Seiko SPB513 Prospex Speedtimer Mechanical

Zach Blass

Once I consider a Seiko Prospex Speedtimer, I consider a chronograph, as a result of all the fashionable Speedtimer watches within the Seiko catalogue are chronographs. Proper?. This new Prospex Speedtimer Mechanical SPB513 will not be a chronograph that tracks elapsed time. So what does it do then?

The Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Mechanical SPB513, although not a chronograph, continues to be a racing-inspired wristwatch, with performance not restricted to simply the world of racing. Although, to be truthful, chronographs are additionally not restricted to simply motorsports. Rather than a chronograph, the SPB513 marries a time and date watch with a countdown bezel, which, as Seiko describes it, may very well be used to trace the time remaining earlier than the beginning of a race or goal durations, reminiscent of a pit cease. In my boring life, I might in all probability be utilizing it to make sure I don’t take too lengthy a lunch break, or to make sure my boiling pasta comes out completely al dente.

The case

The chrome steel case, 39.5mm in diameter and 12mm thick, is properly faceted and completed with components which are each brushed and mirror polished. The lugs are moderately compact, guaranteeing there’s not too broad of a lug-to-lug span, in flip making it appropriate for a majority of wrist sizes. On the 4 o’clock place, you can find a second crown that operates the bi-directional internal countdown bezel scale.

How do you employ a countdown bezel? Effectively, let’s say you wanted to take your pasta out of the pot after 10 minutes. You’d align the numeral 10 of the internal bezel with the present place of the central minutes hand, and as soon as the hand reaches the triangle of the internal bezel scale, it is going to sign that the 10-minute countdown is full. Good, easy, and straightforward. A shocking function of the SPB513 is that it has fairly a sturdy, spectacular depth score for a racing-inspired watch: it’s water resistant to 200 metres. So there isn’t something stopping you from utilizing the countdown operate to measure aquatic-related countdowns (even when they’re simply pasta water-related).

The dial

Although there’s additionally a black-dialled SPB515, the 513 we’ve in-hand right here includes a matte silver-white dial that seems like a stone white in look. It’s crisp and clear in format, with a full set of blackened utilized hour indices that pop towards the brighter backdrop for enhanced legibility, and, to be a bit superficial, simply seems to be actually good. On the tip of every index, a round luminous pip might be discovered, and the central hours and minutes palms have LumiBrite fillings as effectively.

The central seconds hand is orange-tipped, a tie-in with the final quarter-hour of the internal bezel countdown scale. The outer perimeter of the dial is black, with a totally hashed outer minutes ring simply earlier than the largely black ring of the countdown timer internal bezel. And, sure, at 4:30 we’ve a date complication that, in equity, blends fairly effectively into the silver-white dial.

The bracelet

The SPB513 is affixed to a Jubilee-esque bracelet, having a big, formed, and brushed hyperlink piece linked to every succeeding piece through two narrower polished hyperlink items. It affords a sure degree of class and aptitude that I feel elevates its look in a pleasant approach, moderately than simply resorting to a extra frequent Oyster-like three-piece hyperlink setup. Have been the case extra typical, maybe a three-link would have made extra sense. However the faceted aptitude of the case feels prefer it wants the added visible intrigue that the bracelet Seiko ended up choosing supplies.

The motion

Inside, beneath a stable screw-down caseback engraved with the Seiko title, ticks the in-house computerized 6R55 motion. That is one in all Seiko’s extra elevated computerized actions, usually present in its King Seiko and Presage Luxe collections. It’s a 3Hz, three-day motion with 72 hours of energy reserve, and it’s stated to have a regulation vary of +25/-15 seconds per day. Nonetheless, many homeowners of 6R55-driven Seiko report significantly better utilization accuracy than that vary would counsel.

The decision

For A$1,500, which equates to roughly slightly below US$1,000, Seiko is delivering a 200-metre water resistant watch, in a snug measurement that isn’t too thick, with an in-house three-day computerized calibre, a good-looking dial and format, and with a enjoyable countdown timer twist. A fairly darn whole lot should you ask me, not less than as long as the motion runs with affordable accuracy.

Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Mechanical SPB513 pricing and availability

The Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Mechanical SPB513 is on the market now for buy worldwide. Worth: A$1,500