#clockworksynergy

For Sale - Early 1965 Seiko 6206-8010 Seikomatic Automatic Watch

Seiko’s 6206 – like the early 1965 Seikomatic 6206-8010 here - was the offspring of the 33-jewel 400 calibre movement, which was produced between mid-1963 and early 1965.  Early versions of the 6206, like this one here, featured Seiko’s well-known dolphin on it, but the etched caseback was unfortunately quite prone to wear, which usually resulted in nothing remaining of the dolphin design but the serial number.

Seiko began manufacture of the 6206 movement in May 1964 until the late 1960s, and the 6206 went on to be one of the best-known Seiko movements, cased in numerous Seiko designs of the 1960s – to include the famed Seiko 6218 Weekdater.

For Sale - 1962 Seiko Calibre 603 Seikomatic Automatic Watch

The 1960’s – and the 1970’s in our informed opinions – were a golden era for Seiko, characterized by the quite lengthy run of different Seikomatic models, which debuted in 1960.  The main characteristic of the Seikomatic line – like the less commonly seen Calibre 603 Seikomatic model here – was its simplistic form and function that provided a classic range of elegant watches.  These ranged from lower end models to a chronometer grade movement that went on to become the first automatic Grand Seiko 62455/6, which had various features from waterproof cases, calendar complications and the Magic Lever automatic movement.

That first Seikomatic was fitted with the automatic 603 calibre, which featured 17, 20 or 30 jewel variants.  From 1963 through 1967, Seiko released a number of Seikomatic Selfdaters and Weekdaters – also sold elsewhere on DCVW – the latter of which used the 6206 movement and spawned the first automatic chronometer Grand Seikos.  All variants of the 62 series of automatic movements, which traced their lineage back to the aforementioned 1960 calibre 603.  

This particular Seikomatic was produced before Seiko transitioned to a standard caseback serial system; it was also the first waterproof Seiko with a 30m rating – surprisingly deep for the time – introduced together with the Silver Wave in 1961.  It is also the first time Seiko used the Dolphin-style caseback.

For Sale - 1981 Citizen 8110 "Speedy" Automatic Chronograph

Citizen started producing its most highly desirable vintage chronograph variant in 1971, when it received its nickname “speedy” for its resemblance to a well-known watch used by NASA astronauts.  The Citizen 8110 automatic flyback “speedy” chronograph came in two variations, a white and – like the one here – black-dialed variants.  Of note, the 8110 movement can be wound either manually or automatically.  

Citizen launched the vertical-clutch column wheel 8110 chronograph in 1972, and its compact movement featured a high beat automatic movement, at 28,800 bph.  Citizen designed these well, featuring a ‘fly back’ mechanism – which allows the wearer to zero the chronograph whilst it’s running, rather than having to stop it first, then restart – permitting the instant stop/re-start of the chronograph function.  The compact design of the 8110 movement allowed smaller casing, so it was lighter than, for example, the Seiko 6139 chronograph series (which also did not have a flyback feature) of the period.  

The start and stop of the chronograph is by pressing the button positioned at the 11 o’clock position and is reset by pressing the button at 1 o’clock.  Pressing the reset button without first stopping the chronograph enables instant restart from zero.  All models have the column wheel/vertical clutch design.  These movements have quick setting mechanisms for date and day.  Both are set when the crown is pulled out one click – the date by rotating the crown, the day by pressing the reset button.  Compared to modern chronographs, the only in today’s market with similar features and construction sell at a far higher price point – such as Blancpain, Vacheron Constantine, Patek, and Audemars.  The 8110’s are the least expensive, yet most sophisticated chronograph ever made!  

For Sale - Late 1980 Seiko 6309-7040 Automatic Dive Watch, with two Clockwork Synergy NATOs and a Seiko rubber dive strap

There are numerous vintage Seiko divers popular with collectors, but none more so than the venerable 6309 series for sale here - a seldom seen all-original late 1980 Seiko 6309-7040 Suwa dial automatic diver.  This Seiko diver comes with two Clockwork Synergy NATO straps and a rubber Seiko dive strap. 

The 6309 series of diving watches was the third generation of Seiko’s recreational/professional divers.  The 6309 line replaced the 6105 in 1976 and was produced until 1988, when Seiko replaced it with the 7002 diver.  6309’s were a successful effort by Seiko to improve the 6105 movement, which allowed for greater lifespan, robustness, and ease of maintenance – not to mention they look great on the wrist.  

For Sale - Gold 1970s Citizen Challenge Timer Bullhead Chronograph with leather strap and Clockwork Synergy NATO strap

Citizen launched this rather unique vertical-clutch column wheel 8110 chronograph in 1972 - like the all original one for sale here - and its compact movement has a high beat, running at 28,800 beats per hour.  Of note, the 8110 movement was Citizen’s answer to Seiko’s famed 6139 movement, but Citizen’s well designed 8110 – unlike the 6139 - featured hand winding and ‘flyback’ – which allows the wearer to zero the chronograph whilst it’s running, rather than having to stop it first, then restart.  This permits an instant stop and re-start of the chronograph function.  

The compact design of the movement in this all-original 1970's gold 'flyback' Citizen 8110 "Challenge Timer" automatic bullhead chronograph for sale here allowed smaller casing, so the 8110 tends to be lighter than, for example, the Seiko 6139 (which did not have a flyback feature) chronographs of the period.  The 8110 is a far more compact version of the Seiko’s own bullhead design, the 6138-0049.

The start and stop of the chronograph is by pressing the button positioned at the 11 o’clock position and is reset by pressing the button at 1 o’clock.  Pressing the reset button without first stopping the chronograph enables instant restart from zero.  All models have the column wheel/vertical clutch design.  These movements have quick setting mechanisms for date and day.  Both are set when the crown is pulled out one click – the date by rotating the crown, the day by pressing the reset button.  Compared to modern chronographs, the only chronos in today’s market with similar features and construction sell at a far higher price point – such as Blancpain, Vacheron Constantine, Patek, and Audemars.  The 8110’s are the least expensive, yet most sophisticated chronograph ever made!  

For Sale - Early 1970s Seiko 6139-6002 Automatic Chronograph

DCVW presents a 1970's, almost certainly 1970-73, Seiko 6139-6002 “Blue Pogue” automatic chronograph, with an inner tachymeter that rotates, with purpose as designed, a bezel insert in great shape (rare for Seiko 6139s), and a period-correct Seiko president bracelet. This 1970s Seiko 6139 blue Pogue – a historical movement in its own right – was one of the first automatic chronographs created and ranks with Zenith’s El Primero and Heuer’s Calibre 11. Back in the 1970’s, Heuer and Zenith had taken hold of the entire sports watch industry by racing to become the first to produce an automatic chronograph. It has been a feat debated who won, but in the background of this skirmish, Seiko quietly created one theirs at the same time – the 6139.

We all know Omega was the first watch on the moon, mostly because Omega won’t let us forget (ever). However, the first automatic chronograph in space was the more humble and less publicized Seiko 6139-6005, named after US astronaut Colonel William Pogue, who wore his on the 1973 Skylab 4 mission-despite not obtaining NASA authorization–to time shuttle engine burns due to his familiarity with the watch and trust in its capabilities…trusting the lives of himself and fellow astronauts to the reliability of his Seiko! When asked about his 6139, Pogue confirmed the story and sold his in a 2008 charity auction for an amazing $6k!

The 6139 was the first chronograph to have a vertical clutch, a feature considered to be one of the hallmarks of a superior automatic chronograph movement. The 6139 features an automatic column wheel timing control and an integrated chronograph, which means the entire movement was designed and built to be a chronograph, vice being an automatic movement with a mere timing module. The 6139 movement features a single register chronograph allowing time to be measured in increments of 30 minutes.