Comments:
Paired with it's original 19MM straight end link SEIKO branded Stelux President bracelet.
SEIKO caliber 6138 case ref.# 0011 circa 1971
Paired with it's original 19MM straight end link SEIKO branded Stelux President bracelet.
Introduced in 1970 and produced until approximately 1979. Part of Seiko’s pioneering generation of integrated chronograph movements to feature a column wheel and vertical clutch mechanism. This movement was a significant evolution from the earlier Caliber 6139, adding manual winding capability and a quick-set day/date function , while maintaining the same high-performance engineering.
Did you know that a major Swiss manufacturer adopted this configuration for their flagship chronograph?
The 6138’s design was so advanced that it was later adopted by Rolex for their in-house Daytona Caliber 4130 column wheel and vertical clutch Chronograph movement in 2000, over two decades after Seiko discontinued it. This marked departure from the cam-actuated Valjoux 7750 used in previous Daytona models. Rolex did not directly copy the 6138, the conceptual similarity in using a fully integrated, vertically coupled chronograph with a column wheel is notable , especially given that Seiko had achieved this 30 years earlier at a fraction of the cost.
A very nice one and it looks like it's in excellent condition!
A watch very advanced for its time.
Yours is in superb shape, too 👌🏻👍🏻
Would be Grand, if Seiko came up with something similarly revolutionary in chronographs again 🤞🏻
7750
To be clear, Rolex never used the 7750 in their Daytonas. They used their modified version of the Valjoux 72. The 7750 was used in some Tudor chronographs, but never Rolex. Also, the 6138's are amazing watches! I own this exact model, and another version ("the Jumbo") as well.