Seiko Continues its Esteemed Chronograph Legacy with New Prospex Speedtimers
Keying off the groundbreaking release of the original Seiko Speedtimer Chronograph from 1969, the brand recently released two new Prospex Speedtimer chronographs steeped in classicism and heritage (just in time for the brand’s 100th birthday).
Over the years, Seiko’s Prospex line has often received updates rooted in heritage and based on commemoration.
For instance, there was the Prospex Speedtimer from 2022 created to honor the World Athletics Championships. Meanwhile, this past spring, we saw new non-chronograph models inspired by Seiko’s first 1965 dive watches.
Now, after adding two new Prospex Speedtimer chronographs (the SRQ051 and SRQ053) to the lineup, the Prospex collection takes on an apt dose of sophistication beyond straightforward tool watch design without breaking the heritage mold.
History of the Prospex and Speedtimer
The Seiko Prospex line has been a perennial favorite of sport watch fans and divers for nearly 60 years since the debut of the first Prospex diver’s watch in 1965. Then, a few years ago, in 2021, the brand married this lineage with that of the Speedtimer from 1969 to create the Prospex Speedtimer Mechanical Chronograph line.
These models, most notably, lean into the heritage of the original Speedtimer release, which used the technology from Seiko’s famous, ultra-precise professional stopwatches of the same 1960s era to create the original 1969 Speedtimer.
This stopwatch technology made the original Seiko Speedtimer the first automatic chronograph with a column wheel and vertical clutch, creating a new benchmark in precision elapsed timing for a wristwatch.
Thus, while, historically, there’s been much debate around which brand created the first automatic chronograph, Seiko’s was the first to appear on the market (although the Swiss were probably ahead of the Japanese in prototyping the design). Decades later, we see the modern incarnation of this legendary chronograph in the new Prospex Speedtimers.
The Legacy Continues
Both of the new 42mm steel Prospex Speedtimer references – the SRQ051 and SRQ053 – provide 10 bar of water resistance and are based on the uncanny 8R48 automatic chronograph movement, offering a 48-hour power reserve. The Calibre 8R Series movement is notable as the watchmaker’s most advanced mechanical chronograph movement.
More specifically, the 8R48 brings a more lightweight modern escapement. It also uses next-generation MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) component-making technology that provides more stability than the original Speedtimer’s column wheel/vertical clutch innovation of over half a century ago.
In addition, both models share many other design and construction elements. They each feature prominent mushroom chrono pushers, a screwdown crown, a highly technical dial approach (with one-minute, 12-hour, and 30-minute counters), a circular porthole date indicator at 4:30, a tachymetric scale, and a particularly elegant steel bracelet design that mixes thick and thin steel links to create a shimmering nine-piece-across wrist look.
Black or Blue?
Since these new references have the same tech specs, ultimately, your choice comes down to color.
Certainly, the SRQ053’s black dial design speaks volumes regarding purity and elegance. With a red-tripped seconds hands and a red tip at the business end of the 30-minute counter’s hand, this model screams vintage-alignment and legibility.
Alternatively, the SRQ051, while still sober and classic, is more starkly contrasted between its bright silvery sub-dials and deep blue dial. The red details on the hands also nicely contrast with the deep blue.
All that said, with both the new Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Mechanical Chronographs priced at just $2,500, the question of “black or blue?” could easily become, “Why not black AND blue?”
You can learn more about both variations by visiting Seiko’s website.