Let me begin by saying, I’m not precisely a Seiko fan. For all its historical past, business affect, and iconic timepieces, Seiko stays a kind of manufacturers that (in my subjective opinion) fees extra whereas delivering much less. And it’s not like I haven’t given the Japanese watchmaker a shot. Three Seiko watches have handed by means of my assortment — two automatics and a storied photo voltaic, every lengthy since purchased and offered.
So how did the Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Photo voltaic ($540), a quartz watch from an organization I usually mistrust, handle to catch me by the purse strings? It didn’t occur shortly; I noticed these fashions floating round for some time and had largely written them off.
However one thing in regards to the bezel and handset lodged behind my mind. Each time I scrolled previous one on-line, the shiny indices and triple sub-dials started to look higher and higher.
So, when I discovered myself available in the market for one thing totally different than the divers and digitals that usually litter my watch field, the Prospex mannequin floated again to the floor. After appreciable debate on the colour scheme, I settled on the SSC819 mannequin proven right here. Two months later, I can report that, not like its brothers earlier than, this one could also be round to remain.
Briefly: Whereas not a house run, the Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Photo voltaic delivers a triple menace of type, perform, and attraction. Its appears to be like and functionality reside as much as the skilled billing, with a price ticket that feels shockingly justified. The LumiBrite utility underwhelms, and the bracelet will hit and miss relying in your wrist, however the positives outstrip the negatives by a rustic mile.
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Case dimension
39mm -
Case top
13.33mm -
Lug-to-lug
45.5mm -
Weight
161g -
Water resistance
100m -
Motion
Seiko V192 Photo voltaic Chronograph -
Crystal
Sapphire -
Bracelet
Chrome steel, 20mm width
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Sharp appears to be like, intelligent design, solar energy, skilled construct
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Sparse lume, bracelet makes use of pins and lacks ample micro-adjustments, barely tall chassis
Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Photo voltaic Evaluate
Let’s cowl the fundamentals earlier than diving into the small print. What we’ve got here’s a well-sized, thoughtfully designed software watch with a 39mm stainless-steel case and bracelet (20 mm on the lugs), topped by a subtly domed sapphire crystal with an inside anti-reflective coating.
There’s a date window that may be set utilizing the unthreaded crown and a 60-minute chronograph operated by the standard pushers. The tri-fold clasp makes use of a push-button launch, and there’s a spattering of LumiBrite on the palms and indices.
It rides a bit excessive and heavy (13.3 mm and 161 g), however the total impression right here is certainly one of high quality supplies assembled in a largely attentive style.
The watch appears to be like good, wears with some gravitas, and is extremely legible (not like some watches with specialised capabilities).
The occasion trick for this Prospex is the tachymeter, a complication that places the pace in Speedtimer. See these numerals across the outer bezel? They can be utilized to compute all varieties of issues, however miles or km per hour is mostly probably the most sensible.
By beginning and stopping the chronograph when setting off and finishing a visit over a set distance, the lengthy hand of the chrono will point out your common tempo. That is a kind of ideas that’s higher demonstrated visually, and Seiko has a helpful video overlaying the fundamentals.
How helpful is that this, in actuality? Not very, at the least in my present line of labor. Nevertheless it’s a well-liked computation for automotive, aeronautic, and even spaceflight lovers, and a enjoyable little bit of functionality to put on in your wrist.
The Photo voltaic Expertise
Whereas I benefit from the attraction and craftsmanship of mechanical watches, solar-powered modules supply the least quantity of complications. And Seiko’s V192 motion is certainly a deal with.
It’s a bit tall, as demonstrated by the thick case, however the mechanism provides a 6-month energy reserve, the aforementioned 60-minute chronograph perform, a 24-hour subdial, and a date window. The photo voltaic panels themselves are integrated into the subdials and supply only a trace of purplish coloration. This, together with the built-in energy gauge, offers a way of no-nonsense safety.
A major spring can wind down, and a traditional quartz battery may fail at an inopportune time. However all you should maintain your photo voltaic watch operating is a couple of minutes within the solar. It’s like a houseplant, besides with out the entire “watering” factor.
However ought to your Speedtimer discover itself caught in a passing bathe, the mannequin’s 100m of water resistance can be greater than as much as the duty. This type of score is mostly appropriate for all method of every day chores, in addition to dip within the pool afterward.
Issues Actual and Imagined
I went into this overview anticipating hassle. But, most of my anticipated points merely by no means materialized. Take the seconds subdial, as an illustration. On different chronos I’ve owned or examined, this part is mostly situated on the 6-o’clock place.
The Speedtimer’s seconds tick off at 9 o’clock, and I figured it could take some time to get used to the distinction. However the eye attracts naturally to the circle with the transferring hand, so this turned out to be high-quality.
Then there’s the bracelet. With its pinned hyperlinks and solely two (two!) micro-adjust spots within the clasp, I genuinely anticipated the worst. But, one way or the other, I acquired fortunate. Whereas it lacks the adaptability of the fast adjustment discovered on the Raven Endeavor II, the Speedtimer’s bracelet suits my wrist completely. A lot in order that it’s turn out to be certainly one of solely two watches I favor to put on with the stainless in place, versus a rubber or material strap.
I do have an issue with the spare utility of lume. The palms shine brightly, and the colour that glows from the few painted indices is especially pleasing. Too unhealthy it’s restricted to indices on the cardinal positions. This smells of cost-cutting on Seiko’s half, and it’s not an odor I’m keen on.
Drilling down, the 24-hour subdial is questionably helpful, however its absence would throw off the symmetry. I’ve seen different opinions that complain in regards to the depth of the date window — from sure angles, it may be tough to inform the distinction between related numerals.
However my last grievance with this watch is definitely very small, in a bodily sense. It’s so diminutive that I’m unsure the pictures will seize the impact. In its resting place, the chronograph’s second hand sits only a fraction of a millimeter off-center.
Functionally, this makes no distinction, and you actually should stare to see it. Nevertheless it’s one thing I used to be on the lookout for, as Seiko’s points with alignment and high quality management are a recognized commodity.
Conclusion: Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Photo voltaic Evaluate
I’m (usually) a large enough particular person to confess after I’m mistaken. And whereas I stick by my conviction that Seiko overprices and underdelivers with its low to midrange fashions, I’ve discovered the Prospex Speedtimer to be surprisingly compelling. From its sharp appears to be like to its excellent performance, there’s a lot to love right here that the $540 price ticket manages to really feel justified.
The bracelet, as regular for Seiko, can be a sticking level for some. And the restricted utility of lume smacks a little bit of cost-cutting. However exterior of those nitpicks, the general impact is a watch that’s greater than the sum of its elements. It appears to be like and appears like knowledgeable software, providing a uncommon crossover of each broad and specialised enchantment.
For those who’re looking for stable worth within the subject of sporting or skilled timepieces, Seiko’s Prospex Speedtimer Photo voltaic has earned its day within the solar.
