An iconic piece of Automatic Chronograph history.
Features:
The Series. Seiko released a now iconic series of watches using their 6138 movement; The Kakume, The Bullhead, The Panda, The UFO, The Jumbo and The Calculator. These are all incredibly collectable pieces for modern Seiko fans, and as a result… they’re all commonly faked, frankensteined, or cobbled together with “aftermarket” (read: fake) parts. I don’t think eBay has seen a genuine 6138 or 6139 since the late 1990s (even Reddit has had its fair share of slightly shall we say “questionable” 6138 watches up for sale). My longwinded point is that not only is this 6138 Kakume the rare early years JDM variant, but it’s also all original (apart from the bracelet).
The Dial. The 1970-1973 champagne dial version, only released in Japan. Made in the Suwa factory (stamped with their logo at 3 o’clock) and featuring the double lume pips at 12 o’clock. All of the lume is original. I debated re-luming the hands, but decided against it. I hate when dial lume and hand lume don’t match in terms of patina/age, and there’s noting worse than a 50 year old watch with bright white modern lume on it.
The Hands. The correct and original arrow-point JDM hands. Absolute minimal fading on the yellow second and chronograph hands - it really is very slight. You’ll see plenty of 6138 watches will repainted hands and just like the lume situation, it often leaves them looking overly bright/saturated and out of place. You will often see different hands on this dial/era of the Kakume, but please note the arrow-point hands are the correct versions. Baton hands came later, and are more common which is why they often end up frankensteined into early 6138 watches.
The Caseback. The original Suwa horseshow case back found on the early Kakumes only.
The Crystal. Not original to the watch, but an OEM dead stock crystal bought in Japan.
The Bracelet. Not at all original, although it looks original. It’s a “Kakume” bracelet from Uncle Seiko.
Condition: Aged, but visually pleasing. The lume doesn’t work and is damaged on the minute hand. It’s up to the buyer obviously, but I would strongly recommend against “fixing” it.
Scope: No original box or papers – sent in a Provenance Watches leather case.
Movement: 6138 Automatic Chronograph
Movement: Quartz
Dimensions:
- Lug to Lug: 45.0mm
- Case Width: 42.0mm
- Case Thickness: 14.5mm
- Strap Width: 20.0mm
Delivered in a beautiful custom stamped (Provenance Watches) leather travel case. Makes for a perfect gift.
