Seiko doesn’t have anything to prove when it comes to purple-dial watches. Models like their wisteria-inspired King Seiko KSK from last year and the Rowing Blazers skin diver collab from 2023 both live rent-free in our heads. Even the funky ’70s-era VANAC revival a few months back was executed brilliantly by the Japanese brand, and much better than anyone else would’ve ever done. For its latest purple-dial release, Seiko doesn’t go with a more obscure silhouette, instead tapping one of the icons of its catalog: the Prospex Speedtimer.
Edo for Excellence
Commemorating the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, for which Seiko has as official timekeeper since 1987, the new Speedtimer chronograph (SSC955) will instantly catch your eye thanks to its soft purple dial inspired by Edo purple, a color cherished in ancient Tokyo. During Japan’s Edo period (1603-1868), this particular shade was associated with nobility and refinement.
Here, it’s not the saturated, almost-neon purple you might expect from a sports watch tie-in. Instead, it’s more supple, almost ethereal, shifting between lilac and pale violet depending on the light. The light purple hue is contrasted with black around the tachymeter bezel, and on the tricompax chrono registers and hands (which some might say looks almost deep purple). The white lume fill in the center of the minute and hour hands almost looks like a light purple by juxtaposition.
Solar Power Done Right
At 39mm, the steel case on the SSC955 finds superb proportions, especially with its 13.3mm thickness and 45.5mm lug-to-lug measurement. Opting for quartz instead of automatic, Seiko’s V192 movement inside the SSC955 is the result of decades of solar technology refinement, hidden behind a closed caseback featuring the emblem for the 2025 event in Tokyo. The six-month power reserve means you can literally forget about this watch for half a year and it’ll still be ticking when you remember it exists.
Not messing with a good thing, the Speedtimer’s chronograph function returns here, typically offering satisfying tactile feedback through those pushers, measuring up to 60 minutes in 1/5-second increments. Moreover, the 6 o’clock sub-dial pulls double duty as both a 60-minute chronograph register and power reserve indicator. However, there’s already been lots of negative feedback about the 4:30 date window, which uses white instead of black.
Lastly, the three-link steel bracelet continues the theme of thoughtful execution with polished center links catching light nicely against the brushed outer links, adding just enough flash without feeling flashy. However, we’re very curious how a black rally-style strap would look on this watch. Either way, we love this release and are glad that it’s not getting too limited of a release.
Spec Sheet
Model: Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Solar Chronograph SSC955 World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 Limited Edition
Case Material: Stainless steel
Case Size: 39mm
Case Thickness: 13.3mm
Lug-to-Lug: 45.5mm
Crystal: AR-coated curved sapphire
Movement: Seiko Caliber V192 solar-powered quartz
Power Reserve: 6 months
Accuracy: ±15 seconds per month
Water Resistance: 100m
Strap: Stainless steel three-link bracelet
Limited Edition?: Yes, 6,000
Pricing & Availability
Limited to just 6,000 pieces, the Prospex Speedtimer Solar Chronograph SSC955 World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 launches in August with a retail price of $775. Pre-orders are already live through Seiko’s website and select retailers, though given the brand’s recent purple-dial successes, don’t expect these to linger on shelves for long.
Recap
Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Solar Chronograph SSC955 World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 Limited Edition
Seiko proves its the purple-dial king with this Speedtimer Solar Chronograph made to commemorate the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. The light purple dial is inspired by ancient Japan’s Edo era.
