Seiko - SEIKO launches its GPS Solor Watch

SEIKO launches its GPS Solor Watch

Oct 10, 2012,11:38 AM

SEIKO launches its GPS Solor Watch.

(* please note that there was an embargo until the similar event at Greenwich has been held - October 10)

I was invited to the launch event of SEIKO GPS watch on the eve of the global launch (September 27) at WAKO, which is a high-end department store, but SEIKO's flagship store owned by itself.

The event started ON the roof where not many people have ever been. The Clock tower is 80 years old, and now it does have GPS adjustment mechanism inside. The event started on the roof, because SEIKO wanted the attendees to experience and handle the GPS watch. They were glad that the weather was fine.

Now, the opening remark by Mr. Shinji Hattori, President of SEIKO Holdings and SEIKO Watch Co.

"This is the fist time to show to the media people although the watch itself is to be launched globally tomorrow (September 27). We will have the similar event in Greenwich on October 10 for the press and media.

"We call this watch our second evolution in the history of SEIKO's 131 years history. The first evolution was our first Quartz watch - called Astron - launch, with less than +/- 0.1 sec a day accuracy which changed people's life and culture. Then SEIKO became the world well-known brand.

"We have been doing R&D on this GPS watch - as the world globalize, the more the watch like this with simple button pushing will be needed for a long time. We accelerated our efforts in 2000, but it was extremely difficult to make is compact enough.

"Today, we have several special guests and one of who, Mr. Yuichiro Miura, the adventurer, is here, too. He is 80 years old and planning his THIRD attempt to climb the Everest (the past attempts all succeeded) and this GPS watch can grab the signal and adjusted accordingly in as short as 6 seconds. Radio wave watches cannot do that as it has only 7 towers globally while there are 30 GPS satellites around the earth.

"Please handle and experience this super high-tech watches. I am sure that tomorrow, September 27 will be the day for the watch history book.

Photo Session with the "special guests".

With "Astron Girls"

Sorry for the poor photo in the poor lighting... :-(

Here is the video of the presentation.
- First, press the button on the 2 o'clock for 6 seconds until the second hand shows 6 o'clock.
- The second hand then shows how many GPS satellites the watch has found (first, three, then four)
- Then the second hand goes to 2 o'clock "Y" meaning "Yes, successfully captured more than 4 satellites and now show the correct time".
- Finally, all the hands are moved to the correct time of where you are.

Here you go.

Came down back to the banquet room

Astron Girl explaining the watch.

Mr. Yuichiro Miura, 80 years old, yet planning to his third climb to the top of Everest

Mr. Agri Honda - former F1 driver/ team owner at the far right

Technological Innovations:
1. Super energy efficient GPS module: Typically, it requires 1000 to 10000 times more power than the normal quartz watch to grasp the signal from at least four GPS Satellites, and 200 times more than those Radio Wave watches. SEIKO came up with the GPS module that consumes extremely low power with the size which fits in the wrist watch.

2. Ring Antenna: Another innovation was "ring antenna" which is encased in the outside and underneath the ceramic dial ring.

3. New power system: Lithium Ion Battery is small and can store high energy, but at the same time, relatively easy to be broken when too much charge or draw is done. SEIKO developed the new IC chip which controls the power consumption.

Automatically senses the Sun and adjust itself once a day. By showing the number of the GPS Satellites it captures and such, it lets you feel the "connection" with the universe.

From SEIKO Press Release

Limited Edition

The Line-up (Prices may vary by market - 001 is MSRP JPY250K and others between 150K to 200K, exl. sales tax)

SAST001 - PG index, Bright Titanium Case, Bright Titanium Bracelet, Limited Edition
SAST003 - White index, Bright Titanium Case, Ceramic Bezel, Bright Titanium Bracelet
SAST005 - Gold index, Bright Titanium Case, Ceramic Bezel, Bright Titanium Bracelet
SAST007 - White index, Bright Titanium Case, Ceramic Bezel, Bright Titanium Bracelet
SAST009 - Blue index, SS Case, Ceramic Bezel, Reinforced Silicon
SAST011 - White index, SS case, Ceramic Bezel, Reinforced Silicon

Maybe a bit bulky at 47mm, but could get used to it soon.

Common specs
- Sapphire glass with super clear coating
- 10 ATM water resistance
- Anti magnetic
- 47mm diameter case, 10.6mm thickness
- Warranty 1 year
- Solar charged battery - no need to replace battery
- Power reserve display function
- Summer time function
- Dual Time display function
- World Time function (39 time zones)
- Perpetual Calendar

(As a quartz watch, without any contact with GPS signals, +/- 15 sec per month)

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As always, thank you SEIKO, for invitation and informative presentation!

Ken