Seiko’s sports timing tradition inspires a new solar-powered calibre

On the eve of the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Seiko is rolling out a new sports-timing calibre in its latest Solar Speedtimer. Called Calibre 8A50, this 1/100th of a second chronograph is capable of timing multiple sporting events (ie: multiple lap times) with incredible precision and accuracy. And in keeping with Seiko's rich history of timing sporting events, this distinctive Speedtimer is built around four timekeeping displays (two 1/100 totalizers at 3H and 9H, and a 60 second totalizer at 12H), a tribute of sorts to Seiko's vintage Sportura models, like the Kinetic-powered SBCG001. Like the rest of Seiko's Solar-powered movements, this Speedtimer can run autonomously for approximately six months when fully charged, and maintains an accuracy rating of ±15 seconds per month. 

Prospex Speedtimer World Athletics Championships Budapest 23 Limited Edition

Limited Edition of 4,000, commemorating the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23, for which Seiko is the official timer

Production serial number and World Athletics Championships Budapest 23 logo engraved on caseback

Inspired by Seiko's – and the world’s – first analog quartz chronograph, which featured a 1/100-second stopwatch

Features the new solar chronograph 8A50 movement, with precision stopwatch timing to 1/100 second, measurement up to 60 minutes of elapsed time, and a split time function

Powered by light energy – no battery change required

6-month power reserve once fully charged

Patterned black dial styled to suggest professional running track surfaces

Four inset black subdials, including a separate time dial

Gold chronograph hands symbolizing the highest level of athletic achievement

LumiBrite hands and markers

Curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on the inner surface

Concave top hammer-shaped pushers for easy stopwatch timing

Screwdown caseback

Case diameter: 42.0mm

Stainless steel case and bracelet with black hard coating

Tri-fold push button release clasp

Water-resistant to 10 bar, 100 meters (330 feet)

Caliber 8A50