{"product_id":"seiko-automatic-chronograph-cal-6139-schwarzes-dial-arabisch-englischer-day-date-vintage-1970er","title":"Seiko Automatic Chronograph - Cal. 6139 - Black Dial - Arabic\/English Day-Date - Vintage 1970s","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOne of the milestones in the history of the modern chronograph – presented here in an especially appealing JDM\/Middle Eastern configuration with an Arabic day display.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Seiko Automatic Chronograph belongs to the famous \u003cstrong\u003e6139 family\u003c\/strong\u003e, with which Seiko became one of the first manufacturers ever to bring a mass-produced automatic chronograph to market in 1969.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe watch in question features a black dial, a bright yellow central chronograph hand, a 30-minute counter at 6 o'clock, and a combined day\/date display at 3 o'clock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eArabic day wheel\u003c\/strong\u003e is particularly appealing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the photograph, the day window shows \u003cstrong\u003eالثلاثاء – Tuesday\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuch English\/Arabic day wheels were produced for export markets and are significantly rarer to find today than the well-known English\/Japanese JDM versions, making them correspondingly sought after and desirable among collectors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeiko 6139 – one of the world's first automatic chronographs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1969 was a key year in the history of the chronograph.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThree completely different technical solutions for an automatic chronograph appeared almost simultaneously:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZenith with the El Primero,\u003cbr\u003ethe Chronomatic consortium consisting of Breitling, Heuer, Büren, and Dubois Dépraz,\u003cbr\u003eand Seiko with the \u003cstrong\u003eCaliber 6139\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeiko's solution was technically remarkably modern.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe movement combined a \u003cstrong\u003ecolumn-wheel mechanism\u003c\/strong\u003e with a \u003cstrong\u003evertical clutch\u003c\/strong\u003e – a design still used in high-quality chronographs today. Added to this were Seiko's efficient Magic Lever automatic winding system as well as a combined day\/date display. \u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis makes a 6139 not merely a pretty Seiko from the 1970s, but part of one of the most important technical chapters in the history of mechanical watchmaking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eProbably Ref. 6139-6012\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe case shape, dial architecture, tachymeter scale, 30-minute counter, and day-date layout strongly suggest the \u003cstrong\u003eRef. 6139-6012 or its immediate reference family\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 6139-6012 is documented with a black dial, 30-minute counter, tachymeter scale, and English\/Arabic day wheel. \u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eArabic day-date ring\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Arabic day wheel is by no means an afterthought or a curiosity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeiko produced the 6139 family for various international markets with different bilingual calendar discs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnglish\/Arabic day wheels\u003c\/strong\u003e are explicitly documented for the 6139-6012. \u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis makes this specimen an authentic period-correct export configuration that is particularly interesting for collectors of Japanese watches with a Middle Eastern connection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDial and chronograph\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe black dial is extremely information-rich without appearing cluttered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA tachymeter scale runs along the outer edge. Further inward are the minute and second markers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe central \u003cstrong\u003eyellow chronograph hand\u003c\/strong\u003e provides the strongest visual contrast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt 6 o'clock is the only totalizer of the 6139 caliber: a \u003cstrong\u003e30-minute counter\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe watch does not have a permanent small seconds hand. This is due to the construction and is characteristic of the 6139.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe 6139 Caliber\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe automatic caliber features:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAutomatic winding\u003c\/strong\u003e,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColumn-wheel control\u003c\/strong\u003e,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVertical clutch\u003c\/strong\u003e,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCentral chronograph seconds hand\u003c\/strong\u003e,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e30-minute totalizer\u003c\/strong\u003e,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay and date\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vertical clutch and column wheel, in particular, were extremely progressive for a mass-produced chronograph in 1969.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeiko only produced the mechanical 6139 chronographs for a relatively short period until the second half of the 1970s, before the company increasingly focused on quartz. \u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDesign\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe case is significantly sportier than that of the dress watches of the early 1960s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePump pushers at 2 and 4 o'clock operate the chronograph.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe multi-link stainless steel bracelet fits the technical 1970s character of the watch perfectly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe combination of a black dial, yellow central hand, and turquoise\/greenish 30-minute counter is highly characteristic today and differs pleasantly from the much more frequently offered Pogue color combinations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe watch is in authentic vintage condition. The watch was acquired from a Japanese collector and was serviced in Japan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe case, crystal, and stainless steel bracelet show signs of wear and scratches consistent with age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dial has visible patina but remains clearly legible. The chronograph hand, totalizer, and Arabic day-date ring are visually particularly attractive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe actual condition is shown unretouched in the product photos.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCollector's appeal\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA Seiko 6139 combines several collecting aspects:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eone of the first automatic chronographs ever, historically significant Seiko in-house caliber, column wheel and vertical clutch, 1970s Seiko design\u003cbr\u003eand, in this example, an additional rare Arabic day wheel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe English\/Arabic configuration, in particular, sets this watch apart from the large number of ordinary 6139 offerings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTechnical specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e Seiko\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Automatic Chronograph\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReference:\u003c\/strong\u003e probably 6139-6012 – confirm via caseback reference before purchase\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMovement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Seiko Cal. 6139\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Automatic\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunctions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hour, minute, chronograph second, 30-minute counter, day, date\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChronograph:\u003c\/strong\u003e Column wheel \/ vertical clutch\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCalendar:\u003c\/strong\u003e bilingual, Arabic\/English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Black\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChronograph hand:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yellow\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTotalizer:\u003c\/strong\u003e at 6 o'clock\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTachymeter:\u003c\/strong\u003e present\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCase:\u003c\/strong\u003e Stainless steel\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBracelet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Stainless steel\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEra:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1970s\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWarranty (used goods)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a used item. The limitation period for claims for defects within the scope of the statutory warranty is \u003cstrong\u003e12 months from delivery\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNote on water resistance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDue to the age of the watch, current water resistance is not guaranteed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe watch should not come into contact with water or moisture.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vintage \u0026 JDM (Japan Domestic Market)","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54200784978258,"sku":"A417","price":1290.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0911\/3908\/0530\/files\/7C1847DC-D47D-4B3B-A323-C5C653B816E0.jpg?v=1786070181","url":"https:\/\/japanese-microbrands.com\/en\/products\/seiko-automatic-chronograph-cal-6139-schwarzes-dial-arabisch-englischer-day-date-vintage-1970er","provider":"Japanese Microbrands - Mario Lenke","version":"1.0","type":"link"}