In the late 1960's and early 1970's, Seiko was experimenting with some of the first automatic chronograph movements ever made. Unlike the Swiss, who were creating their own automatic chronographs in the form of the Heuer-designed Chronomatic and the Zenith El Primero, Seiko — being used to producing in scale — were able to keep their costs for their chronographs more accessible through mass production. Featuring a wide variety of case and dial designs, the 1970s were very much the golden age of Seiko sports watches. This particular automatic Seiko chronograph is a classic ‘Jumbo’ Reference 6138-3000 from circa the early 1970s. Housed in a 42mm stainless steel cushion case with a mineral crystal, barrel pushers, and a polished faceted bezel, it features a matte black Tritium dial with a raised outer chapter ring and a dual-register chronograph, a matching handset, and a day-date display. Powered by the famed Caliber 6138 movement, it comes paired to a cool, stainless steel multi-link bracelet with a signed blade clasp. To misquote the Bard, ‘a watch by any other name would be many times as expensive.’ So whether you’re just getting into chronographs or you’re a Seiko die-hard, you owe it to yourself to give this Jumbo a whirl. Try it on today!
