<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-01-15</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000095301</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SEQUA CORP /DE/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SQAA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001211582</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LEFRAK RICHARD S</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O LEFRAK ORGANIZATION INC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>97-77 QUEENS BLVD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>REGO PARK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>11374</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-01-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>168</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>59.38</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>7849</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These shares are issued to Mr. LeFrak pursuant to the 2003 Sequa Corporation Directors' Stock Award Plan (the &quot;Plan&quot;).  The shares are restricted from disposition or transfer in accordance with the provisions set forth in the Plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/Diane C. Bunt, as attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-01-18</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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X0202
4
2005-01-15
0
0000095301
SEQUA CORP /DE/
SQAA
0001211582
LEFRAK RICHARD S
C/O LEFRAK ORGANIZATION INC
97-77 QUEENS BLVD
REGO PARK
NY
11374
1
0
0
0
Class A Common
2005-01-15
4
A
0
168
59.38
A
7849
D
These shares are issued to Mr. LeFrak pursuant to the 2003 Sequa Corporation Directors' Stock Award Plan (the "Plan").  The shares are restricted from disposition or transfer in accordance with the provisions set forth in the Plan.
/s/Diane C. Bunt, as attorney-in-fact
2005-01-18