Seiko's 6139 chronograph was the choice of numerous adventurers - from racecar drivers to astronauts, fighter jet pilots to musicians. Not only this, the Seiko 6139 automatic chronograph – a historical movement in its own right, like this serviced gold 1972 Seiko 6139-6015 automatic chronograph here – was the first automatic chronograph created, beating Zenith’s El Primero and Heuer’s Calibre 11 to the title.
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 the skirmish Seiko quietly created their own, beating the Swiss at their own game – the Seiko Calibre 6139.
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 at least November 1968, indicating Seiko beat all other rivals to produce the world's first automatic chronograph. Period.
This Seiko 6139 Cevert comes on a gold stainless-steel bracelet, and with nylon strap, rugged travel case, and springbar tool.
Gold 1972 Seiko 6139-6015 Automatic Chronograph
DIAL: Gold Seiko-signed dial, with matching minute, hour and vibrant red chronograph hands. Day/date - with English/Spanish day variants - functions at 3 o’clock position work nicely. Lume plots are in good condition - with correct pearly-white and sugar cube-texture (and light uniform patina) we love to see on good 6139 examples - and shine following exposure to strong light.
CASE: 41mm (w/o crown, 42mm with) x 46mm stainless-steel case with "Water Resist" signed caseback. Gold case evinces light wear, but gold plating remains mostly uniform throughout with no machine polishing.
CRYSTAL: Hardlex crystal, no scratches or imperfections.
BAND: This Cevert comes on a high-quality gold aftermarket stainless-steel bracelet, which will fit up to an approx. 8.25 inch wrist; it also comes with a brown leather strap w/gold hardware.
MOVEMENT: Seiko 17-jewel 6139B automatic movement, manufactured in December 1972. Although not performed by us, this watch performs as if has been serviced in the last few years.
CROWN: Recessed unsigned gold-plated stainless-steel crown.
CHRONOGRAPH PUSHERS: Chronograph pushers depress with satisfying click – no sticking. Black chronograph main and subdial hands reset to zero.