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Heritage-driven and effortlessly wearable, Seiko’s latest Speedtimer Solar Chronographs refine a proven formula!

Seiko’s Speedtimer has quite a history. The name ‘Speedtimer’ originates from Seiko’s deep involvement in professional timing, especially when it comes to motorsport and athletics. The Japanese watchmaker was one of the first to mass-produce chronographs for real-world professional use, becoming a pioneer in the industry at the same time for its use of quartz technology.

Now we may all know the story of how the first chronograph came about, with Zenith competing against TAG Heuer and the ‘Project 99’, which was a collaborative effort between Breitling, Buren, and Dubois-Depraz. There was, however, another contender that may not be talked about as much. Seiko was also quietly working away to be one of the first to release a wearable chronograph timepiece.

While Seiko didn’t ‘win’ the race, with Zenith in 1969 being the first to unveil their El Primero movement, shortly followed by the Calibre 11 from TAG Heuer and ‘Project 99’ in the same year, their contributions were still nonetheless vital to the advancement of the chronograph. In 1969, Seiko still made horological history by releasing the Speedtimer 6139, one of the world’s first automatic chronographs.

The first Speedtimer models, fitted with the automatic calibre 6139, were designed to be tool watches first, which meant prioritising legibility, durability, and ease of use for timing events. In the 1960s -70s, the Speedtimer collection was heavily worn by engineers, professional racecar drivers, and timing officials, reinforcing the timepiece’s precision and reliability.

In 1983, Seiko introduced the Speedtimer Quartz (7A28), which was the world’s first analogue quartz chronograph. On the back of the Quartz Crisis a decade prior, the Speedtimer Quartz represented a drastic change in wearable timing instruments, offering a much more accurate and reliable timepiece compared to its mechanical counterpart.

The Speedtimer quickly became a cult favourite among collectors and Seiko enthusiasts, not only for what it offered but also for the history behind the timepiece and for being Seiko at its most confident and innovative. Over the years, the Speedtimer has evolved, taking on different dial colours, dial arrangements, and even the addition of other complications such as GPS solar dual time.

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In November 2021, Seiko introduced the modern version of the Solar Speedtimer, using a solar-powered quartz movement, with a case and dial design that was inspired by the original 1969 automatic model. Forming part of the brand’s ‘Prospex’ collection, Seiko has now introduced the latest version of the Solar Speedtimer, with three new dial colours that are inspired by Neo-Classic sports cars.

Case Design

The modern Speedtimer collection was designed with wearability in mind. These three new timepieces carry that design forward, with a case size of 39mm x 13.3mm thick, and a lug-to-lug distance of just 45.5mm. While the case size of 39mm is certainly important, as that determines how well it sits on the wrist, what ultimately will decide the wearability is the lug-to-lug distance. In this case, with a measurement of just 45.5mm, it is sure to fit almost all wrist sizes (even my slim wrists at 16cm).

The steel case is presented with a brushed finish, while the chronograph pushers and crown feature a polished finish for added depth. The three-link bracelet follows suit with a satin-brushed finish, offering a cohesive look that balances durability with a refined, motorsport-inspired aesthetic.

While the classic look of these ‘modern’ Speedtimer models has been with a black bezel with white tachymeter markings, the third offering in this new collection features a steel bezel. This, combined with the beautiful light green dial, gives the Speedtimer a unique aesthetic, one that is perfect for those who prefer a steel-on-steel look!

Dial design

Seiko is presenting this trio of new Speedtimer Solar Chronograph models in three colours: white (SSC961P), pink (SSC963P), and lastly green (SSC965P). Instead of going for a loud look, Seiko has opted for tones that feel intentionally subdued, almost pastel-like, which offers a more understated dial that can certainly be used for everyday wearability, as is the intention with this collection.

The dials feature three chronograph counters in a dark blue shade. The sub-counter at 3 o’clock indicate 24-hours, the 9 o’clock subdial shows the small seconds, while the 6 o’clock subdial has a dual purpose. When the chronograph is activated, the 6 o’clock subdial shows a 60-minute timer; however, when the chronograph is not in use, the hand displays the power reserve of the solar quartz, which runs for approximately 6-months on full charge.

Initial Thoughts

The Seiko Speedtimer has always been a favourite among enthusiasts. This modern rendition with solar quartz technology offers the signature Speedtimer design with technology that allows higher precision and easy wearability. With no need to wind the watch as with automatics, one can easily put the watch on and be set to go.

The case dimensions are beautifully proportioned in my opinion, too, as I personally had the chance to try on a Speedtimer. With my slim wrist size of 16cm, the watch sits comfortably and feels well-balanced without being oversized or too top-heavy. Being priced at $1,150 AUD (at the time of writing this article), it presents good value for money, as you get a chronograph with added power reserve, solar quartz technology, and excellent wearability, making it ideal for a daily wearer.

And the bonus is, of course, the various designs and colours, which now includes this three beautiful variants. Personally, I’d go with the pink dial as that seems to be the “in” colour right now, and it certainly does look great contrasting with the black bezel and subdials. Whichever colour you gravitate towards, this latest Speedtimer trio proves that Seiko knows exactly how to keep its chronograph heritage feeling fresh, relevant, and genuinely wearable!

Reference: Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Solar Chronograph (Ref. SSC963P)

Australian Recommended Retail Price: AUD $1,150

Availability: Available for purchase through Seiko boutiques and authorised retailers. For more information, please head online to Seikoboutique.com.au

Reference: Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Solar Chronograph (Ref. SSC961P)

Australian Recommended Retail Price: AUD $1,150

Availability: Available for purchase through Seiko boutiques and authorised retailers. For more information, please head online to Seikoboutique.com.au

Reference: Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Solar Chronograph (Ref. SSC965P)

Australian Recommended Retail Price: AUD $1,150

Availability: Available for purchase through Seiko boutiques and authorised retailers. For more information, please head online to Seikoboutique.com.au