Following on from part 1, here’s a look at another iconic 6138 from the mid 1970s. This is a watch which I used to own but sold it on; for whatever reason I never really clicked with it even though I like the way it looks.
As shared previously, check out the guide to 6138s for a list of other variants.
The “Kakume”
Pronounced “KAH-koo-mey”, it’s supposed to refer to “square eyes”, though I’m not sure about that – online translators say it also means revolution. Whatever, this distinctive subdial shape gives the watch real visual presence. It’s the 6138-0030.
There’s a detailed collector guide on Seiko 6138 Kakume Reference Guide | Vintage Watch Inc, though it’s a few years since it’s been updated so might not be bang up to date.
My watch came to me via an auction about 8 years ago, and is/was in fantastic condition. Maybe the reason was the same that I didn’t wear it much – it’s a big old lump on the wrist.
The 6138 movement is a bit thicker than the 6139, due to the extra gubbins for the top subdial, but hte case shape of the Kakume, the pronounced bezel and the hardlex glass crystal that stood even proud of that, make it feel like it was an inch thick and weighed the same as a housebrick.
Do I regret selling this watch?
No. It was not quite “New Old Stock” but wasn’t far off, and any time I did wear it, I was so conscious of its girth and condition.
Funnily enough, US dealer DC Vintage Watches used to publish what he called “Feiko Friday” posts on Instagram showing hokey stuff on eBay and elsewhere. The premise is basically, don’t trust all this stuff, buy from me instead – fair enough. Except he featured my Kakume one time; probably because it looked too good to be true. DCVW was engaging in watch forums from time to time (though has since withdrawn / been banned, it seems). When I pointed out in a comment on his FeikoFriday insta post that the Kakume was mine and was genuine, he just blocked me – so the post stayed up and I no longer see his posts.
Oh well, nothing lost there, then.