Nicknamed JPS after the black and gold John Player Special Lotus F1 car, this has no official links with the team at all!  Model reference 6138-8030

HOW DO WE DATE THIS WATCH?

From the serial number on the case back we can accurately date this watch to being made in March 1979.

CONDITION

Despite the model number, the 6138 chronograph movement came out a year after the groundbreaking 6139, which has a claim to be the first automatic chronograph ever made.  However, a nine years later and this watch was seriously out of fashion.  At a time when quartz movements and LCD chronographs had almost rendered automatic movements obsolete, this was a vinyl record in a cassette tape world.  Now that is reversed, as more people are looking for mechanical chronographs than quartz movements in collectible watches.  This has certainly been worn, and the thick case has various marks from use – it is not a safe queen, as the price reflects (a mint version could easily fetch double this price).  The dial has issues too – the luminous hour markers appeared to have been glued on and there is residue on the dial itself.  The chronograph doesn’t always reset to 12 either – the movement could use a service to rectify this but we are short of watchmakers time currently.  However as this design doesn’t have a constant seconds hand it is nice to just keep the chrono running.  The glass is very good, and the 6138 movement is keeping good time.  The Seiko branded bracelet is not the original for this model we don’t think, but it has been cleaned in our ultrasonic bath.  Alternatively you can fit a black leather strap, which always looks good on this model.

This is sold with the recommendation of a service, hence the price.

This watch will be supplied with our branded presentation box and our Certificate of Authenticity.

Please see the HD video for more detail.  All photos and videos are part of the description and are of the actual watch unless mentioned.  We do not photoshop any pictures, and the images are copyright of birthyearwatches.com and should not be used without permission.

​SIZE

Width with crown  42.0 mm

Width without crown  39.7 mm

Between lugs  18 mm

Lug to lug length  42.5 mm

Case Thickness  16.2 mm

Bracelet will fit a maximum wrist size of 194 mm.  The bracelet can be sized for you if you give us your wrist size when placing the order.

All sizes are approximate.

Included with this watch is a 1 month guarantee and free delivery to UK addresses.  If you live outside the UK we can still deliver to most countries.  Please see our Worldwide Shipping information, or Contact Us.   Payment can be made by most credit or debit cards, bank transfer or PayPal.

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