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

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-01-15</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>40 WEST 57TH STREET, 23RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10019</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 Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-01-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>244</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>122.95</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>6759</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 for Richard S. LeFrak</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-01-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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X0202
4
2007-01-15
0
0000095301
SEQUA CORP /DE/
SQAA
0001211582
LEFRAK RICHARD S
C/O LEFRAK ORGANIZATION INC
40 WEST 57TH STREET, 23RD FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10019
1
0
0
0
Class A Common Stock
2007-01-15
4
A
0
244
122.95
A
6759
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 for Richard S. LeFrak
2007-01-16