Post by leffemonster on Jul 7, 2024 9:26:47 GMT -8
It’s just another example of the kind of marketing BS that Seiko have become very accomplished at.
The official designation is “Prospex ‘Pogue’ Solar Chronograph 1969 Re-interpretation” and is part of the Prospex Speedtimer collection of re-interpretations which, in my opinion, stretches the term “re-interpretation” to the limit.
First we had the 1964 chronograph re-creation - a near-£3k 8R46 calibre 2-register automatic chronograph that bears no resemblance to the original. Then the Speedtimer 1969 mechanical chrono re-interpretation which was essentially the same watch with a different dial which, again, bears little to no resemblance to the 1969 watches it’s allegedly inspired by. So, to re-create/re-interpret a single-register day-date automatic chrono collection Seiko gave us a 2-register, date-only chrono with ridiculously over-sized pushers and no tachy bezel.
And then there’s the “let’s cash in on another one of iconic vintage models” with the Speedtimer ‘Panda’ 1972 re-interpretation. Despite having a 2-register automatic chrono movement, Seiko decided to re-interpret the Panda with 3 registers and, again, date-only.
Now we have the swathe of solar powered Speedtimer models, starting with the 1969 re-creations. Again, 2-register date only chronographs with an utterly pointless additional 24 hour sub-dial. This latest one is marketed as a re-interpretation of the ‘Pogue’. Ok, the dial is yellow. The seconds and minute sub-dial hands are red. There’s the red and blue tachy bezel, and lumed indices. But that’s just about where any resemblance to the 1969 model stops.
Let’s be honest, none of this should surprise anyone. Seiko have shown that they can produce pretty faithful re-creations of vintage models with the recent Seiko 5 ‘1968’ models. But they’re pretty easy for them to re-create using an existing movement. I’m guessing that not having a single register, day-date, automatic chronograph movement already in the stable means we’ll probably never see a truly faithful re-creation of the 6139. But that won’t stop Seiko cashing in on their heritage!
The official designation is “Prospex ‘Pogue’ Solar Chronograph 1969 Re-interpretation” and is part of the Prospex Speedtimer collection of re-interpretations which, in my opinion, stretches the term “re-interpretation” to the limit.
First we had the 1964 chronograph re-creation - a near-£3k 8R46 calibre 2-register automatic chronograph that bears no resemblance to the original. Then the Speedtimer 1969 mechanical chrono re-interpretation which was essentially the same watch with a different dial which, again, bears little to no resemblance to the 1969 watches it’s allegedly inspired by. So, to re-create/re-interpret a single-register day-date automatic chrono collection Seiko gave us a 2-register, date-only chrono with ridiculously over-sized pushers and no tachy bezel.
And then there’s the “let’s cash in on another one of iconic vintage models” with the Speedtimer ‘Panda’ 1972 re-interpretation. Despite having a 2-register automatic chrono movement, Seiko decided to re-interpret the Panda with 3 registers and, again, date-only.
Now we have the swathe of solar powered Speedtimer models, starting with the 1969 re-creations. Again, 2-register date only chronographs with an utterly pointless additional 24 hour sub-dial. This latest one is marketed as a re-interpretation of the ‘Pogue’. Ok, the dial is yellow. The seconds and minute sub-dial hands are red. There’s the red and blue tachy bezel, and lumed indices. But that’s just about where any resemblance to the 1969 model stops.
Let’s be honest, none of this should surprise anyone. Seiko have shown that they can produce pretty faithful re-creations of vintage models with the recent Seiko 5 ‘1968’ models. But they’re pretty easy for them to re-create using an existing movement. I’m guessing that not having a single register, day-date, automatic chronograph movement already in the stable means we’ll probably never see a truly faithful re-creation of the 6139. But that won’t stop Seiko cashing in on their heritage!
