Sep 24, 2015

1974 Vintage Seiko 6139-7070 "Aquatimer" Chronograph


Introducing
Seiko 6139-7070 "Aquatimer" Chronograph
Circa 1974

This 6319 sat on the display shelf for a few weeks before I decided to take it home. I think it's best to use the thought process that I went through to illustrate why it sits in my collection today.

First of all, it's blue. Who doesn't like blue?


One of the initial thoughts apart from the dial color was the depth of the face. There were effectively three layers to it - the minute track, inner dial where the day/date window were cut separately, and then the chronograph 30-minute totalizer subdial.

Add in the tachymeter bezel and you've got one heck of a dial to look at. 


Next would be its hands. All white oars. which was what gave me its namesake of the IWC Aquatimer. The straight lines and no nonsense design details accorded the watch its aesthetic style in addition to its functionality. 

Thanks to the hands, the dial faded into the background, only to be admired when you're done telling the time. And I do have to add that the dial in the daylight is too good to be true.


Last but not least is the simple, oft-overlooked detail of how the totalizer subdial cut into the minute track dial. The long printed hour markers at 5 and 7'O have been perfectly cut into, their ends cut into a curve following the subdial's circumference.

Oh yes, time to bring this home.




1974 Vintage Seiko 6139-7070 "Aquatimer" Chronograph
Hour and minute hands with quickset day (push) and date
Eng / Arb day display
Deep blue stepped dial
39mm stainless steel case
44mm lug-to-lug
19mm lug width
6139 automatic chronograph @ 21,600vph
Mineral glass crystal
Seiko Canvas Strap

S$450

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