It’s back but not as we know it.

Another day, another space watch (or so it may seem). this is Seiko’s relaunched Pogue and the reason I use the word “nod” in the title is because it is exactly that.( being generous).

It has that classic golden-yellow dial and Pepsi bezel, but that’s where the comparison stops. the dial is too “busy” compared to the classic Pogue (too many sub-dials) and the BIG thing ..it doesn’t even have an automatic movement as they have gone solar-powered! let us remind ourselves of the classic original.

There are a few different flavours of Pogue out there but the above is the correct one. model ref 6139-6002 with a yellow dial and most importantly “Water70m resist” should be stamped at the 9, o’clock position. So what is the big deal with this watch anyway? Well in 2007 a photograph was discovered of Col William J . Poguefound wearing the Seiko during the NASA “Skylab 4” mission on 16 November 1973, making it the first automatic chronograph in space. Before the “Skylab 4” mission, all astronauts were only allowed to wear the Omega Speedmaster, the only NASA-certified watch in space. However, Col. Pogue was familiar with his trusty Seiko that he wore daily for the pre-flight preparation and decided to take his watch up to space. It wasn’t certified as such by NASA so he slipped it into his pocket and put it on when up there. picture showed him double-wristing with the Omega and the rest as they say is history. the watch was 41mm with a 17jewel calibre 6139 movement.

(Col Pogue double wristing. )

So Seiko had a chance to recreate a classic and in my eyes failed in all but the colours. the new Pogue is $700 /£600 and my advice is to spend a couple hundred more and buy an original.. they are out there but due diligence is needed to secure a good genuine one.

Please let us know your thoughts below on the new watch .. have they lost their mark?