In line with recent updates that Seiko has been rolling out across its Presage and Prospex ranges, the Japanese marque now turns its attention to the Astron GPS Solar collection (incidentally, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year). Available now at Grahams Jewellers.
When the first Astron GPS timepieces arrived on the market in 2012, they were hailed as a technological marvel. From what we've seen of the latest releases so far, Seiko looks set to maintain this cult status - with a fresh new facelift for its flagship solar-powered traveller's watch.
Now distinguished from its predecessor by a sharper case shape, reduced 42.7mm x 12.2mm profile and timezone-marked bezel, this array of small visual differences conspires to create a watch that's both practical and eminently wearable. Seiko's patient tinkering has generated three impressively good-looking mainline references (e.g. black, white, or blue) but it's the 'Supernova' limited edition that has enthusiasts really excited - merging the very best in Japanese electronic watchmaking with an iridescent purple dial that is explosive in its execution.
Like the preceding generation of the Astron GPS Solar, at the heart of this anniversary edition (limited to 1,500 pieces globally) is Seiko's calibre 5X53. A solar-powered, GPS-enabled movement, the 5X53 is capable of running for 6 months at full charge: an impressive power reserve that is complemented by its world timer functionality and usage of satellite networks.
In simplest terms: the watch receives GPS updates for a whopping 39 time zones twice daily. Even in situations when the wearer is unable to obtain a signal, the movement's accuracy will only deviate in a range of +/- 15 seconds - making this one of the more precise watches you can wear whilst travelling by trains, planes, or automobiles.
Adding to this convenience, wearers need never worry about finicky manual time adjustments whilst abroad. Whenever arriving in a new timezone, you can use the watch's two push-pieces to set local time instantaneously. The central handset automatically moves into the correct location, without the inconvenience of fiddling in multiple crown positions: a feature made possible because of the calibre 5X53's independently moving hours, minutes and seconds.
Consequently, it's easy to imagine this Astron '10th Anniversary' on the wrist of any number of intrepid adventurers or business travellers; but an interesting combination of colour and material by Seiko's watchmakers further deepens the appeal among style-conscious enthusiasts - even those who are merely in the market for a capable daily wearer.
That widespread appeal can be chalked up to how the dial, case and bracelet work together aesthetically - like the titular supernova, on the brink of a runaway detonation in the vast inky infiniteness of space. For this particular Astron GPS release, Seiko's watchmakers opted to use fully blacked titanium: one of those stalwart space-age materials - cue the use of adjectives like 'strong' and 'lightweight' - that is rendered even more robust by the application of a 'super-hard coating'. Hairline scratches, begone.
Travelling further into the dial, you immediately recognise why fans of Seiko are going to be dubbing this the 'Supernova' in the near future. The dial's luminous and very dynamic shade of purple takes its inspiration from the spectra of infrared emissions that become visible in a collapsing star. In tandem with the lam' pattern emanating from the dial's centre, the effect is of a quality and kineticism most of us would associate with watches at 3-4 times the price point of this '10th Anniversary'. We'd highly encourage you to swing by one of our boutiques and see Seiko's latest in-person.
To learn more about the Seiko watches and the new Astron GPS Solar SSH123, visit Grahams in-store and online today. Wear now, pay later with our range of flexible finance options including Zip, Latitude Interest Free, Humm, and more. Receive complimentary delivery within Australia on all orders over $69.
