10 February 2014 | Seiko

30' (off) the wrist

The SEIKO GPS Astron 2014

As unexpected has the launch of the new SEIKO GPS Astron 2014 been back in the days as pleasing. Unexpected as we did expect breaking news from SEIKO, but not, to be honest, before the venue of Baselworld 2014, where the japanese manufacture will be unveiling, they claim, “The new world of SEIKO”. Pleasing because the SEIKO GPS Astron family widens, by introducing a new attractive member, the offering of the only timepiece in the world to ever read, on demand, the time in each of the 39 timezones.

SEIKO strongly believe in a model range, the GPS Astron, which boast some world firsts, above all its tech feats as it is the first timepiece ever conceived and produced to showcase a ultra compact low consumption GPS module and to sport a countless series of technical patents. A timepiece which marks a milestone in watchmaking as it has done the SEIKO Quartz Astron back in 1969.

The SEIKO GPS Astron 2014 draws inspiration from stratosphere, the outer part of earth, which is represented by the highly domed sapphire crystal that dominates over the rounded 48mm stainless steel, protected by the proprietary SEIKO “black hard coating” or the (new?) "pink gold hard coating". Cities and timezones have been now moved on the inside, and surround a earth shaped dial. Which the outcome?A neat and easy to read dial: this effect is amplified by the new layout chosen for the luminous indexes.

While the original SEIKO GPS Astron is available in titanium or steel, on rubber or metal bracelet, the SEIKO GPS Astron 2014 has been launched exclusively with a stainless steel case on rubber or leather; this means, maybe, this new model represents a different addition to the GPS Astron range, a more audacious and innovative design language by which SEIKO are willing to communicate such high technical feats. Or, otherwise, it represents a test bench for repositioning the SEIKO GPS Astron line-up, abandoning that classical look which maybe best fits, for example, the Ananta series...either cases, time will tell! UPDATE: Please read HERE our hands on review of the SEIKO GPS Solar Astron Stratos 2014.

Gaetano C. @Horbiter - Watches & Luxury

TWITTER @Gaetano Cimmino

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