When vintage watch and auto aficionados think of iconic Seiko watches designed by the legendary Italian automotive designer Giorgetto Giugiaro they automatically think of the iconic Seiko “Ripley” famously worn by Sigourney Weaver in the Alien film franchise.
Rarely do the Seiko Alba K2000z – like the 1997 Alba K2000 V743-6A30 Rallymeter racing watch here, on a new-old stock stainless-steel Stelux bracelet – come to mind. But it very much should.
Although there is little linking the K2000 model here to Giugiaro, the K2000 line nevertheless has unique lineage in the form of the V657-6090 chronograph, the last to be designed by Giugiaro. Th V657 is similar to the iconic Seiko “Ripley,” with its unique vertical pusher design and stunning and vibrantly blue and orange dial.
While car designers have worked with watch brands in the past, the combination of Seiko and famed Italian car designer, Giorgetto Giugiaro, was certainly distinct and resulted in a series of very unique timepieces, even for the 1980s.
As his career progressed, he worked on more impressive projects in the automotive world, started his own company in 1967. 1980s iconographic film, “Back to the Future's” epic De Loren? Yep. Warhol's BMW M1? Check. He even had a go at our favorite automotive company, Isuzu.
He also designed products outside of cars – namely, watches and cameras. Seiko and Giugiaro’s collaboration centered on automotive-themed timepieces, often chronographs, with the dial tilted slightly clockwise to accentuate the motorsport look and make it more practical for drivers.
A subsidiary of Seiko, Alba watches continue to be primarily aimed at Asian and Middle Eastern markets in the hope of creating long-term customer loyalty, which can translate loyalty to Seiko proper as the demographic ages and purchasing power increases.
This Alba K2000 chronograph comes on a new-old stock vintage stainless-steel Stelux bracelet, and with a black nylon strap, springbar tool, and rugged travel case.
1997 Alba K2000 V743-6A30 Rallymeter Racing Watch
DIAL: Silver Alba K2000-signed dial features contrasting red, black, and white colors. A crown at the 10 o'clock position controls the inner tachymeter ring, which works as designed, while the date function at the 3 o'clock position works as designed.
CASE: Stainless-steel case measures 41mm x 43mm; caselines remain sharp. Caseback inscriptions are crisply legible.
CRYSTAL: Crystal is fully intact, no deep scratches or cracks.
BAND: This Alba comes on a new new-old stock stainless-steel Stelux bracelet, which will fit up to an approx. 8.50 inch wrist (and includes its original box, pictured); this K2000 also comes with a black nylon strap.
MOVEMENT: Seiko V743 hacking quartz movement, manufactured in October 1997.
CROWN: Unsigned stainless-steel crown.
