Sure, we’re mostly about mechanical watches here at Analog:Shift. But certain quartz-powered timepieces are simply too cool to ignore — especially when you come across colorful examples produced by Japanese powerhouse, Seiko, during the 1990s.

This 1990s Seiko Yacht Timer features the brand’s nifty Calibre 8M37 quartz movement — one of their first quartz movements equipped with a countdown system. At a glance this Seiko presents as an analog timepiece, but in hand it feels much more like a digital watch without the distraction of an LED display. Let us explain.

A Seiko Reference 8M-037-6000, this piece features a 35mm stainless steel case with a steel friction compass bezel, a crown at 9 o’clock and barrel pushers flanked along the right side. Although simple at a glance, the dial offers a range of function options including a function indicator located at 12 o’clock, a tri-color timing scale bordering the dial’s bottom half and a skeletonized handset. 

The ‘digital’ qualities reside within its suite of timing functions and the smooth sweep of the handset while moving through each setting. This Yacht Timer comes with three separate pre-set timers that can be started from 5, 10 or 15 minutes. The free-set timer can be set to 1-minute intervals up to 30 minutes and lastly, its repeat function allows for the timer to count down again when the set time is up.

Oh by the way, this Seiko can also tell the time.

Paired to our new Analog:Shift Citrus Orange Vegan Strap, this Seiko Yacht Timer is unique, vibrant and loads of fun - plus, you know we always love a colorful regatta timing watch!