September « 2012 « AZ Fine Time Blog

I’m sure many would ask, “What makes the Seiko Astron so special?”. A simple reply would be, “Everything!”. There are tons of unique and cool features of this watch. The research and development took over 10 years, and in turn you have the worlds 1st watch that recognizes your location. In case you missed yesterday’s blog post, we are honoring the release of the Seiko Astron GPS Solar by doing blog entries for the next week, solely on the Astron. The 1st shipment (a preview) will be delivering Monday, which is the national release date for the Astron. See more details HERE.

Seiko Astron GPS Solar

Seiko has a long list of world 1st’s in the watch industry. The list is remarkable with tons of crowning achievements Seiko has managed to produce over the years. The history of the 1st Astron, the Quartz Astron dates back to 1969. This amazing break through was the worlds 1st quartz watch that was accurate to 5 sec a month and had a year of power reserve. Back then, it was not only the worlds most accurate watch, but also had the longest power reserve.

Seiko Quartz Astron 1969

Today, with the release of the Seiko Astron GPS Solar, Seiko has developed a watch accurate to one second every 100,000 years. This isn’t a 1st…. Watches with Radio Control (RC) reception are also capable of this accuracy. It is how the watch receives the signal that makes it so special.

Seiko Astron GPS Solar SAST003

The Seiko Astron GPS Solar receives updates (manually or automatically) from 4 or more GPS satellites any where in the world to update it’s accuracy, date and even your location, all at the push of one button. Now that is a 1st! Seiko had to develop numerous new parts and technology to achieve a watch capable of doing all this.

Seiko Astron GPS Solar SAST009

The watch is solar powered, but receiving GPS signal consumes A LOT of power. Almost 200 times what it takes to receive RC. For the watch to work, Seiko had to develop a new GPS receiver, with an ultra low power consumption, and a rechargeable battery system that can handle the energy needed. I will further elaborate on this in our blog next week, so be sure to stay tuned.

Seiko Astron GPS Solar

I have to say, Seiko has really impressed me with all the new technology they developed for this watch, and I’m sure it will impress you too! For the time being, here are the models that will be delivering on Monday! Be sure to check back with the AZ Fine Time Blog Monday to see the 1st review of the SAST001!

Seiko Astron GPS Solar SAST001

Caliber 7X52
GPS controlled time and time zone adjustment
Hour, minute and second hands
Date calendar
Perpetual calendar correct to February 2100
Signal reception result indication
World time function (39 Time Zones)
Daylight Saving Time function
Power saving function
Accuracy: +/-15 seconds per month
(without receiving a time signal and in temperatures between 5℃ and 35℃)
Case: High-intensity titanium with black hard coating with ceramic bezel
Case diameter: 47.0 mm, thickness: 16.5 mm
Band: High-intensity titanium with black hard coating with three-fold clasp with push button release=
Glass: Sapphire crystal with Super-Clear Coating
Water resistance: 10 bar
Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m
Limited edition: 2,500 pieces

-includes extra silicone strap w/ deployment clasp

Seiko Astron GPS Solar SAST003

Caliber 7X52
GPS controlled time and time zone adjustment
Hour, minute and second hands
Date calendar
Perpetual calendar correct to February 2100
Signal reception result indication
World time function (39 Time Zones)
Daylight Saving Time function
Power saving function
Accuracy: +/-15 seconds per month
(without receiving a time signal and in temperatures between 5℃ and 35℃)
Case:High-intensity titanium with ceramic bezel
Case diameter: 47.0 mm, thickness: 16.5 mm
Band:High-intensity titanium with three-fold clasp with push button release
Glass: Sapphire crystal with Super-Clear Coating
Water resistance: 10 bar
Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m

Seiko Astron GPS Solar SAST005

Caliber 7X52
GPS controlled time and time zone adjustment
Hour, minute and second hands
Date calendar
Perpetual calendar correct to February 2100
Signal reception result indication
World time function (39 Time Zones)
Daylight Saving Time function
Power saving function
Accuracy: +/-15 seconds per month
(without receiving a time signal and in temperatures between 5℃ and 35℃)
Case:High-intensity titanium with ceramic bezel
Case diameter: 47.0 mm, thickness: 16.5 mm
Band:High-intensity titanium with three-fold clasp with push button release
Glass: Sapphire crystal with Super-Clear Coating
Water resistance: 10 bar
Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m

Seiko Astron GPS Solar SAST007

Seiko Astron GPS Solar SAST009

Caliber 7X52
GPS controlled time and time zone adjustment
Hour, minute and second hands
Date calendar
Perpetual calendar correct to February 2100
Signal reception result indication
World time function (39 Time Zones)
Daylight Saving Time function
Power saving function
Accuracy: +/-15 seconds per month
(without receiving a time signal and in temperatures between 5℃ and 35℃)
Case:Stainless Steel with ceramic bezel
Case diameter: 47.0 mm, thickness: 16.5 mm
Band:Extra-strength silicon with three-fold clasp with push button release
Glass: Sapphire crystal with Super-Clear Coating
Water resistance: 10 bar
Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m

Seiko Astron GPS Solar SAST011

Caliber 7X52
GPS controlled time and time zone adjustment
Hour, minute and second hands
Date calendar
Perpetual calendar correct to February 2100
Signal reception result indication
World time function (39 Time Zones)
Daylight Saving Time function
Power saving function
Accuracy: +/-15 seconds per month
(without receiving a time signal and in temperatures between 5℃ and 35℃)
Case:Stainless Steel with black hard coating and ceramic bezel
Case diameter: 47.0 mm, thickness: 16.5 mm
Band:Extra-strength silicon with three-fold clasp with push button release
Glass: Sapphire crystal with Super-Clear Coating
Water resistance: 10 bar
Magnetic resistance: 4,800 A/m

Please call us at 1-800-486-3996 with any questions or to reserve your Astron today!

The New Seiko Astron GPS Solar was one of the hottest items to debut at the Basel Fair of 2012. Today, in Japan, the OFFICIAL launch has begun! In Ginza, home of the Seiko owned and world renowned Wako Building, they have lit their clock tower in blue to honor the release of Astron. AZ Fine Time, will also be celebrating this release, in a slightly different way.

Seiko Astron GPS Solar

To start, the watches have not delivered to the US dealers yet. However, Seiko USA will be shipping out 1 of each variation Astron GPS to AZ Fine Time for Monday delivery! This is the official US release date and only 3 stores in the country will be a part of it. Please keep in mind, if you already have the Astron GPS on pre-order with us, our full initial shipment will be following shortly after, and are guaranteed to deliver by our Roadshow Oct. 26th, so your watches will be here soon.

Seiko Astron GPS Solar

The Seiko Astron GPS Solar is truly an incredible timepiece. It is the 1st watch in the world that will actually recognize your location and with the push of a button, update the watches time automatically to your current time zone. There is no need to adjust cities, or manually set the watch. All you need is a clear view of the sky, and the push of a button.

Seiko Astron GPS Solar

Check out the video below…

For the next week, in honor of the international release, the AZ Fine Time Blog will be doing daily posts, solely on the new Seiko Astron GPS Solar. This will include, written reviews, pictures, video and information on these pieces unlike what any one has seen as of yet. The watches are far more complicated than meets the eye, and Seiko has spent the last 10 years developing this “Smart Watch”, so we feel it is only appropriate to dedicate a full week as a tribute to this amazing technology.

Seiko Astron GPS Solar

For the start of Astron week, we are offering a free download of the Seiko Astron GPS Solar catalog. I hope you all enjoy!

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR FREE SEIKO ASTRON GPS SOLAR CATALOG

Stay tuned to the AZ Fine Time Blog for more in depth information on the Seiko Astron GPS. Monday will bring the 1st review of the Limited Edition SAST001!

Thanks for reading!