The new Seiko SPB513 is a Prospex Speedtimer Mechanical, but it’s not a chronograph?
Zach BlassWhen I think of a Seiko Prospex Speedtimer, I think of a chronograph, because all the modern Speedtimer watches in the Seiko catalogue are chronographs. Right?. This new Prospex Speedtimer Mechanical SPB513 is not a chronograph that tracks elapsed time. So what does it do then?
The Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Mechanical SPB513, though not a chronograph, is still a racing-inspired wristwatch, with functionality not limited to just the world of racing. Though, to be fair, chronographs are also not limited to just motorsports. In place of a chronograph, the SPB513 marries a time and date watch with a countdown bezel, which, as Seiko describes it, could be used to track the time remaining before the start of a race or target durations, such as a pit stop. In my boring life, I would probably be using it to ensure I don’t take too long a lunch break, or to ensure my boiling pasta comes out perfectly al dente.
The case
The stainless steel case, 39.5mm in diameter and 12mm thick, is nicely faceted and finished with elements that are both brushed and mirror polished. The lugs are rather compact, ensuring there is not too broad of a lug-to-lug span, in turn making it suitable for a majority of wrist sizes. At the 4 o’clock position, you will find a second crown that operates the bi-directional inner countdown bezel scale.
How do you use a countdown bezel? Well, let’s say you needed to take your pasta out of the pot after 10 minutes. You would align the numeral 10 of the inner bezel with the current position of the central minutes hand, and once the hand reaches the triangle of the inner bezel scale, it will signal that the 10-minute countdown is complete. Nice, simple, and easy. A surprising feature of the SPB513 is that it has quite a robust, impressive depth rating for a racing-inspired watch: it’s water-resistant to 200 metres. So there isn’t anything stopping you from using the countdown function to measure aquatic-related countdowns (even if they’re just pasta water-related).
The dial
Though there is also a black-dialled SPB515, the 513 we have in-hand here features a matte silver-white dial that feels like a stone white in appearance. It’s crisp and clean in layout, with a full set of blackened applied hour indices that pop against the brighter backdrop for enhanced legibility, and, to be a bit superficial, just looks really good. At the tip of each index, a circular luminous pip can be found, and the central hours and minutes hands have LumiBrite fillings as well.
The central seconds hand is orange-tipped, a tie-in with the last 15 minutes of the inner bezel countdown scale. The outer perimeter of the dial is black, with a fully hashed outer minutes ring just before the largely black ring of the countdown timer inner bezel. And, yes, at 4:30 we have a date complication that, in fairness, blends pretty well into the silver-white dial.
The bracelet
The SPB513 is affixed to a Jubilee-esque bracelet, having a large, shaped, and brushed link piece connected to each succeeding piece via two narrower polished link pieces. It affords a certain level of elegance and flair that I think elevates its look in a nice way, rather than just resorting to a more common Oyster-like three-piece link setup. Were the case more conventional, perhaps a three-link would have made more sense. But the faceted flair of the case feels like it needs the added visual intrigue that the bracelet Seiko ended up opting for provides.
The movement
Inside, beneath a solid screw-down caseback engraved with the Seiko name, ticks the in-house automatic 6R55 movement. This is one of Seiko’s more elevated automatic movements, often found in its King Seiko and Presage Luxe collections. It is a 3Hz, three-day movement with 72 hours of power reserve, and it is said to have a regulation range of +25/-15 seconds per day. However, many owners of 6R55-driven Seiko report much better usage accuracy than that range would suggest.
The verdict
For A$1,500, which equates to roughly just under US$1,000, Seiko is delivering a 200-metre water-resistant watch, in a comfortable size that is not too thick, with an in-house three-day automatic calibre, a handsome dial and layout, and with a fun countdown timer twist. A pretty darn good deal if you ask me, at least so long as the movement runs with reasonable accuracy.
Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Mechanical SPB513 pricing and availability
The Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Mechanical SPB513 is available now for purchase worldwide. Price: A$1,500
| Brand | Seiko |
| Model | Prospex Speedtimer Mechanical |
| Reference | SPB513 |
| Case Dimensions | 39.5mm (D) x 12mm (T) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 200 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Curved sapphire front, AR-coated |
| Dial | Silver-white, black and orange accents |
| Strap | Stainless steel bracelet, three-fold clasp, push button release |
| Movement | 6R55, in-house, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 72 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date, countdown bezel |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | A$1,500 |