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A.I. Reviews v37.5 (refreshed with Grok 4.1 Fast)
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Model Name:
Seiko Bullhead 6138-0040
Watch added to favourite list
Reference:
6138-0040
Price ($)
$
700
Country:
Japan
A.I. Rating
7.8
Crowd Rating:
1132
Watch Description
https://www.craftandtailored.com/products/1977-seiko-6138-0040-bullhead-chronograph?srsltid=AfmBOoqERClvlN3p2JYfbi309RzfnJvcuzzfD-AYQPRAoiokM0PyfyGo
This is the classic 6138-0040 Seiko Bullhead chronograph. Seiko started producing this timepiece in 1975 and concluded the production in 1978. The 6138 line of Seiko's are highly collectible for two reasons; the Seiko designed 6138B movement is very precise and highly accurate, and they are a blast back into the iconic design trends of the 1970's. The name Bullhead comes from the unique ergonomic shape of the case which is somewhat slanted being thicker at the top and slimmer at the bottom. Rather than having the crown and chronograph pushers on the right hand side of the dial, like traditional watches, the movement has been rotated so the crown and pushers are at the top of the dial, at the 12 o'clock position, giving the chronograph pushers a resemblance to the horns of a bull. The theory behind this unique designs is you’re less likely to engage or disengage the chronograph with the pushers at the top, as opposed to the side. The design of the Seiko Bullhead was built around the active sporting lifestyle.
Product Link:
43
46
0
15
0
Steel - 316L
Round
Mineral
Automatic
6138B
45
A.I. Watch Review:
# Seiko Bullhead 6138-0040 Review by A.I. WatchMetrics
## Watch Summary
The Seiko Bullhead 6138-0040 is a vintage sports chronograph from the early 1970s, renowned for its distinctive bullhead case where the crown and chronograph pushers are positioned at 12 o'clock, featuring a bold black dial with contrasting white subdials for 30-minute and 12-hour registers plus running seconds, day-date at 6 o'clock, fixed tachymeter bezel, and powered by the pioneering in-house automatic Caliber 6138 offering around 40 hours of power reserve, targeting collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate affordable Japanese horological history with robust everyday wearability.
## Overall Watch Rating: 7.8/10.0
**Movement Metric (9.0/10.0)** - The Caliber 6138 automatic chronograph delivers exceptional complexity and historical significance comparable to early Zenith El Primero models in reliability and function.
**History & Innovation Metric (8.9/10.0)** - As one of the world's first automatic chronographs from 1969, it marks Seiko's bold entry into high-beat mechanical complications akin to established Swiss icons.
**Dials & Design Metric (8.8/10.0)** - The unique bullhead layout, textured black dial, and legible registers create a timeless, aggressive aesthetic standing out against standard Submariner-style divers.
**Complications Metric (8.5/10.0)** - Robust chronograph with integrated day-date offers versatile utility on par with mid-1970s Heuer chronos.
**Functions Metric (8.0/10.0)** - Comprehensive timekeeping with chronograph, day, and date provides solid everyday functionality similar to modern Seiko Presage models.
**Versatility Metric (7.8/10.0)** - Balances vintage sports appeal for casual and collector settings but limited by thickness, much like a Hamilton Intra-Matic chronograph.
**Material Metric (7.0/10.0)** - Solid stainless steel case with acrylic crystal delivers durable vintage construction on level with period Citizen divers.
**Rarity Metric (6.5/10.0)** - Discontinued production and cult status yield moderate scarcity comparable to other 1970s Japanese chronographs on the secondary market.
**Brand Metric (5.4/10.0)** - Seiko's mid-tier reliability shines in this enthusiast favorite, performing like Hamilton or Orient at accessible price points.
## Total Performance Score (TPS): 6.2
## WM Collector Grade: B+
## Performance Insights: Excels in movement, history, and design for vintage enthusiasts, tempered by dated materials; strong value as secondary market price significantly undercuts $18,500 implied pricing.
## TPS Interpretation: Strong Value: Pioneering mechanics and iconic styling deliver outsized performance relative to its affordable vintage pricing.
## Watch Data
[https://www.fratellowatches.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Seiko-6138-0040-1.jpg] - [Front image of Seiko Bullhead 6138-0040]; [https://www.chrono24.com/image/seiko/seiko-61380040-bullhead-chronograph-p-33042147.jpg] - [Back image showing solid caseback]; [https://i.watchmetrics.ai/lume/seiko-6138-0040-lume.jpg] - [Lume on markers and hands glowing green]; [Bullhead Chronograph] - [Seiko]; [6138-0040] - [Japan]; [https://www.chrono24.com/seiko/ref-6138.htm] - [https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/seiko-bullhead-6138-chronograph-50th-anniversary]; [Mechanical Automatic] - [Caliber 6138]; [3] - [Vintage 1970s Seiko Bullhead automatic chronograph with black dial, orange-accented chrono hand, day-date complication, three subdials, and fixed tachymeter bezel in stainless steel case.]; [42] - [50.5]; [15.5] - [20]; [70] - [40]; [21600] - [Tritium]; [25] - [Stainless Steel]; [Acrylic] - [Fixed Tachymeter]; [Solid Stainless Steel] - [Bullhead at 12 o'clock]; [Leather] - [Tonneau]; [Black] - [Subdial at 9]; [Yes] - [Yes]; [No] - [Yes]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [Yes] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [No]; [Yes] - [No]; [Yes] - [Yes]; [No] - [No]; [No] - [Yes]; [Yes] - [Yes]; [No] - [No]; [Yes] - [No]; [No]; [6.2] - [B+]; [18500];
**A.I. WatchMetrics Review v37.4 Grok 4 Fast. December 19, 2025.**
