Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Solar: Three New Variations with Neo-Retro Flair

Seiko—who would be wrong to deny itself—keeps its Prospex Speedtimer line alive with three new takes on its emblematic solar chronograph. Nothing revolutionary on the agenda, but well-judged aesthetic tweaks that add depth to a collection already firmly established in today’s watch landscape. And sometimes, that’s all it takes to rekindle desire.

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A modern icon, inspired by motorsport

The Prospex Speedtimer is one of those watches that has managed to carve out its place between heritage and modernity. With these new references, Seiko leans even further into its inspiration from the world of motorsport—particularly the 1980s and 1990s: an era when analogue dashboards, pastel colour accents and metallic finishes expressed a certain idea of functional design, both technical and elegant.

All three models keep the 39 mm diameter—a size I personally find spot-on for an everyday chronograph: neither too bulky nor too discreet, with that balance that lets it move from casual wear to something more dressed-up without trying too hard.

Three dials, three moods

Seiko Prospex Speedtimer SSC961P1 — The SSC961P1

Here, Seiko plays the colour-variation card with three dial shades:

a bright white, highly legible, almost “tool watch” in spirit,
a pale pink, unexpected but rather successful, bringing genuine freshness,
a soft green, understated and slightly desaturated, that feels more like a chic weekend watch than a track chronograph.

These colours, directly inspired by neo-classical automotive aesthetics, give these Speedtimers a gentler, more lifestyle-oriented personality—without betraying the range’s sporty DNA. It’s not a design upheaval, but an intelligent variation on a layout that has already proven itself.

Seiko Prospex Speedtimer SSC963P1 — The SSC963P1

A proven, coherent solar calibre

At the heart of these three references is the V192 solar calibre: a light-powered, rechargeable quartz movement capable of delivering up to six months of autonomy once fully charged. This is a very Seiko proposition in spirit—reliable, practical, designed for real-world use, with none of the daily hassle of winding or battery changes.

Functions on offer: 1/5th-second chronograph up to 60 minutes, tachymeter, 24-hour hand, split-time measurement. Nothing exotic, but a coherent package for anyone looking for a versatile, legible and robust chronograph.

Seiko Prospex Speedtimer SSC965P1 — The SSC965P1

Technical specifications for the Seiko Prospex Speedtimer SSC961P1, SSC963P1 and SSC965P1

All three models share the same technical specifications:

Stainless-steel case and bracelet
Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on the inner surface
Water resistance: 10 bar
Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m
Diameter: 39 mm
Thickness: 13.3 mm
Movement: V192 solar calibre
Recommended retail price: €750

The pricing remains fairly coherent for this type of well-finished solar chronograph signed by Seiko, a brand with genuine historical legitimacy in the segment.

My take on these new Speedtimers

Let’s be honest: this isn’t the watch of the year, nor a model that will upend the hierarchy of accessible chronographs. But that’s not necessarily what we ask of this kind of release. These new variations subtly enrich an existing collection, leaning more on visual emotion than on technical innovation.

And that’s precisely where Seiko is often at its best: offering well-designed, coherent, easy-to-wear watches, with that little extra aesthetic soul that makes you want to strap them on. For anyone who likes the Speedtimer design and wants something a touch more original than the ever-present black or panda dials, these new versions clearly have charm. It’s still an excellent choice of first watch on a small budget.