6139-7010 Japanese military caseback

[devmartin]

Well my wallet wasn't fat enough and tapped me out. These sold for around $2200 USD. Hopefully someone on here picked these up.

[eeki]

Jan 23, 2020 6:28:16 GMT -8 devmartin said:

Hopefully someone on here picked these up.

I’ll let you guys know how this turns out, let’s hope they are not completely rusted out pieces of junk!

[devmartin]

Jan 23, 2020 7:24:19 GMT -8 eeki said:

Jan 23, 2020 6:28:16 GMT -8 devmartin said:

Hopefully someone on here picked these up.

I’ll let you guys know how this turns out, let’s hope they are not completely rusted out pieces of junk!

That was you sorry I ran you up past $2000 then lol let me know if one comes up for sale 😉

[eeki]

Jan 23, 2020 7:29:07 GMT -8 devmartin said:

Jan 23, 2020 7:24:19 GMT -8 eeki said:

I’ll let you guys know how this turns out, let’s hope they are not completely rusted out pieces of junk!

That was you sorry I ran you up past $2000 then lol let me know if one come for sale 😉

 No problem, to be honest I was worried it might get even more out of hand.   I’ll keep you in mind if I end up selling!

[borgsauce]

Seems like quite the popular listing. Looked like one of those sweet deals that folks would pass as no one had placed a bid for a few days after it was listed. And then boom those bids just kept coming😊 I had predicted early on that would fetch close to $2.5k, nice to know I wasn't too far off. Hopefully they turn up good, such a rare lot.

[cobrajet25]

Jan 23, 2020 15:26:24 GMT -8 borgsauce said:

I had predicted early on that would fetch close to $2.5k...

That is where I thought they would end up as well. Were these watches issued to Japanese JASDF pilots? I have seen others with anchors instead of the 'cherry blossom' and assumed those went to the Navy?

[borgsauce]

Jan 23, 2020 23:23:22 GMT -8 cobrajet25 said:

Jan 23, 2020 15:26:24 GMT -8 borgsauce said:

I had predicted early on that would fetch close to $2.5k...

That is where I thought they would end up as well. Were these watches issued to Japanese JASDF pilots? I have seen others with anchors instead of the 'cherry blossom' and assumed those went to the Navy?

Yes you're right. I've seen an article somewhere showing that the Arabic numeral dials with a JMSDF caseback and the regular dotted indices for the JASDF. And it was for a later model without the Waterproof dial text. These watches on YJ could've been frankened but to have 2 of the same in a lot seems more like a coincidence. Need more data to be certain.

Update: found the article kulitjerukbali.blogspot.com/2019/03/seiko-6139-7010-7011-7012-military-7012.html?m=1

[eeki]

This specific model with the arabic numerals was also mentioned in the new SpeedTimer-book by Ryugo Sadao, as one that was issued to JASDF.

I assume JASDF purchased several different models over time, here’s a 6139-7060: (edit: with a dial from 6139-6020, as pointed out by SeikoPsycho below)
www.mywatchmart.com/listing/148965-fs-vtg-rare-seiko-military-jasdf33322313543325834907385386139-7060-org-bracelet-military-decorations725/





Caseback is different and lacks the flower symbol, but does say “Japanese Air Self Defence Force”

[bigbluekyle]

Just bumping this thread to see if there is any updated information from the new owner of these Rare JMSDF 6139s.  Thanks in Advance!

[SALVO]

Can i ask on what site did you find that listing?

[eeki]

Apr 17, 2020 18:52:17 GMT -8 bigbluekyle said:

Just bumping this thread to see if there is any updated information from the new owner of these Rare JMSDF 6139s.  Thanks in Advance!

The watches are in the hands of Adrian @ VTA at the moment, there’s a few photos of them on his Instagram: 

http://instagr.am/p/B-ra7AxHqeX

I was a bit worried originally as one of the watches looked rather dodgy in the auction photos, but luckily the JASDF ones seem to be in relatively good condition externally, it’s the “civilian” watch that is the roughest. 

I hope I can uncover some more information on these at some point, and if I do, I’ll be sure to share it!

[eeki]

Apr 17, 2020 21:08:43 GMT -8 SALVO said:

Can i ask on what site did you find that listing?

The auction was on Yahoo Japan, I use it through one of the proxy services: Buyee

[bigbluekyle]

They are Very Special Watches and Glad to hear the Issued JASDF watches arrived looking great. If they are with Adrian then they are in good hands and should turn out Extra Special.



Thanks for the Update

[eeki]

Yesterday was a big day, the trio finally arrived! I am very happy with the work Adrian (Adrian-VTA) did, they were truly in a rough state to begin with, but the results are excellent:



quick image upload

No cosmetic bits were replaced, with the exception of the "ordinary" 6139-7010's teardrop hand which was completely missing. Crystals needed refinishing obviously, but came out great.

Now, on to the history of these watches: I've been trying to find information about these while they were en route, but so far anything concrete has eluded me. I've tried reaching out to the Seiko Museum, who told me they have no information and couldn't tell how many were made, and to Anthony (akable) who very kindly also consulted a few Seiko collectors in Japan, without too much luck.

Outside of these two, I've found a total of five examples of Seiko 6139 watches with JASDF (Japanese Air Self Defence Force) or JMSDF (Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force) casebacks online. There are some old threads still online mentioning JASDF watches, but unfortunately the photos and links to them are dead. I've so far found two references to these in print: the use of these by Japanese military is mentioned in the book on the history of the Seiko 5 Sports Speedtimer by Saigo Ryugo, and in an issue of Low Beat-magazine.

Adverts of sold watches:
curious-curio.jp/watch/18950
www.mywatchmart.com/listing/148965-fs-vtg-rare-seiko-military-jasdf33322313543325834907385386139-7060-org-bracelet-military-decorations725/
www.thewatchsite.com/8-seiko-citizen-trading-post/302385-sold-vintage-seiko-speedtimer-ref-6139-japan-air-self-defense-force-version-590-a.html

Facebook-post with the issue of Low Beat-magazine + JASDF 6139-7012: www.facebook.com/groups/774032752983234/permalink/1019282748458232/

A post on this forum:
wristsushi.proboards.com/thread/7435/japanese-maritime-defense-force-issued

JMSDF 6139-7012:
kulitjerukbali.blogspot.com/2019/03/seiko-6139-7010-7011-7012-military-7012.html

[thianwong]

wow! last year I happened to read about them and tried looking for one online...no luck. I had read they were made for the Japanese Special Forces for only 2 years. I found ones on forums without the caseback text.

[japroe]

Really cool watches, congrats!

[eeki]

So, managed to find a small piece of this puzzle. I've been trying to find period photos of these watches through quite numerous google images-searches, but with little luck. However this morning I thought to try YouTube, and after watching some pretty cool videos of fighters from 60s and 70s, I stumbled upon this gem of a film called "The Last Show" from 1981:


This is a film about JASDF's aerobatic flying squad, the Blue Impulse, and their last moments using old F-86 Sabres before transitioning to Mitsubishi T-2's. In a stark contrast to other videos from period, here they show the pilots extensively, and crucially, we get a glimpse of their watches too! Quality is rather poor, as this is a screenshot of a 480p YouTube-video, of a digitised VHS original, but in this photo is what I believe to be a 6139-7011, based on the distinctive shape of the case w/short lugs and recessed crown:


Here's a direct link to the scene in the video:
youtu.be/uyOAIPg_UgI?t=53

And a finally cool shot of Blue Impulse F-86s:


Any comments are welcome!  

[devmartin]

Wow nice detective work! So it seems like this could have been a special projects watch for the team possibly? Just as bremont, breitling and others do now.

[eeki]

May 13, 2021 8:06:30 GMT -8 devmartin said:

Wow nice detective work! So it seems like this could have been a special projects watch for the team possibly? Just as bremont, breitling and others do now.

Thanks! Regarding these being a special project for the team, it's of course not completely impossible, but right now I think this is just a coincidence, as this was just the first video or photo that happened to show watches very well.

[SeikoPsycho]

Jan 24, 2020 2:03:35 GMT -8 eeki said:

This specific model with the arabic numerals was also mentioned in the new SpeedTimer-book by Ryugo Sadao, as one that was issued to JASDF.

I assume JASDF purchased several different models over time, here’s a 6139-7060:
www.mywatchmart.com/listing/148965-fs-vtg-rare-seiko-military-jasdf33322313543325834907385386139-7060-org-bracelet-military-decorations725/





Caseback is different and lacks the flower symbol, but does say “Japanese Air Self Defence Force”

A little late to the party but the info on this watch is incorrect. That is a 6139-7020 dial in a 7060 case.