6138-8020 Panda Questions

Marsimaxam · Feb 10, 2021

I have two 8138-8020 that I bought years ago. The one with the Arabic date wheel is from 1973, the Spanish date wheel is from 1976. Both have different finishes, thus, the first question. What is the proper finish of the case? One is entirely polished, other has a brushed top of case then going down to caseback, side polished, then brushed.

Other issue, which I’ve heard is a common problem with the movement; the chronograph hand and sub dial counters, especially the minute counter, do not always reset at first and you need to push reset pusher more then once. Is this an easy fix? I’ve heard parts associated with chronograph movement are hard to find. Also anyone know a good SEIKO watchmaker in the Los Angeles Area?

bardamu · Feb 12, 2021

Hi, first one is definitely overpolished but to be honest polishing seems off to me on the other one too -low quality pics don't help the assessment though.
Resetting to zero issues are quite usual on these, that means they are in need of a service.
6138 is a wonderful movement, a good overhauling will make them last for many years to come.

Foo2rama · Feb 12, 2021

I might have a guy in Costa Mesa who can service these. I’ve had them do non chrono Seikos for me.

as you know it is LA area, but is it your LA area?

Marsimaxam · Feb 12, 2021

Foo2rama
I might have a guy in Costa Mesa who can service these. I’ve had them do non chrono Seikos for me.

as you know it is LA area, but is it your LA area?

Costa Mesa is a little over 50 miles from my neighborhood. Appreciate the thought.

Marsimaxam · Feb 12, 2021

bardamu
Hi, first one is definitely overpolished but to be honest polishing seems off to me on the other one too -low quality pics don't help the assessment though.
Resetting to zero issues are quite usual on these, that means they are in need of a service.
6138 is a wonderful movement, a good overhauling will make them last for many years to come.

I realize that both cases have been polished/refinished, but, do you know what the original finish of the case would have been?

This is the closest link I could find, but the responders in the thread offer conflicting information, except image of possible NOS watch.
https://www.thewatchsite.com/threads/6138-8020-case-finish-specs.16268/

mountainunder · Feb 13, 2021

Here is a link to the NOS image, which may or may not be helpful to you.
https://www.watchuseek.com/threads/seiko-unicorn-6138-8020-panda-n-o-s.4816797/
https://wristsushi.proboards.com/thread/18200/seiko-6138-8020-panda-nos

From the image in the link, you can see the finish of the '77 watch.
In my opinion, maybe the exterior finish is different depending on the year of production. It's just my opinion...😕

bardamu · Feb 13, 2021

I checked out mine, from january 1973, and actually the four surfaces are polished, no satin finishing.
The links above show the real deal imho.

Marsimaxam · Feb 13, 2021

M mountainunder
Here is a link to the NOS image, which may or may not be helpful to you.
https://www.watchuseek.com/threads/seiko-unicorn-6138-8020-panda-n-o-s.4816797/
https://wristsushi.proboards.com/thread/18200/seiko-6138-8020-panda-nos

From the image in the link, you can see the finish of the '77 watch.
In my opinion, maybe the exterior finish is different depending on the year of production. It's just my opinion...😕

Thank you for the links. If you consider bardamu's comment, then the conclusion is that all surfaces are polished unless there is additional information that earlier models had both satin and polished surfaces. Thank you to all who responded.