seiko yachtsman

FIFTH WRIST

Owner review: seiko 6138 yachtsman a.k.a ufo.

I have a thing for vintage Seiko watches . Dive watches, dress watches, chronographs, I like them all. But one watch that really caught my eye was the Seiko 6138 Yachtsman. It is better known as the UFO, due to its flying saucer-shaped case. The UFO is a bruiser of a vintage chronograph measuring in at 44 mm wide and 15 mm tall. With a 6.75 in (ca. 17 cm) wrist, its size gave me pause.

For me, the first step in buying a vintage Seiko is research. So, I read all that I could find and meticulously studied pictures of original UFOs so that I would be ready to buy when the opportunity arose. Yet, I was still conflicted by the size.

Then one evening, while perusing WatchRecon, I saw it. An original Seiko 6138-0017 from 1971. After a quick negotiation with the seller, it was mine!

The dial is an inky black with contrasting hour and minute sub-dials that are silver-gray with orange accents. There is an applied Seiko logo at 9 o’clock that is balanced by a Suwa sign and a day-date window at 3. My UFO has the white lumed shorty handset where the minute hand barely reaches the hour markers. UFO chronometer hands usually range in color from pale yellow to red; mine is bright orange. The black tachymeter scale bezel with the deep red ring of color is, in my opinion, one of Seiko’s best. A large unsigned crown makes hand-winding easy. The five engraved rings on the pushers fittingly bring pistons to mind. My UFO didn’t come with an original bracelet, but an aftermarket one from a favorite Uncle does the job quite well.

As for the size, yes, the UFO is tall and chunky. However, due to the hooded lugs and the short 47 mm lug-to-lug length, it actually wears small.

In the end, I could not be happier with my Seiko 6138 Yachtsman UFO. And I would highly recommend one to anyone looking for a timeless vintage chronograph with a great color scheme and wrist presence.

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Seiko 6138 UFO / Yachtman Reference Guide

Automatic chronographs by Seiko, issued in the 70’s, hold a special place among collectible vintage watches. Some watch aficionados build their entire collections around legendary movements 6138 and 6139.

The number of iconic models here is staggering: Pogue, Panda & its “baby” variant, Kakume… And the list is never complete without one of the most emblematic pieces: the Seiko UFO, also known as the Yachtman .

It’s massive, it’s beautiful and it’s famous. What’s not to like? No wonder why the UFO’s are so popular – everybody wants one for their collection. After reading this guide, you’ll know how to purchase one and avoid getting ripped off.

Table of Contents

Seiko UFO: the ADN

Name: ufo, yachtman, big/small eye.

The most common name for 6138-001X is “UFO” because of its characteristic case that looks like a flying saucer. Despite the size (44mm!), it actually may fit even smaller wrists (16.5+ cm / 6.5+ in) thanks to the lugless case.

To my knowledge, the only reference to the “Yachtman” nickname is an ad printed by Unimetrics Inc., an official Seiko US distributor in the 70’s.

The last variation of the name is “Big Eye-Small Eye” – as you can see, the sub-dials are slightly different in size.

As seen on TV

Our featured watch is a frequent guest on big screen. You may know that Jean-Paul Belmondo is a watch aficionado. In some of his movies he is seen with a Submariner, a Breitling Chronomat or a Tank by Cartier. Apparently he also enjoyed wearing Japanese timepieces – such as the Seiko UFO in Le Magnifique .

Another movie is Bicentennial Man with Robin Williams. Given its IMDB rating, I decided against watching this movie, so can’t tell you much about the story. Screenshot below.

The Big/Small Eye is considered as an iconic model in Japan as well, as evidenced by the Japanese investigation movie Stone’s Cocoon ( Ishi no Mayu ) where main role Kimura Fumino is wearing a watch that belonged to her dead father.

Last but not least, we have this infamous ad by McDonald’s, where a boy goes through the belongings of his dead father and finds a Seiko 6138 Yachtman. The fast-food company had to withdraw the ad after hundreds of complaints from customers who thought that the commercial – released close to Father’s Day – cynically exploited childhood bereavement. You can watch the full version of the ad here .

Model numbers

As usual with Seiko’s, several model numbers were used, some for domestic models ( Japanese domestic market or JDM ), some for international, and some for both.

The following numbers can be encountered:

Technically, these are not model numbers but “movement-case” reference numbers, as they are composed of the movement code (6138) and the case code (0010/0011/0012/0017/0019 – yes, I know that the case looks exactly the same – still, the code is different for some reason). For the ease of use, however, we will call them “model numbers” in this article. We will discuss the differences between these model numbers later on.

Release date and retail price

The first reference of the watch can be found in the 1969/1970 US catalog. It disappears from catalogs in 1979. Based on this information and all the casebacks I had a look at, I assume that the UFO was produced between 1970 and 1978/1979.

The watch retailed for 20,000 yen in Japan and for $135 in the US. Taking into account inflation since 1970, this corresponds to 65,000 yen and $870 today.

UFO in the catalogs

From 1969/1970 to 1978, all the catalogs that I could find. It’s obviously hard to see all the details, but these are helpful to track dial variations.

How to buy an authentic Seiko 6138 Yachtman?

Enough of theory. Let’s scroll through these eBay listings and see whether we can get something authentic… Unfortunately, there are loads of “Feikos” out there. Dials, bezels, hands – all of them can be aftermarket and often it’s hard to tell the difference. And then there are franken-masters who will replace missing parts with parts from other watches. Let’s have a look at the main elements of the UFO, one by one.

This Seiko is equipped with the 6138 automatic chronograph movement ( click here for a list of all models powered by 6138 ), released in 1970 (or 1969 according to some sources – but I haven’t seen any UFO’s manufactured in 69). The 6138 caliber, running at 21,600 beats per hour, has two variations – the 6138A and the 6138B with a modified switching mechanism. The 6138A has 21 jewels and the 6138B either 21 or 23 jewels.

Here’s an example of the 6138A, installed in a Japanese domestic Seiko UFO 6138-0011 produced in 1971:

According to my research, based on catalogs and photographs posted by owners, the UFO was equipped with the 6138A and then, starting somewhere in 1972, with the 6138B which was always marked “21 jewels”. Below is an example of a 1972 Yachtman equipped with the 6138B:

Dial families: early JDM, international & late JDM

We can group the different versions of dials in three “families” based on the marking at 9 o’clock:

• “Seiko 5 Sports Speed-Timer” : we will refer to this version as “early JDM” dial
• “Seiko Chronograph Automatic” : “export” or “international” dial
• “Seiko Speed-Timer” : this is the “late JDM” dial

The main difference is of course the marking. Note that on JDM versions, all the words are printed whereas on international dials “Seiko” is applied. But there are additional differences out there.

Proof/Resist

If you take a closer look at three dial photographs above, you will notice that, under the day-date window, markings are different:

• Water 70m Proof on the first, early JDM dial (this watch – a 6138-0010 – was manufactured in March 1970)
• Water 70m Resist on the second, international dial (6138-0011 manufactured in March 1972) – if you’re wondering, the day is in Portuguese and it corresponds to Friday
• No water resistance indication on the “late JDM” dial (manufacture date unknown)

These differences can be encountered on other Seiko vintage watches (like the Pogues) and are explained by a law change in the United States which occurred sometime in 1968. In a nutshell, the term “water-proof” could no longer be used and had to be replaced by “water-resistant”. Seiko had to change the markings, but this change wasn’t immediate and varied across the markets. Without delving too much into this interesting topic, the following patterns can be observed when it comes to UFO’s:

• Water 70m Proof is seen on watches made until 1971
• Water 70m Resist is seen on watches made until 1972
• No water resistance marking on watches made starting from 1972

However, please note that this is not exact science. For instance, there have been sightings of UFO’s with resist dials and casebacks – which obviously can be easily replaced – indicating production dates up to 1977.

The Suwa sign is the little swirl printed at 3 o’clock in the first two pictures above. It is the logo of Suwa Seikosha, a Seiko subsidiary which became Seiko Epson later on.

On some watches, you will notice that the Suwa sign is printed right on top of the minutes sub-dial. This is the case of JDM dials without water resistance markings, as seen in the pictures below:

Colors may be mixed as well, with “Speed-Timer” in yellow and markers in orange. There are reports of a red color scheme as well.

Dial numbers

As you can see, the dial has some inscriptions between 7 and 8 o’clock, and between 4 and 5 o’clock. The first one always says “JAPAN 6138” . The second one is the dial reference number. It is different from the number displayed on the caseback. In the above example, it says “- 0010T” . So far I’ve seen five different dial numbers:

• 6138-0010T : early JDM dial, orange color scheme, with or without water proof indication
• 6138-0014T : early JDM dial, yellow or orange color scheme
• 6138-0015T : late JDM dial
• 6138-0020T : international dial, with or without water proof indication
• 6138-0029T : international dial, with water resist indication

My sample size is necessarily smaller when it comes to dial numbers, as you don’t always see them in the photos, so take the above information with a grain of salt. For instance, it is probable that 0029T also exists without water resist indication, but I haven’t seen one yet. What I also find curious is the position of inscriptions for references 0014T and 0015T. As you can see, it is somewhat closer to 7 and 5 hour markers. More research is definitely necessary to have the full picture about dial references.

Beware of aftermarket dials

As an iconic Seiko watch, the Yachtman is heavily faked and there are loads of aftermarket dials out there. Most of the time, they are quite easily detectable, but you’ll definitely need to train your eye. The most important elements to look for are:

• Fonts & characters : original dials use Seiko in-house fonts, so take a minute to closely observe how different letters look. For instance, the “O” in “Seiko” must be slightly oval, whereas it’s round in a lot of aftermarket dials. Print may be thinner or thicker than original.
• Spacing of elements : very often the spacing between different elements is wrong. For example, it can be the spacing between words in the water proof/resist marking.
• Position of elements : sub-dial markers are often positioned wrongly. Can be the case for other elements as well.
• Colors : if the dial is not black and the sub-dials are not silver, then you’re looking at a fake.
• Chamfer/frame around day/date windows : you may see that the space around day/date windows appears a bit darker and the texture is different on original watches. This “frame” is usually absent on aftermarket dials. However, sometimes it also barely visible (or absent whatsoever? to be confirmed) on legit ones, so this should never be the decisive element.
• Overall quality of print : aftermarket dials usually show lower printing quality (print is less sharp than original).

Here are a few examples of aftermarket dials, try finding the differences with original ones using the above checklist:

You probably noticed that in the photographs featured in this article so far the hands do not always look the same. Indeed, I counted at least five different sets (see the gallery below for pictures):

• “Arrowhead” hands : encountered on earlier models with 5 Sports Speedtimer dials. The hand tips may look a bit differently, this is what I called “type 1” and “type 2” in the gallery. I believe both are legit.
• Short hands with lume : encountered on earlier models with Chronograph Automatic dials. When I say short, I mean that the minute hand barely reaches the hour marker.
• Long “sword” hands with lume : the minute hand reaches the individual minute markers. Encountered on models with Chronograph Automatic dials.
• Long “sword” white-painted hands : encountered on models with early and late JDM dials.

The sweep second hand is either yellow, orange or red. The second hand color does not necessarily match the overall color scheme.

The sub-dial hands are always black. You can see plenty of examples of sub-dial hands and second hands in the photographs above.

Crown and pushers

The crown is ribbed and unsigned. The pushers are quite special on this model – they are engraved with 5 small rings.

Some of the aftermarket bezels are very well done and it may be hard to determine whether yours is original. Your best bet here is to look at the characters and the spacing, and use some common sense – if the case has quite a few scratches, the bezel simply can’t be flawless.

The crystal is Seiko proprietary mineral glass (hardlex). Reference #340W14GN. It’s easy to get a quality aftermarket replacement for ~$30 if the crystal is scratched, so I usually don’t worry much about this. It’s generally considered that having an aftermarket crystal does not reduce the value of the watch that much.

If you take a look at catalog shots above, you’ll notice that bracelets on models with export dials look different from models with JDM dials.

Bracelets for export models

According to my research, the bracelet (and the clasp) for export models looks like this:

There is also a very rare version of Stelux president bracelet, highlighted in the following video by Spencer Klein:

Some nice additional info in that video (including the fact that he has a UFO apparently produced in 1969 – unfortunately caseback is not shown), so definitely worth checking out.

Bracelets for domestic models

For JDM models, I’ve encountered two bracelet references: XAA240 and XAA541 and two variants of clasps, one marked “Seiko 5 Sports” for early JDM dials and one marked “Seiko Speedtimer” for late JDM dials.

There were two types of casebacks installed on Seiko UFO 6138-001X:

• The “elaborate” one, with a circle and the following markings: “SEIKO”, the Suwa sign, “Stainless Steel”, model number, “Water resistant” / “Water resist” / “Waterproof” (depending on the manufacture date), 6-digit serial number and “Japan J”. These casebacks were installed on all models except 6138-0012. In principle, the water resistance indication on the caseback should correspond to the dial marking, but in reality it’s far from always being the case.
• The “simple” one, with similar information but organized in a different, more basic way. These were only installed on 6138-0012 according to my observations.

Model numbers & patterns

Now that we’ve covered most of the important elements of a Yachtman, it’s time to share my observations regarding model numbers. These are just patterns that I noticed while handling some Seiko 6138 UFOs & checking various articles, forum threads and auction listings. As always – you may find some exceptions in your search!

• 6138-0010 : seen with both JDM (common) and international (rare) dials. JDM is always early dial, water proof indication, arrowhead hands, Suwa sign at 3 o’clock and manufactured in 1970 (I haven’t seen casebacks with later manufacture dates). International variants have proof indication and short hands.
• 6138-0011 : this is the most common model number, seen with both JDM (early and late) and international dials.
• 6138-0012 : both JDM (early and late) and international dials. This model has a simple caseback.
• 6138-0017 : only international dials. Long hands.
• 6138-0019 : only international dials. Quickly discontinued. Rare.

These patterns can clearly be improved with additional data, so do not hesitate to share your findings in the comments area.

Buying a Seiko UFO: the quick checklist

Ready to buy a 6138-001X ? Here is a checklist that you can use:

• Make sure you have clear pictures of the dial, the caseback, the movement, the sides of the case and the bracelet clasp. Ask for additional pictures if necessary.
• Dial : does it pass the authenticity test?
• Hands : if they are original, do they correspond to the dial? Do they look as if they may have been repainted?
• Movement : make sure it doesn’t show any corrosion / rust / humidity marks. What’s the service history? Do all the functions work as expected? Does the second hand return to zero? If some of the functions don’t work (e.g. chrono doesn’t start), repair may be expensive. On the other hand, if the only issue is sticking pushers (make sure they are authentic by the way), this is no big deal.
• Case : avoid over-polished cases, edges should be sharp.
• Caseback & model number : is it consistent with the dial and the hands?
• Bracelet : does the seller claim that it’s original? If there’s no bracelet, you can get a great replacement from Uncle Seiko.

Wrapping up

I hope that you found this information useful. Even though I tried to make this article as complete as possible, I am by no means a Seiko expert – if you notice some discrepancies or have something to add, please do so in the comments area below.

Bonus: scans of Seiko ads featuring the UFO

Further reading : check out our vintage Seiko reference guides

• Overview of Seiko 6138 Chronographs
• Seiko 6138 “Kakume” Reference Guide
• thewatchsite.com , The Quintessential “Dad Watch” (by Seiko Hoarder)
• thewatchbloke.co.uk , Seiko 6138-0010 chronograph & Seiko 6138-0011 chronograph
• forums.watchuseek.com , 1970s Seiko 6138-001X Chronograph Variations Review
• kernowwatches.co.uk , Seiko 6138-0012 aka The UFO

Vintage Watch Inc

Dennis is the founder and editor of Vintage Watch Inc. Passionate about Soviet and Japanese vintage timepieces and a finance professional by day, he proudly wears a Seiko Pogue with his suit.

21 Leave a Comment, Ask a Question

I just got a late ’71 6138-0011 with the ” Seiko 5 Speedtimer” dial print and a water proof caseback. This is a purchase from Japan and thought you should know. I can send you pictures of caseback if you’d like.

Hi Moe, thank you for your comment. This seems consistent with my observations: 0011 existed with both “Seiko 5 Speedtimer” and “Chronograph Automatic” prints. Water proof mentions are found on watch made until 1971, all fine here. Feel free to send me some pics of your watch (dial & caseback) through IG or Facebook so I can keep them for reference. Thanks again!

Thank you for an enlightening piece. I learned a lot.

Hi, I’ve got a seiko 6138 0011, the second sweep hand is white, same as minute and hour hands, is this possible?

Hi Ed, I’ve never seen a white second sweep hand on a UFO, so this is most likely a replacement. Feel free to send me a photo of your watch.

Thank you for the exhaustive article….I have a ’76 UFO with a 0020T dial that looks like the one in the picture, it doesn’t have a frame around the day date. According to the description it should be aftermarket but again even the 0020T above does not. So, “fake” or not?

Thanks for your comment. I think that we shouldn’t make decisions based solely on this frame. Feel free to send me a close-up photo of your dial. Let’s have a look.

Again, great discussion. Recently purchased a 0011 with a water70mresist under the date window. The case back dates from September 1971 with a 2 regional code. After reading your article, I opened the back to find it’s a 6138B movement. Can this be? The movement is exceptionally clean and even had the case spring (which is often missing). The watch has obviously been worked on as it has a plastic crystal and should have a hardlex one. Also the sweep hand appears to be white but it could be a faded yellow. I paid a fair price for the watch …  Read more »

Brilliant article and great knowledge to help …

Thanks for your comment! You noticed that the pushers are replacements, which means that the watch has necessarily been tinkered with. So, although the dial, the hands and the caseback seem period-correct, I wouldn’t buy this UFO unless the price was really good (which it isn’t). I also have doubts about the case: it seems to reflect light like a mirror, this doesn’t look like the original finish. Probably has been polished. If I wanted to get a 1970 UFO, I’d try to get it directly from Japan. Feel free to contact me through IG or FB if you need …  Read more »

Appreciate the advice. I was being swayed by the year as hard to find on eBay a 70 watch in a 6138 that I like. The seller is in Japan, do you have sources / contacts directly in Japan that sit outside of Ebay ? I am not on IG or FB, however you can DM me on Twitter @aarhlimited

On catawiki there are quite a few Seiko’s for auction, however they all look quite perfect ? Assume they have been ‘refreshed’ !

Thanks again for the knowledge – fascinating subject matter ??

Great article, thanks I was just looking for more information about this piece. I just got mine “early JDM” (6138-0010 March 1970) from my father, my grandfather bought it on a trip to Japan in the 70s. Anyway, the original bracelet broke at some time and I was wondering if you can help me with some info so I can buy one.

Again, great article.

Thanks for your comment. Original bracelets are sometimes sold on Yahoo! Japan auctions, however I’d suggest getting a great replacement bracelet from Uncle Seiko – that would be easier and cheaper.

Thanks so much for this article. I was looking for a birth year watch to replace a stolen one that is too painfully expensive to replace. I just got a 0019 from eBay today, original except for the bracelet. I’m very happy with it. Any advice on whether to let the chronograph run for the “best longevity”?

It is generally admitted that it’s better to leave 6138/6139 chronographs running.

Hello, I have a 6138 that I purchased myself in 1976. It has never been opened, repaired or refurbished. Any recommendation of where to send it to refurbish and keep authentic? I plan to put it up for auction and I know any auction house would want to see a documented process of refurbishment. Any suggestions

If you want to service the watch and keep it authentic, I’d suggest sending it to a reputable independent watchmaker specialized in vintage Seiko chronographs. Official Seiko service won’t help you. Feel free to get in touch if you need some help selling the watch.

Superb article, well done!

I have a question about the bonuses: it seems to me that the “Interview” ad comes from a Playboy magazine. Could you tell me which one?

Thank you in advance

Thank you for sharing the in depth research of Seiko UFO. Very valuable infos for future collector & keeping the watch price afloat.. Kudos.

I am curious about the case of the 6138 UFO. Is a totally unpolished case supposed to have a brushed finish? Currently considering one for sale however it the case seemed to be brushed on the surface. Seller claims that the watch is unpolished and unbuffed.

I just purchased a 6138-0010 today and found your article very useful. I reinforced my purchase and will continue to dig into the history and detail of the piece. I am now looking for the early JDM 5 Sports watchband. Any suggestions from folks as to where I might find one? Thanks!

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Vintage Icons: A Seiko 6138 Chronograph Collector’s Guide

Posted by Mike Johnson on July 17, 2018 in Articles , Collector's Guides

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Introduction

The 1970’s were a golden era for mechanical chronographs. From the iconic motorsports chronographs produced by Heuer to the austere military chronographs produced by Hamilton, Precista and CWC, the decade produced an incredible amount of unique vintage pieces.

Chronographs of this era are defined by their intricate dials with colorful accents, daring angular case shapes, and innovative mechanical movements. There is just something about the funky designs of the 1970’s that tick a lot of boxes for vintage collectors.

Yet some of the coolest vintage chronographs currently on the second-hand market came from Japan, most notably from Seiko. During the 1970’s Seiko released dozens of automatic chronograph models, most notably their 6138 (dual subregister) and 6139 (single subregister) line. Out of this group came several watches that have since become cult collector classics, with memorable nicknames like the “Pogue”, “Bullhead”, and “Kakume”.

And for collectors just getting into the vintage watch market, the old Seiko chronographs represents an incredible value. Although prices have been skyrocketing over the last few years, many amazing vintage Seiko watches can still be acquired for under $500. And I’d venture to say they are still cheap, considering the 6138 and 6139 line of watches represent a major milestone in horology – the world’s first automatic mechanical chronograph.

Today I’m focusing on the 6138 series of vintage Seiko watches – the much-loved dual subregister Japanese chronograph that has accrued many fans and admirers worldwide.

Vintage Seiko 6138 Model Overview

The 6138 Movement

Seiko 6138A Movement

The 21 jewel Seiko 6138A was first released in 1969, and was the first fully integrated two-register automatic chronograph with a column wheel and vertical clutch. An iteration of this movement was later released, called the 6138B, that had 23 jewels. Both of these movements are handwinding, automatic, and quickset day/date – an amazing technical achievement for the time, and one that beat many high-profile Swiss counterparts (including Breitling, Heuer, and Zenith) to the market.

Seiko was (and still is) one of the few distinguished watch companies in the world to produce their movements and parts in-house. From the proprietary alloys used to strengthen the mainsprings to the lubricating oils used to keep the parts moving freely, everything in this watch was produced by Seiko.

Not many companies can do this, even today, putting Seiko on-par with Rolex for achievements in technical manufacturing. In fact, it is speculated that Rolex adapted the layout of the column/wheel and vertical clutch mechanism in this movement for the Daytona, a watch that was released 30 years later.

Notes on Buying Used

The Seiko 6138 line of chronographs were affordable watches at the time of their release, and as a result they weren’t often treated with much care. That means that most vintage examples are well-used, and many of them have gone through some type of restoration or polishing.

The most important aspect of buying a used 6138 is ensuring that the movement has been recently serviced and is working well. The cost of servicing a vintage 6138 movement will likely exceed the cost of the watch itself, so take care when choosing a second-hand model.

The second most important aspect of buying these watches used is to inspect the case and ensure that no over-polishing has occurred. A hallmark of 6138 design was the intricate cases, with their blend of finishes and subtle curves and sharp lines. It’s very easy for a clumsy polishing job to completely destroy the subtle edges and facets that make these watches so attractive.

Finally, there are currently several aftermarket parts available for this model. The mineral crystal for example, is very easy to source, so don’t be put off when buying a used model that has a scratched or damaged crystal. The tachymeter bezel is also relatively easy to source, just be aware that this part may be a reproduction, and any 6138 with a spotless bezel is most likely to have other aftermarket parts. “Franken-watches” are common, and watches that contain a mish-mash of parts from several vintage models (the 6139 and 6138 had several interchangeable parts) are not as valuable as watches that contain all original parts. Buyer beware.

Seiko 6138-001X “UFO”

Seiko 6138 “UFO” (Photo Credit @timeforme84 )

One of the earliest releases in the 6138 line has been lovingly coined the “UFO” by vintage Seiko fans – a tribute to it’s vaguely extraterrestrial case shape and tendency to “float” on the wrist with its hidden lugs. Also referred to by Seiko as the “Yachtsman”, this colorful chronograph is a favorite amongst collectors.

One of its primary defining features is the use of a large and small subdial, with several color schemes utilized for the accent colors on the hands and dials (red, orange and yellow).

The 6138-0010 is the Speedtimer version (Japan Domestic Market) while the 0011 and 0017 were produced for export. The differences between these two are strictly cosmetic; the 0011 has a red sweep hand, lighter orange checkerboarding on the sub dial, and no mention of water-resistance on the dial, whereas the 0017 has a yellow sweep, darker checkering and is marked 70m water-resistant.

Seiko 6138-003X “Kakume”

Seiko Kakume (photo credit @Jen.Sen71 )

The “Kakume” is a highly collectable model in the 6138 range, and is named for its two square subdials (“Kakume” is Japanese for “Square Eyes”). It can be found in two colors, blue and a champagne colored dial (which is the rarer of the two options). There is also a JDM version that is branded with “5 Sports Speed-Timer”, while the exported versions were labeled with “Chronograph Automatic”. The champagne dial has a radial brushed satin finish with an orange outer track and black subdials, whereas the blue version has white subdials and a blue outer track. Both variants have solid orange hands on the main dial and subdials.

It has a large 43mm case, with short and narrow lugs (only 18mm), which can look a bit strange when compared to the proportions of modern sport watches of that size. It’s a beautiful combination of brushed and polished finishes, with many facets and curves that were a hallmark of Seiko design at the time.

The 6138-003 came with two bracelet styles, an angled oyster style bracelet (export) and a fishbone styled bracelet (JDM). These bracelets are incredibly difficult to find individually, so make sure the watch you’re purchasing comes with the original hardware.

Seiko 6138-004X “Bullhead”

Seiko 6138 Bullhead (photo credit @Jen.Sen71 )

The “Bullhead” 6138 is widely considered to be the most sought after model in the 6138 series. The nickname “Bullhead” is widely shared across many brands, and it generally refers to chronographs with pushers positioned at the top of the watch case (“Bull horns”). Although never really adopted in modern watch cases, the design was intended to prevent the wearer from accidentally setting off the chronograph while wearing the watch. My guess is that this wasn’t actually that big of a problem as they thought it might be.

The “Bullhead” was released in two primary colorways, a brown version with a reddish-brown dial/bezel inlaid with golden subdials, and a black version with steely blue subdials and black bezel. It’s big, measuring in at 44mm in diameter and 16mm thickness. This makes it one of the bulkiest watches that Seiko has ever produced, so don’t expect it to slide under your shirt cuff.

Like many other 6138s, this watch had two releases (one domestic and one export). The “Sports-timer” (JDM) release actually differs from the export in two primary ways, most notably the bracelet style and presence of lume on the dial.

Finding one with the original bracelet can be tricky, and there are two variants to look for. The “JDM” version have a steel oyster style bracelet engraved with “Seiko Speedtimer”, the export versions had a fishbone style bracelet engraved with “Chronograph Automatic”. Both variants were asymmetrical, meaning they had different sizes for the top and bottom lugs, and this can be an easy way to determine if the bracelet is original.

Seiko 6138-300X “Jumbo”

(photo credit @Jen.Sen71 )

Although both the “UFO” and “Bullhead” are larger than this watch on paper, the counter-intuitively named “Jumbo” actually appears the largest visually. The reason is that the dial itself extends all the way to the outside of the case, and the lack of bezel really accentuates the size of the watch face.

The “Jumbo” has a stripped-down, military-inspired design that uses yellow hands to accent the stark black and white dial. Subdials protrude slightly into the outer track, which is also slightly raised, giving the dial a bit more visual dimension.

Of all the 6138 watch designs, the “Jumbo” may actually be the most classic looking, and appears similar to many of the designs Seiko still releases today. At 42mm, it is also quite wearable, despite what its nickname may suggest.

Seiko 6138-700X “Calculator”

Seiko 6138 “Calculator” (Photo Credit @golfsohol95 )

The 6138-7000 – known as the “Calculator” – is one of the most unique 6138 chronographs available. It features a double external bezel, one rotating and one fixed, to carry out a host of mathematical calculations. Although made completely obsolete by digital calculators, performing these calculation mechanically is quite amusing. Those familiar with using a slide rule should be able to utilize the 6138-7000’s bezels with little effort.

One thing that makes this model unique to the entire series is the use of acrylic glass instead of the Seiko proprietary Hardlex. Although Hardlex is much more durable than acrylic, the plexiglass crystal was much more common on watches of this era and definitely adds to its vintage character.

It was only available in one color configuration, black and red, and is difficult to find on the used market. As a result, prices can be a little higher for this unique iteration of the 6138.

Seiko 6138-802X (Panda)

Seiko 6138 Panda (Photo Credit @somwatches )

One of the coolest looking vintage chronographs on the market, the 6138-8020 is quite possibly the perfect vintage chronograph. Drawing visual comparisons to the Chronomatic watch released by Hamilton during the same time period, this 40mm watch with contrasting black and white dials may be the most wearable of the bunch.

It’s worth noting there is also a “Baby Panda” model, marked 6183-801x. This version was also 40mm, but had smaller subdials than its more popular sibling. This model is extremely rare though, with mostly damaged and non-working examples found on the market.

“Panda” watches are extremely popular amongst collectors, and the price of this one in particular has rapidly increased over the years. Still, compared to the Hamilton Chronomatic, or the Heuer Autavia, it’s one of the most affordable of the iconic vintage panda chronographs.

Sometimes overlooked by serious collectors for their affordability and ubiquity, there is no denying that the popularity of vintage Seiko chronographs is on the rise. Although the 6139 line of single-register chronographs seems to get the most recognition, the dual-register 6138s are just as cool and make a great everyday vintage piece.

These watches have fantastic designs, a real horological pedigree, and are common enough to keep prices relatively affordable. That makes the Seiko 6138 a great starting point for those looking to purchase their first vintage chronograph. And if you follow a few common sense rules, you should be able to find a piece that will serve you reliably for years to come.

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About the Author

Mike Johnson

Mike Johnson is the managing editor and primary contributor to 60clicks.com. Born into a military family as the son of US Navy pilot, Mike spent many of his formative years studying Computer Science and User Experience Design. When not obsessing over watches, Mike spends time hiking, traveling, and spending time with his family in Phoenix, Arizona.

Comments 33

Can I pick your brains ? My Dad has a ‘Jumbo’ that he bought when he was in the Marines (Royal) in ’75. We are having trouble in that we can’t find someone who can repair the watch, but we have found out that it is apparently down to a single worn part. Have you any suggestions as to what/where we could look to getting it repaired – the closest we have got was in one Seiko dealer who’s eyes popped when he saw the watch and it was he who said what part had worn but that he could not get it repaired although he did offer my father a £500 voucher as a straight swap for the watch which was declined.

The watch has many fond memories attatched and so I would really like to get it repaired for Dad as a gift.

Thanks for your time and well done on producing such an interesting site.

Gareth, most of the reputable Seiko repair guys seemed to be booked out for months, unfortunately. I’ve heard good things about Seth from Hub City Vintage though ( https://www.hubcityvintage.com/ ) — you could try reaching out and seeing if he has any availability.

Gareth, Did you get your Dad’s watch sorted? There is a guy her in Victoria Australia who specialises only in Seiko’s and calls it straight. Let me know if you need his contact details. Cheers Phil

I lived in Melbourne and have an 8020 that needs some work. Can you please send me the contact details for the specialist repairer? Many Thanks Clark

Clark, you\’ll want to contact Adrian at Vintage Time Australia. He serviced a 6138-3002 for me and did a great job.

Hi, this popped up on a forum recently. It’s a good guide but a couple of things would make it better – please can you change out the pictures of the jumbo and the calculator that have aftermarket parts in them – this is just going to be too confusing for anybody reading it.

The 0011 and 0017 reference to the UFO did not change the colour of the sweep/sub dial indices. Nor did it dictate if the dial had ‘resist’ on it.

Calculator is not the only 6138 with an acrylic – the Panda also has the acrylic.

The Kakume has a third, Stelux, bracelet. It’s a bit odd in that the end links are just straight. Some think it’s a service replacement – maybe, but I see many original examples with that bracelet.

Question : The Jumbo I have has the days of the week in English and Spanish. Are they all that way? Watch has no band crystal is slightly chipped otherwise is in great shape. Any idea as to its value???

The US Market watches have Spanish/English date wheels and the JDM models have English/Kanji date wheels … as far as value, they usually go between $400 and $600 dollars depending on condition.

Which secondary language a watch has depends on where it was originally shipped. A watch shipped to the United States would likely have an English/Spanish daywheel, as Spanish is a very common secondary language here. One shipped to Canada, on the other hand, would have an English/French daywheel for the same reason.

A watch shipped to Germany would have an English/German daywheel, one sent to the Middle East would often be English/Arabic, etc. Some daywheels are rather uncommon…like English/Dutch, English/Portuguese, or English/Thai.

All daywheels feature English.

Thank you for the quick reply. Mine functions perfectly, case is about 95%, dial, hands etc. Like new. Guess I’ll have it serviced, new crystal installed and scrounge up the correct bracelet. As much as I dislike jap stuff sometimes ya have to go with what you have…

Hello, I’m a happy owner of a very nice / mint dial 6138-8020. I have a question though…I’m trying to find out if the case should have some brushed parts ( sides ) ? Mine is fully polished but still have sharp edges. Couldn’t find any reliable info on the internet… Thanks for your help !

Francois, fully polished case is correct. I have seen brushed cases, but that’s not original. Sharp edges are a great thing!

I have a 6138-0011 that I bought in Viet Nam in “71. I have to take exception to the description of the dial face of this watch, specifically the statement “..and no mention of water-resistance on the dial”. Mine definitely has, under the day/date windows, the following: WATER70mRESIST . Except for that, the description of my 6138-011 is correct. And yes I have checked the numbers numerous times it is a 0011 and not a 0017.

Early watches…up to sometime in 1972…have water resistance indicated on the dial. Later watches do not. It has nothing to do with the case number.

This is true not only with the 6138, but also with most Seiko sports watches (except for divers).

It is also worth noting that the early versions of this model have shorter hands than later models.

Great article! Not to nitpick, but as someone who has been collecting these for nearly 20 years I thought I might offer a few small corrections as I am sure many eyes will see your work…

The 6138A was introduced in 1970, not 1969, and it had 21 jewels. The 6139 was released in May of 1969, with serial production having started in January of that year. Why did the “6139” precede the “6138”? The design for the 6138 was started first, but, being a simpler movement, the 6139 was readied for production first.

The 6138B was introduced sometime in late 1971 or early 1972. It was produced in two versions: a very common 21 jewel version, and a VERY rare 23 jewel version (almost always seen in JDM watches).

There are a couple models missing on this list: the 6138-8010 and the 6138-803x. The 6138-8010 is very, very rare, and was only made for the Japanese market. It was only offered with a blue sunburst dial. The 6138-803x is fairly common, and was offered with a black dial/blue subdials or a black dial/gold subdials. The -8030 is the smallest 6138 in terms of diameter at only about 40mm.

The nickname “Yachtman” (no ‘s’) for the 6138-001x comes from an old magazine advertisement put out by the marine products division of a company called Unimetrics back in the early 1970s. While this was a real vintage print ad for Seiko watches, the ad was NOT created by…nor was the watch named by…Seiko themselves.

I really enjoyed the read!

I have one 6138-8030, SS, Black and Gold. The nickname was Baby Kakume / “John Player Special” version.

Great value added to the read! Thank you so much for your input, i am just starting out my journey as a SEIKO collector and this level of knowledge is impressive at the least. Do you have a Channel on Youtube or a website with more information? Merry christmas and stay safe, best regards, Mike of sweden

Agree that the article forgot to mention the most coveted that costs highest among the 6138s – the “Grail” JDM 8010 with the “Cotes de Geneve” metallic iridescent blue with racing stripe dial.

Also needs to mention the JDM 23 jewel Jumbo, more coverage on the high valued baby pandas 6138-8000 and no lume -8001s.

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I’ve got a 6138-0020 Tokai Zara in beautiful condition. I am looking for an original bracelet for this model, and would appreciate any information on fitment and what the original bracelet looked like, or if there are any close 2nd’s that would work well for this case?

Great article! Some good content on your site!

My Seiko was totally restores and appraised a few years back. However its number is 6138-0017. Can you tell me something about it?

I have inherited a Seiko 6138-7000T. A friend of my father’s has done a great deal of business in Japan since the mid 60’s. He purchased this watch in Japan around 1969/1970 time frame. It does not have the bubble crystal nor the slide rule dials. I had the watch cleaned up and a light restoration. The problem is that the watchmaker was unable to make the watch water resistant any longer. Do you know of someone who can service that and make it like new again? I can send a photo if you like. The day date is in English and Japanese. It keeps great time and it is a piece my father wore for near 35 years.

Hi Joseph, I have a 6138-8020 Panda and bought it new in 1974 when I was stationed in Thailand. Last year (2023) I sent it to the Seiko servicing center in New Jersey. They restored it to running condition, however, they don’t have any gaskets/seals or crystals (and very few other replacement parts for 6138’s) and told me it couldn’t be restored to the original water resistance rating. They recommend I don’t even wash my hands while wearing it. I then contacted a very good watchmaker (Rolex certified) in my area and he replaced the cracked crystal. Despite his large supply of watch parts, he didn’t have any gaskets/seals that fit my watch, either. He also recommends that I don’t splash water on it. With that, I am just grateful that I can again wear my old vintage watch. It certainly is an eye-catcher.

Sadly, we may never be able to find that rare watchmaker out there who has the necessary parts to make our watches water resistant to the original 70 meter rating.

I hope you continue to wear your fine watch. There are a few of us watch aficionados that appreciate and want to see them.

I’ve heard nothing but problems with the official Seiko service center in New Jersey and vintage watches – and sending a serviced watch out with the original rock-hard gaskets still in place is, in my opinion, professionally negligent. Just have your local watchmaker search ebay for “Seiko 6138 gasket kit” and buy the appropriate one for your model. These aftermarket kits consist of a case-back gasket, a crown, and 2 pusher gaskets – I’d recommend the bright blue sets from VTA. The crystal gasket can also be replaced on some models, but often the original is still pliable and effective. A watchmaker, even a non-seiko specialist, will have no problems installing these, and can test then to 70m if requested.

However, I’ve seen many of these vintage Seikos with some degree of pitting upon the surface of the case-back gasket tracks, so full 70m waterproofness may never be attained, but should be fine for handwashing etc.

wow, I had no idea there was so many cool mechanical Seiko chronographs in the 1970’s. I think the SEIKO 6138 “CALCULATOR” is my favourite. Awesome photography btw.

Have a Pogue and a Jumbo, both in good condition, purchased by my mother on trips to Fiji from New Zealand in the late 60s early 70s. Buying good quality watches in NZ back then was expensive, and supply spasmodic and scarce. So I am very grateful to my mother to start my interest in watches way back then. If I remember correctly the Pogue was $48NZ in Fiji. As a guide that was about the average weekly wage back then, and milk was 3 cents a pint! I wear the Jumbo occasionally, and keeps far better time than my daily Omega Speedmaster. The Jumbo never been serviced in nearly 50 years, and still nearly 100% accurate. I’m a long time Seiko fan, always have been, always will be. Maybe I should be collecting more.

I have a 6138B ,From when we stopped in Japan,on the way back from Vietnam 6/12/72 . I just had my watchmaker do a total overhaul after 48 years, searching for original parts took a year. he found a perfect bezel and crystal and the parts. never seen any 23 jewels version. A very comfortable leather band. It’s worth everything to me. Curious what YOU think money?

A 23 jewels like mine

This watch has 23 jewels !

Great article. Left out the 6138-8030/8039 “John Player Special” and the 6138-8010 “Grail” but otherwise spot on. If the 6138 was a Swiss watch, they would be way more pricy than they are now. Great, great value. Mildly difficult to find a qualified watchmaker willing to work on and service them.

Hi there, I have my father’s watch watch which is a golden bracelet and bezel “Black Panda” 6138 8020. It is a lovely watch and we have no plans to sell it, but I can’t seem to find much regarding whether it is more or less common than the regular panda?

hi, have a seiko chronograph tachymeyer 70 meter blue inside 6138-8030 automatic watch bought brand new in around 1969-70-in fiji islands–looking around $1600 ono australian dollars,02/05/2024–thomas–.watch still works

I believe the Bullhead design was a feature that allowed the chrono to be used one handed. You loosen the watch strap and slide it down from your wrist to the palm of your hand, gripping it with your fingers, and use your thumb to operate the buttons at the top – just like a real stopwatch. This frees your other hand to write down the readings from the racetrack on your clipboard!

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Case Variations in Seiko Yachtsman/UFO

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Interesting. I'm doing up two at the 'mo (well, they've been on my bench in parts for months) and I would've (and still will) buff up to the mid line and re brush finish above that.  

I have to admit I do prefer having the sides with polished surface. The mostly brushed look makes it look like a blob. Sent from my Phone 2 using Tapatalk  

I did a UFO Yachtman a while back for a fellow forum member but I cannot recall if it was a JDM version or not. I did refinish the case for him. I am sure I posted pics in one of my restoration posts. I seem to recall the top surfaces have a circular brushing while the sides and lower chamfer of the case have lateral straight brushing. https://www.thewatchsite.com/34-wat...build-1971-seiko-6138-0011-ufo-yachtsman.html  

There are two different styles of case finishes. Some cases have lateral brushing on the sides and ends and some cases are polished on the sides and ends. All have radial brushing on top.  

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6139-6002 Resist Dial Pogue from August 1971 - Serviced & Relumed

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Regatta Yachttimers

An overview of sailing regatta watches.

The Seiko company was founded in 1881, when Kintarō Hattori opened a watch and jewelry shop in Tokyo. Eleven years later, in 1892, he founded the company Seikosha Co, where initially wall clocks were produced. Soon they were followed by pocket watches and watches with an alarm function. In 1913 Seiko (which means ‘precision’ in Japanese) manufactured its first wristwatch, and today the brand is well known for its inventions over the years.

Already in 1958 Seiko started with the developement of quartz movements, which let to the first commercial quartz wristwatch of the world in 1969, the Seiko Quartz Astron. The brand’s tradition in sports timing started at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, where they served as Official Timekeeper. Ever since Seiko has been involved in many sports events, eg athletics, football and sailing.

Early 1980’s Seiko developed the caliber 7A28, the world’s first analog quartz chronograph. This fully adjustable quartz movement has no plastic parts in the gear train and can be sericed and adjusted like a mechanical watch. In the years to follow the caliber 7A28 was used in a great number of different models. The 7A28-7020, for example, was worn by Roger Moore in the 1985 James Bond movie  ‘A View To A Kill’.

Seiko Yacht Timer Quartz 7A28-7090, ref. SAY080.

The 7A28-7090 regatta variant debuted in 1982 as the first real Seiko Yacht Timer, and appeared in catalogs as of 1983. It immediately stood out for its design. With the two big pushers at 10 and 2 o’clock it looked similar to a bullhead chronograph. The 9 o’clock minutes sub register features a 30-minutes counter, devided in 6 x 5 minutes in alternately light and royal blue, and a distinct yellow hand. On the outer ring of the dial there’s the yachting countdown scale for the seconds, running backwards from 60 to zero. After 1985 the Seiko Yacht Timer Quartz 7A28-7090 disappeared from the catalogs and the production ceased.

x – x – x – x – x – x – x – x – x – x

Second half of the 1980’s Seiko developed a new four jewel quartz chronograph, the caliber 8M. Besides setting the time, it also uses the crown as a selection tool by which you can choose the mode of the watch, as shown in one of the registers. It has a countdown (timer) function, what makes it highly suitable for a yachting watch. In timer-mode the movement runs actualy counterclockwise! The countdown timer can be set by one-minute intervals between 1and 30 minutes, or you can choose between one of the preset timers for 5, 10 or 15 minutes.

From early 1990 Seiko produced two series of yacht timer watches, the 8M35 and the 8M37 models . Compared to the 8M35 models, the 8M37 models have the movement mounted ‘up-side-down’. That automatically means the crown and pushers are placed on opposite sides.

Cal. 8M35-6000 with leather strap, two-tone case and bracelet (ref. SEQ008J) and full gold (ref. SEQ010J). Note the three different collorscemes of the inner compass.

In time-mode, when the watch shows the actual time, the hour hand seems a bit odd. More like a seconds hand actually. But when you switch to timer mode, you understand why. This hand then becomes the second hand for an accurate countdown. And as I said before, the movement runs counterclockwise in timer mode. In a short period of years, from 1990 upto 1993, several yachttimer models were released by Seiko.

Cal. 8M35-6010, the more rare silver version, cal. 8M35-8000/8009 (ref. SEQ001P) and 8M35-800A (ref. SEQ003P) with a plastic blue or black turnable bezel.

Both cal. 8M37-6000, either with a silver case and dial (ref. SBBH005) or with a black case and dial (ref. SBBH007). Originally with a black rubber strap.

Both cal. 8M37-7000, ref. SBBH009. Note the different selection tools.

Finally the cal. 6M37-8000, ref. SBBH013, and the 6M37-8019, ref. SGX006. The last one was released for the 1992 USA Olympic games.

You can download the Operating Instructions for the caliber 8M35 here , and a 8M37 Parts Catalogue  here .

Page from a Japanese magazine showing some of the cal. 8M37 models.

Seiko add for the U.S.A. Olympic Yacht Timer Sports 150 8M37-8019, ref. SGX006, 1992.

Variations:

Radiant Yacht Timer, in silver case ref. TUH996PM, or two-tone case ref. YUH999PM. Obviously both with a Seiko 8M37 movement.

Yema America’s Cup, with a Seiko 8M35 movement, white or black dial. More info in the Yema section.

In 1993 Seiko changed the design of their Yacht Timers radically. Again the brand developed a new quartz regatta movement, the caliber 6M37, this time inspired by the old mechanical movements that used the 5-dot countdown system (first used by Aquastar in the 1960’s ).

The first model that was released, is the cal. 6M37-6000.

1995 Seiko introduced the Yacht Timer Sports 200   models, as part of The Great Blue series. Inspired by the older mechanical movements, Seiko developed their quartz movement with the 5-dot countdown system, caliber 6M37-6010.

Seiko Yacht Timer Sports 200 with steel case and blue dial, ref. SKB003P, and two-tone case and silver dial, ref. SKB004P.

Model: Seiko Yacht Timer Sports 200.

• Reference: SKB003P steel case and rotating bezel, blue dial
•                   and blue leather strap.
•                   SKB004P steel case with golden rotating bezel,
•                   silver dial and blue leather strap.
• Caliber: Seiko 6M37 quartz yachttimer movement.
• Case size: Ø 42 mm / H 12 mm.
• Year: mid 1990’s.

In the operating manual you can read how the countdown system works, click  here to download the English version.

  x – x – x – x – x – x – x – x – x – x

At Baselworld 2007, Seiko launched a new marine collection, the Velatura. The collection included two new calibers, one of them the Yachting Timer caliber 7T84. Obviously Seiko stepped away from the 5-dot countdown system again.

Seiko Velatura Yachting Timer, SPC005P1 and SPC007P1.

Seiko Velatura Yachting Timer, SPC041P1 and SPC049P1.

Model: Seiko Velatura Yachting Timer.

• Reference: SPC005P1 silver dial with steel bracelet.
•                   SPC007P1 black dial with black rubber strap.
•                   SPC041P1 black dial with Brown leather strap.
•                   SPC049P1 titanium case with leather/nylon strap.
• Caliber: Seiko analogue quartz 7T84 movement.
• Case size: Ø 44 mm / H 12 mm.
• Year: since 2008 upto 2012(?).

You can download the instruction manual of caliber 7T84 here , and learn how the regatta countdown system works.

With the launch of the Velatura series in 2007, Seiko rose to the challenge to build watches that perform on the open ocean, with a collection characterized by robustness, high functionality and durability. Also in 2007, Seiko was selected as the Watch Partner of the International 49er Class Association.

To mark the fourth year of their partnership, Seiko launced a new model in the Velatura collection, a standard chronograph housing with the caliber 7T62 Alarm movement. Not with a special countdown function, but with a coloured 5-10-15 minutes subdial.

The watch is available with either a stainless steel case with black hard coating and a polyurethane strap (ref. SNAE17) or a stainless steel case with blue hard coating and a stainless steel bracelet with three-fold slasp (ref. SNAE19).

2014 update, new versions in the Velatura Yachting Timer series:

Seiko Velatura Yachting Timer: SPC143P1, SPC145P1, SPC147P1 and SPC149P1.

• References:
• SPC143P1 brushed and polished stainless steel case and bracelet – fixed blue bezel – blue dial.
• SPC145P1 brushed and polished stainless steel case and bracelet with rubber centre links – fixed black bezel – silver dial.
• SPC147P1 brushed and polished stainless steel case and bracelet with rubber centre links – fixed black bezel – black dial.
• SPC149P1 brushed and polished ion black stainless steel case with black silicone rubber strap – fixed black bezel – black textured dial.
• Caliber: Analogue quartz 7T84 movement.
• Case size: Ø 44 mm / H 11 mm.
• Year: 2014.
• many thanks to Robert Mahoney for the English version of the caliber 6M37 operating manual.
• many thanks to Yorkshire Watches ( http://www.yorkshirewatches.co.uk/ ) for using your pictures.
• http://www.seikousa.com/index.php  with Press Releases.
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seiko
• http://www.watch-wiki.net/index.php?title=Seiko

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Technical data

• Seiko 5 Sports

Seiko 5 Sports SKX Mid-Size. With vintage styling and colors recalling the quartz diver’s watches of the 1980s, the mid-size SKX design offers the 38mm case diameter of the originals, but with a slimmer case and a durable, yet comfortable, three-row sport bracelet. Providing automatic technology that you control with every movement, this dynamic timepiece is powered by a 24-jewel movement that beats at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour, with a power reserve of approximately 41 hours and manual winding capability. The rich black dial, framed by a black uni-directional rotating elapsed timing bezel, features a day/date calendar and luminous hands and markers. In stainless steel, with locking tri-fold push button release clasp and a screwdown see-through caseback for a view of classic timekeeping in action. 10 bar, 100M Water Resistant

• technical data
• Automatic with manual winding capability
• Black uni-directional rotating bezel
• Day/date calendar
• Luminous hands and markers
• Screwdown see-through caseback
• Tri-fold push button release clasp with secure lock
• 1965 Diver's Watch Modern Reinterpretation Save the Ocean Limited Edition
• Production serial number engraved on caseback
• Prospex Automatic Diver
• Blue sunray dial with pattern inspired by ancient astrolabes
• LumiBrite hands and markers
• Packaged in a Limited Edition collectors' box
• Limited Edition of 1,300
• Re-interpretation of Seiko's first diver's watch,with a thinner,sleeker profile
• Date calendar
• Screwdown crown and caseback
• CASE DIMENSIONS:
• DIAMETER: 38.0 mm
• THICKNESS: 12.1 mm
• LENGTH: 44.2 mm
• Caliber 4R36
• 21,600 vibrations per hour
• Power reserve: approximately 41 hours
• CASE: Stainless steel case
• CRYSTAL: Hardlex crystal
• WATER RESISTANCE: 10 bar, 100 meters (330 feet)
• DIAL COLOR: Black
• STRAP: Stainless steel bracelet
• LUG WIDTH: 20 mm
• THICKNESS: 13.1mm
• DIAMETER: 41.3mm
• LENGTH: 47.6mm
• Driving system: Automatic
• Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour (8 beats per second)
• Power reserve: 50 hours
• Number of jewels: 26
• CASE: Stainless steel case with super-hard coating
• CRYSTAL MATERIAL: Dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on the inner surface
• WATER RESISTANCE: 200m diver’s
• DIAL COLOR: Blue
• STRAP: Silicone Strap

SIMILAR STYLES

Find the nearest stores

• Watch Finder
• Select Region

Specifications

• Stop second hand function
• Day/Date display

Other Details

• See-through case back
• Unidirectional rotating bezel
• Three-fold clasp with secure lock
• See-through & Screw case back

Download User's Manual