Seiko 5 Sports Brian May Red Special Limited Edition Watch Review
Tuesday - 04 February 2020
Inspired by rock legend Brian May and his iconic ‘Red Special’ guitar, Seiko have released the stunning new Seiko 5 Sports Brian May Limited Edition watch. The extraordinary timepiece will be released as a limited run of only 9,000 pieces alongside an exclusive one-of-a-kind box inspired by the design of the Red Special’s custom flight case. The box also features a commemorative coin based on the sixpenny piece that Brian has used throughout his career as a plectrum.
Despite this being the first time Brian May and Seiko have officially worked together, the rock star has been a fan of the Japanese watch manufacturer for quite some time. For more than 40 years, Brian has worn a Seiko diver’s watch on his wrist, a watch which has travelled the world with him alongside his ‘Red Special’ guitar. The watch was first bought during the 1970’s in Japan while Brian was touring with the band and it is considered one of the very models that inspired the Seiko 5 Sports collection that you see today.
Just like his Seiko divers watch, Brian’s ‘Red Special’ guitar has become an instrument he has always been able to rely on. The guitar was built by hand by Brian and his father, carved from the wood of an old fireplace, its body of a blockboard with an ancient oak insert and covered with a mahogany veneer that Brian stained and polished himself. The innovative tremolo system was also designed by Brian and featured a hand-carved mild steel rocker plate pivoting on a knife edge, with the pull of the strings balanced by motorcycle valve springs. To complete the job, the tremolo arm was improvised from part of a bicycle saddlebag holder, capped with a piece of a sturdy knitting needle.
Brian commented "I am delighted to see this watch come alive, and proud that the creation of me and my dad all those years ago has inspired this collaboration. I love my Seiko and it has served me well for many years. I will wear this new one with pride."
With so much attention to detail going into the guitar, it was only right that the Seiko 5 Sports Brian May Red Special Limited Edition showcased the same. It’s breathtaking dial has been modelled to echo the same black and red theme of the guitar with a gorgeous guitar silhouette on the left and a unique wood grain pattern throughout the red. A unique “Red Special” script has also been added to the dial at 6 o’ clock. The dial is also detailed with large Lumibrite coated hands and indexes and a highly legible day and date window at 3 o clock.
Powering each of the functions displayed on the Seiko 5 Sports Brian May Red Special Limited Edition watch is the 4R36 automatic winding movement. The Japanese made watch calibre has 24 jewels, a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour and promises a power reserve of 41 hours. The intricate beauty of the in-house mechanical movement can also be witnessed through the exhibition case back alongside a special decoration of Brian’s signature and the limited edition number out of 9,000 pieces.
Typical to all Seiko watches, the Seiko 5 Sports Brian May watch ensures only the best in precision, performance and functionality. It’s 316L graded stainless steel case measures to 42.5mm in width, a perfect size for most men’s wrists and is fitted with scratch resistant Hardlex crystal glass. Thanks to the screw down crown, 100 metre water resistant rating and unidirectional diving bezel with 60 minute scale, the timepiece is also suitable for shallow diving.
You can pre-order the Seiko 5 Sports Brian May Red Special Limited Edition watch at Jura Watches today at a retail price of only £500. It has an estimated launch date of May 2020 and is available with free delivery and interest free finance up to 36 months. Speak with our team of luxury watch specialists today for more information on this watch and the services we have on offer.
Specifications: Seiko 5 Sports Brian May Limited Edition Watch (SRPE83K1)
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Case Size: 42.5mm
- Glass: Hardlex crystal
- Bezel: Undirectional
- Water Resistance: 100 metres
- Case Back: Screw down, exhibition with limited edition decoration
- Movement: 4R36 automatic winding
- Functions: Hour, minutes, seconds, day, date
- Power Reserve: 41 hours
- Frequency: 21,600vph
- Jewels: 24
- Dial: Red and black, Lumbrite on hands and indexes
- Strap: Black nylon
- RRP: £500
- Limited Edition: 9,000 pieces
- Release Date: May 2020
