Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The New Seiko Prospex Speedtimer SPB513 & SPB515
Life in the fast lane is safer with these new Speedtimer models, which stay true to Seiko´s motorsport spirit.
Seiko’s Prospex Speedtimer line has long reflected the brand’s ties to motorsport and its enduring commitment to precision. For 2025, Seiko builds on this legacy by celebrating its shared history with the Japanese car maker Datsun, a partnership that harks back to the golden era of the late 1960s and early ’70s. Alongside the special Datsun-themed limited edition time-and-date SPB517, Seiko introduces two new references of the model, the SPB513 and SPB515, blending vintage-inspired design with practical timing features in a refined everyday sports watch.
Both new Speedtimers, SPB513 and SPB515, maintain balanced proportions with a 39.5mm stainless steel case protected by Seiko’s super-hard coating to resist everyday wear. At 12.0mm thick, they stay faithful to the original 1972 Speedtimer silhouette that inspires their retro charm. A defining functional detail is the inner rotating countdown bezel, which allows precise tracking of crucial intervals and is operated via an extra crown at 4 o’clock. A similar feature can be found on the Prospex Alpinist, only there it served as a compass bezel. A curved sapphire crystal with inner anti-reflective coating keeps the dial clear under bright light, while the screw-down case back and 200m water resistance ensure these Speedtimers are ready for action in any setting.
The SPB513 and SPB515 dials are crisp and legible, with sharp hands and markers standing out against silver-white or black backgrounds. The inner countdown scale, adding functionality without clutter, highlights the final 15 minutes in orange. Applied indices and precise printing are as expected, while lume keeps indications visible after dark. A pop of orange on the tip of the central seconds hand adds a sporty touch, and a round date window at 4:30 integrates with a colour-matched date disc.
The new Prospex Speedtimer SPB513 and SPB515 house the reliable Calibre 6R55, a modern automatic movement offering 72 hours of power reserve. Running at 21,600 vibrations/hour with a magnetic resistance of 4,800 A/m, it’s robust enough for daily life and weekend drives. Like in most Prospex watches by Seiko, the movement is covered by a solid caseback.
Both new references are worn on a vintage-style multi-row stainless steel bracelet, designed for comfort and security with a three-fold clasp and push-button release. Available as continuous-production models and reasonably priced at EUR 1,000, the Seiko Prospex Speedtimer SPB513 and SPB515 stand alongside the Datsun-liveried SPB517, true to Seiko’s motorsport spirit, blending classic inspiration with modern engineering.
For more information, please visit SeikoWatches.com.
3 responses
Always get excited when I see new Seikos. Then I check to see if bezels line up. Even in these PROMO shots they don’t line up! They make such awesome watches but why, oh why, can’t they get on top of this? I tried to buy the SPB313 from three separate ADs but literally couldn’t find one with acceptable bezel calibration. Errgghh!
It has an inner rotating bezel (hence the second crown), like the Alpinist.
In the pictures, the bezel is just slightly rotated, so it’s not a misalignment issue. 🙂
have begun hating seiko as a brand for all the misalignments and destroying the skx for the schlock they replaced it with. BUT these are gorgeous. i know it’s toooo much to ask for them to offer then on leather or with ez quick removal endlinks as seiko is super behind the industry in what they offer in bracelets. but i wish the review showed if the inner bezel had a luminous triangle. as pretty as this watch is, i’d not get it if it didn’t have the lume triangle so it could be used for low light timing. if you know or find out i’d love an update. otherwise, this is a super looking piece. might have to slow down my loathing of the brand.