Whenever Seiko manages to pull off a real sub-$1,000 hit these days, we can’t help but celebrate. That was the case back in 2021 when the brand announced four new solar quartz chronographs running the the V192 movement. People were stoked. And for a while it was actually difficult to snag a few of the colorways. Now, Seiko is refining the look further and has announced three new versions featuring a kind of modern/sporty 6139 aesthetic. Here are the new Seiko Speedtimer references SSC911, SSC913, and SSC915 set to release in November 2022.
I’ll be honest. The initial run of colors didn’t 100% do it for me. Something about the textured dials seemed off and some of the design choices pushed the vintage tribute thing a bit too far. Evidently, Seiko probably figured out that they should offer a slightly modernized variant. That’s apparent in the SSC911, SSC913, and SSC915, with the shift to plain white lume and a sleek dial finish. Still, I think that the red seconds hand has enough vintage flair to keep everyone happy.
The simplification of colorway options is also a welcome change. Each version works to call back older Seiko designs in a clean fashion without any overly-cheesy vintage fuss. If it were up to me, I’d probably snag the red/blue version, since it does a great job at referencing the old 6139 look. Those always were my favorite. I wonder how long it will take to do a limited edition run in the old “Pouge” colors?
And when it comes to the V192, it’s been around for a while now. A full charge should get you a power reserve of about 6 months and you can get an idea of how much charge you have with the dual-purpose minute totalizer hand. It works as a power reserve indicator whenever the chronograph isn’t in use. Oh, and in case you were wondering, the chronograph seconds hand does have a mechanical-like, smooth sweep to it.
Seiko Speedtimer Chronograph Specs
- Case Diameter: 41.4mm
- Case Thickness: 13mm
- Lug-to-Lug: 45.9mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Water Resistance: 100m
- Movement: Seiko V192 solar
- Crystal: Curved sapphire
- Bracelet: Stainless steel
- Price: $700
Not long ago I got rid of a really nice Seiko SND quartz pilot chrono, and I’ve been kind of bummed about it. These new Speedtimers are now finally tempting enough for me to go for it. I’ll be keeping an eye on the street price, which will probably be a great deal.
Co-Founder & Senior Editor
Michael Peñate is an American writer, photographer, and podcaster based in Seattle, Washington. His work typically focuses on the passage of time and the tools we use to connect with that very journey. From aviation to music and travel, his interests span a multitude of disciplines that often intersect with the world of watches – and the obsessive culture behind collecting them.