Racing Partnership Commemoration: A Collection of Seiko's Speedtimer and Datsun 240Z Honors Iconic Racing Collaboration
In 1969, Seiko introduced the world's first automatic chronograph with a vertical clutch and column wheel, known as the Speedtimer. Fast forward to 2025, and the brand has teamed up with Datsun to release a collection of limited-edition Speedtimers, honouring the 1971 victory at the East African Safari Rally and the shared engineering excellence between the two brands.
The collaboration pays tribute to the historic event where a Seiko-sponsored Datsun 240Z, with No. 11 on its doors, won the East African Safari Rally. This gruelling motorsport event covered 6,200 kilometres of punishing African terrain, including dust, heat, wildlife crossings, and roads that barely qualified as roads. The victory established a strong legacy linking Seiko timepieces and Datsun cars.
There are three primary limited editions in this collection:
- Prospex Speedtimer ‘Maximum Precision’ 8R Mechanical Chronograph (model SRQ057): This watch is powered by Seiko’s 8R48 mechanical calibre featuring a column wheel and vertical clutch, in a 42mm case. Available with three dial choices reflecting vintage racing chronographs, on steel or DLC-coated cases and straps. Limited to 500 pieces worldwide.
- Prospex Solar Speedtimer x Datsun Fairlady Z (model SSC957): This solar-powered watch is powered by Seiko's V192 movement, accurate to ±15 seconds/day, with a 6-month power reserve. Design elements echo the 240Z’s color scheme, Datsun logo, and dashboard-inspired fonts. Limited to 4,000 pieces worldwide.
- Prospex Speedtimer Compact 6R x Datsun Fairlady Z (model SPB517): A time-only model inspired by the Datsun 240Z, completing the trio at a lower price point.
Each watch in the collection incorporates motorsport design cues such as color accents matching the rally car, tachymeter scales, sub-dial hands styled after the car’s instrument cluster, and special case back engravings featuring a 3-dimensional emblem of the 1971 winning car.
The mechanical chronograph SRQ057, limited to 500 pieces, is the high-end piece in the collection, priced at $3,200. The solar chronograph SSC957, limited to 4,000 pieces, offers a more accessible option, priced at $1,000. The compact time-only SPB517 is the entry-level model, priced at $1,150. These limited editions are marketed globally with availability primarily through Seiko’s authorized dealers and select watch retailers as of mid-2025.
In summary, the Seiko-Datsun collaboration revives the celebrated motorsport victory of 1971 through a trio of Speedtimer watches that combine historical homage with modern watch technology, offered as limited editions with thoughtful design and varying price points for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
- The limited-edition Speedtimer 'Maximum Precision' 8R Mechanical Chronograph (model SRQ057) pays homage to the Seiko's engineering excellence and the shared victory at the East African Safari Rally with Datsun, featuring motorsport design cues and a high-end price point of $3,200.
- The Prospex Solar Speedtimer x Datsun Fairlady Z (model SSC957), limited to 4,000 pieces, showcases the fusion of vintage racing style, solar technology, and a more affordable price of $1,000.
- The Prospex Speedtimer Compact 6R x Datsun Fairlady Z (model SPB517) completes the collection, drawing inspiration from the Datsun 240Z and offering an entry-level timepiece at $1,150 for enthusiasts interested in motorsports and style.
