Seiko has gone motor racing again. On 1 November 2026 the new Prospex Speedtimer "Midnight Riviera Blue" (ref. HBJ008) arrived in UK shops, a European-exclusive limited edition of just 4,000 pieces inspired by classic European cars. It's one of the most vintage-looking chronographs of the season, and it comes from a brand with a serious stopwatch history. Here's what's new, what it costs in the UK, and the vintage Seiko-family pieces in our vault.
What's New: The Midnight Riviera Blue Speedtimer
The HBJ008 is built on the 39mm solar Speedtimer and, according to Seiko UK, is modelled on the popular SSC813. That means the classic "panda" layout, with black subdials set against the main dial. Here the main dial is a deep "Midnight Riviera Blue" sunray, and bright orange is used for the central chronograph seconds hand and the subdial hands, giving it a proper 1960s racing look.
The motoring theme carries through to the strap. As well as the stainless steel bracelet, the watch comes with an extra perforated calfskin leather strap inspired by the interiors of heritage cars. Each piece has "LIMITED EDITION" and its own serial number engraved on the screw-down case back.
The Key Specs
- Case: stainless steel, 39mm wide, 13.3mm thick, 45.5mm lug to lug, 20mm lug width
- Movement: Seiko calibre V192 solar, accurate to ±15 seconds a month, running for about six months on a full charge
- Functions: chronograph up to 60 minutes in 1/5-second steps, 24-hour hand, small seconds, date, power reserve indicator and tachymeter scale
- Crystal: curved sapphire with an anti-reflective coating on the inside
- Water resistance: 10 bar (100m)
- Edition: 4,000 pieces worldwide, exclusive to Europe
- UK price: £770 at Seiko's official UK store
Where the Speedtimer Name Comes From
Seiko's timing story really took off with the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, where it was the Official Timer. The Seiko Museum Ginza records that the company developed 36 models and made 1,278 timing instruments for the Games. The same year brought the Crown Chronograph, Seiko's first chronograph wristwatch and the first made in Japan.
Then, in 1969, came the original Speedtimer with calibre 6139. Seiko describes it as one of the world's first automatic chronographs, and the first of its kind with a column wheel and a vertical clutch, two features that are still expected in a high-grade chronograph today. 1969 was also the year Seiko launched the Astron, the world's first quartz watch. The new HBJ008 brings those two threads together: the look of a classic racing chronograph, powered by modern solar quartz.
Is It Worth It?
At £770 the HBJ008 sits at the top of the solar Speedtimer range, and the reviews we've read are honest that it's mainly a new colourway, extra strap and limited run on a proven watch. But the blue, black and orange dial is genuinely handsome, and at 39mm it wears like a proper vintage chronograph. If you love 1960s motorsport style, it's an easy watch to like.
The Seiko Spirit in Our Vault
If the Speedtimer has you thinking about Seiko's quartz heritage, we have pieces from the Seiko family in stock:
- Vintage Seiko Quartz Day-Date – Gold Dial, £60. A vintage Seiko quartz with a warm gold dial and day-date display, and an affordable way into the brand's quartz story.
- Vintage Lorus Ladies Quartz Watch | White Dial | Silver Tone Case | Blue Textured Leather Strap, £35. Lorus was launched in Europe in 1982 and is made and distributed by Seiko Watch Corporation, so this one shares the same family tree.
Every piece is checked by our in-house specialists before it's listed.
Final Thoughts
The Midnight Riviera Blue Speedtimer shows how much of today's watch design still looks back to the 1960s, from the panda dial to the rally strap. Seiko has the history to back it up, going right back to the Tokyo Olympics and the 1969 Speedtimer. If you'd rather own a real piece of vintage Seiko history, the vault is open.
Explore more vintage pieces at skylinesjewellery.co.uk, and catch us live on TILT every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 9pm.
Image credits: Seiko Prospex Speedtimer HBJ008 official product images, Seiko UK, via Seiko's official UK online store. Details and specifications from Seiko UK's product page, Seiko Prospex's timekeeping history, The Seiko Museum Ginza, Avanti Jewellers (UK release date) and Lorus UK.