Now that I have a Seiko 6138 UFO, Bullhead, and the grail 8010 variant, I needed to have one of the most popular 6138s, the 'Square Eyes' or 'Kakume' variant!
The Kakume, with the contrasting square subdials, is instantly recognisable, and was produced in huge numbers in both JDM and export versions, so they are plentiful on Ebay and elsewhere.
Do note that aftermarket dials abound, so you really have to be careful, especially with the blue dial variant. Here's a pictorial guide to help you differentiate the several correct original dial variants from the corresponding aftermarket ones.
Be sure to do proper homework, guys!
In recent years, there's even been a modern interpretation of the Kakume, the Brightz Ananta SAEH005!
But we're not into modern watches here, so the rest of this post will concentrate on the vintage Kakume, the 6138-0030.
But we're not into modern watches here, so the rest of this post will concentrate on the vintage Kakume, the 6138-0030.
It's commonly regarded that the Kakume came in two dial flavours, a more common blue dial variant, and a less common Champagne, or Orange, dial variant - see this commonly referenced Worn&Wound post.
Correct?
Not quite!
It seems there is debate out there that there's a 3rd dial variant that's not just an faded Orange/Champagne dial, but a distinct dial that's a paler Champagne Yellow, or Golden, variant!
See this SCWF post and this PhilippineWatchClub post for more info and see if you are convinced!
I, for one, am almost certain that the yellow variant is a 3rd variant, and not just a weathered orange variant.
As usual, I zoomed in and hunted specifically for the JDM variant that is marked 'Seiko 5 Sports Speed-Timer'.
In addition, I specifically wanted one with the black 'arrow' style hands rather than another variant with silver hands - don't ask me which is original!!!
After hunting for some time, I found this rather honest specimen from Peru dating to Dec 1974 - it looked like the Yellow 3rd variant, and had the most hideous relume of the minute hand, but otherwise looked all correct and original, down to the bracelet, with a nice wabi-ed dial and worn bezel - just the way I like my vintage watches!
In the flesh, it's a nice watch with great wrist presence, with the yellow sunburst dial perhaps not as striking as the orange dial, but still distinctively and unmistakably 'Square Eyes'!
Would I buy an orange dial variant if I found one? Hell yes! But for now, this yellow Kakume does the trick for me, and is most definitely a keeper! =)
20 July 2016 addendum
I recently found an all correct Blue Seiko 5 Sports Speed-Timer Kakume!
It looked pretty beat up in the photos, but otherwise appeared all correct.
But in the flesh, it was stunning beyond description.
The gorgeous blue dial contrasted by the steel markers and the bright orange 'Speedtimer' script and the lemon yellow subdial and chrono hands....absolute perfection...so pretty that even the scratched up crystal cannot hide!
Interestingly, the scratched up crystal looks far worse in photos than in real life, where it's actually good enough not to need an immediate replacement.
And of course, as with so many of these 40 year old 6138 movements - they're still happily and accurately ticking away - no service required!
I've gonna wear it 'as is' for now, and it does seem that I'm not going to need that crystal replaced anytime soon! Yay!!!!
Here's a couple of photos of the pair of 'em Square Eyes!
Don't they look pretty? =P
Oct 2016 addendum
Finally I complete my JDM Speed-timer Kakume trilogy!
I finally found the Orange variant of the ole 'Square Eyes'!
This guy was cosmetically acceptable for a March 1974 watch, but internally it was a mess, requiring a long stint at the watchmaker to be sorted right.
But now that it's back, I have full confidence that the venerable Seiko 6138 movement will happily and reliably tick away for many years to come!
Looking at the Orange dial and the Champagne Yellow dial variants side by side, there is no way the yellow is just a orange dial that's faded with time.
Look at the photos and decide for yourself - I am 100% convinced that they are 2 separate, distinct variants.
So finally I have the Trilogy of JDM Speed-timer Kakume variants - I'm a happy camper, I am!!! =)
3 comments:
Hi there.,, i would like to know where did u bought these watches? Is it from ebay, collagues or shop? Anyway i am from Malaysia,.
Hi there.,, i would like to know where did u bought these watches? Is it from ebay, collagues or shop? Anyway i am from Malaysia,.
Hello, Appreciate this article as I am a huge 6138 fan (addict) as well. I would suggest there are some dial variations on this theme. I have both the champagne yellow and orange watches but my yellow Speed-Timer doesn't have the 5 Sports on it. I have the blue 5 Sports Speed-Timer version just like yours but I also have the more common, I guess US import, white sub-dial version. That makes 5 variations of the same theme. I too am a happy camper.
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