Results for The Quartz Astron Launch

Seiko Looks to Sci-Fi for the Astron GPS

Advanced digital watches haven’t deterred leading Japanese brands from continuing to earnestly develop high-accuracy quartz watches in analog formats. Chief among them is Seiko, which has just unveiled two new limited editions of its satellite-linked Astron GPS Solar. While the SSJ037 appears to be a simple time-only watch and the SSH185 looks like a straightforward dual-time chronograph, each watch is solar-powered and includes an electronic perpetual calendar. Limited to 1,500 pieces for the SSJ037 and 1,200 pieces for the SSH185, the new collection is sci-fi inspired, featuring colours and textures common to fictional depictions of space stations. Initial thoughts There are a couple different approaches to making high-accuracy quartz watches. The first is pretty obvious, and involves developing ever-more precise quartz oscillators. Seiko has long been a champion of this school of thought, although Citizen has inched ahead in recent years. The other approach is to make a reasonably precise quartz movement that automatically syncs with an external signal, which might be a radio signal broadcast from any of the atomic reference clocks positioned around the world, a bluetooth signal from the user’s phone, or, in the case of the Astron, a satellite signal. Since the brand debuted this technology in 2012, Seiko has refined things making the watches sleeker and the interface more intuitive. As a result, the time-only SSJ037 is an ordinary 42 mm in diameter and 12 mm thick;...

A Week On The Wrist: The (Satellite-Accurate) Seiko Astron Solar In Titanium

If there's such thing as a next-level quartz watch, then it's the GPS-powered, ultra-complicated Astron.

VIDEO: How Audemars Piguet used the quartz crisis to refine their brand vision

It’s well-known that between 1975 and 1985, the Swiss watch industry collapsed and its chances of survival looked slim. Many manufacturers went bust or were forced to join larger conglomerates. The primary cause of the disruption was, of course, the innovation of electronic quartz movements. On Christmas day, 1969, Seiko released the Astron, the first-ever … ContinuedThe post VIDEO: How Audemars Piguet used the quartz crisis to refine their brand vision appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Weekend watch spotting with JR: #3

This weekend, I wore my DOXA SUB 200 130th Anniversary and went out in search of what other like-minded individuals had decided to attach to their wrist, and this is what I found out in the wild: Kosta’s Grand Seiko 9F quartz GMT SBGN005 Kosta’s passion for timepieces is still very much in its infancy … ContinuedThe post Weekend watch spotting with JR: #3 appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Seiko Marks 50 Years of the Watch that Started the Quartz Crisis

Seiko changed watchmaking when it introduced the Quartz Astron in December 1969. Though it cost as much as a small car, it was the first commercially available quartz watch. Technology and economies of scale would rapidly reduce the cost of the quartz watch, enough that by the late 1970s the Swiss watch industry was in full blown meltdown – the Quartz Crisis. To mark the 50th anniversary of that landmark watch, Seiko has just introduced the 1969 Quartz Astron 50th Anniversary Limited Edition. Though powered by a latest generation, solar-powered and GPS-enabled quartz movement, the Astron anniversary edition is visually a remake of the original – and it still costs as much as a small car, or about US$35,000. Notably, the Astron anniversary comes a couple months after Citizen introduced its own an ultra-high end quartz watch, also with a solid gold case, but with a different approach to technology. The case of the Astron anniversary is 18k yellow gold and cushion-shaped like the original, but slightly larger at 40.9mm in diameter. The top surface of the case is “hand carved” with a fine, grain-like motif echoing the textured finish of the vintage Quartz Astron. And the pattern on the remake is a reference to itself: the carved grain motif is executed in a circular manner around the bezel, a nod to the fact that Seiko has come full circle in reproducing the 1969 design. Similarly, the dial on the new watch has a vertical, linear graining, also inspired by the finish...

The Ressence Type 9 IKE creates a rainbow light show for the wrist

Hands On: F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain Vertical Joaillerie Rubis

Earlier this year F.P. Journe unveiled its most daring jewellery watch yet, the Tourbillon Souverain Vertical Joaillerie Rubis, set with the largest baguette rubies ever used in watchmaking. Despite the current popularity of high jewellery watches, the Tourbillon Souverain Vertical Joaillerie (TVJ) Rubis is an audacious undertaking that required eight years to accumulate the right gemstones – and the destruction of 61 carats of gem-quality rubies to make this single watch. Initial thoughts Haute joaillerie watches of this sort are not new; the 1980s and 1990s saw significant demand for gem-set complicated watches, especially in Asia. But Over the last decade such watches have shifted from niche offerings to an important (and resilient) pillar of the business for many brands. Coloured stones are seeing marked interest too, as a sort of trend within a trend, as exemplified by Rolex’s “Rainbow” Daytona, one of the brand’s hottest models. Patek Philippe’s 2022 launch of the gem-set Grandmaster Chime trio can also be seen as a milestone for the genre, with one of Geneva’s flagship fine watchmaking brands adorning its flagship watch with diamonds, emeralds and sapphires. A unique Piaguet minute repeating pocket watch that’s a fine example of 1990s gem-setting high horology But with the TVJ, it’s clear that F.P. Journe is not simply following industry trends – this watch is eight years in the making and belongs to a two-decade tradition of high jewellery tour...

Hands-On With The Calgari Dimora Panda And Pierre Morlet - Two Affordable Meca-Quartz Chronographs

It’s always exciting to discover a new watch brand, even more so when it was founded in your hometown. As we’re practically neighbors, I sat down for lunch with Vincent Bakker, one of the three founders of Calgari, to learn more about this Amsterdam-based brand and its watches. The adventure started by selling off-the-shelf watches, […] Visit Hands-On With The Calgari Dimora Panda And Pierre Morlet - Two Affordable Meca-Quartz Chronographs to read the full article.

Buying Guide - Refreshing Elegance, with Five Very Stylish Dress Watches

Compact and elegant watches can be timeless for a reason. It’s almost always a case of less is more, or offering something uniquely creative without overdoing it. Naturally, most people’s first thought will go to icons such as the Cartier Tank or the Patek Philippe Calatrava. Still, with the recent resurgence in the popularity of dress […]

17 Best Watches That Make The Case for Choosing Quartz Over Mechanical

We tested 17 quartz watches that make the movement feel like a strength, including solar field watches, serious divers, high-accuracy pieces, and weird digital icons.

We hosted the launch of the Formex Aria and dove deep into this new Manufacture Chronometer

The Time+Tide NYC Discovery Studio proudly hosted the launch of the Formex Aria and an in-depth discussion about the details that shape it.

Hands-On With The New Quartz Citizen Challenge Timer “Tsuno”

The Citizen “bullhead” chronograph returns in the form of the Challenge Timer, a design that dates back to the 1970s. Citizen now reintroduces this formerly Japan-only model to the European market with the eponymous layout, with the pushers and crown at the top of the case. This reissue matters for a simple reason. Demand for […] Visit Hands-On With The New Quartz Citizen Challenge Timer “Tsuno” to read the full article.

Baume & Mercier references the Riviera’s origins with new quartz Riviera 73 models

A new quartz Riviera brings heavy vintage vibes with its sizing and styling, thanks to the thin quartz movement inside. The post Baume & Mercier references the Riviera’s origins with new quartz Riviera 73 models appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Why Grand Seiko Quartz is More Than Just an Entry Point to The Brand -

Typically when quartz watches are brought up in regards to the Grand Seiko catalog as a whole, they're thought of as entry points to the brand. However, there is much more to the story than "just" being a quartz movement, Grand Seiko has a lot more to offer here. Sit down with Teddy and Joe Kirk to discuss the merits o

Letter from the founder: The Time+Tide New York Discovery Studio launch was the dawn after the darkest four month build imaginable

“It is always darkest before the dawn.” I love The Dark Knight, but I loathe cliches. The thing is, as I get older, I can see why they exist.The post Letter from the founder: The Time+Tide New York Discovery Studio launch was the dawn after the darkest four month build imaginable appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Grand Seiko introduces its new 9F51 quartz calibre with the stylish SBGX359 and SBGX361

These two releases mark the slimmest and smallest-in-diameter Grand Seiko 9F quartz watches ever produced.The post Grand Seiko introduces its new 9F51 quartz calibre with the stylish SBGX359 and SBGX361 appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Tudor brought the heat for the official launch of our Library & Lounge

Our Tudor Library & Lounge is officially open - so you knew we had to pack it out with an event to launch it properly!The post Tudor brought the heat for the official launch of our Library & Lounge appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Join Us for the Launch of the Louis Erard x Worn & Wound Collaboration

We are excited to invite you to the official launch of our new collaboration with Louis Erard. This project has been in development for three years, and we are looking forward to finally sharing it with you in person. The event will take place on Thursday, December 4, at our Brooklyn Showroom. It will be an evening focused on the watch, the people behind it and the story of how the collaboration came together. RSVP here. Event Details – Date: Thursday, December 4, 2025 – Time: 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM – Location: The Windup Watch Shop Showroom – 540 President, Suite 1G, Brooklyn, NY 11215 Like all of our events, this one is about more than showing a new watch. It is a chance to connect with the community and get a clear look at how the project took shape from start to finish. Throughout the evening you will be able to: – Get hands-on with the collaboration, so you can see the details, finishes and proportions up close. – Hear how the design came together, including the decisions and problem-solving that shaped the final watch. – Talk with the people behind the project, and learn what made this collaboration different from past releases. Hors d’oeuvres and cocktails will be served. At 7:15 PM, we will host a live Q&A; with Louis Erard CEO Manuel Emch. He will walk through the development process, explain Louis Erard’s role in modern watchmaking and share what makes this project unique within their lineup. Space is limited and RSVP is required to attend. The post ...

This Is Chronoswiss: The Independent Brand That Defied The Quartz Crisis

It’s not exactly a secret that I love my Chronoswiss Timemaster. It’s a love that won’t die. When you own a watch for over 25 years and still feel a spark when you strap it on, you know this is the real deal. It also means I closely follow what the brand is up to. […] Visit This Is Chronoswiss: The Independent Brand That Defied The Quartz Crisis to read the full article.

[VIDEO] Recapping the Paulin Mara Dive Watch Showroom Launch Event with Jason Heaton

Most recently, in our ongoing series of events at the Windup Watch Shop’s Brooklyn Showroom, we partnered with Paulin to celebrate the launch of their first dive watch: the Mara. The Scottish brand’s latest release is a rugged, spec-heavy timepiece built for daily adventures and more demanding expeditions. Paulin chose our showroom for its laid-back atmosphere, reputation within the NYC watch community, and its ability to host both hands-on watch time and intimate Q&As;-an opportunity they fully embraced. The evening began with the public unveiling of the Mara, a 300-meter diver in stainless steel measuring 39.7mm across. Its robust case features lugs that angle inward for a distinctive stance, while the playful, geometric hour markers give the dial a unique personality. The Mara comes in blue or black, each paired with a domed sapphire bezel-bright blue for the former, a ghostly grey for the latter. Both drew plenty of admiration from attendees. The room was set with imagery from Scotland’s beaches, Land Rovers, and underwater scenes, complemented by a Bruichladdich whisky tasting station. Guests mingled with Paulin designer Katie Muir and Jason Heaton-diver, journalist, podcaster (The Grey NATO), author (The Tusker Novels), and Explorers Club member-who had field-tested the Mara on Scotland’s rugged shores and starred in the watch’s launch campaign. After plenty of whisky and watch talk, Jason sat down with Worn & Wound’s Head of Partnerships, Kyle Sna...

8 of the most expensive quartz watches that prove you don’t need a mainspring to look like a millionaire

Retro oddballs or haute horlogerie stunners, there's always a time and place for quartz movements, and these are some of the most expensive.The post 8 of the most expensive quartz watches that prove you don’t need a mainspring to look like a millionaire appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Behind The Scenes At Tissot: Inside The Light-Powered Tissot PRC 100 Solar Quartz

Quartz movements took a next step when light started charging the power source. Tissot started using light as a “fuel” in 2014 when it introduced the T-Touch Expert Solar. This year, the brand from Le Locle presents the next technological step in the shape of the Lightmaster solar quartz movement. The movement is the heart […] Visit Behind The Scenes At Tissot: Inside The Light-Powered Tissot PRC 100 Solar Quartz to read the full article.

13 of the best quartz watches that rub it into quartz snobs’ faces

Here's a few reasons why quartz watches should not just be low-cost alternatives to their mechanical counterparts.The post 13 of the best quartz watches that rub it into quartz snobs’ faces appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Seiko Refines the Astron GPS Solar Dual-Time Chronograph

One of the flagship high-tech analogue watches in Seiko’s catalogue, the Astron GPS Solar Dual-Time Chronograph has been reworked to give it visual elements more typically associated with Seiko’s higher-end mechanical watches. Amongst other things, the new Astron GPS chronograph features a sapphire-covered bezel, diamond-milled chapter rings, and facetted case details. It still retains the multi-function 5X83 movement that features GPS time- and time zone setting, perpetual calendar, and a six month power reserve on a full charge. Initial thoughts Someone recently asked me to recommend a useful watch for a person who has no interest in mechanical timepieces, with the condition that the watch has to be analogue and not look like a gadget. The Astron GPS chronograph fits the bill. The model’s newest iterations, four in all, have the styling details of a mechanical watch while having a multitude of high-tech features. One of its most useful features is the GPS time setting, which means the watch syncs with a GPS satellite and then displays the local time zone when travelling. The black and blue dial versions are especially restrained and well suited as a low-key everyday watch, though still a little large at over 44 mm in diameter. Useful watchmaking When sunlight is detected, the Astron GPS chronograph syncs with a GPS satellite automatically up to twice a day, while manual syncing can be done via a pusher in the case. Sunlight also powers the watch – under the dial ...

We held Anoma’s first major event to launch the A1 Slate, and this is what happened

To mark the launch of the first production piece from Anoma, we had the British watch community in our London Discovery Studio.The post We held Anoma’s first major event to launch the A1 Slate, and this is what happened appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.