Jewellery World Magazine - April 2022

THE PROSPEX SPEEDTIMER
Showcasing the very best of Seiko’s chronograph
watchmaking
In recognition of Seiko’s support to World Athletics, the name Seiko Prospex will be
displayed on the perimeter boards at the World Athletics Championships in July.
Seiko’s tradition as a pioneer in sports timing began in the 1960’s
when the company introduced to the world’s sporting stage
a range of timing devices that set a new global standard of
precision. This tradition has continued and, since 1985, Seiko has been
the timekeeper of choice of World Athletics.
In 2022, for the 17th consecutive time,
Seiko will deliver its state-of-the-art
timing services to the World Athletics
Championships which will take place in
Eugene, Oregon, the spiritual home of
the sport in the USA. This new Prospex
Speedtimer Limited Edition Chronograph
celebrates the sporting heritage of
both Seiko and this hallowed venue
and honours the performances of the
approximately 1,800 athletes who will
take part in the championships.
The new Speedtimer chronograph will be available as a limited edition
of 400 from June 2022 at the Seiko Boutiques and selected retail
partners worldwide.
History, heritage and high precision
Just as Seiko’s 1960’s suite of sports timers brought important
innovation to the global sports arena, so the creation of the Seiko
Speedtimer in 1969 was a crucial landmark in the history of the
chronograph. Thanks to its vertical clutch and column wheel, it made
the measurement of elapsed time more precise and error-free than
ever before.
Hand assembled by Seiko’s skilled watchmakers, this new Speedtimer
is powered by Calibre 8R46, which, like the Calibre 6139 used in the
original 1969 Speedtimer, incorporates vertical clutch and column
wheel mechanisms to ensure the highest possible levels of precision
and durability. The escapement is light-weight and strong, thanks
to the use of MEMS technology which enhances the stability of the
watch’s precision. The pushers are prominent and have a wide and flat
upper surface area to facilitate accurate operability. With the push of
the reset button, the hands return back to zero instantly and in perfect
synchronisation, ready for the next race.
Designed to celebrate sport at the highest
international level
Every detail of the new Speedtimer reflects the high performance and
reliability of Seiko’s sports timekeeping and captures the spirit of World
Athletics. The sand patterned dial evokes the texture of the running
track and the chronograph second hand as
well as the 30-minute counter at 9 o'clock
are in yellow, the colour of all Seiko’s timing
and measurement devices. The second hand
is gently curved down towards the markers
and its tip extends right to the edge of the
dial so that the elapsed time can be
read accurately at a glance. The hour
and minute hands are generously
coated with Lumibrite to enhance
readability in the dark.
The hands and strap stitching
echo the yellow of Seiko’s timing
equipment and the back of the
watch features the event emblem.
The watch is presented on a stainless steel bracelet that is specially
designed and constructed for this series. Its thickness and weight
combined with the low centre of gravity of the case ensure stability
and a high level of comfort on the wrist. If the wearer chooses, the
bracelet can be replaced with the black leather strap that is also
included and whose stitching is designed to increase the durability of
the strap.
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jewellery world - April 2022