Last year, Seiko launched the Astron GPS Solar, the only solar timepieces being able to receive GPS signals and recognize time zone, time and date from every spot on the Earth. This year, in order to celebrate its 100th birthday, the famous Japanese watchmaker created a special edition of this great watch, named after its founder Kintaro Hattori. Besides the special edition which is limited to 5000 pieces, Seiko created six new versions of the Astron watch, made either of stainless steel or high-intensity titanium.
Seiko Astron Kintaro Hattori Special Limited Edition Watch Case
Briefly, the Astron provides amazingly accurate information about time, thanks to the Seiko’s patented, low-energy-consumption GPS receiver and its advanced energy-efficiency technology. Thus, this groundbreaking timepiece is able to identify each of 39 official time zones and local time, by connecting to four or more of the GPS satellites. Once per day, Astron receives a time signal automatically, but you can update it whenever you want, just by pressing on a button, and hands will be adjusted with the Atomic Clock accuracy for about six seconds. It requires a little bit more time, about 30 seconds, to adjust the time zone.
Thus, if the Astron GPS Solar watch is able to receive a signal from GPS satellites, which basically means that you just need to appear under the open sky once a day, it will show you multi time-zone time to a precision of one second every 100,000 years! Even without getting time signals, its accuracy would be +/-15 seconds per month. Besides, the watch also features the perpetual calendar, correct to the year 2100.
Another great thing about this high-tech timepiece is that it utilizes the brand’s stunning solar technology which provides the energy from all kinds of light for its Caliber 7X52 solar movement. Thus, it does not require a battery replacement.
Astron GPS Solar Kintaro Hattori Limited Edition
Seiko Astron Kintaro Hattori Special Limited Edition Watch
Being the first watch that carries the name of the brand’s founder, this specially created model features a robust, 47 mm body, crafted in high-intensity titanium with black hard coating. The crown is tipped with onyx, while the ‘TYO’ symbol comes in gold. Along with the inscription of Kintaro Hattori’s name, the case-back also features his motto “One step ahead of the rest”, as well as the engraving of the first ‘S’ mark logotype, registered by Kintaro in 1900.
Seiko Astron Kintaro Hattori Special Limited Edition Watch Caseback
The names of cities are moved from the dial on the ceramic bezel, while the outer rim now features the 24-hour track. The dark blue dial also comes with applied hour markers and golden hands, covered with white luminescent markers. At the 6 o’clock position, there is a second time-zone display, while the date window takes the 3 o’clock position. Finally, the dial is protected with anti-reflective sapphire crystal.
Seiko Astron GPS Solar Kintaro Hattori Limited Edition watch is available with both, a black crocodile strap and a high-intensity titanium bracelet with black coating. This great timepiece will be released worldwide in September 2013 and it will be available for around 3,500 Euros.
Six new Versions of the Astron GMT Solar Watch
Three new versions of the Astron watch (SAST 021, 023, 025) are crafted in stainless steel. Each of them features a ceramic bezel with the inscriptions of 26 city names. The versions SAST021 and SAST023 feature stainless steel bracelets and the only difference between them is in the color of their bezels (either blue or black).
Seiko Astron GMT Solar SAST 019 Watch
The most striking version is SAST025 that comes with a black hard coating steel case and the black ceramic bezel. Hour indices on its blue dial are covered with striking orange markers for the highest legibility. Finally, the watch features an extra-strength silicon strap, with a three-fold clasp with push button release. The recommended price for these watches is 2,100 Euros.
Seiko Astron GMT Solar SAST 015 Watch
Three versions (SAST 015, 017, 019) come in high intensity titanium. The slight difference comes from colors of their ceramic bezels. Besides, each of these bold looking watches features a ceramic insert on the central link of its titanium bracelet. It matches the color of the bezel, which provides a beautiful aesthetic effect. These timepieces will be available for around 3,000 Euros.
