Even a leaked catalogue couldn’t reveal all of Seiko’s big surprises this year. Seiko* has teamed up again with Japanese retailer Nano Universe on a new collab, this time a meca-quartz chronograph that seems to draw a lot of inspiration from early Rolex Daytonas, with its metallic-finish tachymeter bezel, three register reverse panda dial (including a little “CHRONOGRAPH” text in very Daytona-esque red), and oyster-style bracelet.
Nobody is going to take this watch for a complete knockoff; the registers are at 6, 9, and 12 instead of the Daytona’s 3, 6, and 9, and it sports a date window at 3 o’clock whereas its inspiration is, like so many other vaunted Rolex sports watches, time only. Still, it’s enough of an homage that it probably deserves an homage-y name: “Seitona”, anyone?
Powered by Seiko’s 8T67 meca-quartz movement, the watch comes in at 39.8mm wide with 47mm lug to lug, with 20mm lug width and an impressively svelte 11.7mm thickness. This new model, reference SZSJ005, seems to represent solid value for money at 27,500 yen (around $270 USD) though it won’t be too easy to find stateside, at least not right away.
Seiko’s history of collaborations with Nano Universe goes back quite some time and includes some cool pieces like the dive-style SCVE 021, 023, 025, 027, 029, and 033 with monochromatic styling and 12-hour bidirectional bezels and a more recent series of quartz field watches inspired by one of Seiko’s own historic pieces, the SUS. The use of a reliable, accurate meca-quartz movement helps the watch maintain its svelte profile while still boasting a pretty impressive 100m water resistance.
Seiko SZSJ005 Chronograph Specs
- Case Diameter: 39.8mm
- Thickness: 11.7mm
- Water Resistance: 10 ATM
- Movement: Seiko 8T67
- Crystal: Seiko Hardlex
- Strap: Stainless Steel Bracelet
- Price: ¥27,500 JPY
In fact, with its classic looks and proportions, what seems to be a good mixture of brushed and polished surfaces, and the sort of stalwart reliability that the market has come to expect from Seiko, the SZSJ005 promises to be a really fantastic, affordable piece – that is, if you’re able to get your hands on one.
Ever since his first watch, a talking Dick Tracy thing won in a local chicken impersonation contest at age five, Aggressive Timing Habits has been fascinated by all watches from Amphibias to Zeniths and the people who create and collect them. His contributions to TBWS represent a new outlet to discuss the miracle of drilled lugs and debate the virtues of balance bridges vs balance cocks, much to the relief of friends and loved ones.