOs and would love a bullhead.

Great video, I initially liked the blue/black color scheme but this is also gorgeous. Did you have this piece polished and cleaned by your watch man, is this the original crystal? Thanks for the info about the lume, I will keep this in mind as I look around for one. BTW, does this also have a kanji option? Cheers.

Incredible

Absolutely stunning, lucky man....

Beautiful, sympathetic refinish . Kakume “ square eyes “ . Thanks for showing it;) Perhaps consider keeping the sweep hand running or only do hard reset at 55s mark in order to reduce stress ;)

WANT WANT WANT! Seiko ...... Stick your millions of Turtle variants where the sun don't shine and bring out an exact reissue of this gorgeous watch! Oh and while you're at it, get a Pogue happening too!

Just scored my birth year one , from some dude in oz . So excited

great review.

Hi Pete! Oh. My. God! This is one of my favourite timepieces of ᴀʟʟ ᴛɪᴍᴇ. And it's a ᴘᴇʀғᴇᴄᴛ example in the ᴘᴇʀғᴇᴄᴛ colours. I'm just dumbfounded mate. Is this a recent buy or have you been having it restored? And where the ʜᴇʟʟ do you get hold of your vintage Seiko? You have one of ᴛʜᴇ best examples of a 6105 Capt. Willard I've ever seen, and now one of ᴛʜᴇ best examples of a Seiko Bullhead I've ever seen! What else are you hiding away? Congrats mate. You have an enviable collection and absolutely superb taste in timepieces. BTW; '69 is my birth year. Tʜᴇ year of Automatic Chronographs, so I'm spoiled for choice when it comes to my long awaited Birth year watch. It's between this piece, a Heuer Monaco & a Zenith El Primero! Great, Great upload buddy. Best wishes. A.

To the 21 idiots who didn't like this video, I'd say: Can you do it better? Thanks for this and many other excellent videos. I learned so much about bulhead style watches.

I used to own one of these when they were relatively inexpensive and really regret selling it, prices have rocketed since!