Seiko celebrates one of the most iconic Japanese cars of all time, the Datsun 240Z, with three limited edition Speedtimers
Jamie WeissThe 1960s and 70s were formative decades for both the Japanese car and watch industries, and Seiko’s latest three Prospex Speedtimers pay homage to that period and one of its most iconic sports cars: the Datsun 240Z. Seiko has a long history of sports timing, including in motorsports. Indeed, Seiko are currently the official timing partner of Australia’s very own Supercars Championship. But let’s go back to 1969, at a time when Japanese car makers were starting to find real success in international motorsports. It was in this year that Seiko introduced the Speedtimer, the world’s first automatic chronograph with both a vertical clutch and a column wheel.
It was one of the most technically advanced mechanical watches of its time, and even found its way to space and the Formula 1 world – the origins of its “Pogue” and “Cevert” nicknames. Also in 1969, Nissan introduced its first Z-car: the Nissan Fairlady Z, which would be badged as the Datsun 240Z for export markets including the United States and Australia. The 240Z was a game-changer: affordable, stylish and most importantly, fast, it helped change the perception of Japanese cars in the West.
The Datsun was also highly successful in motorsports, especially in the US, but one of its most important victories came in 1971 when a jacked-up 240Z with a big old Seiko logo on its side claimed overall victory in the East-African Safari Rally, widely regarded as one of the toughest races in the world. That brings us to today, where Seiko and Datsun have reunited once again for a trio of Prospex Speedtimers, each utilising different Seiko technologies and featuring different eras of Datsun branding while centring this determinative 1971 rally victory in particular.
Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Mechanical Datsun 240Z Limited Edition SPB517
First up, we have the SPB517, the simplest of these three Datsun watches. Despite bearing the ‘Speedtimer’ model designation, it isn’t actually a chronograph: instead, it features an eclectic compressor-style countdown bezel, rotated via the crown at 4 o’clock. You can check out Zach’s review of the mechanically identical, non-limited SPB513 for more details on this watch and how it works. To make a long story short, you’d use it similarly to how you’d use a diving bezel – it’s not quite as straightforward as just activating a chronograph, but it certainly can be used for motorsports timing, such as counting down to a race start, for example.
This Speedtimer is the smallest as well as the mechanically simplest of the three, measuring up at 39.5mm in diameter and 12mm thick. It also has the most overt Datsun branding of the three, with a large early Datsun logo adorning its black dial at 6 o’clock, with the same logo found on its caseback. It comes mounted on a perforated rally-style strap, which is totally appropriate for a motorsports watch, with ‘Datsun’ in cursive script adorning its buckle.
It might not be a chrono, but there’s something quite charming about the large logo on the dial. It gives off Rolex Domino’s Pizza vibes, or more accurately, TAG Heuer Gulf vibes: it looks uncannily like a corporate commission or maybe even a racing team watch from the 60s or 70s. Seiko’s clearly on a bit of a co-branding streak, having also just unveiled a collab with Pepsi. Under the hood (see what I did there?) of the SPB517 is the in-house calibre 6R55: one of Seiko’s more prestigious automatic movements, usually found in King Seiko models: it beats at a slightly leisurely 3 Hz, but has a weekend-proof 72-hour power reserve.
| Brand | Seiko |
| Model | Prospex Speedtimer Mechanical Datsun 240Z Limited Edition |
| Reference Number | SPB517 |
| Case Dimensions | 39.5mm (D) X 12mm (T) X 44.5mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Weight | 86 g (with strap) |
| Water Resistance | 200 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front |
| Dial | Black with red accents and Datsun logo |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Strap | Leather rally-style strap, three-fold clasp with push button release |
| Movement | 6R55, in-house, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 72 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date, countdown bezel |
| Availability | Limited edition of 2,500 pieces |
| Price | US$1,150 A$1,900 |
Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Mechanical Chronograph Datsun 240Z Limited Edition SRQ057
Next up, we have the SRQ057, which is indeed a mechanical chronograph that’s powered by the calibre 8R48 – which, like the pioneering calibre 6139 in the original Speedtimer from 1969, has a vertical clutch and column wheel. That said, it’s a much more modern movement, with a MEMS-manufactured escapement, an active running seconds, a higher 4 Hz beat rate and a 45-hour power reserve.
Featuring a stealthy all-black colour scheme and PVD-treated case, it has cursive Datsun text at 12 o’clock, and a different Datsun logo on the back, modelled after the one featured on the Safari Rally car I mentioned earlier. Also, its tachymetre scale is optimised for measuring speeds from 50km/h to 60 km/h, just like the original Speedtimer. It’s 42mm in diameter and 14.6mm thick, which is slightly on the larger size, but its subtly curved lugs make it wear smaller than those numbers may suggest. The pump chronograph pushers also protrude a fair distance from the case, around 4mm, but they suit its vintage design perfectly.
Unlike the SPB517, the SRQ057 comes mounted on a smooth black leather strap. Personally, I would’ve preferred the same rally strap, but I don’t think it’s a dealbreaker. So far, fan feedback has suggested that this chrono is the pick of the bunch, and indeed, it’s the one that most closely ‘fits the brief’ for a watch tributing a 60s sports car. However, it’s also the most expensive and most limited of the three, so some fans might be disappointed…
| Brand | Seiko |
| Model | Prospex Speedtimer Mechanical Chronograph Datsun 240Z Limited Edition |
| Reference Number | SRQ057 |
| Case Dimensions | 42mm (D) X 14.6mm (T) X 49.5mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Black PVD stainless steel |
| Weight | 127 g (with strap) |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front |
| Dial | Black with red and blue accents, cursive Datsun text |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Strap | Smooth leather strap, three-fold clasp with push button release |
| Movement | 8R48, in-house, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 45 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, running seconds, date, chronograph |
| Availability | Limited edition of 500 pieces |
| Price | US$3,200 A$5,200 |
Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Solar Chronograph Datsun 240Z Limited Edition SSC957
Finally, we’ve got the SSC957, the most technically advanced Speedtimer of this Datsun trio, which utilises the solar-powered V192 quartz chronograph movement, just like the Prospex Speedtimer Pogue SSC947 we reviewed last year. Of course, the other significant watch Seiko released in 1969 was the Quartz Astron, the world’s first commercial quartz wristwatch, which totally changed the watch industry – so it’s kind of fitting that a watch tributing another two formative Japanese inventions from 1969 would use a quartz movement.
Accurate to +/- 15 seconds per month, the V192 calibre can run for six months on a single charge. It can also be charged by both sunlight and artificial light, with the three subregisters serving as windows to the watch’s solar array: an elegant solution, particularly on a watch like this, as the arrays are barely noticeable against a black dial. Despite being a more complicated quartz solar movement, this Speedtimer is the most affordable and least limited of these three limited editions. The dial of the SSC957 has yet another type of Datsun branding – this time, Datsun in block letters at 12 o’clock, the same Datsun text that appeared on the 240Z’s steering wheel – while its caseback features an engraving of that rally car we’ve talked about.
It’s got an interesting two-tone steel and black PVD case, with the central link of its steel bracelet all blacked out alongside the chrono pushers and crown. The bright red minute track really pops on the wrist, too. As for its case size, it measures 41.4mm in diameter and 13mm thick, so slightly smaller than the mechanical model.
| Brand | Seiko |
| Model | Prospex Speedtimer Solar Chronograph Datsun 240Z Limited Edition |
| Reference Number | SSC957 |
| Case Dimensions | 41.4mm (D) X 13mm (T) X 45.9mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Two-tone stainless steel and black PVD |
| Weight | 140g (with bracelet) |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front |
| Dial | Black with red and blue accents, block Datsun text |
| Lug Width | 21mm |
| Bracelet | Two-tone three-link stainless steel and black PVD bracelet, three-fold clasp, push-button release |
| Movement | V192, in-house, solar quartz |
| Battery Life | ~6 months at full charge |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, running seconds, date, chronograph, 24-hour hand, power reserve indicator, solar charging |
| Availability | Limited edition of 4,000 pieces |
| Price | US$1,000 A$1,650 |
All three Datsun editions feature sapphire crystals, not Hardlex; date windows at that Marmite 4:30 position, which personally doesn’t bother me, but I’m sure some will complain about; and the numerals used on all of their bezels are inspired by the same font used on Datsun 240Z gauge clusters. As you can see, they’re all subtly different, but have common design features and all celebrate one legendary car.
The verdict
I’ve got a bit of a weird connection to these Seiko Datsun watches. When I was a kid, I spent countless hours playing Gran Turismo 4 on the PlayStation 2, speeding around famous racetracks like the Nürburgring and Suzuka. Of course, being a Japanese game, Gran Turismo’s roster of cars has always been dominated by homegrown heroes. But there was always one Japanese car I gravitated towards more than any other: the 240Z. Maybe it’s because I’d seen one of these “Dattos” around my neighbourhood as a little kid, but there was just something about its long bonnet and muscly looks that sparked something in me.
I put in lots of digital laps behind the wheel of a 240Z. And every race I won, I saw a big yellow box at the bottom of the screen: Seiko, official timer. I wonder if that mental association of Seiko with cars and blissful school holiday afternoons spent glued to my PlayStation is why I love Seiko watches so much as an adult. As an adult (and part-time motoring journalist), I still aspire to owning a 240Z… But I’d much rather service a Seiko than a classic Japanese car.
And that’s kind of the point. Obviously, these Seikos will appeal to 240Z owners – but I think they’ll also appeal to revheads more broadly. As for which one I’d pick, I think I’d go for the SPB517. It might not be a chronograph, but I think it’s the most unique and vintage-looking of the three – like the sort of thing a race engineer from back in the day might have worn.
Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Datsun 240Z Limited Edition Collection pricing and availability
As the name implies, these Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Datsun 240Z models are all limited editions and are available now for pre-order from Seiko, with deliveries scheduled for September/October 2025. The solar SSC957 is the least limited at 4,000 pieces, the three-hander SPB517 is limited to 2,500 pieces, while the mechanical chrono SRQ057 is the most limited at just 500 pieces. All models come in special Datsun-branded boxes. Price: US$1,000/A$1,650 (SSC957), US$1,150/A$1,900 (SPB517), US$3,200/A$5,200 (SRQ057)