Introduction
Few watches can claim to have been developed specifically for use outside the Earth’s atmosphere. The Seiko Spring Drive Spacewalk traces its origins to the watch created for private space explorer Richard Garriott, who wore Seiko’s specially developed Spring Drive chronograph during his 12-day mission to the International Space Station in October 2008. Designed to withstand the extreme temperatures, vacuum and physical demands of spaceflight, the project represented an extraordinary demonstration of both Seiko’s engineering capabilities and its proprietary Spring Drive technology.
In 2010, Seiko made the Spacewalk available to collectors as the ref. SPS005, producing just 100 individually numbered examples. Closely following the specification of the watches developed for Garriott’s mission, the production model combines an imposing 48mm titanium case with the Spring Drive calibre 5R86, offering a chronograph, GMT indication, date and power-reserve display. Purpose-built, technically fascinating and directly descended from a watch genuinely used in space, the SPS005 occupies a unique position within modern Seiko collecting.
Loupe This Scorecard
Grade
M 8.5
Status
Vetted & Approved
Included
Box, warranty (blank), booklet, card and hangtag
Est. value range
$50,000 – $80,000
The Details
Brand
Seiko
Dimensions
48mm
Model
Spring Drive Spacewalk
Movement
Spring Drive calibre 5R86
Reference
SPS005
Bracelet
Fabric strap
Year
Circa 2010
Condition
Excellent
Material
Titanium
Included
Box, warranty (blank), booklet, card and hangtag
Dial Color
Black
THE DIAL
Designed first and foremost for legibility, the black dial uses oversized luminous indications and high-contrast hands alongside the chronograph registers, date, GMT and power-reserve displays. Despite the amount of information presented, its instrument-like arrangement remains exceptionally clear, reflecting the Spacewalk’s origins as a functional watch developed for use in an extreme environment.
THE CONSTRUCTION
The extraordinary 48mm titanium case was developed around the demands of spaceflight, where low weight, ease of operation and resistance to extreme conditions were fundamental considerations. Its oversized chronograph pushers were designed to remain readily operable while wearing gloves, while the production SPS005 incorporated a screw-down crown for additional case security.
THE MOVEMENT
At the heart of the Spacewalk is Seiko’s Spring Drive calibre 5R86, combining a mechanical mainspring and automatic winding system with Spring Drive’s electronic regulation. The calibre incorporates a column-wheel chronograph, vertical clutch, GMT indication, date and power-reserve display, while its glide-motion seconds hand provides the distinctive continuous sweep synonymous with Spring Drive.
Condition
Watch is in overall excellent condition. The titanium case shows some light scratches and surface marks. The bronze-coloured bezel has some light scuffs along the edge. The case back shows some scratches and strap rub, with well-defined engravings. The dial and hands are in near-mint condition. It is fitted with a black fabric strap and titanium pin buckle showing light surface marks. Comes with inner and outer boxes, blank warranty card, instruction booklet, Spacewalk card, DVD, hangtag, and spare strap.
Our Perspective
The Spacewalk is one of the most technically and historically fascinating Seiko watches of the modern era. Rather than simply adopting an aerospace theme, it evolved directly from a watch engineered for and actually used during spaceflight. With just 100 examples produced for collectors, the SPS005 combines genuine space provenance, an exceptionally sophisticated Spring Drive chronograph movement and an unmistakable purpose-built design, making it one of Seiko’s most compelling modern limited editions.
Eric Ku
Co-founder
