I usually have no interest in quartz watches apart from using 1 single piece to keep reference time for all my mechanical pieces.
However on my last Tokyo trip I was curious abt the Astron.
After seeing a demonstration of the Astron there, I was awed by its hi-tech capabilities.
2 yrs ago I tried the Citizen Satellite Wave Appleseed (RM 11K) but it didn't impress me at all apart from its really cool futuristic looks.
The Astron auto detects wherever you are and adjusts the time to the timezone you are at (If you have a clear sky above you and not be covered)
The watch will also sync the local time ONCE everyday with the nearest GPS satellite's atomic clocks (which is accurate to 1 sec per 100,000 years) once there is bright light and open sky.
Of course the sync will only be successful if you are receiving a satellite signal which means you need to have open sky above you.
Since getting the watch, I've tried testing the time syncing and the detection/change of the timezone. You can change the timezone manually too even though you are not in that zone.
Both work seamlessly.
To manually sync the time if you are impatient for the scheduled auto sync, you just press the 2 o'clock button for 3 seconds and it will try to detect the nearest satellite.
You can also manually adjust the time to a time signal but so far I have no problem getting satellite syncing when there is open sky above me.
In case you really can't get any satellite signal which hasn't happened so far but IF you live in the basement, all functions can still be manually over-ridden. Without any satellite signal the watch will still keep normal quartz accuracy of +/-15 sec/month.
The watch is charged by any kind of light so even if you live in the north pole with no sun, as long as you have a light source it will still work.
Having tested it and it works I'm now looking to get a high end model of the Astron
Specification for all Seiko Astron GPS Solar watches
Sapphire crystal with Super-Clear Coating*
Water resistance 10 bar
Magnetic resistance 4,800 A/m
Case diameter 47.0 mm, thickness: 16.5 mm
Caliber: GPS Solar 7X52
GPS controlled time and time zone adjustment
Perpetual calendar correct to February 2100
Signal reception result indication
World time function (39 Time Zones)
Daylight Saving Time function
Power save function
Malaysian RRP: RM 7,700.00
**Super-Clear Coating
Seiko’s proprietary newly-developed anti-reflective coating, applied on both the front and back of the glass. It prevents 99% of light reflection and allows the dial to be easily legible, even in bright light
Front view of dial
Caseback
Scratch resistant ceramic is used also because the GPS antenna is located under the bezel- ceramic allows the signal to penetrate better than steel
Various angles of the dial
12 o'clock and six o'clock views- alternate brushed/polished black PVD steel lugs
Rubber strap version with brushed folding deployant buckle and SEIKO signed keeper
