During Queen\u2019s first tour in Japan, May bought a Seiko watch that never left his wrist again. Today, the Maison launches a new model with a redesign that was heavily inspired by another one of this musician\u2019s favourite objects: his famous \u2018Red Special\u2019 guitar. And he loves it: \u2018I am delighted to see this watch come alive, and proud that the creation of me and my dad all those years ago has inspired this collaboration. I love my Seiko and it has served me well for many years. I will wear this new one with pride.\u2019<\/p>\n
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And yes, this legend of a guitar that has paced the band\u2019s most famous songs was handmade by Brian himself, with the help of his father. Acoustic guitars did not allow the artist to play as he wanted to, so he took it upon himself to create a new one tailored to his needs. The instrument\u2019s fabrication began in the sixties. Its neck was hand-carved from the wood of an old fireplace. Its body was made from blockboard with an ancient oak insert, and covered with a mahogany veneer that Brian stained and polished himself. The inserts were made from mother-of-pearl buttons, and May chose a three-mic configuration. To complete the job, the innovative tremolo system featured a hand-carved mild steel rocker plate pivoting on a knife edge (hardcore) with the pull of the strings balanced by motorcycle valve springs (super hardcore). This particular last element is what makes the Red Special\u2019s sound so unique and easily recognizable.<\/p>\n
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And today, the Seiko 5 Red Sports pays tribute to this music instrument that every guitarist in the world knows. The dial is housed in a 42 mm-diameter steel case, displays a crown at 4 o\u2019clock, a date window at 3, and features a delicate wood-like pattern that is reminiscent of the body of the guitar. It is launched in a 9,000-limited edition that will be powered by a robust Seiko caliber, that has a 41 hour\u2014power reserve to offer, along with a 100 metre-water resistance, and a see-through caseback that is signed by the rockstar himself. To complete this look, the Seiko \u2018Red Special\u2019 is served on a black nylon strap, just like the eponymous guitar\u2019s. Last but certainly not least, the watch is presented in a casket designed after guitar flight cases. The presentation box also contains a commemorative sixpenny coin May used throughout his career as a plectrum.<\/p>\n
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