very interesting.

so does OnTheDash need a page for the helmets??

Jeff

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: I have both an original Heuer red helmet box
: and a Clay Regazzoni helmet clock.
: Dimensions are exactly the same, the only
: difference being one part of the two part
: base. The original has a cut-out 2.5" x
: 1" to accept the white plastic strap
: holder/watch while the clock helmet has a
: larger cut-out for the battery movement.

: Heresy, obviously, but I have just remodelled
: the Regazzoni base to accept a watch. Looks
: great (the clocks are dismal in my view).

: I was talking to a retired watchmaker recently
: and he told me the original red Heuer
: helmets were display only items and not
: designed to be given away with watches due
: to their high cost. Needless to say everyone
: wanted one even though most ended up as toys
: (they fit a teddy bear very nicely
: apparently). As the cost of giving them away
: with each watch was prohibitive they came up
: with the clock idea using the same moulds
: (bar one) and selling them. These special
: clock helmets were made for the then top F1
: drivers. James Hunt, Ronnie Peterson, Jochen
: Mass, Jacky Ickx, Alan Jones, Mario
: Andretti, Alain Prost, Clay Regazzoni and
: Jody Scheckter helmets were produced.

: Later on, to keep costs down and avoid
: copyright issues, a series of plain metallic
: helmets were also made. I believe these
: later ones may have been larger.

: The original red Heuer helmet is very rare as
: the production run was limited and most
: eventually ended up in the hands of children
: and the heads of bears! More helmets seem to
: have survived than bases as a result.

: The modification is quite simple but requires
: the removal of some plastic. The clock can
: be refitted if required. The price of the
: clock helmets is less than a red
: "racing" box and is a great way to
: display.