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RECOMMENDED READING: Why Seiko won’t be producing a 50th anniversary chronograph RECOMMENDED READING: Why Seiko won’t be producing a 50th anniversary chronograph

RECOMMENDED READING: Why Seiko won’t be producing a 50th anniversary chronograph

Felix Scholz

Fifty years ago, the automatic chronograph was born. Depending on which press release, it was the effort of either Zenith, Heuer (et al) or Seiko. The truth lies somewhere in the middle, and the former two brands have been busy celebrating in the traditional Swiss way (limited editions and, presumably, cheese). Seiko, though, has been quiet on the chronograph front, which is, at first glance, odd.

 Seiko 6139 Pogue.
The mighty Seiko 6139. Image:

Chris Hall, over at QP Magazine, clearly thought so, and put together this story on the matter. He goes into history, corporate politics, R&D and even — occasionally — watches.

The real reason why there won’t be a watch to honour the breakthrough of 1969 is that for Seiko, the real breakthrough of 1969 wasn’t the 6139 Speed Timer.

I won’t spoil the story here, but if you’re holding out for a celebratory Pogue (who isn’t?), click through to find out why you might be holding on for a good while longer