Jewellery & Watch News
After the hugely successful collaboration between Queen guitarist Brian May and Japanese watch manufacturer Seiko in 2020, the pair have returned to launch their second limited edition timepiece. The Seiko 5 Sports x Brian May “Red Special II” watch is limited to just 12,500 pieces worldwide and takes inspiration from the latest remastered solo albums within his ‘Gold Series’ with a gold-plated case.
The 2020 Seiko 5 Sports Brian May Limited Edition was the first collaboration between Seiko and Brian May and yet unbeknownst to many, their histories intertwined much earlier. For more than 40 years, Brian has worn a Seiko divers watch on his wrist, travelling and touring the world with it after he purchased it during the 1970’s in Japan while touring with the band. This model is one of several that inspires the modern-day Seiko 5 Sports collection and so it seemed only right that it was this reference that would base the limited edition.
Just like the release from two years ago, the new Seiko 5 Sports Brian May “Red Special II” Limited Edition for 2022 commemorates Brian’s ‘Special Red’ guitar, an instrument Brian and his father built by hand many years ago. The base of the guitar was carved from wood from an old fireplace and its body of a blockboard with an ancient oak insert covered with a mahogany veneer that Brian stained and polished himself. The 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.
Bringing to life this legendary creation, the new Seiko 5 Sports Brian May “Red Special II” watch features a gorgeous black and red dial modelled after the theme of the guitar with the instrument’s silhouette on the left. There’s even a subtle wood grain pattern incorporated into the red to mimic the finish of the material. Differing from its predecessor, however, the new 2022 Seiko 5 Sports Brian May “Red Special II” watch opts for yellow gold plated hands and indexes as a nod to the latest remastered solo albums within May’s ‘Gold Series.’ The hardware is detailed with glow in the dark Lumibrite and paired with a day and date window at 3 o’clock.
Continuing with the new yellow-gold theme is the case of the Seiko 5 Sports Brian May “Red Special II” Limited Edition. Measuring to 42.5mm in diameter and 13.4mm in thickness, the case remains engineered from 316L graded stainless steel but finalised with yellow gold plating on top. The case also presents scratch resistant Hardlex creystal glass, a screw down crown, water resistant rating of 100 metres and a black unidirectional rotating bezel with a gold-coloured 60-minute diving scale.
Powering the Seiko 5 Sports Brian May “Red Special II” watch is the 4R36 automatic winding movement, a calibre spotted in much of the 5 Sports collection. It boasts 24 jewels, a frequency of 21,600vph and a power reserve of 41 hours. You can admire the intricacy of the movement through the red glass translucent case back which marks its limited edition status beside a copy of Brian May’s signature.
As a limited edition release, the Seiko 5 Sports Brian May “Red Special II” watch is presented in an exclusive box shaped like a guitar case and is fitted onto a one-of-a-kind nylon strap designed to emulate the guitar strings expertly played by Brian May. Inside the presentation box, you’ll also get a commemorative Sixpence which Brian famously uses to play his guitar instead of a plectrum.
If you’d like to learn more about this watch and order one for yourself, head over to the C W Sellors website here or get in touch with us at sales@cwsellors.com. Proceeds of the Seiko 5 Sports Brian May “Red Special II” will be donated The Mercury Phoenix Trust founded by Brian May, Roger Taylor and their manager Jim Beach in memory of rock band Queen’s iconic lead singer Freddie Mercury.
Specifications: Seiko 5 Sports Brian May “Red Special II” (SRPH80K1)
- Case Material: Yellow gold-plated stainless steel
- Case Size: 42.5mm
- Glass: Hardlex crystal
- Bezel: Undirectional
- Crown: Screw in
- Case Back: Screw down, exhibition with limited edition decoration
- Water Resistance: 100 metres
- 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 yellow gold hands and indexes
- Strap: Black striped nylon
- RRP: £530
- Limited Edition: 12,500 pieces
- Release Date: March 2022
