Don't get to say this often: first one of these I've owned.

[seikoholic]

Picked up a 6139-6020 "Pulsations".  Never had one before, this is a first. And when it arrived, I realized that my knowledge about them is actually somewhat limited when it comes to what is right. 

This one generally looks good - dial is good, indicator "pulsations" ring is good, everything is there (pushers present but not pictured), and with a restoration it should be fine.  Case is worn but not beaten

However, I've got some questions.  It's a March 1970 model, caseback is "proof" marked.  No dial text, and one-piece sweep.  From what I've been able to glean looking at online shots of watches that look correct around 1970 not having dial text isn't incorrect, but I'm less sure about the sweep.  One-piece, or two-piece?  Movement is a 6139B.  Right?  Wrong?  And are these actually uncommon?  Like, on the grand scale of 6139 rarity where do these land?

[sdoocms]

Well I can't answer any of your questions, but it sure is a sweet watch!!

[Adrian-VTA]

This model really gets into a muddle when it comes to the proof/6139b/two piece sweep etc dilemma.

So, if its a B, it HAS to be a single piece sweep, as the B introduced the cam adjustment system, and the A did the adjustment from hand.

So, it will be original, with original proof back, but just from that really messy period when the swapover happened.

[dasher]

Hi Spencer -

Well, while mine has a few warts that need to be removed, here is what I can contribute to your education:

(edit:  Notched case, 6139A 17J movement inside)

and a caseback shot:

It's a cool watch.

Dan

[cobrajet25]

This model never had dial text. 

All 6139s with plastic crystals are only rated to 30m, IIRC, according to the original instruction manual.  Seiko never put "Water30mResist" on the dial of any watch made this late.  It is a pretty rare model, having only been produced from '69 to about '72.  These came in a few different colors, with black being the most common.  There were also, in approximate order of rarity, silver, white, brown, and dark blue dials.  A really nice blue one sold for pretty good money not too long ago on the Bay.  It was the first I had seen in quite a while.

That watch, by my estimation, should have a 6139A in it.  But, as has been mentioned, things got a little weird with the 6139 in 1970.  I'd go ahead and call it legit, but it is pushing the boundaries.  It is also possible that the caseback has been replaced, as this model was made both before and after the 1970 changeover.  Yours still has the lume pip attached to the pulse bezel...a bonus.  About 75% of the time those have fallen off.  I have bought two or three of them with the pip banging around under the crystal and successfully reattached them with a tiny dab of glue.  The pips on the -600x rarely fall off, the pips on the -6020 rarely stay on.  Who knows why...

They are certainly not the rarest of the 6139s, but really are not often seen.  Most of the ones I find, for some reason, are sans bracelet.  I have seen the "fishbone" style Stelux on these as well as a"Chiclet" style.  They have a broad, fairly flat case, and wear very nicely IMHO.

IIRC, I have five...two black, two silver, and one white.  I have a JDM white one on the Chiclet, which is among the first few 6139s I ever bought.  I think it was $81 back in the day.   This is my latest, I picked it up last year.



Here are a silver and the JDM white.  The differene in dial color and the two bracelets can be seen.

[yorkiesknob]

Well what do you know, this came to me about 3 weeks ago. New crystal coming from Hibeat. Then maybe to hal0eight for a tune up. Has the A movement.








Cheers Yorkie

[pollythecat]

I have a couple of these and find them the nicest 6139's to wear, they sit low and cozy on the wrist and do not move around.

Both came from the UK.

The blue one is marked August 1970 and has resistant on the caseback.  Movement is the 6139A fitted with the single piece sweep and the case is notched.


The white one is from May 1970 also marked resistant on the caseback, 6139A movement and single piece sweephand.  No notched case on this one.


This type of thread always amuses me, I recon Seiko planned to do WIS heads in

[lordflagpolecrabtree]

Nov 30, 2014 5:54:09 GMT -8 pollythecat said:

I have a couple of these and find them the nicest 6139's to wear, they sit low and cozy on the wrist and do not move around.

Both came from the UK.

The white one is from May 1970 also marked resistant on the caseback, 6139A movement and single piece sweephand.  No notched case on this one.

  :love: Wow, I love that one.

[seikoholic]

Nov 30, 2014 7:25:45 GMT -8 lordflagpolecrabtree said:

Nov 30, 2014 5:54:09 GMT -8 pollythecat said:

I have a couple of these and find them the nicest 6139's to wear, they sit low and cozy on the wrist and do not move around.

Both came from the UK.

The white one is from May 1970 also marked resistant on the caseback, 6139A movement and single piece sweephand.  No notched case on this one.

  :love: Wow, I love that one.

Agreed, that's a beauty.

[Adrian-VTA]

These pieces are awesome and are a great talking point. The pulsimeter if you really think about it, is near useless unless you are timing the pulse of a marine mammal. I'm still on a hunt for the blue one at the right price and condition. Mine's a hybrid right now as the column wheel on the A movement was stuffed, so I replaced it with the bridges and column wheel from the B version. Since then I've got my hands on some NOS A version column wheels so when I have time will rebuild it with the right parts.

[seikoholic]

So, very early this morning, at what I shortly was to find out was just after 4 a.m., I woke up for some reason.  I couldn't figure out why, and then it hit me.  A horrible stench.  Horrible penetrating stink in the room.  Our dachshund had an emergency, a huge one, and he had it right next to the bed.  SO.. once I got that cleaned up I was totally awake, so I got to work.  After all, it's Sunday and it's allowed to do work on my own stuff.

[Deleted]

I owned this one for a couple of months. Was totally original and in amazing condition. Absolutely hated it and was glad to get rid of the watch. Each to their own.

[sdoocms]

Nov 30, 2014 17:43:11 GMT -8 seikoholic said:

So, very early this morning, at what I shortly was to find out was just after 4 a.m., I woke up for some reason.  I couldn't figure out why, and then it hit me.  A horrible stench.  Horrible penetrating stink in the room.  Our dachshund had an emergency, and he had it right next to the bed.  SO.. once I got that cleaned up I was totally awake, so I got to work.  After all, it's Sunday and it's allowed to do work on my own stuff.

That looks great!!!!! 

[cobrajet25]

Nov 30, 2014 5:54:09 GMT -8 pollythecat said:

I have a couple of these and find them the nicest 6139's to wear, they sit low and cozy on the wrist and do not move around.

Both came from the UK.

The blue one is marked August 1970 and has resistant on the caseback.  Movement is the 6139A fitted with the single piece sweep and the case is notched.


The white one is from May 1970 also marked resistant on the caseback, 6139A movement and single piece sweephand.  No notched case on this one.


This type of thread always amuses me, I recon Seiko planned to do WIS heads in

That's a blue beaut, Polly!  And the white is no slouch, either!  So far, the blue has eluded me...

[cobrajet25]

Nov 30, 2014 17:43:11 GMT -8 seikoholic said:

So, very early this morning, at what I shortly was to find out was just after 4 a.m., I woke up for some reason.  I couldn't figure out why, and then it hit me.  A horrible stench.  Horrible penetrating stink in the room.  Our dachshund had an emergency, a huge one, and he had it right next to the bed.  SO.. once I got that cleaned up I was totally awake, so I got to work.  After all, it's Sunday and it's allowed to do work on my own stuff.

</div>
That is a gorgeous watch, Spencer.  And I am sure that it is good for another 45 years since you went through it.  It seems as though we both heard our black 6020s asking for the same type of strap.  The one I put on mine is nearly the same color and style as the one you chose, sans rally holes!

[69ChevelleSS]

Nov 30, 2014 17:43:11 GMT -8 seikoholic said:

So, very early this morning, at what I shortly was to find out was just after 4 a.m., I woke up for some reason.  I couldn't figure out why, and then it hit me.  A horrible stench.  Horrible penetrating stink in the room.  Our dachshund had an emergency, a huge one, and he had it right next to the bed. 

I can't imagine a dachshund having a massive accident.  Kind of an oxymoron.  I guess he must have had a good Thanksgiving and this was the delayed reaction.

Beautiful watch and hope you enjoy it!

[Groundhog66]

Looks great, Spencer!

[chronolex]

Very cool!

[gingi310]

My two peeking in for a belated "howdy" with a terrible photo of course.... And ya'll better back off when the next nice brown one comes up on the 'Bay - just stand back fellas, cause that beeatch is MINE! <just kidding> <maybe>. 



I love the look of a nice Pulsations on a good bracelet; can't wait to dress mine up a bit; they are one of the most underrated Seikos IMO. But for some reason they just don't click for me with a strap; at least the ones I have seen.

BTW, do we have forum confirmation that a blue dial actually exists? 'Cause mister Google doesn't find me one. Or is it like my orange 6138, of which only two exist in the world!