In the 1960’s, Seiko announced itself on the international sports timing stage with a whole new generation of high-precision equipment that was enthusiastically endorsed by many international sports federations and used to capture elapsed time at many of the world’s leading sports events. Central to this success was a range of stopwatches that incorporated Seiko's innovative "heart-shaped cam" mechanism, a feature which delivered a level of precision once thought unachievable by manual sports timing devices. 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, two devices that delivered real improvements in the measurement of elapsed time in a wristwatch and are still a prerequisite in high functionality chronographs.
Today, a new series of six watches inspired by the Speedtimer and Seiko’s rich and continuing tradition of sports timing join the Prospex collection. A limited edition watch with a new automatic chronograph movement pays faithful tribute to the design of the 1964 stopwatch, while a second version with the same caliber and a series of four solar chronographs complete the range.
SEIKO PROSPEX Brand story
SPEEDTIMER
SPEEDTIMERMechanical Chronograph
The charcoal-gray dialed Speedtimer is inspired from Seiko’s and Japan’s first chronograph wristwatch, the Crown Chronograph from 1964. The 1964 Crown Chronograph was designed from scratch and it marked the beginning of Seiko’s chronograph wristwatch manufacturing. It had a simple one-push mechanism but it amply demonstrated the same commitment to precision as would Caliber 6139 and all its successors with the inclusion of a column wheel to control the start, stop and reset functions.
The new Speedtimer incorporates a new movement from Seiko’s most advanced chronograph 8R series, Caliber 8R46.
1964
Crown chronograph
Dial
The dial design is a subtle nod to the 1964 Crown Chronograph. Its beveled hour markers, sharp hour and minute hands with colored Lumibrite, its chronograph pushers and markers on the outer dial ring echo the design of the original.
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.
Push buttons
& Crown
The construction of the chronograph pushers ensure the high level of operability crucial to a Prospex sports watch.
Bracelet
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.
New Movement
Caliber 8R46
This watch is equipped with a new movement from Seiko’s most advanced chronograph 8R series, Caliber 8R46. 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.
SEIKO PROSPEXSPEEDTIMER
SPEEDTIMERMechanical Chronograph Limited Edition
The new Speedtimer limited edition combines Seiko’s heritage in sports timing and its leadership in chronograph technology.
The limited edition chronograph’s dial pays homage to the 1/5th second stopwatch from 1964 and every detail of its design inherits the precision and legibility that were crucial to the high performance of the original.
The watch incorporates a new movement from Seiko’s most advanced chronograph 8R series, Caliber 8R46. The new Speedtimer watch will be available as a limited edition of 1,000.
1964
1/5th second stopwatch
Dial
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.
Push buttons
& Crown
The large concave pushers ensure the high operability for which the original stopwatch was renowned.
Case back
The words “Limited Edition” and the individual serial number are inscribed on the see-thorough case back.
* In an actual product, the case back direction might be different from the photograph.
Optional Strap
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.
SEIKO PROSPEXSPEEDTIMER
Mechanical Chronograph
Limited Edition
SRQ035J1
[ Caliber 8R46 ]
Limited edition of 1,000
Available in November 2021
SPEEDTIMERSolar Chronograph
Four new solar chronographs inspired by the 1969 Speedtimer are now available. Powered by Caliber V192, they offer a 24-hour indicator, a time of day seconds hand, a 60-minute chronograph in a sub-dial at six o’clock and a power reserve function.
They are offered in four different dial colors; white, navy, gold and black and will join the main Prospex collection.
1969
SPEEDTIMER
Dial
The dial is applied sandblast finishing which ensure high levels of readability and legibility crucial to a Prospex sports watch.
Design
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.
