Seiko’s New Solar Speedtimers Make the Choice All About the Dial

by · The Gadgeteer

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Seiko’s new Prospex Speedtimer lineup offers five takes on the same solar chronograph. HBJ001 through HBJ004 are regular-production models, while the Edo purple HBJ005 is a Seiko 145th Anniversary Limited Edition capped at 8,000 pieces worldwide.

Price: $775
Where to Buy: Seiko

All five use the V192 movement and share the same core specifications. If you have been waiting for a solar Speedtimer that looks right to you, the decision comes down largely to design—and whether HBJ005’s anniversary connection appeals to you.

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The V192 Movement

Each model uses Seiko’s V192 solar caliber, rated at ±15 seconds per month with approximately six months of operation from a full charge. The chronograph measures up to 60 minutes in 1/5-second increments. The movement also provides a 24-hour hand, small seconds, a power-reserve indicator, and a date display.

Price: $775
Where to Buy: Seiko

You get traditional chronograph controls and an analog layout without regular winding. The solar movement uses a rechargeable cell rather than a conventional replaceable battery. There is no new movement technology separating these five references, though. If you already own a recent V192 Speedtimer, the HBJ series is primarily a new set of design choices rather than a functional upgrade.

Familiar Speedtimer Proportions

Seiko lists each case at 41.4mm in diameter, 13mm thick, and 45.9mm from lug to lug. The distance between lugs is 21mm, and the listed weight is 168 grams.

The watches also have curved sapphire crystals with anti-reflective coating on the inner surface, LumiBrite on the hands and indexes, three-fold push-button clasps, screw case backs, tachymeter scales, 10-bar water resistance, and magnetic resistance rated at 4,800 A/m.

Price: $775
Where to Buy: Seiko

At 168 grams, these are substantial steel chronographs. The 45.9mm lug-to-lug measurement may help keep the case manageable on the wrist, but dimensions alone cannot tell you exactly how a watch will wear. More importantly for this lineup, choosing a different reference does not introduce a major hardware trade-off.

Four Regular-Production Designs

HBJ001 through HBJ004 offer different looks on the same Speedtimer platform. HBJ001 pairs a silver dial with a black bezel insert for a restrained motorsport-chronograph look. HBJ002 combines a black dial and black bezel insert with gold-tone accents on the bezel, crown, and pushers. HBJ003 uses a green dial with a green-and-black bezel insert. HBJ004 is the boldest of the regular-production options, pairing a gold-tone dial with a red-and-blue bezel insert.

Price: $775
Where to Buy: Seiko

Those descriptions are a starting point, not a substitute for seeing the watches. Because the movement, case specifications, and prices are shared, the best choice among these four is the design you would most enjoy wearing.

Seiko lists each regular-production model at $775 in the U.S. and PHP 48,800 in the Philippines.

HBJ005 Adds an Anniversary Design

HBJ005 is part of Seiko’s 145th Anniversary collection. It uses what Seiko calls Edo purple, while its bi-color aluminum tachymeter bezel draws inspiration from a vintage Speedtimer in the company’s archives. The case back identifies it as a limited edition.

Price: $775
Where to Buy: Seiko

Seiko has capped production at 8,000 pieces worldwide and lists the watch for an October 2026 release. Its price matches the four regular-production models: $775 in the U.S. and PHP 48,800 in the Philippines.

The anniversary details give HBJ005 a distinct identity, but not a performance advantage. It still uses the V192 movement and shares the other models’ core case specifications.

Which Speedtimer Should You Choose?

Choose HBJ001 through HBJ004 if you want a regular-production Speedtimer in the color combination you like best. You are not giving up meaningful capability by choosing one of them over another.

Choose HBJ005 if its Edo purple design, 145th-anniversary connection, and 8,000-piece production run are what draw you to it. Seiko lists an October 2026 release, so the watch was not yet scheduled for release as of late September.

Price: $775
Where to Buy: Seiko

For existing V192 Speedtimer owners, none of these models offers a major functional reason to upgrade. For a first-time buyer, the choice is simpler: find the design you want to wear, then decide whether HBJ005’s anniversary story is part of that appeal.

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