Seiko · ref 6138-8039 (US market) · c. 1976–late 1970s
The John Player Special is a 6138 chronograph in Lotus colors. From 1972 the Lotus Formula 1 cars raced in the black and gold of the John Player tobacco brand, and this Seiko wears the same pairing, with a flat black dial, sunken gold sub-dials, a gold chapter ring and an applied gold Seiko logo at 9 o'clock. There was never an official tie-in with Lotus or JPS, and the name came from collectors. Worn & Wound's Sean Lorentzen, who owns one, says most serial numbers point to mid-1976 or later. The steel case is a lugless barrel about 40mm wide and 14mm thick, with brushed and polished surfaces that a heavy polish quickly spoils. Inside is the 6138 automatic, with a column wheel, 30-minute and 12-hour counters, day and date, and hand winding. Seiko sold it in the US as the 6138-8039. Some sellers list it as a 6138-8020, which is the case number of the white-dialed Panda, so read the case back.
Worn 6138s lose time and run the chronograph inaccurately until they get a proper service, and the pushers can stick. Many cases have been overpolished, which rounds off the brushed and polished edges.
Buying guide
We'd buy the JPS titled 6138-8039 on a two-tone bracelet at $795 delivered from the US, under the band and carrying the case number our catalog gives for the US version. There are only about 17 for sale, most asking $925–1,200 delivered, so the band is a loose read. Most titles say 6138-8030, so read the case back in the photos to see what you're getting, and skip one that reads 6138-8020, which is the white-dialed Panda. Check the gold sub-dials for flaking and the case edges for heavy polishing, and look up each seller's feedback and return policy on the item page, since eBay's watch search doesn't show it.
$447.76est. delivered
The lowest delivered JPS here at $448, about $480 under the band, and titled runs and keeps time. The title also says READ, which usually means a flaw in the description, so read it before you buy.
Vintage Seiko Chronograph 6138-8030 John Player Special RUNS! Keeps Time! READ!
$795.00est. delivered
Its title gives 6138-8039, the case number Seiko used in the US, and it asks $795 delivered, under the band. Confirm that number on the case back and ask whether it runs and when it was last serviced.
Seiko 6138-8039 Automatic Chronograph Tachymeter Day/Date Two-Tone Bracelet JPS
$1,035.47est. delivered
Titled serviced, so it should need the least work of any JPS here, at $1,035 delivered from Italy. A serviced 6138 can hold about ten seconds a day, so ask what it's running at now.
Seiko 6138-8030 John Player December 1976 Serviced
$740.00est. delivered
A box adds to a JPS, and this auction had no bids at $740 delivered. We'd stop near $1,000 delivered, the middle of the band, since unboxed ones ask $925–1,200.
SEIKO Vintage 6138-8030 JOHN PLAYER SPECIAL Circa 1976 W/Box
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 5, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 5, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$447.76est. delivered
$423.88 + $23.88 shipping
Buy It Now$423.88
Good buy
Titled runs and keeps time, plus READ, so check the description for a flaw.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$795.00est. delivered
$760.00 + $35.00 shipping
Buy It Now$760.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Titled 6138-8039, the US case number, on a two-tone bracelet.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Serviced$1,035.47est. delivered
$1,001.70 + $33.77 shipping
Buy It Now$1,001.70
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Titled serviced, dated December 1976. Ships from Italy.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$740.00est. delivered
$700.00 + $40.00 shipping
Auction · no bids yet
Good buy
Titled circa 1976 with a box. Auction with no bids at capture, from the Philippines.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$1,049.00est. delivered
$999.00 + $50.00 shipping
Buy It Now$999.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Titled gold plated, but the JPS case is steel. Ask what the title means.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$1,150.00est. delivered
$1,100.00 + $50.00 shipping
Buy It Now$1,100.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
One of two identical listings from Turkey, same title and price.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$1,230.00est. delivered
$1,200.00 + $30.00 shipping
Buy It Now$1,200.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Check the seller
Titled sample and very rare, with a date that matches a Japan listing's title. Ask for your own photos.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$1,948.99delivered
$1,948.99 · free shipping
Buy It Now$1,948.99
Priced high
About $750 over the band, with no reason given beyond very rare. Ships from Japan.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Prices change daily. The live eBay search shows everything listed now, including anything new since Oct 5, 2026.
See every listing on eBay ↗eBay searchA fresh strap, a set of spring bars and a spring-bar tool are the cheap part of making an old Seiko 6138 John Player Special wearable again. This searches Amazon for the usual kit.
Search straps & tools ↗Amazon search
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