Very nice yellow dial 6139-6002 from July 1971 with rare English/Chinese day wheel. Serviced with new glass November 2020. This watch is the non JDM/US version of the 'True Pogue' the model that Colonel Pogue wore into Space in 1974.
All original except for crystal which was replaced at service (original available on request). These watches are referred to as the 'Pogue' after Colonel William Pogue who wore his own personal 6139 on NASA's Skylab 4 mission in 1973, the third and final mission to the United States’ first space station. Although the 6139 was never formally approved for mission use, Pogue stated that his operated flawlessly during his time in space where he used it to time engine burns. Pogue said that as he had been using his Seiko during training for up to year before the mission launched, (they weren't issued their Omega Speedmaster's until very late in training) and had grown familiar with the Seiko, he decided to bring it as his trusted timepiece without seeking official approval from NASA
Click here to read a GQ piece about this iconic watch
Manufactured by the Suwa factory in July 1971 and fully serviced in August 2020. Movement is freshly lubricated, clean and free of any deterioration. Keeping great vintage time. Automatic chronograph with a single thirty minute register at 6 o’clock and internal rotating bezel with tachymetre scale, operated via the crown. Chronometer functions all working as they should, buttons click nice and firmly and it resets perfectly to zero. Day/Date functions working correctly by pushing in the crown lightly for day and more firmly for date. Cosmetically in good condition with no serious scuffs on the crystal, body or bezel.
Resist 'T' dial from July 1971 on original straight H link bracelet (will fit up to 19cm wrist). Dial has some nice UV patina and inner bezel some fade but for me this is all part of it’s story and it looks & feels lovely in person. The case and caseback are in good condition, never machine polished. An interesting & rare feature is its English/Chinese day wheel, leading me to believe it would have originally been sold via the Thong Sia. Co probably in Hong Kong or Singapore.
Movement: Original, SEIKO Suwa 6139B - Great condition with screw heads in excellent shape. Fully serviced, test worn for 48 hours & keeping chronometer grade time during inspection. Please see photo of watch on timegraher for readings, accuracy shown cannot be guaranteed but +/- 10 s/d is our benchmark for serviced watches. Day/date turn over at midnight & quickset works as it should. Not guaranteed water resistant.
Serviced with fresh pusher and crown gaskets but not guaranteed waterproof
Dial: Yellow/gold, in good overall condition. It has a nice UV patina and sub dial has some minor deterioration to edge hardly noticeable to the naked eye. Inner bezel has some UV fade but as observed at service is original and the yellow is bright on reverse side. Lume to indices is very good for the age of the watch.
Day/Date at 3 o'clock Day in English and French, features the classic Sunday in red
Glass: Unmarked, replaced at service (original available on request)
Hands: Original. Hour and minute hand lume show minor age related discoloration, second sweep and sub dial hands are in good condition
Case: Original, unpolished stainless steel, minor age related wear but no bad dings. Caseback is in great shape with serial number and reference numbers still clearly legible
Jewels: 17
Beat Rate: 21,600bph
Diameter: Approx. 41mm
Lug width: 19mm
Band: Original stainless steel straight H-Link bracelet with original clasp, will fit up to a 19cm wrist.
Crown: Original, well fitted
Year and location of manufacture - July 1971 - Serial No.170889 - Japan SEIKO Suwa Factory
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