Seiko

An ace mechanic/machinist friend found this Chrono in his toolbox drawer (he's a bit like Jocke) and handed it to me. "I got this new in Tijuana many years ago, but I have killed it -- look even epoxy on it!"

I assured him it's pretty hard to kill a Seiko, even trying on purpose (as it appeared he had been doing) -- stem smashed in, glue everywhere, grease and scratches, crystal nearly opaque.

Even an old Pogue Chronograph should be able to be restored, with enough care and time in the tank.

HISTORY LESSON

What is a Pogue Chronograph? Might say it doesn't sound like it's of Japanese or Seiko origin -- and you are right, because it isn't!

Colonel William Pogue is said to have "smuggled" it aboard Skylab during his mission in addition to his military-issue Omega, making it the first known Automatic Chronograph worn in space. 

The true Pogue is one actual Seiko worn by William Pogue, a 6139-6005, but generally, any of the blue or yellow dialed 6139-600X watches produced late Sixties/early Seventies may be called "Pogue" Chronographs.  

A real "True Pogue" bears "Seiko Automatic" under the 12 o'clock position, "Water 70M Resist" at the 9 o'clock and the "Suwa" factory symbol and 17J below the center arbor. 

BIOGRAPHY (official from NASA)

WILLIAM REID POGUE, COLONEL, USAF (RET.) NASA ASTRONAUT (DECEASED)

PERSONAL DATA: Born January 23, 1930, in Okemah, Oklahoma; died March 3, 2014. Married with 3 children. He enjoyed running and playing paddleball and handball; hobbies included gardening and cabinet making.

EDUCATION: Attended primary and secondary school in Oklahoma; received a BS Degree in Education from Oklahoma Baptist in 1951 and a MS in Mathematics from Oklahoma State in 1960; awarded an honorary Doctorate of Science degree from Oklahoma Baptist University in 1974.

ORGANIZATIONS: Member of the Air Force Association Explorers Club, American Astronautical Society, and Association of Space Explorers.

SPECIAL HONORS: 

• JSC Superior Achievement Award (1970)
• NASA Distinguished Service Medal (1974)
• Air Force Commendation Meda
• National Defense Service Medal
• Outstanding Unit Citation, member of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
• Air Force Distinguished Service Medal and Command Pilot Astronaut Wings (1974)
• Dr. Robert H. Goddard Memorial Trophy for 1975 (1975)
• Federation Aeronautique Internationale’s De La Vaulx Medal and V. M. Komarov Diploma for 1974 (1975)
• General Thomas D. White U.S. Air Force Space Trophy for 1974 (1975)
• Fellow of the Academy of Arts and Sciences of Oklahoma State University (1975
• AIAA Haley Astronautics Award for 1974 (1975)
• American Astronautical Society's 1975 Flight Achievement Award (1976)
• Oklahoma Aviation and Space Hall of Fame (1980) 
• Clarence E. Page Memorial Trophy - Oklahoma Aviation and Space Museum (1989)
• Inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in October 1997.

EXPERIENCE: 

1951-52 Enlisted in the Air Force and received his commission. 

1953-54 Pilot with Fifth Air Force during the Korean combat in fighter bombers

1955-57 Pilot with US Air Force Thunderbirds. 

1960-63 Mathematics assistant professor at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado

1963-65 Test pilot with the British Ministry of Aviation; graduate of Empire Test Pilot School in Farnborough, England

1965-66 Instructor at USAF Aerospace Research Pilot School, Edwards Air Force Base, California

1966-      NASA astronaut & member of support crews for the Apollo 7, 11, and 14 missions from Johnson Space Center

1973-      Pilot of Skylab 4 (3rd/final visit to the Skylab) Nov 16, 1973 to Feb 8 1974. 

1975       Retired from the Air Force in September 1975.

Pogue gained proficiency in over 50 types of American & British aircraft and was a civilian flight instructor. He logged 7,200 hours flight time; 4,200 hours in jet aircraft and 2,017 hours in space flight.

His 84 day, 1 hour and 15 minute Skylab mission was the longest in the history of manned space exploration to that time. During the 1,214 orbit, 34.5-million-mile flight, they completed 56 experiments, 26 science demonstrations  & 13 student investigations. He also logged 13 hours and 31 minutes in two spacewalks.

RETIREMENT:

In retirement, Pogue worked as a consultant to the aerospace industry, as a producer of general videos on space flight, and authored several nonfiction and fiction books.

DETAILS OF THE "Pogue Seiko"

The Serial Number of this watch dates it to March 1972 (a typical serial number is shown below)

This matches the year when my friend purchased the watch in a jewelry store while visiting Mexico as a tourist. He estimates it was about $75.

CLEANUP

It spent a few hours in my ultrasonic cleaner, and after a thorough rubdown with toothbrush, shed all the paint and grime it had accumulated.

Notice the bent chrono pusher feet.

Here are the main bits - all cleaned up.

I didn't touch the movement, I just cleaned and reassembled the major components, and polished up the original crystal.

Within a week of occasional work I had it back together and running again.

DISASTER STRIKES

Then, when adjusting the date, the top of the stem snapped off. It's worth noting at this point, not to absolve myself of any blame, but the stem is an unusual design. You have seen it above.

Pressing in the crown (as I had been doing) advances the date. Turning the stem turns the inner bezel / chapter ring. Pulling out the stem allows you to set the time. Winding? Just shake the watch.

But pressing a sticky crown/stem repeatedly was my mistake. Boing!



Anyway, here you can see the crown, broken stem, ring-turning-gear, date-adjusting-return-spring, etc. 

I searched off and on for a year, looking for parts and finding none. Or finding the parts but the owner not willing to sell.

My friend didn't mind - he had written off the watch years ago. "Forget about it" he said. But I couldn't forget.

RECOVERY BEGINS

Finally I uncovered a dealer who had the parts, the expertise, and willingness to help me. The date was Dec 11, 2017.

I mailed it off on what was expected to be a 2-4 month complete service and repair... in the end it was 11 months, during which time 22 emails passed between us. 

Today the box arrived:

Back to the original bench to adjust the bracelet.

Outside to check the growth of the Agave. Look at it glow in the sunlight.





Now I will get the date and time set correctly (gently, gently), wear it for awhile to get it powered up, and enjoy this very old watch. It's as old as my relationship with my wife ...

Cheers. G.