Cazalea's 'SEIKO PROFILE SERIES' delves into the world of high-accuracy quartz watches, spotlighting two exceptional Seiko models: an Astron commemorative piece and a Grand Seiko 'star' edition. This article, rich with personal insights and detailed photography, explains what defines high-accuracy quartz and showcases Seiko's meticulous approach to timekeeping. Cazalea's exploration offers a valuable perspective on the precision and craftsmanship behind these often-underestimated movements.
Today I am going to profile two watches that fall into the high accuracy category. Let's assume that means less than 10 seconds deviation in a year.
Assuming a year is 365 days then we have 10/31536000 or 1 second deviation in 3,153,600 seconds.
If the watch is rated better than that, say 0-5 seconds in a year, that's less than 1 second deviation in 6 million seconds. Pretty good, right?
I will leave it to Ron and others to document their watches by actual testing. I can just say that Seiko has methods of checking the harmonize vibration accuracy of the crystals used in their quartz watches, and the most pristine, most accurate, most stable crystals are set aside for special series of watches.
I have two: an Astron commemorative piece, and a Grand Seiko "star" edition. They are as different as black and white. Or in this case, white and black:
One Grand Seiko, one (all but) regular Seiko. Both quartz, tuned and chosen to record time as well as any Seiko can.
Of course, they are about 1/2 second off from each other, and I could not get the two to switch at the same time the camera did. So you will (I hope) please forgive the lack of exactly matching second hands.
Let's have a look at the Astron, using the customary shots I've provided in the past on other PROFILES. This watch comes with two straps, two buckles, and the usual box. Somehow I got another strap in this deal - maybe it came with three? I have forgotten.
The case is made in two parts, with a ceramic (or similar) material on the bezel/front of the case, and titanium in the rear.
The ceramic bit is black and the titanium, though slick as a whistle, has a grey tone instead of whitish which is normal on the polished titanium Grand Seikos.
The back of the case is curved in multiple dimensions and fits extremely comfortably on my wrist. The screws allow easy battery changes. I've done it once.
Now to the Grand Seiko. This case back screws on and features a gold inset Lion which is the Grand Seiko mascot.
The case is a conventional shape and features drilled lugs. This watch is about 38mm. The crown screws down.
There is a combination of polished and brushed surfaces on the case, as you will see in other photos.
The guts.
And a shot on the bench showing the dial in a dim light.
Now let's go out in the field. The Astron has a fascinating dial texture that is visible about 10% of the time, no more. Here I managed to catch it on "film".
Most of the time it looks glossy glossy black black. I love this watch.
In this photo (one of a dozen taken) I prove that you cannot get two watches (one on each wrist) in a nicely composed shot, especially when you are using a time-delay shutter and balancing the camera in your own lap... nevertheless, it provides a useful transition to the next watch.
Did I mention I love this watch too? Sheesh, Look At It. The dial is ever-so-gently textured and ribbed. But from many angles it just looks white.
Blue second hand; yes I am a sucker for this feature.
Polished, applied markets, knife-edge hands, blue logos. Silver Star.
I haven't said much about the technology inside these watches. Or the polishing techniques, or the magnetic shielding (if any), the fine leather straps, the buckles, etc. But I have run out of time today and have to get moving.
Sorry. But I would like to conclude with this opinion: Even if these were powered by gerbils on a wheel or steam or atomic energy -- they would still be beautiful watches.
There it is, in black and white.
Cazalea
