Racing Partnership Commemoration: Seiko's Speedtimer and Datsun 240Z Unite in Exclusive Collection
Seiko and Datsun Collaborate to Release Limited-Edition Watch Collection
In September 2025, Seiko and Datsun will join forces to release a collection of three limited-edition Prospex Speedtimer watches. Inspired by the iconic Datsun 240Z sports car and the shared heritage of both brands from the late 1960s and early 1970s, these timepieces celebrate the launch of the Seiko Speedtimer in 1969 and Datsun's 1971 East African Safari Rally victory with a Seiko-branded Datsun 240Z race car.
The collection consists of three limited-edition models:
- SPB517 – Powered by Seiko's Caliber 6R55, this watch features a period-correct Datsun logo in a red circle and blue rectangle, drawing design elements from the 240Z’s red-and-black chassis. It comes with a perforated leather strap and vintage instrument-inspired fonts. The SPB517 has a case size of 39.5mm x 12mm, a power reserve of 72 hours, water resistance of 200m, and is limited to 2,500 pieces, priced at $1,150.
- SRQ057 – Housed in a 42mm case, this mechanical chronograph is powered by Caliber 8R48 with a column wheel and vertical clutch. The dial options include monochrome, black with faux tritium lume and colored hands, and black with a red racing-style rehaut. It features cursive Datsun lettering and an etched rally car emblem on the case back. The SRQ057 has a case size of 42mm x 14.6mm, a power reserve of 45 hours, water resistance of 100m, is limited to 500 pieces worldwide, and is priced at $3,200.
- SSC957 – This solar-powered watch uses Seiko’s V192 movement, displaying block-style Datsun text and a bespoke illustration of the 240Z on the dial, paired with certified leather straps. The SSC957 has a case size of 41.4mm x 13mm, a power reserve of 6 months (fully charged), water resistance of 100m, is a limited edition of 4,000 pieces, and is priced at $1,000.
Each watch showcases strong motorsport design cues, including tachymeter scales, chronograph hands with colors pulled directly from the original 240Z car, perforated or lined leather straps sourced from Leather Working Group-certified tanneries, and engraved or printed Datsun branding reflecting 1970s automotive instrumentation.
The typography in these watches references the 240Z's instrument cluster, and the color scheme mirrors the rally car's livery, with red, black, and white colors. The casebacks of the watches tell their own stories, with different designs for each model.
These watches are expected to be a hot commodity given their limited production numbers and high interest in vintage Japanese cars. Availability will be through Seiko boutiques and select global retail partners starting September 2025. Due to their limited production, worldwide availability will be constrained.
This collaboration underscores the historic connection between Seiko’s precision chronographs and Datsun’s motorsport legacy, specifically the 240Z’s performance in rally racing, blending horological innovation with automotive heritage in these collector pieces.
[1] Seiko Press Release [2] Datsun Press Release [3] Autocar Article [4] Hodinkee Article
- The collaboration between Seiko and Datsun in 2025 will notably extend to wearables with the release of three limited-edition Prospex Speedtimer watches, inspired by the Datsun 240Z sports car and its rally racing history.
- The collection, set to launch in September 2025, will consist of three stylish models: the SPB517, SRQ057, and SSC957, each embodying motorsport design elements, such as tachymeter scales and Datsun branding.
- The watches, with production numbers limited to 2,500 for the SPB517, 500 for the SRQ057, and 4,000 for the SSC9597, are expected to be sought-after gadgets among enthusiasts of vintage Japanese cars and technology.
- With an average price ranging from $1,000 to $3,200, these limited-edition wearables will be available through Seiko boutiques and select global retail partners, starting from September 2025.
- Las Vegas, a city steeped in casino-and-gambling history and auto-racing myths, could potentially become a prime destination for sports betting on the grand prix races featuring these limited-edition Seiko Prospex Speedtimers, further heightening their allure.
- Racing enthusiasts, particularly those interested in the legacy of Datsun’s iconic 240Z car and Seiko’s precision chronographs, may find these wearables to be valuable additions to their collections, alongside memorabilia from renowned sports events like the East African Safari Rally and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
- Given the collector value of these watches and their limited availability, the collaboration between Seiko and Datsun is set to generate significant buzz in the world of gadgets, sports, and technology, reminiscent of the excitement surrounding the release of the original 240Z sports car in the late 1960s.
