Watch News Briefing: Seiko, Kerbedanz, and Depancel
Three chronographs, three very different technical approaches: Seiko is expanding the Speedtimer line with a solar-powered model exclusive to Europe; Kerbedanz has housed its central flying tourbillon in a transparent sapphire case; and Depancel’s limited-edition Série-R offers a view of a skeletonized automatic movement.
Seiko Speedtimer: Solar-Powered Chronograph for Europe
Seiko is launching the Speedtimer Solar Chronograph HBJ008P1 as a limited edition of 4,000 numbered pieces, available exclusively in Europe. The midnight blue dial, accented with orange, evokes the instrument-panel aesthetic of motorsports. The stainless steel case measures 39 millimeters in diameter, 13.3 millimeters in height, and 45.5 millimeters from lug to lug.
The V192 solar caliber operates beneath the domed sapphire crystal, which features an anti-reflective coating on the inside. When fully charged, it offers a power reserve of approximately six months, displays the charge level, and measures time intervals of up to 60 minutes in increments of one-fifth of a second. A date display and split-time function are also included. The watch is water-resistant to 10 bar. It comes with a stainless steel bracelet; a cognac-colored, racing-style leather strap is also included.
Maxima GR8 39 mm Kerbedanz: Tourbillon in a Sapphire Case
In the Maxima GR8 39 mm Ultraviolet, Kerbedanz arranges the entire display around a central, flying one-minute tourbillon. The hours and minutes are indicated by hands positioned around the periphery. The open-worked violet dial reveals large portions of the movement and provides a striking color contrast to the colorless, monocrystalline sapphire case.
The automatic in-house caliber KRB-13 consists of 233 components, operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour, and features two mainsprings connected in parallel. The brand specifies the power reserve as approximately 65 hours. The 39-millimeter case features a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides and is water-resistant to three bar.
A rubber strap with a titanium folding clasp completes the watch. The Maxima GR8 is limited to a total of 50 pieces across the sapphire color variants Sepal Blue, Baby Blue, Emerald Green, and Ultraviolet. The price is 330,000 Swiss francs before taxes.
Depancel Série-R: Skeletonized Chronograph, Limited to 100 Pieces
Depancel applies the design of its Série-R—inspired by faucets—to a fully skeletonized chronograph. The 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, the 12-hour counter at 9 o’clock, and the central chronograph hand are highlighted in orange. The hands and hour markers are coated with Super-LumiNova C1.
The barrel-shaped stainless steel case measures 40 by 36 millimeters, 48.5 millimeters across the lugs, and 13.7 millimeters including the crystal. The front and back are sealed with sapphire crystal. Inside, the watch is powered by the Peacock SL-4802 automatic caliber with a 55-hour power reserve; according to the brand, fine adjustment is performed in Besançon. The watch is water-resistant to five bar.
The Série-R Chronograph Skeleton, designed and assembled in France, comes on a cowhide leather strap with a steel clasp. This edition is limited to 100 numbered pieces and costs 1,595 euros. Pre-orders begin on October 8, 2026.
