Cazalea shares his personal acquisition story and detailed impressions of a special edition Seiko Quartz Astron, released to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the first Seiko quartz watch. This article highlights the watch's unique design, the highly accurate 9F quartz movement, and its comfortable, curved titanium case. Cazalea provides an intimate look at a piece that holds historical significance in horology.
Today's watch is a special edition Seiko (one of 200) released to commemorate the 40th anniversay of the first Seiko quartz watch (first "production" quartz watch in the world, depending on what you mean by production). Here's a gold version of the original watch, in the Seiko museum
I remember vividly when I bought this - I was on my way to Santa Monica for the Feb 29 weekend celebration 2012 with other Perpetual-equipped Purists. Having a little spare time to kill, I stopped by my favorite LA watch store. I saw this in the case, was stunned, then seduced by this watch. My salesman that day turned out to the boss, and he said "If you want it, here's the price - 25% off." I said "It's a deal" and soon was racing to the rendezvous with this watch on my wrist. A bit giddy, I admit, as I seldom make up my mind on a watch in 30 seconds. Of course I had to take it off to put on the Perpetual, but that's another story.
THis watch has the 9F quartz movement, specially-selected and aged crystal for 10 sec/YEAR accuracy. It's housed in a curved titanium 2-piece case, which wraps nicely across your wrist. The top is black and I've heard that it's ceramic, ceramic-coated titanium, and special PVD-coated titanium. I have changed the battery twice in the 5 years I've owned the watch, and it seems like the top is ceramic.
Sorry about the dust specks and the reflections. It's really hard to get this watch without reflections
A look at the back
Here's the contents of the package
As you can see the watch curves for a perfect, comfortable fit.
The hands and indices are sharply cut.The dial seems inky black and completely glossy from most angles.
At just the right levels of light and angle you can see it's a typical dial by Seiko (esp Grand Seiko) with much more going on than just smooth blackness! Cross-hatch lines, Quartz symbols, multiple layers and more.
