Seiko has partnered with Brian May to produce a limited edition version of its Seiko 5 Sports watch inspired by the Queen guitarist’s instrument.
Limited to 9,000 pieces worldwide, the watch features a flash (ah-aaaaaah!) red dial with a gentle gradient effect between the eight and 11 o’clock markers, designed to mimic the shape of May’s two-tone guitar, also known as the 'Red Special'.
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The guitar was hand-built by May and his father in the early 1960s, using wood salvaged from a 100-year-old fireplace, and has accompanied the Queen member for much of his career.
Aside from a dial borrowing its design from May’s guitar, the Seiko 5 Red Special also features a nylon strap designed to match that of the guitar, and is presented in a miniature guitar flight case.
The watch itself is fundamentally the same as the rest of the broad Seiko 5 range, introduced in the summer of 2019 and see as a replacement to the popular SKX.
The Seiko 5 Sports is powered by a self-winding mechanical movement which can be viewed through the display case back (which also includes May’s signature), is water-resistant to 100 metres (Under Pressure), has recessed crown at the four o’clock position, and a unidirectional rotating dive bezel.
The Caliber 4R36 movement has optional self-winding, 24 jewels, and a power reserve of 41 hours.
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As for why Seiko was chosen to produce a Red Special watch? Good question. May has been attached to the brand for 40 years, and wears a Seiko Prospex diver’s watch pretty much all the time.
The Seiko 5 Sports Red Edition will be available in May and priced at £500 (approve $550).
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Alistair is a freelance automotive and technology journalist. He has bylines on esteemed sites such as the BBC, Forbes, TechRadar, and of best of all, T3, where he covers topics ranging from classic cars and men's lifestyle, to smart home technology, phones, electric cars, autonomy, Swiss watches, and much more besides. He is an experienced journalist, writing news, features, interviews and product reviews. If that didn't make him busy enough, he is also the co-host of the AutoChat podcast.