The grail JDM Speed-Timer 6138-8010

This next one's a little special.

For any Seiko 6138 collector, this guy needs no introduction - it's widely regarded as the rarest and most beautiful 6138 of all, and often quoted as the 'grail' of Seiko 6138s.

See this page for a comprehensive review of the various Seiko 6138 models.

Most 6138s were produced in large numbers, both for the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) and for international export. The JDM ones were usually marked 'Speed-Timer', with or without the 'Seiko 5 Sports' moniker, whereas the export versions were simply marked 'Seiko Automatic Chronograph'.

Not the 6138-8010 - this particular model was only ever released as a JDM model in 1972/73, and was apparently never released internationally, thus contributing to it's scarcity.

My particular piece dates to January 1973, and came with an original 'Seiko 5 Sports' signed bracelet that I believe is incorrect for this model, which possibly explains the relatively bargain price that I picked it up for! =P

The other feature special about this model is the beautiful 'Cotes de Geneve' dial in metallic iridescent blue, with a contrasting strip down the middle. It's the only 6138 as far as I know with such a blue dial and definitely the only 6138 with such a 'Cotes de Geneve' contrasting dial.

In real life, the dial is awesome to look at cos it changes colour depending on the angle of view and light, but it is incredibly difficult to capture in photographs.

Here are some of my better attempts, but trust me, the dial looks waaay better in real life.

I especially love the way the blue dial contrasts with the silver hands, the white of the lume markers and the 'Seiko 5 Sports' print, and the orange of the chrono hand and the 'Speed-Timer' script!

Seiko certainly got the design of this one perfectly spot-on!

Come to think of it...most 6138s I've encountered do look way better then they appear in photos!

I may have started my vintage Seiko automatic chronograph journey with the slightly older 6139 models (the first automatic chronographs available for mass retail), but over the years I have fallen even more deeply in love with the only slightly later Seiko 6138 - a movement that has so much going for it - powers 2 sub-dials, ability to hand-wind the crown, available in various 70s era funky case shapes, and has s stellar reputation for being a fuss free, low maintenance, reliable, workhorse movement - what's not to like???