Two limited editions celebrate milestones in Seiko's chronograph history.
LOFTSeiko's contribution to the development of the chronograph is well known thanks to the 1969 launch of Caliber 6139, the world's first self-winding chronograph with a column wheel and vertical clutch. In fact, however, Seiko's chronograph history began much earlier, with a pocket chronograph made in the early 1940s. Today, this long and proud tradition of elapsed time measurement is celebrated in two new self-winding chronographs commemorating two iconic watches from 1964 and 1969. One is in the Prospex collection and the other in the Presage collection. Both will be available from December 2019 at Seiko Boutiques and selected retailers worldwide.
In commemoration of the 1969 classic
The launch of Caliber 6139 in 1969 was, of course, an important milestone in Seiko's history because it was one of the world's first automatic chronographs, but its real significance lies in the fact that it incorporated a column wheel and a vertical clutch, devices that allowed Caliber 6139 to offer a real improvement in the accuracy with which elapsed time can be measured in a watch. Today, the combination of a vertical clutch and column wheel is widely considered a prerequisite for a high-grade chronograph; in 1969, this was a major advance in an automatic wristwatch.
The new limited-edition Prospex watch commemorating this 1969 milestone uses Seiko's most advanced chronograph caliber, 8R48, first created in 2014. In addition to the vertical clutch and column wheel, it incorporates Seiko's signature three-pronged hammer and a heart-shaped chamber that ensures perfect synchronization of the flyback hands. The watch is based on a much-loved design from that era that became known among Seiko fans as the "Panda" thanks to the two black subdials against the white dial. It has the same hairline finish on the dial as the original, the same orange-tipped hands as the chronograph seconds hand, and the same hour markers and tachymeter bezel markings.
In addition, the new version offers a third subdial for the time of day, an updated case design with Zaratsu polishing, and a box-shaped sapphire crystal. It is presented in the Prospex collection as a limited edition of 1,000.
The original "Panda" chronograph from 1970
The original Crown Chrono from 1964
Remembering the 1964 Seiko Crown Chronograph
The 1964 Crown Chronograph was Seiko's first chronograph watch from Japan. Every aspect of the watch was designed from the ground up, marking the beginning of Seiko's chronograph watchmaking. It featured a simple one-push mechanism but broadly demonstrated the same commitment to accuracy as Caliber 6139 and all its successors, with the inclusion of a column wheel to control the start, stop, and reset functions.
The new chronograph is faithful to the design of the 1964 Crown Chronograph, with its box-shaped crystal, clearly defined numerals on the narrow bezel, and the inwardly sloping case shape that allows the watch to fit securely on the wrist. Of course, every detail has been updated; the movement is Caliber 8R48 with its 12-hour chronograph and 45-hour power reserve, the crystal is sapphire with anti-reflective coating on the inner surface, and the lugs are Zaratsu polished. The watch is presented in the Presage collection as a limited edition of 1,000.
SRQ029
SRQ031
Seiko Automatic Chronograph 50th Anniversary Limited Edition: SRQ029Seiko Chronograph 55th Anniversary Limited Edition: SRQ031
Caliber 8R48, automatic chronograph
• Chronograph up to 12 hours
• Column wheel and vertical clutch systems
• 28,800 vibrations per hour (8 beats per second)
• Power reserve 45 hours
• 34 jewels
Specs
• Super-hard coated stainless steel case and bracelet (SRQ029)
• Super-hard coated stainless steel case with Cordovan strap (SRQ031)
• Triple lock with release button
• Box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
• Diameter: 41.0 mm and thickness: 16.0 mm (SRQ029)
• Diameter: 42.3 mm and thickness: 15.3 mm (SRQ031)
• Water resistance 10 bar.
• Magnetic resistance 4,800 A/m.
• Approximate recommended retail prices in Europe: €3,700 (SRQ029) / €3,400 (SRQ031)
• Limited editions of 1,000 each.
