Seiko 5 Sports x Brian May
Just two years after the highly successful collaboration with Brian May, guitarist of the legendary rock band QUEEN, Seiko are excited to introduce a new limited-edition timepiece with the musician, with only 12,500 pieces available worldwide. This timepiece has been created based on Brian’s favourite guitar, the ‘Red Special’.
The ‘Red Special’ is the guitar that Brian May handmade with his father, in the 1960’s when he was a teenager. The pair impressively crafted the guitar using only hand tools. The name ‘Red Special’ came from the reddish-brown colour the guitar has, after it was stained and painted. The ‘Red Special’ has been used almost exclusively by Brian May throughout his music career’s live performances and the iconic Queen albums.
“My dad and I decided to make an electric guitar. I designed an instrument from scratch, with the intention that it would have a capability beyond anything that was out there, more tuneable, with a greater range of pitches and rounds, with a better tremolo, and with a capability of feeding back through the air in a ‘good way’.” – Brian May
During his first trip to Japan in the 1970’s, Brian May purchased a Seiko Diver 7548-7010 watch which he wore for over 40 years. With his two life companions, The Red Special guitar and the Seiko watch he toured the world with Queen. Seiko and Brian May have combined these two constants in his career to create the Seiko 5 Sports x Brian May watch.
‘Making great music and keeping great time’ – Seiko 5 Sports x Brian May
For over fifty years Seiko 5 Sports watches have built the reputation of reliability, durability, performance and value. The number five in the name represents the five key features seen in the watches to this day: Automatic movement, Water Resistant, Day-Date display, Recessed crown and Durable construction.
As with the first collaboration, the dial is inspired by the legendary guitar the ‘Red Special’. It recreates the curve of the guitar, the texture of the wood, the gradient of red and the glossy finish. Unlike the first collaboration, the case is a gold colour, which was desired by Brian May to represent the newly released ‘Gold Series’. The ‘Gold Series’ is a reissue of his solo albums. The nylon strap is designed with six vertical gold stripes which resemble the guitar strings of the ‘Red Special’.
The case back of the watch is clear, with the automatic movement on show. Brian May’s signature is displayed across the case back, along with the wording ‘Limited Edition’.
The timepiece comes presented in a special box, which was designed as a guitar case. Each piece comes with a replica of the ‘lucky sixpence’ coin which Brian May favoured over a guitar pick. This piece not only highlights the special watch but is also a fantastic to enjoy as a collector’s item for both music and watch fans alike.
Proceeds from the watch sales will be donated to The Mercury Phoenix Trust, which was founded by Brian May, Roger Taylor and their manager Jim Beach. The trust was set up in memory of rock band Queen’s lead singer Freddie Mercury.
There will be a limited number of the Seiko 5 Sports x Brian May available to purchase from Weir & Sons. Please call into our Fashion Department or contact them at fashionroom@weirandsons.ie for more details.
