Beginning in 1979, Alba - a sub-brand of Seiko – continues to produce wristwatches utilizing Seiko's own family of movements but paired with modern styling designed to appeal to younger customers. The watch here – a 2001 Alba 2002 FIFA World Cup "Korea/Japan" Ref. 7N32-0AE0 watch, with its original box – is no different.
The 2002 FIFA World Cup, also branded as Korea/Japan 2002, was the 17th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial football (or soccer if you’re, you know, American) world championship for men's national teams organized by Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). It was held from May 31st to June 30, 2002 at sites in South Korea and Japan, with its final match hosted by Japan at International Stadium in Yokohama. During the opening ceremony, the championship was declared opened by President of South Korea Kim Dae-jung.
199 teams attempted to qualify for the 2002 World Cup. The qualification process began with the preliminary draw held in Tokyo on 7 December 1999. Defending champions France and co-hosts South Korea and Japan qualified automatically and did not have to play any qualification matches. This was the final World Cup in which the defending champions qualified automatically.
A field of 32 teams qualified for this World Cup, which was the first to be held in Asia, the first to be held outside of the Americas or Europe, as well as the first to be jointly hosted by more than one nation. China, Ecuador, Senegal and Slovenia made their World Cup debuts, with Senegal being the only debutant to qualify from the group stages and make it to the quarterfinals.
The tournament had several upsets and surprise results, which included the defending champions France being eliminated in the group stage after earning a single point without scoring a goal and second favorites Argentina also being eliminated in the group stage.
South Korea managed to reach the semi-finals, beating Poland, Portugal, Italy and Spain. They became one of the first Asian teams (along with Turkey in this World Cup) to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup. However, the most potent team at the tournament, Brazil, prevailed, winning the final against Germany 2–0, making them the first and only country to have won the World Cup five times.
The victory qualified Brazil for the 2003 and subsequently 2005 FIFA Confederations Cups, its fourth and fifth Confederations Cup appearance in a row. In the third place play-off match against South Korea, Turkey won 3–2, taking third place in only their second ever FIFA World Cup, and scored the fastest goal in the FIFA World Cup history (10.8 seconds after kick-off). The 2002 World Cup was also the last one to use the golden goal rule and the last one to use the same ball for all matches.
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.
Of note, Alba has often adopted Seiko's watch designs, notably those of Italian automotive designer Giorgetto Giugiaro.
This Alba FIFA watch comes with two nylon straps, its original box, springbar tool, and rugged travel case.
2001 Alba Ref. 7N32-0AE0 "2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan" Watch
DIAL: White Alba and FIFA-signed dial, which features a partially pink chapter ring extending from the 12 o'clock to 9 o'clock positions to represent the 45 minute soccer half. Arabic hour plots.
CASE: Black plastic (don't worry, we won't call it "bio-ceramic") monobloc case measures 35.5mm (37.5mm including crown) x 35.5mm; back of case inscriptions remain crisp.
CRYSTAL: Seiko crystal is fully intact, no scratches or cracks.
BAND: This black Alba FIFA 2002 comes on a black nylon strap; it also comes with a black, white, and red nylon strap.
MOVEMENT: Seiko 7Nxx hacking quartz movement, manufactured in December 2001.
CROWN: Unsigned gold crown, with light wear.
Of note, this black Alba FIFA 2002 watch comes with its original (albeit heavily-damaged) Seiko Alba FIFA 2002 box.