Jewellery & Watch News
Known for creating the world’s first GPS solar watch, Seiko Astron is often first to mind for travellers and adventurers who need reliable and accurate timekeeping as they explore the globe. This remarkable technology is powered solely by natural and artificial light, with every Seiko Astron watch quickly adjusted through the touch of the button and powered by light alone so they never need a battery change.
The history of Seiko is one of innovation, with a past filled with some of the industry’s most remarkable successes. On Christmas Day 1969, Seiko marketed the world’s first quartz watch known as the Seiko Quartz Astron and with it, they opened the patents to the world changing the luxury watch industry forever. Seiko Astron watches continue to inspire with new technologies and designs each year, pushing the boundaries of electronic watchmaking, GPS functionality and solar powered movements.
The Seiko Astron GPS Solar watches boast some of the world’s most impressive technologies including dynamic movement of the hands which can sense the connection with satellites. When GPS signals are received, the second hand starts moving, indicates the number of satellites then accurately displays the current time – a process that indicates GPS satellites as far as 20,000km away. Another incredible feature on Seiko Astron watches is automatic time adjustment, a technology that allows the watch to automatically receive GPS signals when the dial is exposed to bright light. When the watch is concealed under a sleeve and the dial cannot receive enough light, the watch stores the time of the previous successful manual time adjustment or time zone adjustment, and automatically starts time adjustment at the same time.
Now let’s take a look at some of the latest Seiko Astron watch collections…
Seiko Astron 5X Series Watches
The Seiko Astron 5X watches are described as being their ‘most advanced yet’ thanks to the enhanced speed and quality of the GPS connection and its compact 42.9mm case making it the world’s slimmest GPS solar watch to date. The new 5X calibre takes centre stage within every Seiko 5X watch and boasts high speed time adjustment and time transfer function capability. Thanks to the use of three independent motors for the hour, minute and second hands, Caliber 5X requires only three seconds to change from one time zone to another.
Meanwhile, the time transfer function allows you to instantly switch the display of home and destination times between the main dial and the sub dial with a simple press of the buttons at two and four o clock. The Seiko Astron 5X Series watches are also the first of their kind to feature Seiko’s new buckle adjustment system which allows you to make minor adjustments to the length of the bracelet with a simple touch of a button, a feature that many who find themselves in varying temperatures and other changing environments incredibly useful.
Shop the Seiko Astron 5X watch collection.
Seiko Astron 8X Series Dual Time Watches
A true gem for world travellers, the Seiko Astron 8X Dual Time watch collection provides GPS Solar technology with real, practical advantages. As well as boasting all the usual technology offered by Seiko Astron watches including high reception performance, atomic clock precision and dynamic movement of the hands, you can now simultaneously read the time where you are and in your home time zone displayed on its own 12 hour sub dial. The Seiko Astron 8X Dual Time watches also offer In-flight mode to avoid any interference with the operation of electronic devices in an airplane as well as a daylight saving time feature where the time is adjusted manually.
The highly legible dials on the Seiko Aston 8X Series Dual Time watches boast a 12 hour subsidiary dial with separate AM/PM indicators, something that all global travellers dream of. These features are displayed on smooth black, grey or blue metal dial decorated with stylish indexes and strong visible hands coated in glow in the dark Lumibrite for effortless readability in low lighting. Each of the functions are easily controlled by the electronic setting function in the crown which is fitted to a Zaratsu polished case that provides a reflection and finish like no other.
Shop the Seiko Astron 8X Dual Time watch collection
Seiko Astron 8X Series Chronograph Watches
Perfect for those that need fast and reliable timekeeping alongside the likes of GMT function, daylight saving time and chronograph functionality, the Seiko Astron 8X Chronograph watch collection offers all this and more. Its intuitive operation is controlled by a new electronic setting within the crown which enables you to operate the watch and its many features with ease. The 6 hour chronograph is also a dream come true for those that like to monitor elapsed time, whether you are looking to beat your own high score as you run down the racetrack or you simply need accurate timekeeping for the dinner cooking in the oven.
As well as boasting exceptional functionality, the Seiko Astron 8X Chronograph watches provide a stunning aesthetic that is hard to miss. In addition to a super-clear coating being added to the case, a super-hard coating is applied on both the case and bracelets for exceptional durability and resistance. The bracelets are also crafted from a combination of intricate parts that ensure a comfortable fit on the wrist. The dials on each Seiko Astron 8X Chronograph watches are instantly noticeable, not only for its sophisticated finish but for the strong and highly visible hour and minute hands coated in glow in the dark Lumibrite.
Shop the Seiko Astron 8X Chronograph watch collection
Seiko Astron 8X Series Big Date Watches
With a classic and refined look and the same sophisticated technology within, the Seiko Astron 8X Big Date watch collection adds a new note of relaxed elegance to the Astron range. Embraced within each Seiko Astron 8X Big Date watch is the 8X42 calibre, a remarkable solar powered movement that gives you the ability to adjust to local time anywhere in the world. The new addition of the big date window and the inclusion of a dual time dial at 6 o clock provides an aesthetic that is just as perfect for a formal outing as it is for international travel.
We absolutely love the Roman numerals found on many of the Seiko Astron 8X Big Date watches as they provide a truly sophisticated finish to what is usually a sporty piece. The cases are also beautifully crafted from stainless steel, rose gold or titanium and finished using the brand’s famous Zaratsu polishing technique for an unmissable shine. Just like many other Seiko Astron watches, the 8X Big Date is also finished by both a super-clear coating and a super-hard coating applied on the cases and bracelets.
Shop the Seiko Astron 8X Big Date watch collection
Seiko Astron 8X Series World-Time Watches
Last but certainly not least is the Seiko Astron 8X World Time watch collection. This remarkable range of GPS Solar watches provide all the advantages of its counterparts alongside world time function. Powered by the Calibre 8X22 solar powered movement, each of the Seiko Astron 8X World Time watches come with a clean and uncluttered dial with all the world time indicators in one small sub-dial, giving the watch a quiet, refined style.
The Seiko Astron 8X Series World Time watches also showcase incredibly slim cases at just 12.4mm in depth, and as a result the GPS satellite antenna has also been designed smaller. Yet somehow, Seiko has manged to increase the processing power of the circuit in the GPS module so that the sensitivity of the antenna is unchanged, and the reception of GPS signals is as easy for the world traveller as ever. We love the simplicity of the dials on the Seiko Astron World Timer as well as the sophisticated leather straps found on some models providing only the best in comfort and elegance.
Shop the Seiko Astron 8X World Time watch collection
If any of these incredible collections of Seiko Astron watches have taken your fancy or you would just love to learn more, please feel free to head over to our website or contact our talented team of watch specialists at sales@cwsellors.com or on 01335 453453.
