History of Seiko as official timing partner for World Athletics

Looking back through their innovative history, becoming the official timekeeper for Tokyo’s 1964 Olympic games was a pivotal landmark for Seiko Watches. Upon the request of the Japanese government, and with no prior experience in the field, Seiko announced itself on the international sports timing stage with a whole new generation of high-precision equipment. It was then that the brand began making precisely accurate professional sports timing instruments, which they have continued to do over the past 59 years.

Seiko timekeeping is now endorsed by international sports federations at many of the world’s leading sporting events. Today the brand is proud to be the official timing partner of the World Athletics (formally the IAAF), which is considered to be one of the greatest athletics competitions in the world. Seiko has been the official timing partner for the World Athletics since 1985, and has now timed more than 190 competitions.

Since its inception in 1969, the Prospex Speedtimer collection has represented the brand’s dedication to accuracy and reliability. The latest addition to the collection, available from July, is powered by a new in-house solar chronograph calibre equipped with a stopwatch which measures time to the nearest 1/100th of a second.

“We are very proud to be the official timing partner of World Athletics, it is a partnership that has lasted nearly 40 years to date. Being relied upon for our precision in this field led to the Speedtimer collection, which celebrates our timekeeping heritage of nearly 60 years. The latest addition to the collection is the 1/100th second chronograph, because we know there are times when even the one 1/100th of a second can make the difference between 1st and 2nd place.” – David Edwards, Seiko UK Managing Director

With a case size of 42mm, and powered by the brand new in-house built solar chronograph calibre 8A50, the new Prospex One Hundredth of a Second Speedtimer Solar Chronograph range enters a new dimension of functionality and precision. The hammer-shaped button allows for easy operability of the stopwatch function, whilst the dial achieves advanced legibility due to its separate indicators for time and chronograph functions. Conveniently solar-powered, the watch can be charged from both natural and electric light.

The Prospex One Hundredth of a Second 2023 World Athletics Championships Speedtimer Solar Chronograph, commemorates the brand’s role as official timekeeper at this year’s World Athletics Championships in Budapest. Highlighting the brand’s association with the event, the dial’s texture expresses that of the running track, and the gold hands represent the glory of winning Gold. The official logo of the Budapest Championships is engraved on the case back.

The Prospex One Hundredth of a Second 2023 World Athletics Championships Speedtimer Solar Chronograph will be available to buy in July at Seikoboutique.co.uk, alongside another three new additions to the Prospex Speedtimer Solar Chronograph collection, £760-£830.