In 1964, Japanese watch legends Seiko developed a stopwatch that could measure one-one hundredth of a second. It is this devotion to tracking minutiae as accurately as possible that has made Seiko the official timekeeper for the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and across leading sports events.
Five years later, they took the technology they’d perfected in their stopwatch and made the Calibre 6139: the world’s first automatic chronograph equipped with a vertical clutch mechanism. Now, in 2021, Seiko are bringing together 140 years of horological nous, and their commitment to tracking excellence, in the new Prospex Speedtimer. This beautiful new timepiece features hands and indexes that couldn’t be easier to read, a dial designed for optimal visibility, and stopwatch-inspired buttons for easy operation. A perfect tribute to how Seiko changed the way time was recorded in athletics over half a century ago.
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How do they do this? By drawing on the design details that were crucial to the 1964 original’s success. The numerals and markings pop against the white dial, guaranteeing it is as easy to read as the stopwatch itself. The second hand of the chronograph is also gently curved down towards the dial, meaning the hand is as close as humanly possible to the markers on the dial, which extends the tachymeter markets to the very edge and ensures that elapsed time can be read accurately and quickly.
The watch also incorporates a new movement from Seiko’s most advanced chronograph 8R series: Caliber 8R46. Similar to the Caliber 8R48, it incorporates two sub-dials rather than the 8R48’s three, with the date window at six o’clock. Presented on a specially designed stainless steel bracelet designed to be the most comfortable it can possibly be, this new Speedtimer is available in a limited batch of just 1,000.
This homage to their 1964 stopwatch is just one of the beautiful timepieces featured in this new collection. There’s also a second version with the same caliber, but which is designed in reference to the Crown Chronograph from 1964. Then there are four solar chronographs, all of which are powered by Caliber V192. These also combine details from the original alongside someone touches: this one is 39mm in diameter, with a combination of hairline and smooth polishing on the bracelet and glass to make it feel more modern. There are four different dial colours available - white, navy, gold and black - each with a sandblast finish to make it extra legible. All four will be joining the main Prospex collection, while all six in this new Speedtimer series will be available from November at Seiko boutiques and selected retail partners worldwide.
Seiko has never done things the way they’re expected: their Japanese philosophy and commitment to innovation have always separated them from the Swiss Watch world. What they bring is expertise, and a respect for those who want to be experts themselves. Hence the development of the 8R series here, alongside a retro modern look that is fashionable, timeless and designed to last even in the most extreme of conditions.
As we head into 2022, many of us are going to be thinking a little more about the achievements and triumphs we’ve not been able to achieve over the last two years. The best way to become the best version of yourself, of course, is to surround yourself with allies who will build you up and show you the way to succeed. Nothing does this quite like the Prospex ‘Speedtimer’, which will make you live your life with the precision and care that the world’s top athletes measure their most important races. Talk about getting off to a flying start.
Discover the Speedtimer Collection here
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