This 1970’s Seiko 6138-0030 Kakume JDM Speed-timer chronograph was fully serviced by me for watchmodperfect, a prolific Seiko collector and enthusiast. This watch came to me with a number of challenges including hour register not working, improper chronograph reset, corrosion, and improper past watchmaker servicing. In technical terms, this watch was running but quite angry. The chronograph was operating improperly due to incorrect adjustment of eccentrics (essentially the brains of the chronograph mechanism motion and tolerances) and bending of parts for adjustment. I rectified all of this during servicing and it is now happy and beautiful on the inside and outside, running and functioning superbly, and an overall fantastic example of the Kakume. Vintage chronographs can take a good deal of work to make right. The owner of this watch appreciated its value and opportunity to bring out its full potential. I want to caution vintage collectors— if you are apt to shop watchmakers to save $75 or $100 and think you can make a vintage chronograph right for years to come for $175 of servicing, you are in for disappointment. One other note— there seems to be some pervasive false information on the Internet about not being able to reset 6138’s except during certain chronograph “seconds hand” positions. The argument is that the seconds hand can slam into the minute hand. This is not true if the chronograph is properly serviced and adjusted. If I service your 6138 or you purchase one from me, you can reset your chronograph whenever you like ;-)
