Power Wheels Magazine A Notch Above
When Seiko released their 6139-7100 chronograph wristwatches in the 1970s, it was known as the “Helmet Chronograph” because of its bulky, sloping, lug-less case that resembles a retro motorcycle helmet or an astronaut’s visor. However, because of the release of the first “Star Wars” movie in 1977, these Seiko chronographs became more popular as the namesakes of the movie characters.
The “Black Helmet” or “Darth Vader” 6319-7100 features a black dial with white markers, white and black hour/minute hands, and green or yellow chronograph hands. Meanwhile, the “White Helmet” or “Storm Trooper” 6319-7100 has a white dial, all-black hands, and an outer black tachymeter scale. It is also known to vintage Seiko watch enthusiasts as the “Al Pacino”, because the actor wore a white-dial Helmet in the 1977 film “Bobby Deerfield”.
Both variants of the Seiko Helmet Chronograph are powered by the Seiko 6139B that was introduced in 1969 as one of the world’s very first automatic chronograph movements. Highly regarded by horology enthusiasts, it incorporates features usually reserved for luxury Swiss pieces such as the column wheel mechanism for precise, crisp button operation, and the vertical clutch system that ensures smooth engagement without premature wear.
Our Seiko Helmet Chronograph 6139-7100 was produced in August 1977 with a black dial, white and black hour/minute hands, and yellow chronograph hands to make it a “Darth Vader”. An angled internal chapter ring printed with a tachymeter scale replaces the traditional outer bezel. The yellow central second hand only moves when it serves as the 60-second chronograph while a sub-dial at 6 o’clock measures elapsed time up to 30 minutes.
A window at the 3 o’clock position displays the date and bilingual day in English and Kanji. The chronograph buttons at the 2 and 4 o’clock positions sandwich the unique quick-set push-crown at 3 o’clock. The crown is pushed in all the way to set the day and pressed a bit gently to set the date. The recessed crown makes it a bit challenging for those with stubby fingers to set the time.
The 40.6 mm case is quite thick at 13.8 mm and a bit long at 48.5 mm lug-to-lug, considering that it’s a lug-less design. From the factory, the Helmet Chronograph is originally paired with an integrated steel “Fishbone” steel bracelet or a flat Stelux bracelet that blends into the sloping case design.
On modern vintage watch platforms like Chrono24, chronographs such as ours are priced anywhere from P24,000 to over P90,000 ($400 to $1,500+) depending on originality, condition, and service history. Regardless of price, we will value our 1977 Seiko Helmet Darth Vader 6139-7100 Chronograph automatic as an iconic, historical, and highly-collectible timepiece.
Model: Seiko Helmet Chronograph “Darth Vader”
Reference No.: 6139-7100
Month/Year of Manufacture: August 1977
Type: Chronograph
Movement: Self-Winding/Automatic
Caliber: Seiko 6139B
No. of Jewels: 17
Diameter: 40.6 mm
Thickness: 13.8 mm
Lug-to-lug Length: 48.5 mm
Lug Width: 20 mm
Weight: 122 grams
