Prospex Speedtimer Solar Chronograph Datsun 240Z - Ltd Ed 4000pcs Ref. SBDL121

Introduced in 1931 by the DAT Motorcar Company to mark its smaller production vehicles, the Datsun name would go on to shape Japanese automotive history before being phased out by Nissan in 1986. Its most iconic creation, the Datsun 240Z, produced from 1969 to 1978, earned worldwide acclaim for its sleek design, mechanical reliability, and motorsport success. Among its icons, the Datsun 240Z, produced from 1969 to 1978, became a legend in both Japan and the United States with its striking design, reliable mechanics, and undeniable motorsport pedigree.

Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Solar Chronograph Datsun 240Z - Ltd Ed 4000pcs Ref. SBDL121

Seiko, sharing Datsun's spirit for taking on challenges, stepped in to support the 240Z in competition during the early 1970s. The timing could not have been more fitting: the first 240Z rolled out in 1969, the very same year Seiko introduced the Speedtimer. Just two years later in 1971, history was made. Bearing the Seiko logo and proudly wearing No. 11 on its side, the Datsun 240Z stormed through 6,200 kilometers of brutal terrain to claim victory in the grueling East African Safari Rally, one of the toughest races in the world. Today, Seiko honors that shared legacy of innovation and resilience with the Prospex Speedtimer Solar Chronograph Datsun 240Z – Ltd Ed 4000pcs Ref. SBDL121, a tribute to two Japanese icons that defined performance and endurance in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Encased in a robust 316L stainless steel case construction, the Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Solar Chronograph Datsun 240Z Ref. SBDL121 vaguely resembles the case shape of some of Seiko's modern 62MAS reissues with its slightly rounded lug design, a well-crafted case design many Seiko lovers are largely familiar with. Measuring with a pleasing diameter of 41.4mm, a lug to lug distance of 45.9mm and a thickness of only 13.0mm, the proportions deliver confident wrist presence without feeling overwhelming, making it versatile for a wide range of wrist sizes. Like many of Seiko's other Prospex models, the finishes here are skilfully executed to a high level of detail with circular satin brushing on the top of the lugs and a smooth high polish at the side of the case.

Seiko Cal. V192 solar-powered quartz chronograph movement

The Prospex Speedtimer Solar Chronograph Datsun 240Z Ref. SBDL121 is engineered for precision timing, with a fixed black tachymeter bezel that works in tandem with the chronograph to measure elapsed distance. The bezel slopes sharply downward, separating the markers from the etched numerals along the outer edge, creating depth and catching light from every angle. The first quarter of the scale is highlighted in red, a subtle nod to the Datsun 240Z that reinforces the watch's racing DNA, while the push-pull crown and pushers are finished in black, completing the motorsport-inspired aesthetic.

Protected under the curved scratch-resistant sapphire glass, black dial of the Prospex Speedtimer Solar Chronograph Datsun 240Z Ref. SBDL121 is packed with functional and design-rich details, featuring three subdials at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock. The 3 o'clock subdial displays 24-hour time, the 9 o'clock subdial tracks running seconds, and the 6 o'clock subdial serves dual functions as a 60-minute elapsed time counter and a power reserve indicator. The power reserve cleverly nods to motorsport with 'F' and 'E' markers, reminiscent of fuel gauges on classic cars. At 12 o'clock, the "DATSUN" logo is carefully recreated in block letters inspired by the original 240Z steering wheel. Applied indices and hands are coated with LumiBrite, while subtle red accents on the minute rehaut and second hand evoke the 240Z racing spirit. Even the Arabic numerals on the rehaut and the bezel's tachymeter scale are drawn from the 240Z dashboard font, tying the entire dial back to its motorsport heritage.

Satin brushed and high polish case profile

Inside, the Prospex Speedtimer Solar Chronograph Datsun 240Z Ref. SBDL121 is driven by the reliable Seiko Cal. V192 solar-powered quartz chronograph movement, boasting a power reserve of about 6 months on a full charge and an accuracy rating of approximately ±15 seconds a month. Operated through the chronograph pushers on the side of the case, the movement features a 60-minute chronograph function, a date complication and a 24 hour indicator. Despite not being a dive watch, the watch is well-equipped with a substantial 100m of water resistance, providing protection from light water splashes in everyday use.

Flipping the watch over reveals a screw-in caseback adorned with an original illustration of the victorious Datsun 240Z rally car. Encircling the artwork are the "LIMITED EDITION" inscription and the individual serial number, firmly establishing this watch as a true collector's piece that celebrates both Seiko's horological innovation and the 240Z's motorsport legacy.

Seiko's LumiBrite luminous

The bracelet perfectly complements the watch, proportioned to match the case for an ideal balance on the wrist. Its center links are finished in black with a hard coating, paying tribute to the iconic bonnet of the Datsun 240Z and reinforcing the motorsport-inspired aesthetic.

The Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Solar Chronograph Datsun 240Z Ref. SBDL121 stands as a timekeeping tribute to an era when Japan's finest machines were rewriting motorsport history. Every detail, from the Datsun-inspired dial and racing-ready tachymeter bezel to the solar-powered Caliber V192 with six months of energy reserve, channels the same precision and endurance that powered the 240Z to victory in the grueling East African Safari Rally. Limited to just 4000 pieces worldwide and featuring a screw-in caseback engraved with an illustration of the winning rally car, it is a piece of mechanical and solar-powered heritage that fuses the DNA of car culture and Seiko's innovative watchmaking into one collectible package.

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