For sale - Seiko 6139-6010
The earliest production automatic chronograph
The Seiko 6139-6010
When I say in the subtitle to this listing that the Seiko 6139-6010 is the earliest production automatic chronograph, I am not alluding to the fact that Seiko’s 6139 caliber references in general were the first such watches to be launched (although of course that is absolutely correct - despite some convoluted claims regarding how the Zenith El Primero is the first because it was ‘announced’1 on January 10th 1969).
No - what I am stating is the actual watch that is offered here for sale, is the earliest known production example of an automatic chronograph wristwatch in the world.
As is so often the case when it comes to explaining the background to a seminal reference from Seiko’s vast and illustrious back catalogue, I find myself strongly recommending you read an article written by Anthony Kable over at Plus9Time2.
Anthony’s article highlights what was - until the discovery of this watch - the earliest known production example of the 6139-6010 in existence, which was purchased from a job-lot auction in Japan a decade ago. Since the discovery of that watch, just one other example dating from the first month of production - January 1969 - has turned up, back in April 2019.
For those who are not aware, the first two characters in the serial number stamped into the caseback of a Seiko represent the year and month of production. Here, those numbers are 9 (1969) and 1 (January). The remaining digits are a sequential counter. The blue dialed watch featured in Anthony’s article has the serial number 910149. The watch presented here is the black dialed variant, and its serial number is just a single digit prior to that one - 910148.
The (somewhat contentious) Bruce Lee connection
Some time ago a watch dealer in the United States made the case3 for the black dial variant of the 6139-6010 to be the watch that Bruce Lee was pictured wearing on numerous occasions. Ever since then, the black-dialed 6139-6010 has become a highly sought after piece due to the celebrity connection.
Whilst aspects of the specific evidence and timeline presented in support of the claim that Bruce Lee wore this reference have been challenged (not the least being the claim that a photograph of Bruce Lee wearing the watch was taken in the United States prior to the reference’s actual Japanese launch), it is generally accepted that this reference has a very strong case in its favour for being the one Mr Lee frequently wore.
Indeed, so strong is the pull of the association with Mr Lee, today’s modern celebrities4 are seemingly falling over themselves5 to acquire an example (although it is worth noting that precisely which variant of the 6139 is the “true Bruce Lee” is rather loosely adhered to).
Before getting onto the specific watch offered for sale here, it is worth highlighting one more thing, which is that this year sees the celebration of both the 100th year of Seiko branded watches6, and of course the 55th anniversary of the launch of the 6139-6000 and 6139-6010.
Case serial number 910148
As mentioned earlier, the watch I am offering for sale has the case serial number 910148, which makes it the earliest known example of any Seiko 6139-xxxx reference in existence, and hence, the earliest known surviving example of any automatic chronograph from any brand, in the world.
It took a whole decade for a watch to surface that was manufactured earlier than the example featured in Anthony’s article. This watch, being adjacent in serial number to that one, was probably produced just minutes earlier.
How long it might take - if indeed it will ever happen - for a 6139-6010 earlier than this one to surface is anyone’s guess.
Rather than present photos, I believe that a well lit, high magnification video showing the watch from all angles is a much better way to share the condition of a watch. As one eminent watch dealer has said to me “Mon dieu - it’s better than handling a watch at an auction preview”. As such, I let the videos I create do most of the talking.
Mechanically, the watch is running about 1 minute slow per day.
The day and date change at midnight (changeover starts at around 10:30pm, and completes by 1:30pm), with the day wheel being bilingual in Japanese and English. Additionally, the quickset day/date mechanism (push in the crown one step to change just the date, and two steps in to advance both the day and date) is functioning correctly.
The chronograph mechanism starts, runs, stops, and resets to zero reliably.
Please note that I do not intend to submit this watch for a service prior to shipping. I do not have the correct original bracelet for this reference, and will ship it without bracelet or strap.
Price and delivery
Should this watch sell, I believe it will set a new record for any Seiko 6139. Some may well baulk at the price (and that’s fine - by all means use the comment section below to share your thoughts and opinions), but the simple fact of the matter is that this is not just any old 6139-6010 - indeed it is not just any old “Bruce Lee” 6139-6010 (which I am led to believe typically trade for less than half the price I am asking here).
This is the earliest known production example of an automatic chronograph wristwatch in the world, and hence of significant historical importance. Afterall, in the words of Gerd-Rüdiger Lang, who was working at Heuer in 1969 -
“The automatic chronograph was the greatest horological invention of the 20th century.”
US$8,000 including worldwide fully insured courier delivery. No dealers. Collectors only.
Comments are open below for discussion.
Very Interesting piece. As I own a similar one (actually it’s a 6139-8002) from 1971 and as testament of it’s sturdiness let me take the liberty to drop a couple of extra lines to comment. I received ditto watch for my 18th birthday in 1971. Yes 52 years ago, makes me feel real old I guess. I wore the watch for about 20 years 24/7 as my only watch scuba diving, rock climbing, skiing, sailing, you name it I have done it all until I got bored with it and dropped it to buy a new one. I had lost track of it, moving a number of times and relocating first to Australia and then back to Italy but I finally found it back stuffed in an old box where it had spent the last thirty years. You can probably imagine my delight in putting it back on my wrist and finding it was still working just fine but considering that the pushers were stuck and the time passed I got it serviced and now still wear it from time to time. A testimony of loyalty that lasts a lifetime.
I actually have a couple of relevant shots which I would have loved to share (me in 1971 😎) but I am not sure it can be done on this channel.
Feels like the subheading doesn’t do this justice. At least add “in the world” or “ever” 😂
Feel like the sort of watch which wouldn’t struggle to hit 5 figures in a Phillips auction. Maybe even 6 if we had any irrational exuberance left in the market.