Celebrating its 17th consecutive designation as the official timekeeper of the World Athletics Championships, Seiko reissues an iconic timepiece from its sports timekeeping history
The 1960s were a monumental time for Seiko. It was within this decade that the Japanese watchmaker rose to prominence as an esteemed timekeeper for the world’s most prestigious sporting events.
It also saw the creation of the Seiko Speedtimer, the world’s first automatic chronograph with a column wheel and vertical clutch, in 1969. The timepiece introduced mechanisms that allowed it to keep precise time, some of which are still used today in advanced chronographs.
As Seiko continuously refined its sports timekeeping expertise through the decades, the Japanese watchmaker became the official timekeeper of the major championships and events of the World Athletics—the international governing body for athletics sporting events— in 1985.
This partnership is very much alive and well to this day. This year, for the 17th consecutive time since 1985, Seiko will deliver its timing services to the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, the spiritual home of the sport in the US.
Marking this significant moment in the watchmaker and sporting body’s longstanding heritage is the Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Limited Edition Chronograph.
This limited-edition timepiece builds on the technology that the 1969 Speedtimer introduced decades ago, further emphasizing how Seiko’s sports timekeeping expertise in the 60s was well ahead of its time.
Reminiscent of most sports stopwatches—and a definite allusion to Seiko’s timekeeping heritage—the Limited Edition Speedtimer’s pushers are prominent and have a wide and flat upper surface area.With the push of the reset button, the hands return back to zero and in perfect synchronization.
The most recent iteration also has design cues that add an athletic spirit to the watch: a sand-patterned dial that evokes the texture of the running track; a chronograph second hand and 30-minute counter at 9 o’clock in yellow, the color of all Seiko’s timing and measurement devices; and the World Athletics Championships emblem etched on the case back.
And like in Seiko’s first stopwatches, 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 coated with Lumibrite to enhance readability in the dark.
The watch is cased in stainless steel and comes with a matching bracelet, clad in Seiko’s signature “super-hard” coating.” Black leather straps are also an option for wearers who want to change up their Speedtimer’s look.
The Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Limited Edition Chronograph. will be available as a limited edition of 400 from June 2022 at the Seiko Boutiques and selected retail partners worldwide.
