The new Seiko Prospex Winter Speedtimer SRQ045J1 Limited Edition watch takes inspiration from three landmark moments in the Japanese watchmaker’s timekeeping history. The case shape remembers the famous 1964 chronograph stopwatch Seiko designed for the Tokyo Olympics of that year while the powerful in-house 8R calibre remembers the first Seiko Speedtimer watch from 1969. Lastly, the overall aesthetic commemorates a stopwatch from the 1972 Winter Olympics, when Seiko were official timekeepers.
Seiko’s History in Sports Timing
When most think of Seiko they think of their history creating professional diving instruments or their high-precision in-house movements. What many don’t know is that the Japanese watch manufacturer has an extensive history in sports timing. It began more than half a century ago when Seiko became the official timekeeping partner of the Tokyo Olympics. The relationship was a huge turning point for the brand, as with no prior experience creating sports watches, they were encouraged to create Seiko’s and Japan’s first wristwatch chronograph. The Seiko 1964 chronograph, also known as the Seiko Crown Chronograph, launched just in time for the Summer Olympics of that year, debuting the Seiko hand-wound Calibre 5719 with a column wheel chronograph.
The next crucial landmark in the creation of Seiko sports chronographs was the launch of the Seiko Speedtimer in 1969. At this time, there was a race on between several other watch companies, Breitling, Zenith, Heuer and Hamilton to name a few, to bring the first automatic winding chronograph to market. Seiko made it to the finish line first, launching the Seiko Speedtimer with its in-house automatic Calibre 6139 with a vertical clutch and column wheel mechanism. The final piece of history needed to know for the launch of the Seiko Prospex Winter Speedtimer SRQ045J1 Limited Edition watch is Seiko’s timekeeping role in the 1972 Winter Olympics in Tokyo. For this, they created a black-dialled, red-accented chronograph stopwatch whose aesthetic inspires today’s release.
The Seiko Prospex Winter Speedtimer SRQ045J1 Limited Edition
Bringing together the three landmark moments mentioned above, the new Seiko Prospex Winter Speedtimer SRQ045J1 Limited Edition watch feels like an important watch. Its overall shape mimics the original 1964 Seiko Crown Chronograph with a fairly large 42.5mm diameter and a height of 15.09mm. The case is engineered from stainless steel with a stealthy black hard coating making its way across the slim fixed bezel, large knurled crown and two imposing piston chronograph pushers. The crown is screwed down like the case back to ensure a 100 metre water resistant rating.
Matching the all-black aesthetic of the case is the dial of the Seiko Prospex Winter Speedtimer SRQ045J1 watch. Entirely adorned in black, the dial echoes the colourway of the chronograph stopwatch Seiko created as part of their timekeeping role in the 1972 Winter Olympics. In the same way, the dial reveals bold red markers for the hours and red markings on the minute counter at 9 o’clock. To ensure easy legibility during the night, the indexes and hands for the hours, minutes and chronograph seconds are generously adorned in Lumibrite. The dial of the Seiko Prospex Winter Speedtimer SRQ045J1 Limited Edition is protected by dual curved sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective coating.
Finally, the original 1969 Seiko Speedtimer watch inspires the movement of the Seiko Prospex Winter Speedtimer SRQ045J1 Limited Edition. Like the Calibre 6139 that fuelled the original, the Calibre 8R46 automatic winding movement boasts vertical clutch and column wheel mechanisms for advanced precision and durability. We’re also promised a power reserve of 45 hours and an accuracy of -15/+25 seconds per day. Completing the limited edition is a black calfskin leather strap with a three-fold clasp with push button release.
If you’d like to learn more about the new Seiko Prospex Winter Speedtimer SRQ045J1 watch and secure one of the 600 limited edition pieces for yourself, head over to the Jura Watches website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
