The Seiko 6139 "Pogue" automatic chronograph – a historical movement in its own right, like this quite difficult to find full serviced 1973 Seiko 6139-6002 "Silver Surfer" here, on its original Seiko Stelix "presidential" bracelet – was one of the first automatic chronographs created and ranks with Zenith’s El Primero and Heuer’s Calibre 11.
Back in the 1970’s, Heuer and Zenith had taken hold of the entire sports watch industry by racing to become the first to produce an automatic chronograph. It has been widely debated who won, but in the background of this skirmish, Seiko quietly created one at the same time, beating the Swiss at their own game – the Seiko Ref. 6139.
During the early months of 1969, Seiko put the final touches on its revolutionary 6139 chronograph - in fact, the Japanese company first began putting the 6139 in automatic chronographs as early as January of the same year.
Seiko published its first advertisement for their new automatic 6139 chronograph in February 1969, easily beating the Swiss - however, the company was concentrating on the release of the world's first quartz watch, the Astron, which would completely disrupt the watch world as it was known at the time (again, much to the chagrin of the Swiss watch industry, we're certain). We possess 6139 dials dating back to October 1968, indicating Seiko beat all other rivals to produce the world's first automatic chronograph. Period.
We all know Omega was the first watch on the moon, mostly because Omega won’t let us forget (ever). However, the first automatic chronograph in space was the more humble and less publicized Seiko 6139-6005, named after US astronaut Colonel William Pogue, who wore his on the 1973 Skylab 4 mission - despite not obtaining NASA authorization – to time shuttle engine burns due to his familiarity with the watch and trust in its capabilities…trusting the lives of himself and fellow astronauts to the reliability of his Seiko. When asked about his 6139, Pogue confirmed the story and sold his in a 2008 charity auction for $6k.
The 6139 was the first chronograph to have a vertical clutch, a feature considered to be one of the hallmarks of a superior automatic chronograph movement. The 6139 features an automatic column wheel timing control and an integrated chronograph, which means the entire movement was designed and built to be a chronograph, vice being an automatic movement with a mere timing module. The movement features a single register chronograph allowing time to be measured in increments of 30 minutes.
This Pogue comes on its original stainless-steel Stelux "Presidential" bracelet, and with nylon strap, rugged travel case, and springbar tool.
1973 Seiko 6139-6002 "Silver Surfer" Automatic Chronograph, w/Original Bracelet
DIAL: Brilliant silver sunburst dial, with matching minute, hour, and dual red chronograph hands. Day/date at 3 o’clock position, with correct Roman/English day lanquages, works nicely. Inner tachymeter ring rotates smoothly as designed. Lume plots shine nicely, following exposure to strong light.
CASE: Stainless-steel C-case measures 41mm (w/o crown, 42mm with) x 46mm, with no evidence of machine polish. Vibrant red and blue “Pepsi” bezel insert in sharp condition.
CRYSTAL: Seiko 6139-correct Hardlex crystal, no scratches.
BAND: This 6139 comes with its original Stelux "Presidential" bracelet, which will fit up to an approx. 7.5 inch wrist; it also comes with a black nylon strap.
MOVEMENT: Seiko 17-jewel 6139B automatic movement, manufactured in March 1973. We have performed a full service on this Seiko 6139 Silver Surfer.
CROWN: Recessed original unsigned stainless-steel crown.
CHRONOGRAPH PUSHERS: Chronograph pushers depress with satisfying click – no sticking. Red chronograph main and subdial hands reset as designed to zero.