One of 800 in the world

 

You say: yes, whatever. And I do agree: limited production run is cool, but not a main reason to invest in a watch.  The main reason to invest in this one: if you make and build things for living – anything from wood, metal, concrete, steel – then you should wear an Astron. This SEIKO is so well made that it will remain a constant inspiration on how things should be done: to perfection. Actually, to be perfectly honest, comparing your own work – even if you are a watchmaker – with the perfection of an Astron is simply painful and extremely humbling.  Perfection is almost impossible to obtain. Actually, even a ‘fairly close’ is painfully hard. Try to cut a brick, or a piece of steel to a millimetre. Or, try to drill 3 equally spaced holes in wood. Very quickly, you will realise that the final result is always related to the quality of machinery or tools used, as well as years of experience invested in doing the same thing over and over again. What the heck – even assembling an IKEA drawer would challenge most of us to the point of frustration. Then look at the Seiko Astron. Crafted in Titanium. Perfectly. Absolutely perfect hour markers and hands, winding crown and seemingly invisible integrated pushers. All the edges polished (yes, to perfection!). All surfaces sealed. The look at the stainless fold over buckle. What a piece of engineering! How in the world could they do it?

They can – because they’ve been doing it for 110 years. A million times over and over again, for generations, until perfection is attained. Made in Japan, only one of 800 in the world. This time, I am not even going to talk about what makes Astron the most exciting horological timepiece of modern watchmaking. I am sure you know that already. Neither to try to convince you that the most striking design is the one ‘you’ve seen before, but can’t exactly remember where and when’. Nor to remind you that the taupe strap - a blend of grey and brown -  is a colour so rarely seen in watchmaking. Discover it for yourself! Thanks to titanium, the total weight of 74 grams makes this Astron one of the lightest watches in the entire Seiko range. 41.2mm case size. You’ll LOVE it. Price: Boutique price $2,850.

There is nothing more exciting than unboxing a newly arrived watch

It has been a month since we attended the 2021 Seiko release presentation and placed an order for their new watches; quite frankly we are slowly wearing out of patience.  Every SEIKO delivery is loaded with anticipation and excitement, but receiving a delivery of newly released models is simply something special.  The postman dropped off a small parcel early yesterday morning. "Only 8 watches! is that all?" Actually, we had received just four, two of each model.  While the quantity was a bit of a disappointment, the watches themselves were super cool. "How can Seiko produce such an amazing mechanical watch, and sell is so cheap?" the apprentices asked. The answer is simple: Seiko is a huge, well-oiled watch manufacturing machine, and has been in the business of making watches for over a hundred years. From design, manufacturing, to sales and shipping, the entire process is run 'in house'. A modern company, with global presence on the rise. And here they are: the 2021 release of four 'Air and Land' Prospex models. If you are new to Seiko: Prospex stands for Professional Specifications watch, and that reference was mainly to its divers capabilities. However, while the Air and Land are not diver’s watches, they are still fully waterproof to 20 Bar.   I am not going to bore you with technical specs. The most important bit: super comfortable 42.4mm case size. The overall profile is fairly low for a 20bar case so the watch sits very comfortably on the wrist, and feels very light.  The first thing that grabbed my attention was the very delicate, slender seconds hand. It is so fine that you can actually see each and every 'tick and tock' of the mechanical movement. You won't find this refinement in any Swiss watches on the market, except probably in IWC chronographs. As a watchmaker, I am truly impressed. (For more excitement: check out the finish on the hands with high mag loupe!) It would be unfair to spoil your enjoyment describing the dial finish and colour, but I have to say that new Prospex models offer abundance of 'visual flavour'. The key word is crispness and clarity, two very desirable horological dial properties rarely found in mid-range watches.  Why should you invest in Air and Land 'tortoise'? My top reason: unbeatable value for money. Followed by excitement, refinement, practicality, robustness, waterproofness and comfort. Investing in Seiko is simply a guilt free experience.  While we have only eight watches in stock, we would like to see them shipped to you today. Here is the deal: I am not going to discount a brand new, just released Seiko, but if you place your order today, and you will receive $100 credit towards your next watch - new or pre-owned. I am throwing in free delivery, extended 5 years guarantee, and the chance to win a ‘Captain Willard’ valued at $2,200 in a few weeks time. PLUS a Seiko carbon fibre pen.  Black SRPG17K      Price: $795 Green SRPG13K      Price: $795 Blue SRPG15K      Price: $795 Gold/Brown SRPG18K      Price: $875

The Long Now

https://www.isejingu.or.jp/about/architecture/index.html

The Ise Jingu grand shrine in Japan is built of wood and leaves and it is 1500 years old. Yet today, it looks like it was built yesterday! The secret of this longevity, which retains this 'new' look, is based on a rather peculiar fact: every 20 years, the temple is dismantled and torn down - only to be rebuilt again on the same property. The process of rebuilding has been completed 62 times with the latest in 2013. There is a forest around the shrine area that is considered sacred that covers 13,600 acres that is used for some materials to construct the new shrine. About 222 acres of this forest haven't been touched since the shrine was first established. Any trees used for the shrine are cut down in a special ceremony and floated down a sacred river to the construction site. In order for trees to be of a suitable size to be used for the shrine, they have to grow for hundreds of years and the builders of the shrine use techniques passed down from generation to generation. The symbiosis is obvious:  the religion needs followers who will remain together for ever, and the ritual of building and tearing down, which cycles every 20 years, provides both spiritual and practical meaning to religion. And there is one significant element to this tradition: perpetual preservation of builders' skills which are passed on from generation to generation. Clearly, a young apprentice builder would be part of the first shrine rebuild in his twenties, in his forties he would be at his peak of strength and at his sixties, at the third rebuild, he would be master builder. Similarities with our watchmaking project are numerous. If my decision to start the project at the age of 50 was to be based on 'showcasing watchmaker's talent and genius', I would be too old before a first masterpiece would be assembled - if ever. Quite frankly, I would most likely give up because it would take decades to develop the skills required to produce a masterpiece. Yet for the fact that the brand started with a rather humble and very affordable watch which can be put together and sold to a sufficient number of 'followers', and for the obvious fact that such watches would require regular maintenance every five years, we are now in a position to train apprentices and pass on whatever knowledge we have, and prepare the ground for that next generation of talented ones to take the 'Manufactured in Australia' project to the next level. Yes, 'Manufactured in Australia' is nothing but religion which requires adherence to strict rules of horological perfection built over generations. The good news is that the ingredients are already here: the seed of watchmaking knowledge developed over 3 generations, the apprentices, tools and machinery, and one day - the dedicated Mittagong workshop which will nicely tie it all together.   Which brings us to the most peculiar aspect of the project: one who wants to call himself an Australian Watchmaker must embrace the mindset of tradition and determination of 'The Long Now' - of which neither exist in Australia. Or more precisely - not yet.