Hey! Just found a panda 6138-8020 for sale. It’s all original and recently serviced according to the owner. I really don’t know what to look for when it comes to seiko watches and would gladly take som help from you guys that know more! here’s some pictures I got!
Yeah, really nice on that bracelet, although it’s aftermarket. What’s your take on the case? Probably polished?
I can't really help ya there. Too many variables at play. However if I seen it at an as-is where-is tag sale or flea market I would have no problem paying up to $350 for it as long as everything was working.
They are really nice looking and so many floating around have modern parts these days. I saw some sell at relatively sane prices on Reddit but check out the reference on eBay recent sales as they were getting hot for a while, by that I mean selling in a day I’d always miss them I’m not sure if the prices came down to earth a little more lately. If you know the guy that’s a plus.
Critically, the dial has none of the usual signs of a fake. As noted above, the bracelet is AM and the case may have been polished. You'll not get a nice one for $350 unless you're very lucky. I'd say if you got it for $500 you'd feel like you had got a pretty good deal.
You need to check the “sold items” in the filter after you search. If you’re on a browser it is on the left side. In the eBay app, select the “filter” on the top right, “show more” at the bottom and you will see the option. Beautiful watch, by the way.
FIFY How about try shut off the gadgets, put one foot in front of the other and put in some time, in your spare time the tried and true way...boots on the ground as my previous post alluded to. Used Seiko divers and chronos were produced in the millions. They're everywhere in real life. .
Case is probably overpolished but note that the case finish on these has to be fully polished, not satin.
Don’t really know about the difference between the polishing techniques. Is this piece correctly polished then?
What @bardamu is pointing out is that these watches shipped with a simple mirror finish, not satin or brushed. That means that the finish on the pictured watch is consistent with the original finish. Not saying that this means it is the original finish, just that it's not incorrect. Because the easiest finish is simple mirror (just buff), it's what you're most likely to see on a badly polished watch. To me this watch looks polished (edges are a little rounded) but not outrageously so (facets are distinct and lug shape is good).
Wait is the seller asking for $350? I think that price is really low for a 6138 regardless of the variant! A good guide to 6138's of you are interested to read https://vintagewatchinc.com/seiko/6138-chronograph/
I just did a search for 6138s sold on eBay and there are a number of sales under $400, but ranging up to $800 and above. Seems like the difference is condition rather than specific models. Looks like $350 is a good price for a decent running watch but if you have $500 to spend you have options. Here is mine