Introducing the New Seiko Speedtimer
Present since the 60s in the main world sporting events, through its high-precision equipment that allows capturing the elapsed time, it was in 1969 that is presented for the first time to the world its innovative chronograph, the Seiko Speedtimer with the Caliber 6139, which was the first automatic chronograph in the world with a column wheel and vertical clutch, which gave it greater precision in measuring elapsed time.
Today Seiko announces a new series of six Speedtimers, which aim to continue the tradition of sports timing and which are included in its Prospex collection. Two of the new models come with automatic movement, being one of them a limited edition, and a design inspired by the 1/5th second stopwatch from 1964, while the other four chronographs are powered by solar technology.
Both the automatic chronographs are presented in a 42.5mm stainless steel case with super-hard coated, smooth bezel, inner tachymeter ring, double curved sapphire crystal, 3 o’clock crown flanked by large concave pushers like the original 1964 stopwatch. On the dial some differences between the two, the one closest to the original stopwatch it comes with a white dial, Arabic numerals at every ten-second mark, baton hands, chronograph second hand curved down towards the dial, date window at 6 o’clock and it’s a limited edition of 1,000 pieces.
The other automatic variant features a charcoal gray dial, beveled hour markers, sharp hour and minute hands with colored Lumibrite, everything else remains like the white variant. Both chronographs come with the 8R46 automatic movement that offers up to 45 hours of power reserve. The watches are offered with a stainless-steel bracelet and an additional calfskin strap, which will be available from November, priced from € 3,200 for the version with a white dial and € 3,000 for one with charcoal gray dial.
The four quartz variants are offered in a 39mm stainless steel case, black bezel with a tachymeter scale, curved sapphire glass, crown at 3 o’clock, and two-button pushers.
The chronographs are offered with four different colored dials; white, navy, gold and black with a sandblast finish. Still on the dial, applied hour indexes, baton hour and minute hands, chronograph second hand with an arrow tip, and a date window at 4 ½ o’clock. Inside are powered by solar technology through the Caliber V192. The watches are offered with a stainless-steel bracelet and will be available from November with prices starting at € 680.
Our Opinion
The Speedtimer arrives at a good time and at the outset, it seems to be an excellent option for those looking for a beautiful chronograph at a good price (the quartz variants), its 39 mm diameter also seems to confirm a new trend in sizes more adjusted to reality. As for the automatic movements, in addition to the appealing design inspired by the 1964 chronograph, its strong point is the new Caliber 8R46.
Read more here.
General Specifications:
Brand: Seiko
Model: Prospex Speedtimer Mechanical Chronograph Limited Edition, Prospex Speedtimer Mechanical Chronograph, Prospex Speedtimer Solar Chronograph
Reference: SRQ035, SRQ037, SSC813, SSC815, SSC817, SSC819
Dial: White (SRQ035, SSC813), charcoal-gray (SRQ037), navy (SSC815), gold (SSC817), black (SSC819)
Case Material: Stainless-steel with a super-hard coating (SRQ035, SRQ037), stainless-steel (SSC813, SSC815, SSC817, SSC819)
Case Dimensions: 42.5 mm diameter x 15.1 mm thickness (SRQ035, SRQ037), 39 mm diameter x 13.3 mm thickness (SSC813, SSC815, SSC817, SSC819)
Crystal: Sapphire glass
Case Back: See-through (SRQ035, SRQ037), stainless-steel (SSC813, SSC815, SSC817, SSC819)
Water Resistance: 100 Meters
Strap: Stainless-steel bracelet with three-fold clasp with push-button release and an additional calfskin strap (SRQ035, SRQ037)
Caliber: 8R46 (SRQ035, SRQ037), V192 (SSC813, SSC815, SSC817, SSC819)
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, chronograph, power reserve indicator (SSC813, SSC815, SSC817, SSC819), 24-hour hand (SSC813, SSC815, SSC817, SSC819)
Winding: Automatic (SRQ035, SRQ037), Quartz (SSC813, SSC815, SSC817, SSC819)
Frequency: 28,800 Vph (SRQ035, SRQ037)
Jewels: 34 (SRQ035, SRQ037)
Power Reserve: 45 Hours (SRQ035, SRQ037)
Price: € 3,200 (SRQ035), € 3,000 (SRQ037), € 680 (SSC813, SSC815, SSC817, SSC819)
Availability: November 2021
Limited Edition: Yes, 1,000 units (SRQ035)
