Throughout its long and storied history, Seiko has teamed up with various disparate entites to release commemorative watches - like this 1997 Seiko 7N01-0FM0 "Helmet" watch, on its original stainless-steel Seiko bracelet and with original Seiko 7N01 instructions manual.
On to the watch itself - Seiko introduced its 7Nxx movement in circa 1993, and it came in a range of styles and dial colors, to include the unique helmet-shaped watch here - Seiko would cease production of the calibre in 2009.
The Seiko watch here bears a striking resemblance to the iconic 1970s Seiko 6139 "Bobby Deerfield" chronograph - Al Pacino wore one in the 1977 American romantic drama "Bobby Deerfield" - directed by Sydney Pollack and starring Pacino and Marthe Keller, it was based on Erich Maria Remarque's 1961 novel "Heaven Has No Favorites," about a famous American race car driver (Pacino) on the European circuit who falls in love with an enigmatic Swiss woman who is terminally ill.
1969 - the year Seiko beat the entire Swiss watch industry with its legendary Seiko 6139 automatic chronograph, the first in the world - was one of the most spectacular in Seiko’s storied history. That year, Seiko also released its V.F.A. (Very Fine Adjusted) movement – which delivered Seiko’s highest yet level of precision for a mechanical movement.
But Seiko would release another first upon the world, the first quartz wristwatch - the Seiko Quartz Astron, which went on to change the way the world told time, and severely tested the dominance of the Swiss, bringing high technology within the reach of all. The Swiss would literally pay for neglecting the evolution of the watch, in terms of market share and profit.
As the world got accustomed to the novel new Astron technology dominating the market in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Seiko was hard at work on its next innovation to challenge Swiss watch industry dominance, developing the Superior, Grand Quartz, King Quartz - and eventually the 7Nxx line here.
This Seiko diver comes on its original stainless-steel bracelet, and with rugged travel case, Seiko 7Nxx instructions manual, and springbar tool.
1997 Seiko 7N01-0FM0 "Helmet" Watch
DIAL: Black Seiko-signed dial, with unique "negative" hour indices and intricate dial. Silver baton handset is in likewise great condition.
CASE: Stainless-steel case measures 43.5mm x 49mm, with matching caseback. Case lines remain sharp, with no evidence of machine polish.
CRYSTAL: Seiko Hardlex crystal, no scratches or blemishes.
BAND: This Seiko helmet comes on its original Seiko-signed stainless-steel bracelet, which will fit up to an approx. 7.50 inch wrist.
MOVEMENT: Seiko 7N01 hacking quartz movement, manufactured in November 1997.
CROWN: Unsigned stainless-steel crown.
Of note, this Seiko 7N01 comes with an original Seiko 7N01 instructions manual.