The newly launched Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Series combines the Japanese watchmaking giant’s heritage in sports timing and its leadership in chronograph technology. The collection is comprised of six models: Two automatic chronographs and four solar chronographs.

In the 1960’s, Seiko forayed into the international sports timing stage with a whole new generation of high-precision timing devices. Many international sports federations endorsed these instruments for leading sports events.

An essential factor for this success was a range of stopwatches that incorporated Seiko’s innovative “heart-shaped cam” mechanism, which provided an unparallel level of precision. Then, in 1969, Seiko introduced the Seiko Speedtimer with the innovative Caliber 6139. It was the world’s first automatic chronograph with a column wheel and vertical clutch.

Prospex Speedtimer Mechanical Chronograph

Among the two automatic models, one is a limited edition watch. Featuring a white dial, the limited edition chronograph evokes the 1/5th second stopwatch from 1964. The numerals at each ten-second mark and the markings stand out prominently against the plain white dial and guarantee the same high level of legibility.

The chronograph second hand is gently curved down towards the dial so that the tip of the hand is as close as possible to the dial’s markers and extends to the tachymeter markings at the very edge of the dial, thus ensuring that elapsed time can be read accurately at a glance. The large concave pushers ensure the high operability for which the original stopwatch was renowned.

Seiko Caliber 8R46, automatic chronograph with vertical clutch and column wheel

The Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Mechanical Chronograph Limited Edition SRQ035J1 is equipped with Caliber 8R46, a brand new automatic chronograph movement. It shares the same performance attributes as Caliber 8R48 but incorporates two sub-dials instead of three and has a date window at the six o’clock position.

The vertical clutch and column wheel ensure the precision and durability which are the hallmarks of the 8R Caliber series. The escapement is lightweight and strong, thanks to the use of MEMS technology which enhances the stability of the watch’s precision. With the push of the reset button, the hands return back to zero instantly and in perfect synchronization.

The watch is presented on a stainless steel bracelet that is specially designed and constructed for the series. Its thickness, weight and low center of gravity ensure stability and a high level of comfort on the wrist. If the wearer chooses, the bracelet can be replaced with the black leather strap that is also included and whose stitching is designed to increase the durability of the strap.

In addition to the limited edition watch, a new creation with the same case and bracelet and also powered by Caliber 8R46 joins the main Prospex collection.

Its charcoal-gray dial evokes Seiko’s and Japan’s first chronograph wristwatch, the Crown Chronograph from 1964. Its beveled hour markers, sharp hour and minute hands with colored Lumibrite, chronograph pushers and the markers on the outer dial ring echo the design of the historic model.

Prospex Solar Chronograph

The new series also includes four new Prospex solar chronographs powered by Caliber V192. The case shape is faithful to the original but its 39mm diameter, the combination of hairline and smooth polishing on the bracelet and the curved sapphire glass bring it right up to date.

These new solar chronographs are offered in four different dial colors; white, navy, gold and black. Their dials have a sandblast finish which ensures the high level of legibility that is a core characteristic of every Prospex watch.

All six watches in the new Prospex Speedtimer series will be available from November 2021 at the Seiko boutiques and selected retail partners worldwide.

Technical details

Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Mechanical Chronograph Limited Edition: SRQ035J1
Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Mechanical Chronograph: SRQ037J1

Movement
Caliber 8R46, Automatic Chronograph
Column wheel and vertical clutch systems
Vibrations: 28,800 vibrations per hour (8 beats per second)
Power reserve: 45 hours
Jewels: 34

Exterior
Stainless steel case and bracelet with super-hard coating
Dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating in the inner surface
See-through caseback
Water resistance: 10 bar
Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m
Diameter: 42.5mm Thickness: 15.1mm
Three-fold clasp with push button release
Additional Calfskin strap included (SRQ035)

Price
Approximate recommended retail prices in Europe: €3,200 (SRQ035) / €3,000 (SRQ037)

Edition
Limited edition of 1,000 (SRQ035)

Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Solar Chronograph: SSC813J1, SSC815J1, SSC817J1 and SSC819J1

Movement
Caliber V192 Solar Chronograph
24 Hour Hand (adjustable),
Power Reserve Indicator
Solar Charging

Exterior
Stainless steel case and bracelet
Curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating in the inner surface
Water resistance: 10 bar
Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m
Diameter: 39.0mm Thickness: 13.3mm
Three-fold clasp with push button release

Price
Approximate recommended retail prices in Europe: €680