On – The Full-Black Seiko Prospex Speedtimer LE SRQ045

The title Speedtimer has a powerful presence within the historical past of Seiko. It refers to a number of timepieces of the previous and current, and typically to the model’s background in sports activities timing. Extra exactly, Speedtimer brings again recollections of a watch that has been on the prime of innovation in 1969, because it was geared up with one of many earliest automated chronographs, calibre 6139. In 2021, the Japanese model resurrected the title for a daring duo of mechanical chronographs. The Speedtimer is now turning into a basic within the model’s portfolio and right now it will get a full-black, sporty look with the brand new reference SRQ045.

We’ve seen various Seiko Speedtimer watches in current months, with the inaugural SRQ035 & SRQ037, the Blue Dial SRQ039, the Oregon22 Restricted Version SRQ041 and the SRQ043 with a deep blue dial and white accents. All of those watches are mechanically similar, with variations to be seen on the dials – colors and designs – and the brand new full-black Restricted Version SRQ045 isn’t any exception to the rule. However look carefully and also you’ll see that it isn’t nearly blacken-out the case. This new mannequin comes with its personal dial design and a few slightly cool particulars on the arms and markers.

What stays true with this new blacked-out version of the Seiko Prospex Speedtimer is the case and its slightly giant proportions. No want to cover the reality, it’s a watch with presence. The case is 42.5mm in diameter and 50mm in size. The principle situation based on us is the peak of the case, at 15.1mm, and the thickness of the bezel. In the identical vein, the pushers are tall and enormous. This can be a watch that gained’t get unnoticed, each visually and on the wrist.

For the event of this restricted version, the case has been absolutely coated in black with the model’s hard-coating. It’s discovered on all parts – case, bezel, crown/pushers and caseback – and offers a barely imply look to this piece. It additionally visually reduces the scale of the case a bit and does make the weather of the dial pop extra. The case is 100m waterproof and geared up with a sapphire crystal.

Along with this new black case, the model has given its SRQ045 its personal dial, with a slightly lengthy listing of distinctive parts in comparison with earlier editions. The dial is right here matte black with a sandblasted end, avoiding reflections. It’s additionally designed in an unprecedented manner, with no parts shared with earlier editions, to the exceptions of the hours/minutes arms, shared with the restricted version SRQ035. What modifications are the markers, that are transferred and never utilized, and colored in orange. They’re linked to double-digit numerals for the minutes. A cool element is the design of the arms of the sub-counters, that are asymmetrical.

Underneath the see-through caseback is the in-house calibre 8R46, with its column wheel and vertical clutch structure – although the chronograph operate is situated dial facet, and the view via the again isn’t essentially the most interesting (the watch you see here’s a prototype and didn’t function a see-through again). This motion runs at 4Hz and shops 45 hours of energy reserve. It contains a light-weight escapement made due to MEMS know-how.

The Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Mechanical Chronograph Restricted Version SRQ045 is worn on a black leather-based strap with a triple folding clasp in black-coated chrome steel. It will likely be launched in a restricted version of 600 watches, out there worldwide from February 2023. It will likely be priced at EUR 3,000. For extra particulars, please go to seikowatches.com.