Seiko Looks to the Early 1970s for their Latest Speedtimer Release

When we last checked in on Seiko’s Speedtimer line, we saw it in an unusual execution that made us think (fondly, for the most part) of funky watches from the 80s and 90s. Like their dive watches, Seiko’s chronographs have run the gamut over the years from the straight laced and traditional to the truly absurd, but unlike the brand’s dive watches, the chronos have never truly become ubiquitous. Nevertheless, there have been some wonderful chronograph designs from Seiko over the years, and a new release looks to a classic from the 1970s as inspiration. This one is just slightly more traditional than the reference linked above. 

The SRQ047 is a three register chronograph with a tried and true “panda” dial execution. The white main dial here is a gentle cream color with a subtle vertical brushing, and blue-gray subdials each have raised outer rings on their perimeters, providing depth to the dial as a whole. The orange tipped chronograph second hand and panda layout are both callbacks to specific features from the vintage Speedtimer from 1972 that served as design inspiration. 

The case is 42mm in stainless steel, and measures 14.6mm thick. It borrows its case lines as well as the unusual bracelet design from the original 1972 Speedtimer. The watch runs on the 8R48 automatic chronograph movement, which features both a column wheel and vertical clutch. It has 45 hours of power reserve with a minutes-hours-running seconds configuration at the 9, 6, and 3 positions. You’ll also find a discreetly positioned date window at 4:30. 

In addition to the standard production SRQ047, Seiko is launching a limited edition version of the same watch, the SRQ049. This watch is identical in terms of specs, but features a blue-gray main dial and silver subdials. It’s the approximate inverse of the regular production version, and obviously has a darker and slightly more aggressive character. It’s limited to 1,000 pieces, and is part of Seiko’s 100 year anniversary celebration, which seems to be in full swing more than a full month ahead of the actual anniversary year. 

The retail price for the non-limited SRQ047 is $2,500, and the limited edition version (which includes an additional leather strap) comes in at $2,700. Availability is expected in December. Seiko