A stainless steel Seiko chronograph "Bullhead" automatic watch. This highly destinctive and recognizable watch was given the moniker the "Bullshead" due to its unique orientation of the crown and stop watch pushers to the top of the watch, thus going the impression of bull horns. The reason these key parts of the watch were relocated to the top of the watch were much the same as adding a crown guard to a dive watch. To prevent any accidental contact. This watch was also launched in the early 1970's during which a lot of timing apparatus were being used in motorsports, and this placement makes their location on the wrist easier while having a hand on the steering wheel.
Launched in around 1973, it was not the first brand to adopt this novel set up. Omega had launched its version in 1969 and many other brands followed suit throughout the 1970's, such as Breitling and Bulova. The watch remained in the Seiko line up until 1979, having roughly six year run. It came in two dial variations; a black and blue and this very striking brown and gold. The case is an interesting study in case design. It is designed at an angle so that it tapers up, essentially rising slightly toward the wearer as it moves up the wrist. While this does through off some of the symmetry of weight, the original so called "fish bone" tapered bracelet does a great job of keeping the watch centered on the wrist. It is indeed a large piece of beautifully bevelled steel, and is a reason why so many of these watches end up with large dings and dents on them, and end up being refinish and polished. That is one of the major reasons this example is such a superb example. It is dent, and almost even scratch free, featuring its satin and sunburst finished edges in tact. The same can be said for the bezels, which also tend to have had chunks taken out of the edges. However, again, this bezel and its insert are in superb condition with just a slight indent but the 80 on the bezel, but has not impacted the insert itself.
The movement that powers this watch is the caliber 6138, which followed the 6139 automatic chronograph movement introduced by Seiko in 1969, the year in which Heuer also introduced their automatic chronograph movement for the Heuer Monaco and other sport model watches. Making this also an important piece of watch making history. The main difference from the 39 to the 38 was the inclusion of the hand winding option for the movement, along with the addition of an additional chronograph register. These were not present in its earlier configuration. Although not being as well finished as some of its Swiss rivals this column wheel twenty one jewel movement with vertical coupling is a highly reliable and effective movement, also including a quick set day and date with both Spanish and English days of the week. Options that watches like Rolex did not have.
The dial on these watches is another reason to love them. The rare use of brown, although not conventional is superb looking, and in bright light shows how the color fades to a darker chocolate as it moves out toward the white chapter ring. The indices and hands are white which allows them to pop off the dial, and the original tritium luminous material still glows a peppermint green under UV light. The gold brushed sub dials and frame around the date help to brighten the dial and make it pop. The mix of both which and gilt printing on the watch and the "Suwa" logo above the date wheel let you know you have a classic Seiko. The yellow sweep hand is the very 1970's icing on the cake. This is all protected by a Seiko "Hardlex" toughened crystal.
The screw back case is in superb condition throughout, and has not seen a polishing wheel. All of the reference numbers are present on the back of the case; 6138 0049 738XXX gives this watch a production year of March 1977, making this one of the last batch to come off the production line. If this is a watch that you have been looking for, you will be very hard pressed to find an example in better original condition.
