ReviewSeiko Astron GPS Solar 8X Series Dual-Time Review: Measuring Time with Precision

Technology.

An irrevocable and irreplaceable part of our lives. The last few decades have been a witness to the exponential increase and growth of technology. Humans have taken active steps to harness its staggering power. Do you remember how our phones used to look in the year 2001? Seems primitive, right? That was just 15 years ago and look how far we have come.

Technology through the ages

Technology in the world of watches has changed a lot too. Not so long back, measuring time and its accuracy completely depended on the workings of a mechanical watch. We then evolved to using atomic clock controlled watches that comprised of syncing wristwatches with local atomic clocks through radio signals. This led to a dedicated amount of time in the day wherein our watches would be in the “receiving signal” mode. This was followed by the time synchronisation technology that could receive data anywhere in the world from Global Positioning Satellites, also known as GPS. This was THE technology. Measuring time around the world, turned into a one-touch button miracle. Seiko was one of the very first brands to launch a watch that inculcated the GPS tracking technology along with Citizen.

When Seiko first launched the Astron in 1969, it was the world’s first quartz movement-based wrist watch that took the world by storm. The Seiko Astron GPS Solar is a watch that gadget lovers drool over. While it may disappoint a few traditional watch lovers given the fact that it houses a quartz movement, trust me when I say this, it is always better to keep an open mind till you understand the functions and features that the Astron GPS Solar watch provides.

GPS Solar vs the Smartwatch – A difference of philosophy

You might be wondering how a GPS Solar watch could be different or better from the numerous smartwatches that have recently flooded the market. Here is what you need to understand before you move ahead with the article. The two technologies – smartwatches and a GPS Solar watch operate on completely different philosophies. While the former is linked or dependent on a host device like an Apple watch or an Android-wear device, the latter focuses on existing independently as a total and complete device.

While it goes without saying that harnessing solar energy might not be a new technological concept, but applying it to watches that further powers them to automatically adjust the time by clocking in with Global Positioning Satellites (GPS), irrespective of where you might be in the world- now that’s what I call a technological innovation. The Seiko Astron GPS Solar 8X Series Dual-Time is a watch that does just that.

Seiko Astron GPS Solar 8X Series Dual-Time: Key Features

Before we get into explaining the key functions of the watch, here’s a quick overview of them:

1. It connects to global positioning satellites and ensures your watch receives and updates the accurate time from anywhere in the world.
2. It is charged by light which basically means that no battery change is required. Ever.
3. It not only offers you the exact time but also has an automatic perpetual calendar. For your benefit, it also houses a power reserve indicator, and a second time zone for all the travel-enthusiasts.
4. It has a case that is crafted out of titanium or steel, making it robust with a scratch-resistant coating.

1. Connecting to Global Positioning Satellite (GPS)

As mentioned earlier, the Seiko Astron GPS Solar 8X Series Dual-Time is not the first watch to use this technology but it certainly is the best at what it does. And <just putting it out there>, it is the very first watch that automatically updates the time of your watch. With just a press of a button, the watch starts receiving signals from Global Positioning Satellites. An exclusive Seiko ring placed under the dial enables quick and automatic reception of signals.

Once it locks in signals from four or more satellites with the exact latitude, longitude, altitude, and time, your watch automatically adjusts to the time zone that you are currently in. It immediately displays the exact local time and will work even when you are on the move, whilst crossing borders and different time zones. A reliable system, the Seiko Astron GPS Solar 8X Series Dual-Time rarely disappoints unless in an obstructed area.

2. Charged by light – Harnessing solar energy

Another important aspect of the Seiko Astron Solar GPS 8X Series Dual-Time is its solar powered battery. The 8X53 quartz movement is charged by light (natural and artificial light like lamps and bulbs) and needs no battery change. The watch is a true survival watch because it receives all its power by absorbing light through the dial. The excess energy is stored and can be measured by the power reserve indicator placed on the dial.

3. Perpetual calendar, power reserve, second timezone & more – A dial that has everything

Now that you know what technology the watch has to offer, take a good, hard look at the watch as I explain its other benefits and features. The dial houses three sub dials which are resourceful and imminent to the whole functionality of the watch. The 12 hour sub-dial placed at 6 o’clock is your second time zone that will allow you to read your home time. The sub-dial at 9 o’ clock includes a signal reception result indication (1-4 satellites locked in), a power reserve indicator and a Daylight Saving Time (DST) function. The multiple days of the week are displayed in a retrograde sub dial at 2 o’ clock. The date display window is placed at 4 o’ clock with an adjacent AM/PM indicator for the second time zone (6 o’ clock).

As is the case with every Astron watch, the dial is clean, clear and very easy to read. The three-dimensional look of the dial is achieved with the sloping minutes chapter ring that makes the entire watch jump out. The large faceted steel, polished, luminous hour and minute hands and markers along with the applied indices are prominent enough to read from a distance.

4. Available in titanium and steel – A case crafted to precision

Crafted out of titanium or steel, the Seiko Astron GPS Solar 8X Series Dual-Time case is hard with scratch-resistant coating. Irrespective of the 45mm case size which is typical of a big watch, the Seiko Astron GPS Solar 8X Series Dual-Time sits perfectly on the wrist without any discomfort and uneasiness. The use of light materials like titanium, steel and ceramic might have helped in that area.

Polished by hand using Seiko’s unique Zaratsu technique, the case looks sharp in every light reflection. The bezel houses engraved city codes which are placed in accordance to the UTC/GMT times, displayed on the outer circle of the dial. The two push buttons, each placed beside the crown on the side, are crucial to the overall functioning of the watch. The electronic setting function in the crown provides easy operation of the watch.

A quick tip? Read through the manuals carefully to reap the full benefits of the watch. If possible get hold of some Seiko tutorials that will give you a fair understanding of the multiple functions and features of the watch.

What did you think of the watch? Where does your vote go vis a vis the quartz movement? Let us know in the comments section below!