CHIP
WWF Founder
Ad Astra Per Aspera
Posts: 37,768
Name: Chip
Location: Dallas
Since: Oct 8, 2005 17:08:57 GMT -6
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Post by CHIP on Oct 3, 2014 17:01:20 GMT -6
I've liked the Astron GPS since it was introduced in 2012 but I really couldn't get over the giant size. It looked stupid on my tiny wrist. The watch itself is very well made, with a sapphire crystal and the same case brushing/polishing technique as you would find on a Grand Seiko. Anyway, fast forward two years to present time, they now introduced a Astron GPS Chronograph and I like this one a lot more. It's quite a but smaller, 44mm by 13, and that makes it a lot more wearable. It still has sapphire crystal and a ceramic bezel. I quite like it and while I don't travel a whole lot anymore, I think this would make one heck of a travel watch. Of course, it will never be as cool as a mechanical GMT, but the geek in me likes the fact that you never have to set this watch. It even compensates for time zones, and unlike radio controlled watches, this works anywhere on the planet. I'm tempted!! I quite like the one at left. Here is the full lineup. The top row is titanium and pricier by quite a bit. 2450 vs 1875.
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Post by ianmedium on Oct 3, 2014 17:18:04 GMT -6
I was looking at these also Chip and love the amazing technology in them, for me as well this would be the model I would go for and knowing how tough Seiko's coatings are I would go for the one on the black bracelet I think though I do love the one with the contrasting gold accents on the dial also!
I reckon this one would fit into the watch to end all watches category in many ways, self adjusting, date, chrono and build quality to last me out! I know its not mechanical but it makes up for that for having some real Horological firsts and innovations. I noticed as well that Mr Hattori is wearing one of these in the Hodinkee video. Can't get a better recommendation than Mr Seiko himself wearing it eh!
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CHIP
WWF Founder
Ad Astra Per Aspera
Posts: 37,768
Name: Chip
Location: Dallas
Since: Oct 8, 2005 17:08:57 GMT -6
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Post by CHIP on Oct 8, 2014 14:45:46 GMT -6
Dan got them in today so I tried both the SS and the Ti. I actually prefer the look of the SS model, even though the Ti had a more complex dial. IMHO not worth the extra 600 dollars. In the pics below, the SS is the one with round pushers. The TI is the one with rectangular pushers and 7 piece links. I really like the SS model. The red chrono hand tip does it for me.
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Post by ianmedium on Oct 8, 2014 14:54:36 GMT -6
I really like those as well. In an ideal world I would have the SS one in the picture as well as the Grand Seiko Quartz I am lusting after!
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CHIP
WWF Founder
Ad Astra Per Aspera
Posts: 37,768
Name: Chip
Location: Dallas
Since: Oct 8, 2005 17:08:57 GMT -6
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Post by CHIP on Oct 8, 2014 14:55:41 GMT -6
I really like those as well. In an ideal world I would have the SS one in the picture as well as the Grand Seiko Quartz I am lusting after! I need one for the trip to LA next week. Pulling out a crown to adjust the time zone is so 20th century LOL
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Post by ianmedium on Oct 8, 2014 14:59:03 GMT -6
Thats the great thing about the GS Quartz as well, independent hour hand adjustment. But as you say, so stone age!
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CHIP
WWF Founder
Ad Astra Per Aspera
Posts: 37,768
Name: Chip
Location: Dallas
Since: Oct 8, 2005 17:08:57 GMT -6
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Post by CHIP on Oct 8, 2014 19:37:49 GMT -6
This is not the type of watch I normally get but I just had to have one, the geek in me didn't have the strength to resist anymore. The size of the original Astron always put me off, but the chrono, at 30 percent smaller, made it a lot less stupid on my wrist so I just had to give it a shot. This model was introduced at Basel and released on September 30th, so just 9 days ago. I've only had it a few hours but I'm very impressed with it. Not only does it have a sapphire crystal and a ceramic bezel, but the fit and finish are outstanding, reminiscent of the Grand Seiko line. Seiko actually claims that the finishing is done in the same manner. I'm not a review sort of guy, so this might be all I write about it lol. Oh. One more thing. Screwing up the time then letting the GPS fix that was fun to watch!
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Post by ianmedium on Oct 8, 2014 19:50:00 GMT -6
Oh man, that is gorgeous Chip. I am looking forward to some extreme close-up's of the dial, well done mate, so glad you went for it.
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Post by carbon6 on Oct 8, 2014 20:08:59 GMT -6
Viewing this on the computer, the black dials looks extremely good. Nice pick up!
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aquajoe
WWF Veteran
Posts: 5,693
Since: Jan 17, 2013 20:13:30 GMT -6
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Post by aquajoe on Oct 8, 2014 20:19:26 GMT -6
That's a bunch of pushers Chip
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CHIP
WWF Founder
Ad Astra Per Aspera
Posts: 37,768
Name: Chip
Location: Dallas
Since: Oct 8, 2005 17:08:57 GMT -6
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Post by CHIP on Oct 8, 2014 20:25:23 GMT -6
That's a bunch of pushers Chip The two at right are the basic chrono pushers. Sort stop at top. Split time ans reset at bottom. Top left is GPS. Three seconds push will initiate connection to one satellite for accuracy check. It does that once a day on its own and it learns your habits so it will only look when you're generally outside. A six second push innittiates a time zone change and it requires at least 3 satellites. The bottom pusher simply turns airplane mode on and off. I think it has another function but I can't remember right now. Oh. I think it's used for DST. The watch knows whee you are but doesn't know thr laws governing DST, so that has to be done manually. The crown is digital and doesn't screw in, but it has about the same function as a normal watch if pulled.
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Post by carl on Oct 8, 2014 20:26:44 GMT -6
Excellent choice, Chip! Must say hearty congratulations! I really am liking all of these. Something, to me, a bit Rolex Daytona, I think the style of the subdials, but I have never really been a Daytona fan, and these would suit me a lot more before I put down big bucks on the Daytona!
Cheers, Carl
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CHIP
WWF Founder
Ad Astra Per Aspera
Posts: 37,768
Name: Chip
Location: Dallas
Since: Oct 8, 2005 17:08:57 GMT -6
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Post by CHIP on Oct 8, 2014 20:29:27 GMT -6
You can buy almost ten of those for the price of a Daytona. I'd rather have a Daytona but that's way out of range.
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Post by ianmedium on Oct 8, 2014 20:34:35 GMT -6
Ah but chip, with the Daytona you have to pull that pesky crown out and change the time manually, so 20th century old boy!
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Post by rw16610 on Oct 8, 2014 21:12:54 GMT -6
Nice one, Chip! Seiko has a killer lineup right now. I'm blown away by this piece. It would be so cool to see those features in action on YouTube.
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