1969 was one of the most spectacular in Seiko’s storied history.  That year, it released the world’s first automatic chronograph, the Calibre 6139 and the V.F.A. (Very Fine Adjusted) movement – which delivered Seiko’s highest yet level of precision for a mechanical movement.
 
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 Japanese Prime Minister-gifted 1993 Seiko 7N01-001A pocket watch here. 
 
The Prime Minister of Japan (Japanese: 内閣総理大臣, Naikaku Sōri-Daijin) is the head of government of Japan.  The Prime Minister chairs the Cabinet of Japan and has the ability to select and dismiss its Ministers of State.  The Prime Minister also serves as the Commander-In-Chief of the Japan Self Defense Forces (JASDF) and is a sitting member of either house of the National Diet (typically the House of Representatives).
 
The Japanese Emperor appoints as Prime Minister the induvial nominated by the National Diet (the Japanese Parliament).  The Prime Minister must retain the confidence of the House of Representatives to remain in office, and lives and works at the Naikaku Sōri Daijin Kantei (Prime Minister's Official Residence) in Nagatachō, Chiyoda, Tokyo, close to the National Diet Building.
 
Sixty-five men have served as prime minister, the first of whom was Itō Hirobumi taking office on 22 December 1885.  The longest-serving prime minister was Shinzo Abe, who served over eight years, and the shortest-serving was Prince Naruhiko Higashikuni, who served fifty-four days.  
 
The Prime Minister of Japan travels in a Toyota Century, and the Lexus LS 600h L, which served as the Prime Minister's official car from 2008 to 2019, is now the spare/alternative vehicle used by the Prime Minister.  For overseas air travel, the Japanese government maintains two Boeing 777s, which is also used by the Emperor, members of the Imperial Family, and other high-ranking officials.
 
Akin to the U.S. President, these Boeing 777s have radio callsigns “Japanese Air Force One” and “Japanese Air Force Two” when operating on official business, and Cygnus One and Cygnus Two when operating outside of official business (e.g., training flights).  The two aircraft always fly together on government missions, with one serving as the primary transport and the other serving as a backup with maintenance personnel on board.  
 
This gold Seiko comes with with an ornate black box with the Japanese Prime Minister insignia on it (and the inside is lined in purple velvet), Kanji Japanese letter from the office of the Prime Minister, Seiko warranty paperwork, original Seiko 7N01 instructions manual, and rugged travel case.