I am Wearing my Father's Watch ⏱️ Seiko 6139-7100 Darth Vader

I am now wearing my dad's Seiko 6139-7100 from the 1970s. I like the watch's unique, unorthodox design - it is chunky and thick but looks nice in a "cute" kind of way.

The black faced watch is nicknamed Darth Vader because it looks like the Star Wars villain's hat. Image courtesy of Flickr.

There is a white face version known as Helmet or Stormtrooper because of the watch's shape. Image courtesy of Wikipedia.

I am not sure when or where my dad bought this watch but one of his favourite haunts is the Sungei Road "Thieves Market". Among my dad's many hobbies was to collect used watches that catch his eye. (Image courtesy of National Archives of Singapore.)

When we come here for "shopping", we will eat this laksa.

The Seiko Darth Vader's beauty is beyond its unique "tin pot hat" looks. At the heart of the Seiko Darth Vader and Stormtrooper is the Seiko 6139 automatic chronograph movement.

Back in 1969, three leading watch companies Zenith, Seiko and a group by Heuer-Breitling-Hamilton were racing to launch the world's first automatic chronograph movement.

It turned out that it was dark horse Seiko that won the race against much fancied rivals with the 6139 movement. The Seiko 6139 movement was first used to power the Seiko 5 Sports Speedtimer launched in May 1969. This was the world’s first automatic chronograph watch. (Collectors note ☝ )

Even more important, the Seiko 6139 design was emulated by other top manufacturers including Piguet (which is truly the sincerest flattery). The Seiko 6139 movement become revered as the "Grandfather of Modern Chronograph Movement".

Seiko 6139 chronograph automatic movements were produced from 1969 to 1979.

Seiko released the 6139-7100 Darth Vader chronograph automatic in 1976 (after launching the white faced Helmet or Stormtrooper earlier in the same year).

Seiko 6139-7100 is also known as Seiko Al Pacino 

The American actor sported a Seiko Helmet in the romantic car racing movie Bobby Deerfield released in 1977.

More than forty years on, this Seiko Darth Vader with the Seiko 6139 movement at its heart still tells time accurately.

From the serial number 669304 engraved on the back case, my watch was made in Jun 1976. The first number (6) is the year in the decade of production. The second number (6) denotes the month. The last four digits (9304) represent the running number of production.

So, my watch is 45 years old this year (2021).

Seiko Darth Vader / Stormtrooper are not luxury watches - they are made with stainless steel, 17 jewel movement and no precious metals or stones.

The watch comes with a 30-minute sub-dial at the six o'clock (i.e. bottom of watch face) but no second hand. Seiko wanted the 6139-7100 to be affordable. By not having a second hand, it simplifies production, hence cutting cost.

Two pushers - the top one starts and stops the chronograph (stopwatch). The bottom pusher resets the dial.

The crown in the middle is recessed and flush with the surface.

I enjoy using this watch. For example, I like the easy way we can adjust the day and date of the watch. Press the crown half way down, the date changes. Press it all the way down, the day changes. So easy.

The iconic Seiko 6139-7100 Darth Vader and Helmet / Stormtrooper are affordable collectibles. This elegant (to me), distinctive watch is available online from merely USD100 to USD700 depending on condition.

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Written by Tony Boey on 10 Apr 2021