Category: Seiko

Just when you think that you’ve seen everything under the sun, Seiko releases a new watch. Perhaps the Seiko brand does not command the same dominating presence it once had on the watch market, but their Seiko Astron GPS Solar could return the company to its dominating position in the horological balance.

While the GPS function of the watch (the ability of the watch to correct its time and date by using GPS) isn’t new to the world of watch technology—Citizen released its own GPS watch last year—Seiko has taken a different approach to the watch.

By combining solar power functions along to the GPS function, the Seiko brand has brought forward a watch that is more durable for everyday use. The GPS corrects the date of the watch all on its own by linking up with a satellite once a day (don’t worry: the solar power means the battery won’t fizzle out from these daily checks), so that you don’t have to.

Supposedly, you can even use satellites to track the location of the watch….which means that you won’t have to adjust your watch, even in a new time zone. Now that is pretty cool.
The watch is a nice mix between an open design and listing all the proper indices. It can be a tough balance with a watch as packed full of functions as the Astron, but I think that Seiko has found a great balance between data and design in the face of the watch. The simple dial is a nice background to the time zones, seconds, and date functions on the watch.

Available in black, with gold, blue, white or silver accents, the watch can fit into all wardrobes. Choose between a rubber strap or stainless steel bracelet. All the looks are clean and precise, though the blue and black rubber version has a sportier feel to it.

The watch runs on solar power and a quartz movement, blending both of the factors together to craft a new piece. Quartz watches have not been in vogue for a while, but this latest from Seiko might bring them rushing back into stores and onto our wrists.

Tech savvy and just plain cool, the Seiko Astron GPS Solar takes the best part of quartz watches and moves it a step farther. The watch looks great, is practical for the time freak and world traveler, and is just an amazing piece of new watch technology.

Japanese watch company Seiko is slated to release six limited edition watches to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Star Wars films and the re-release of the films in 3D. Although it is unknown at this point whether the timepieces will be released internationally or only in Japan, October 12, 2012 is said to be the official release date.

Each of the six limited edition models was made in honor of a Star Wars character: Darth Vader, R2-D2, Darth Maul, Yoda, Stormtrooper and C-3PO. When you look at the case of the watch it’s not blaringly obvious that the watch has much to do with Star Wars aside from the film’s logo displayed modestly on the dial. At first glance, the watch looks very much like your typical Seiko watch with no special details or features. However, take a look at the case back of the watch and you will find the face of the Star Wars character that it was modeled after and the number of the watch.

Each timepiece has a different number of available pieces and features. The C-3PO is available in 600 pieces at $1,750. It features a 6R21 automatic mechanical movement with a sleek black and gold colored dial. The Yoda is also limited to 600 pieces, retails for the same price and has the same movement as the C-3PO but with a more decorative green dial and a “light saber” seconds hand.

The Darth Maul comes in a black IP coated steel case and has a 8B82 Caliber quartz movement with radio correction and features a stopwatch function. Darth Mauls are limited to 800 pieces and priced at $1,750. The Darth Vader model is very similar in features to the Darth Maul minus the stopwatch. It comes in all black, retails for $1,820 and is limited to 1,500 pieces.

The R2-D2 is the only model that comes in a square case giving it a distinct look. It has a Solar Digital quartz movement Caliber S770 with an active matrix EPD with radio correction. It comes limited to 1,000 pieces and retails for $1,620.The Stormtrooper comes with a Caliber 6R21 automatic mechanical, is limited to 500 pieces and retails for $1,750.

Seiko is also rumored to release a special set of all six models with some fun fan items included in the set. Star Wars fans have much to look forward to this year!