Solar-powered Seiko chronograph takes the top spot in my preferences
In a unique collaboration between Seiko and Datsun, the Prospex Speedtimer x Datsun Fairlady Z watch has been unveiled. This limited-edition timepiece pays homage to the historic partnership and shared pioneering spirit between Seiko and the Datsun 240Z sports car of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
The watch boasts a black case and a black leather strap, with design elements reminiscent of the original Datsun 240Z rally cars. The dial features a dashboard-inspired font and a Datsun logo, while the dial accents, hands, and bezel sport a red and black colourway that echoes the car's visual identity.
The Seiko Prospex Solar Speedtimer x Datsun Fairlady Z watch is more than just a tribute; it's a testament to the enduring legacy of innovation and performance shared by both brands. In 1969, Seiko introduced the revolutionary Speedtimer chronograph with a vertical clutch and column wheel, and Datsun launched the affordable yet high-performance 240Z sports car.
The watch's technical tribute lies in its advanced Caliber V192 solar-powered movement, which offers a 6-month power reserve charged by both natural and artificial light. This solar-powered movement symbolises the endurance spirit of both Seiko timing and the Datsun rally car's rugged capacity.
The watch also features a solid caseback engraved with the silhouette of the Datsun 240Z rally car, emphasising the automotive connection. Limited to 4,000 pieces worldwide, this timepiece underscores exclusivity linked to this historic collaboration.
The watch's accuracy is plus/minus 15 seconds per day, and it includes a black bezel with a tachymeter for calculating average speed. The Prospex Speedtimer x Datsun Fairlady Z is part of a larger suite of new Prospex Speedtimers and watches in collaboration with Japanese car brand Datsun.
The collection includes a solar-powered watch priced at £880, with the Prospex Speedtimer x Datsun Fairlady Z and the non-limited Speedtimer Maximum Precision 8 R Mechanical Chronograph priced between £2,400 and £2,950.
This new watch collection from Seiko celebrates the Datsun 240Z's victory at the East Africa Safari Rally in 1971, a major motorsport achievement that underscored both precision timing and automotive durability. The Prospex Solar Speedtimer x Datsun Fairlady Z watch is a fitting tribute to this legendary rally win and the shared history of innovation and performance between Seiko and Datsun.
Technology and sports intersect in the Seiko Prospex Solar Speedtimer x Datsun Fairlady Z watch, a limited-edition timepiece that echoes the classic design of the original Datsun 240Z rally cars. This watch's cutting-edge Caliber V192 solar-powered movement symbolizes the fusion of innovation and the rugged durability inherent in both sports technology and automotive racing.
