2016 Seiko Spirit Giugiaro Design "Rider's Chronograph" SCED055

The collaboration between Seiko and legendary Italian automotive designer Giorgetto Giugiaro—famed for styling icons like the DMC DeLorean, Lotus Esprit, and BMW M1—began in 1983 with a groundbreaking objective: creating the world’s first analog quartz chronographs designed specifically for drivers and motorcyclists.

Among these functional concepts was the original "Rider’s Chronograph," an avant-garde timepiece engineered so that a rider or driver could comfortably read the dial at a glance without rotating their wrist or releasing their grip on the steering wheel or handlebars. To achieve this ergonomy, the dial is deliberately tilted 15 degrees clockwise within the case, placing 12 o'clock closer to the upper right corner where the wearer’s gaze naturally lands while holding a wheel. Furthermore, the entire case is sloped downward at a 5-degree angle toward the wearer to reduce glares and optimize visibility under various riding conditions.

This reference, the SCED055, is a modern re-issue released in late 2016 under the Seiko Spirit Smart collection. It faithfully recreates Giugiaro’s futuristic 1980s aesthetic with a matte stainless steel case, integrated bracelet, asymmetrical dual pushers, and high-contrast orange dial accents. Produced as a limited edition, this specific piece is numbered 0222/1000 on the case back, representing a remarkable intersection of 1980s Italian industrial design and Japanese horological history.

CONDITION:

The watch is pre-owned and lightly worn, remaining in excellent overall condition throughout.

The integrated bracelet shows minimal signs of use, limited to minor superficial surface scratches on the stainless steel links and clasp.

Powered by the reliable Seiko Caliber 7T12 quartz movement, the watch has had its battery recently replaced. All functions—including main timekeeping, date change, and the chronograph measurement—are running smoothly and resetting accurately.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Edition: Limited Edition (Numbered 0222/1000)

Movement: Seiko Quartz Caliber 7T12 Functions: Hours, minutes, small running seconds, 24-hour display, date indicator, 60-minute chronograph (1/5th second increments)

Case Material: Stainless steel Case Dimensions: 43 mm width x 44.2 mm lug-to-lug Case Thickness: 11.4 mm

Dial: Two-tone grey/black dial angled 15 degrees clockwise, sloped at 5 degrees, featuring orange indices and central chronograph hands

Crystal: Curved Hardlex crystal

Bracelet: Original Seiko integrated stainless steel bracelet

Water Resistance: 10 bar / 100 meters

Scope of Delivery: Original Seiko outer and inner presentation box, instruction manual and guarantee papers, and extra bracelet links.