Ref. SBXD002 – Limited Edition of 50 Pieces
On December 25 fifty years ago, Seiko introduced the world’s first quartz wristwatch. It was a watch that revolutionized the watchmaking industry and its launch remains one of the most important landmarks in Seiko’s history. The Quartz Astron set a new standard in wristwatch precision with an accuracy rate of +-5 seconds per month, made possible by several technological advances including the tuning fork shaped quartz oscillator and the open type step motor which are still standard components of quartz watches today.
Soon after the launch of the Quartz Astron, Seiko opened most of its patents to the world, a move that helped bring the advantages of quartz timekeeping within the reach of all. In 2004, the Quartz Astron received the IEEE Milestone Award for its breakthrough contribution which is today widely used not only in horology but also in a vast range of other electronic applications.
The Seiko Quartz Astron is recognized as one of Japan’s greatest achievements, giving all mankind access to high precision timekeeping and changing the way time was told around the world.
Technical Specifications:
The hand-carved case, in 18kt yellow gold, measures 40.9mm x 12.8mm. It has a box-shaped AR-coated sapphire crystal and the caseback is marked “Commemorating the 50th anniversary of Quartz Astron, released on Dec 25, 1969”. It is water resistant to 10 meters.
Movement is the Japanese solar Seiko in-house caliber 3X22 with GPS accuracy. ±15 seconds per month (without receiving a GPS signal and at temperatures between 5°C and 35°C). It features automatic hand position alignment function. Function to prevent the GPS signal reception function from working (in-flight mode). Overcharge prevention function. Perpetual calendar to the february 28, 2100. Power save function. Reception result display function. The new Caliber 3X22 is the world’s thinnest GPS solar caliber.
Reduced to its essentials of time adjustment and timekeeping, the watch connects automatically up to twice a day to the GPS network to maintain its precision of one second every 100,000 years, and when timezone adjustment is required, with a simple push of a single button, the hands move faster than ever thanks to the system that moves each hand independently.
The dial has a subtle vertical hairline pattern and the hands and multi-faceted indexes are thin and carry a black line on the surface, just as on the original.
It comes on a black crocodile leather strap with an 18kt yellow gold folding clasp.
Available December 2019 at selected Seiko boutiques. MSRP is 38.000 Euros.
