Photograph by Seiko

Kohei Sato at Timezone just reported that Seiko has announced the release of a brand new Spring Drive chronograph marketed directly at the venerable Omega Speedmaster. This no nonsense bullhead design is all about functionality. Super legible military style dial, lots of lume, cool hands and the best implementation of a Spring Drive power reserve meter that I’ve ever seen.

The Spring Drive Spacewalk is a Space inspired watch and Seiko spent a lot of time on making sure this chronograph could with stand the extreme environments of space. Special attention was paid to seals, ergonomics and temperature resistance. Unlike the Omega Speedmaster, which was already in production when it began it’s space use, this watch is quite possibly the first chronograph specifically designed to be used in Space.

Seiko’s involvement with watches in space started in the 1970’s with the 6139 series (worn by Colonel Pogue) which was the first automatic chronograph ever worn in space. In the 1980’s, the A829 LCD Digital watch was popular among space shuttle astronauts and in the 1990’s, Seiko released the 6M23 “Space Navigator” designed for long term stays in space measurable by a unique 31 day chronograph counter.

Seiko 6139 Chronograph

Seiko 6M23 Space Navigator. Photo by Tokunaga: http://www.tokunaga.ne.jp/

Seiko A829

Seiko expects to release the Spacewalk in December of 2008 in a limited edition of 100 watches.