Seiko’s Latest Speedtimer SSC953: A European Exclusive Inspired By 1960s Motorsports
Seiko has a storied history of producing cutting-edge chronographs, dating back to 1969 when it launched the groundbreaking automatic chronograph, the Speedtimer, featuring both a column wheel and vertical clutch. The Speedtimer quickly became an iconic piece, inspiring Seiko to continually evolve its chronograph offerings. Today, the brand carries on this legacy with the latest addition to its Prospex line, the Speedtimer SSC953—a limited edition exclusive to Europe. This release revives the spirit of Seiko’s heritage with a nod to automotive aesthetics, drawing inspiration from the vibrant designs of classic European cars of the 1960s.
Following the success of last year’s limited edition SSC937 Speedtimer with a light blue panda dial, Seiko now unveils a striking red panda dial variant for the SSC953. This vivid colour choice echoes the bold reds found on the bodywork of vintage European sports cars, complemented by the orange accents seen on the speedometers of the era and a brown leather strap that mirrors the interiors of classic car models.
The Speedtimer SSC953 maintains Seiko’s dedication to quality with a robust 39mm stainless steel case, predominantly brushed with polished accents for a refined look. This timepiece has a 13.30mm height, 45.50mm lug-to-lug length, and features a curved sapphire crystal for added durability. Designed for versatility and rugged performance, it includes a metallic tachymeter bezel, a fluted crown at 3 o’clock flanked by two pushers, a solid screwed case back, and water resistance up to 100 meters.
The red matte dial hosts three black recessed subdials, providing a 24-hour indicator, a 60-minute chronograph register that doubles as a power reserve gauge when inactive, and a running seconds positioned at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock respectively. The dial showcases a sophisticated layout with applied hour markers, Lumibrite indexes at the cardinal points, and bold centre hands, ensuring clear readability. An understated black date window is nestled at 4:30, adding functionality without interrupting the dial’s flow. The stopwatch hands feature a bright orange hue, enhancing its sporty appeal, while the 1/5-second track along the outer edge enables precise timekeeping. Seiko’s signature branding and the Prospex logo complete the dial design at noon.
At the heart of the SSC953 is Seiko’s V192 solar-charged quartz movement, known for its reliable performance and eco-conscious design. Fully charged, it provides a power reserve of up to six months and operates with an impressive accuracy of +/- 15 seconds per month.
The watch comes equipped with a robust 3-link stainless steel bracelet secured by a three-fold clasp, along with an additional brown leather strap for added versatility, secured by a steel pin buckle. Limited to 2,400 pieces and priced at GBP 730, the Seiko Prospex Speedtimer SSC953 is an exclusive release available only in Europe, combining vintage-inspired design with modern engineering.
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General Specifications:
Brand: Seiko
Model: Prospex Speedtimer Solar-Powered
Reference: SSC953
Dial: Red with black counters
Case Material: Stainless steel
Case Dimensions: 39 mm diameter, 13.30 mm thickness, 45.50 mm lug-to-lug
Crystal: Sapphire glass
Case Back: Stainless steel
Water Resistance: 100 Meters
Strap: Stainless steel bracelet with folding clasp and an additional brown leather rally-type strap with a steel pin buckle
Calibre: V192
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, power reserve indicator, chronograph
Winding: Quartz solar-powered
Power Reserve: 6 Months
Price: GBP 730
Availability: December 2024 an exclusive for the European market
Limited Edition: Yes, 2,400 numbered pieces
