Seiko Chronograph 'Pogue'

Everyone knows the first watch worn on the Moon was the Omega Speedmaster. Far fewer people know that the first automatic chronograph to travel into space was a Seiko.

The story begins with astronaut Colonel William Pogue, who purchased a yellow-dial Seiko 6139-6002 for $71 at the Ellington Air Force Base PX in 1972. Pogue had not yet received his NASA-issued Speedmaster and needed a chronograph for training, so he bought the Seiko himself and became accustomed to using it. When Skylab 4 launched on November 16, 1973, Pogue brought the Seiko aboard alongside his NASA-issued Speedmaster, making the 6139 the first automatic chronograph known to have been worn in space.

For years, the distinction was attributed to the Sinn 140 worn by German astronaut Reinhard Furrer aboard Spacelab D1 in 1985. Pogue’s Seiko remained largely overlooked until watch collectors began examining Skylab photographs decades later. There it was: that unmistakable yellow dial on Pogue’s wrist. The discovery transformed the 6139-6000 series into one of the most collectible vintage Seikos and gave it the nickname by which it is now universally known: the “Pogue.”

And the movement itself deserves some attention. Introduced in 1969, Seiko’s Calibre 6139 was among the earliest automatic chronograph movements ever brought to market. It combined automatic winding, a column wheel, a vertical clutch, a chronograph, and a day-date display into an impressively compact package, placing Seiko at the forefront of one of watchmaking’s great technical races.

Dating to the 1970s, this Reference 6139 features a 41mm stainless steel case, colorful red-and-blue “Pepsi” bezel, barrel-shaped chronograph pushers, and the model’s distinctive recessed crown. The brilliant yellow sunburst dial features applied markers, a day-date display at 3 o’clock, a 30-minute chronograph register at 6, and a rotating internal elapsed-time bezel.

This example remains in remarkably honest condition, retaining the strong case geometry and character that make an untouched vintage sports watch so appealing. It is fitted to a correct, Seiko-signed, stainless steel multi-link bracelet with a signed locking clasp.

The Pogue occupies an unusual intersection of watchmaking and space history: a technically groundbreaking Japanese chronograph that went into orbit not because NASA selected it, but because an astronaut found it useful enough to bring along. Sometimes the best provenance isn’t planned.

For over 140 years, Seiko has been cranking out innovative and impeccably engineered watches at every price point, from entry-level Seiko 5s to world-class haute horlogerie pieces under the Grand Seiko brand. Underpinning the company’s efforts has been the mass production of reliable and accurate movements paired with a wide array of case and dial configurations.

Founded in 1881 by clockmaker and businessman Kintarō Hattori in Tokyo, Japan, as “K. Hattori,” Seiko began importing Western timepieces and selling them in the local market. In 1892, Hattori changed the firm's name to Seikosha (“house of exquisite workmanship”), which was later shortened to “Seiko” in 1924. Following the Second World War, during which Seiko produced watches for the Japanese military, the company began its streak of innovations based upon affordable, in-house movements and Japanese savoir-faire. These included myriad dive watches such as the famed 6105 and the fan-favorite 6139 chronograph.

Later, in 1969, Seiko would go on to produce the Astron, the world’s first quartz watch. This technological innovation was followed by the Seiko Kinetic in the 1980s, which married quartz accuracy with automatic, self-powering functionality. Today, Seiko’s product offerings are vast, including dress watches, dive watches, chronographs, and much more, all of which are powered by in-house movements that incorporate various technologies.

Despite a move toward luxury positioning and pricing in the brand’s modern offerings, vintage Seiko classics can still be had at incredibly reasonable prices today, making them a favorite entry point into the vintage watch world for myriad collectors. From their availability in post exchanges on military bases around the world to their fame from films such as Apocalypse Now to their presence at six Olympic Games, Seiko watches are deeply ingrained in the consciousness of the contemporary collector.

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a two-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.