Seiko Watch Corporation presents Astron, the world’s first solar GPS watch.

First unveiled on 27th September 2012 at the Seiko Salon in Tokyo, Seiko Astron can identify the user’s location information and obtains the current location time anywhere on the earth. On 10th October, it was presented at the Royal Greenwich Observatory in London.

Seiko Astron Quartz

The brand name Astron first appeared in the late 1960s with the launch of Seiko’s revolutionary quartz watch. Released in December 1969, Seiko Astron rewrote the history of wristwatches with high precision by quartz technology. Quartz watches have continued to evolve, and radio-controlled watches that receive standard radio waves and automatically adjust the time have become widespread. The newly launched Astron Solar GPS is the latest evolution of this technology.

Seiko Astron Solar GPS

The Seiko Astron Solar GPS watch is capable of indicating all 39 time zones in the world. Even when the user does not know the time difference or time zone, it can always get the accurate “time” with the touch of a button.

A proprietary GPS module identifies latitude, longitude, and altitude information using radio waves from four or more GPS satellites, and positions the user’s current location. Based on this location information, the block of the current location is automatically identified from the blocks that divide the entire earth into about 1 million pieces, and the current time of the corresponding time zone is displayed.

All you have to do is press the button at 2 o’clock. In addition, once the location information is specified, the time information is automatically received from the GPS satellites on a regular basis to correct the time. Unlike ordinary radio-controlled clocks, high accuracy can be maintained by adjusting the time using satellite radio waves even in areas where standard radio waves from the radio tower do not reach.

Since it uses a solar system that converts light such as sunlight and fluorescent lamps into electric energy, it does not require regular battery replacement.

SEIKO’s unique automatic needle position correction function detects the position of the needle on a regular basis and automatically corrects the needle position in the unlikely event that a deviation occurs due to the effects of an impact or magnetic field.

Seiko Epson Corporation was in charge of development of the Astron GPS Solar watch. For this timepiece, the company has developed a GPS with a small antenna that receives weak signals from satellites with high sensitivity. It offers advanced functions such as time difference correction based on accurate position information and significant reduction in power consumption.

Seiko Astron Solar GPS Limited Edition 2012, Reference SAST001

To commemorate the release of Astron, Seiko released a limited quantity model with special specifications. The case design, which is inspired by the lightweight structure of GPS satellites, has a novel shape that dynamically scoops out the sides, leaving the buttons and crown.

The Seiko Astron Solar GPS Limited Edition watch (reference SAST001/ SBXA001*) features a 47mm diameter case in Bright Titanium and a ceramic bezel with excellent scratch resistance.

Bright Titanium is a titanium-based alloy unique to Seiko, has achieved a weight reduction of approximately 60% of the specific weight of stainless steel. Furthermore, its hardness is 1.5 times that of normal pure titanium, which is as robust as it is. Moreover, it is highly corrosion-resistant, has less allergic problems, and has a beautiful finish.

The glossiness of ceramic bezel accentuates the three-dimensional multi-layer dial based on black. The case-back is engraved with the serial number (0001/2500-2500/2500). This timepiece is a limited edition of 2,500 pieces.

Seiko Astron Solar GPS Regular Models

In addition to the Astron Limited Edition, Seiko has launched five regular models: three in bright titanium and two in stainless steel.

The first three references (SAST003, SAST005 and SAST007) feature bright titanium case and bracelet. The bezel in ceramic provides a beautiful luster and excellent scratch resistance.

The stainless steel models (SAST009 and SAST011) come with a reinforced silicone band that has about four times the tear strength and has excellent durability.

The stainless steel model SAST009 stands out with its blue indexes and blue centre seconds hand where as SAST011 has a black hard coated stainless steel case. Its black dial features white hands and indexes.

The approximate Seiko Astron Solar GPS retail price range is 2,000 – 3,300 Euros.

Technical details

Model: Seiko Astron Solar GPS

References

• SAST001/ SBXA001*: Bright titanium case and bracelet with hard coating, Black ceramic bezel, and Black dial with pink gold indexes, Limited edition of 2,500 pieces
• SAST003/ SBXA003*: Bright titanium case and bracelet, Black ceramic bezel, and Black dial with white indexes
• SAST005/ SBXA005*: Bright titanium case and bracelet, Black ceramic bezel, and Black dial with golden indexes
• SAST007/ SBXA007*: Bright titanium case and bracelet with hard coating, Black ceramic bezel, and Black dial with white indexes
• SAST009/ SBXA009*: Stainless steel case, Black ceramic bezel, Black dial with blue indexes, and Reinforced silicon strap
• SAST011/ SBXA011*: Stainless steel hard coated case and bracelet, Black ceramic bezel, Black dial with white indexes, and Reinforced silicon strap

* JDM reference numbers

Common features

Case
Case diameter: 47.0 mm
Thickness: 16.5mm
Sapphire glass with super clear coating
Reinforced waterproof for daily life (10 ATM water resistant)
Magnetic resistance: JIS magnetic resistant watch 1 type

Movement
Solar GPS movement caliber 7X52
Time accuracy: Average monthly difference ± 15 seconds (when worn on the arm at a temperature of 5 ° C to 35 ° C when reception is not possible)
Reception function: Time zone correction function by receiving GPS satellite radio waves (corresponding to 39 time zones)
Automatic time correction function
Forced time adjustment function
Reception result display function
Reception off function (airplane mode)
/ Other functions Hand position automatic adjustment function
Power reserve display function
Solar charging function
World time function (corresponding to 39 time zones)
Perpetual calendar function (February 2100) (Until 28th)
D Dual time display function
Dual time display function

Bracelet/ Strap
High-intensity titanium with black hard coating with three-fold clasp with push button release (SAST001 and SAST007)
High-intensity titanium with three-fold clasp with push button release (SAST003 and SAST005)
Extra-strength silicon with three-fold clasp with push button release (SAST009 and SAST011)