Vintage 1971 Seiko 6139-6005 True Pogue Chronograph Fully Original
$ 2428.8
Description
All original including original flawless Hardlex Crystal. Hardiex is Seiko’s proprietary mineral glass, known for its durability and scratch resistance, widely used in their watches during the 1970s, including the 6139 Pogue series. The Rare Seiko 6139-6005 “True Pogue” Chronograph from March 1971 is a vintage sports Diving watch for men. This watch features a yellow dial, stainless steel case and bracelet, and a solid case back with a bidirectional rotating bezel that includes a tachymeter. With 17 jewels and a mechanical automatic movement.. The timepiece will bet a valuable addition to any watch collection for watch enthusiasts and collectors. We encourage you to take a close look at the photographs provided. There are NO! scratches on the crystal or bezel. This watch is in pristine like new condition. Please feel free to contact me for additional photographs or information Please take your time and compare with other similar watches being sold on eBay as "complete set" If you look closely at those watches you will see they have scratches on the bezel and case back and crystal. This watch has none. If this watch does not sell on eBay we have offers from a Seiko collector in Tokyo Japan and it will be sold by August in Japan. Someone messaged me an said they didn't feel this was a "true" Pogue. I would argue that point. COL Pogue took his Seiko into space during the November 16, 1973 launch of the Skylab 4 mission. I think the Model and to a greater extent the year (The same year better) matter most. Mine was manufactured in March 1971 Model 6139-6005 the same specific model worn by Colonel Pogue, the 6139-6005 with a yellow dial and Pepsi bezel, was manufactured in 1971. Col Pogue's Seiko Pogue Pepsi's serial number is 190945 indicating the case was produced in September 1971. The serial number on the Seiko Pogue I'm selling actually does predate Col. Pogue's with a serial number 134512 the 3 indicating March. So this Pogue predates Col. Pogue's by 6 months but the same year 1971 of manufacture. I don't know who sets the "rules" for "True" Pogue but as far as I'm concerned the same year of manufacture qualifies as "Ture" Pogue. Furthermore, I have never seen anywhere a more pristine beautiful specimen of a Seiko Pogue. There is no wear, scratches or dings on the case, case back and the crystal is flawless. The watch was used, once (!), one day, in the summer of 1971 and then put away in a drawer for 54 years until I purchased it. Thanks for your attention to this matter. Sincerely Richard History of the Seiko Pogue Watch Origin and Innovation : The Seiko 6139, introduced in May 1969, was a groundbreaking timepiece, recognized as the world’s first automatic chronograph wristwatch available for public purchase. Launched initially in Japan, it featured a 30-minute chronograph, day-date indicator, and tachymeter scale, competing with the Chronomatic group’s prototype (Breitling, Heuer, etc.) unveiled in March 1969. Its technical prowess, including a vertical clutch and column wheel, marked Seiko’s entry into high-precision horology. Space Legacy : The 6139-6005 model gained fame when NASA astronaut Colonel William Pogue wore it during the Skylab 4 mission (November 16, 1973, to February 8, 1974). Pogue purchased it for $71 at Ellington AFB Exchange in Texas on June 13, 1972, preferring it over the standard Omega Speedmaster. This made it the first automatic chronograph in space, dethroning the Sinn 140’s 1985 claim and cementing its historical significance. Collectibility : Early models, especially the 6139-6002 (worn by Pogue) and 6139-6005, became collector’s items due to their reliability, style, and spaceflight association. Seiko reissued inspired designs in the Prospex Speedtimer series, blending vintage aesthetics with modern engineering. Naming Origins "Pogue" Name : The watch earned the "Pogue" nickname from Colonel William Pogue, whose use during Skylab 4 linked his name to the 6139-6005. Seiko enthusiasts adopted this moniker, overshadowing its technical designation, much like other Seiko models (e.g., "Tuna," "Turtle"). The story, popularized post-2007 when Pogue’s space use was confirmed, turned it into a cultural icon among watch collectors. "Pepsi" Name : The "Pepsi" designation stems from the watch’s red and blue bezel, mirroring the color scheme of the Pepsi-Cola logo. This aesthetic, popularized by Rolex’s GMT-Master in the 1950s, became a trend in dive and chronograph watches. The Seiko 6139-6005’s Pepsi bezel variant (e.g., SKX009 lineage) leveraged this association, enhancing its market appeal and aligning with Seiko’s dive watch heritage. Summary The Seiko Pogue, born from the 1969 6139 series, revolutionized chronographs with its automatic movement and gained fame through Pogue’s Skylab mission, earning its name from him. Its Pepsi moniker reflects the iconic bezel design, blending technical innovation with cultural branding. This dual identity has kept it a beloved piece in horological history.
Absolutely love this vintage gem! The all-original 6139-6005 "True Pogue" keeps perfect time with its robust 17-jewel movement, and the flawless Hardlex crystal still looks pristine after decades. The bold yellow dial pops, the stainless steel bracelet wears comfortably, and the rotating bezel adds serious tool watch vibes. As a piece of horological history—worn in space!—it’s incredibly cool, but it’s also built tough enough for daily wear. Rare to find one this untouched; a true collector’s dream.