Seiko and Datsun Revisit Historic Partnership with Limited-Edition Watches
Three exclusive timepieces are released under the brand names Seiko and Datsun, celebrating a shared legacy and historical bond between the two entities
Seiko has released a limited-edition series of three Prospex Speedtimer watches, inspired by the iconic Datsun 240Z sports car. This collaboration celebrates a historic partnership rooted in motorsports from the late 1960s and early 1970s.
In 1969, Seiko introduced the Speedtimer, the first automatic chronograph with vertical clutch and column wheel mechanisms, while Datsun debuted the 240Z, a high-performance sports car that became celebrated internationally for its performance and value. Seiko supported the Datsun 240Z rally teams, with rally car drivers like Edgar Herrmann and Hans Schuller noted for their 1971 East African Safari Rally victory while wearing Seiko watches.
The Datsun 240Z, emblazoned with the Seiko logo, competed in the East African Safari Rally in 1971, where it won the grueling 6,200 km race, a significant achievement that linked Seiko's precision timing with Datsun’s automotive performance.
The three distinct models in the limited-edition series incorporate different facets of Datsun's branding, including the block logo, cursive script, and vintage round emblem. The dial designs reflect the 240Z's instrument cluster typography and use a red, black, and white color scheme mirroring the rally car's livery.
Useful chronograph features include a countdown timer for timing rally tasks like tire changes and refueling, alongside a tachymeter scale on the bezel, blending homage to the original 1969 Speedtimer with modern technical precision. The leather straps are made from sustainably sourced Leather Working Group-certified tanneries.
This collection broadens the Speedtimer range, adding a clear automotive spirit and honoring the collaboration’s historical significance, extending the legacy of precision timing and motorsport achievement shared by both brands over 50 years ago. The watches became available for sale starting September 2025.
For those interested in learning more about the collaboration between Seiko and Datsun, visit seikowatches.com. Subscribing to our newsletter offers daily inspiration, escapism, and design stories from around the world.
These gadgets, the limited-edition Prospex Speedtimer watches, incorporate technology inspired by the iconic Datsun 240Z sports car, symbolizing a partnership rooted in motorsports. The collaboration's historical significance lies in the blend of Seiko's precision timing with Datsun’s automotive performance, evident in the watch's design and features that reflect the 240Z's livery and instrument cluster typography.
