Update: Added the 2015 Seiko SCED “Ripley” reissues!
Some of the most recognizable and sought-after collectible watches weren’t all that expensive when they were new. One example of the low-end grail is the line of 7A28 Seiko chronographs designed by Italian designer, Giorgetto Giugiaro. These odd asymmetric watches were used in the 1986 film, “Aliens”, but were not considered collectibles at the time. Now they are so in demand that Seiko has reissued them as limited edition models in their home-market Spirit line.
For “Aliens”, director James Cameron wanted to create a familiar yet futuristic vision of the future. Along with spacecraft and guns based on real-world objects, Cameron outfitted the colonial marine party with Seiko watches. Most famous of these are the silver and black 7A28-7000 worn by Ellen Ripley and the 7A28-6000 worn by the android Bishop. In fact, these models have become known as the “Ripley” and “Bishop”, respectively, and are highly sought-after collectibles. For what it’s worth, the rest of the colonial marines wore digital Seiko S234 Pulsemeters.
While the buttons on the Ripley models proved troublesome, the Bishop chronographs were well-loved by collectors. Their distinctive styling isn’t quite so radical as the PloProf-like Ripley, it has enough flair to draw comments.
Inside the original Giugiaro models was Seiko’s respected 7A28 quartz analog chronograph movement. This was actually the first analog quartz chronograph ever made, predating the better-known Swiss Jaeger-LeCoultre “Mechaquartz” Calibre 630 and Frederic Piguet 1270 “Meca-Quartz” by a few years. It’s a well-made all-metal jeweled movement with individual stepper motors for each hand. Read more here or check out the 7A38 site!
With all the interest in the 7A28 among modern Seiko collectors, it was only a matter of time before Seiko created a homage to the line. Now they’ve done that three years in a row!
2013 Seiko SCED Series
The first reissue or homage to the 7A28 Aliens line appeared in 2013. The SCED003 is the most direct copy of the original “Bishop” watch, but a wide variety of other combinations was created as well. In all, there were six SCED watches issued by Seiko in 2013, with four available as a series of 500 and two being very rare, only for sale at Tic Tac in Japan and limited to just 200 examples.
This series uses the modern 7T12 movement, which isn’t quite up to the standards of the 7A28. For starters, it’s a mass-produced movement with plastic parts and not meant to be serviceable. It’s also lower-spec than the 7A28, with 1/5 second chronograph timing rather than 1/10 and lacking the split-seconds feature offered by the 10:00 button on the original. It’s an acceptable movement, but not in the same league as the 7A.
On the other hand, the cases appear to be very well made. All are stainless steel, and four of six are coated in a black super-hard material. Although it’s apparently not PVD, it does have that look. Hopefully Seiko also solved the cracking and splitting issues the original plastic buttons had.
In the interest of posterity, I’ve saved photos and specifications from Seiko’s 2013 Giugiaro Spirit web site. These watches are quite hard to find even just one year on, and the SCED009 and SCED011 are exceptionally rare: I didn’t even find a photo of those on Google!
| SCED001 | SCED003 | SCED005 | SCED007 | SCED009 | SCED011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| 1/500 | 1/500 | 1/500 | 1/500 | 1/200 Tic Tac Stores |
1/200 Tic Tac Stores |
| Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel Hard Coated | Stainless Steel Hard Coated | Stainless Steel Hard Coated | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel Hard Coated |
| ¥28,000 | ¥32,000 | ¥32,000 | ¥32,000 | ¥28,000 | ¥32,000 |
2014 Seiko SCED Series
For 2014, Seiko again reissued the Giugiaro watch lineup as a limited edition in the Spirit line. Although we have different colors and much higher production numbers, the watches are essentially the same as the 2013 models, complete with the 7T12 movement. Of these models, the SCED023 is most eye-catching to me, though the blue and black SCED021 is pretty cool too. None matches Bishop’s watch from Aliens, but that’s what the SCED003 was for!
Although 2,500 of each model were released, they’re already becoming hard to find. Our go-to Japanese sources like Seiya Japan are out of stock, and they say supplies there are running out. So if you want a Seiko Giugiaro chronograph, I suggest you buy one soon!
| SCED017 | SCED019 | SCED021 | SCED023 | SCED025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| 1/2,500 | 1/2,500 | 1/2,500 | 1/2,500 | 1/2,500 |
| Stainless Steel Hard Coated | Stainless Steel Hard Coated | Stainless Steel Coated | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| ¥32,000 | ¥32,000 | ¥28,000 | ¥28,000 | ¥30,000 |
Note: All photos taken from the Seiko Spirit Giugiaro web site.
2015 Seiko SCED Series
For 2015, Seiko turned to the “Ripley” Giugiaro watches. These are the most hotly-anticipated, since Ripley’s 7A28-7000 gets more screen time than Bishop’s watch. Once again, Seiko uses the lower-end 7T12 movement. The SCED035 is an almost-perfect match for Ripley’s watch, so I expect it will sell quickest!
Just 3,000 of each model were released, and Seiya Japan already lists them as “out of stock”.
| SCED035 | SCED037 |
|---|---|
 |
 |
| 1/3,000 | 1/3,000 |
| Stainless Steel Coated | Stainless Steel Hard Coated |
| ¥32,000 | ¥36,000 |
Note: All photos taken from the Seiko Spirit Giugiaro web site.
Related Posts
Year: 1980's, 2010's, 2013, 2014
Brand: Seiko, Spirit
Style: Chronograph, Complicated watch, Tool watch
Case: Common Metals, Stainless Steel
Country: Asia, Japan
Source: Seiya Japan
Tags: 7A28, 7T12, Aliens, Chronograph, Giugiaro, Meca-Quartz, Mechaquartz, SCED, Seiko, Seiko Spirit, quartz
Thanks for the little plug, Stephen. Reciprocated.
These “Aliens” are so exceptionally designed, extremely impressive sport watches, Seiko is the No.1 Innovator in the watch industry, along with Citizen.
Thanks for the little plug, Stephen. Reciprocated.
Hi
I´v got one in original -83 new old stock Seiko 7A28-6000
Does anybody know a value?