A useless watch review

 

Writing watch reviews is not my thing. For a number of reasons. First – and most obvious – I am in the business of selling watches, so I will only review a watch I intend to sell. There is, and there always will be, a subconscious element of coming across as non-impartial, biased, prejudiced, or even unfair. The second reason; I am not just a dealer but an actual watchmaker. Watchmakers look at watches in a very different way to everyone else. The more you know about watches, the more you see, handle and repair, the less enthusiastic you are about branding, heritage, resale value and the "horological boutiqueness" that makes the world of horology go round. The third reason. At the end of the day, even the best watch review is useless. The most eloquent words and the most artistic photos are not a substitute to holding a watch in your hand, examining it under the light, strapping it on the wrist, wearing it for a year or two, and then - and only then, judging it for what it really is. A masterpiece of engineering, beauty and design - or just another mass produced watch. Sometimes the best review is just a nod with a smile. And this is my review for a Seiko Astron, the limited edition titanium, ceramic, sapphire and rose gold, French navy blue chronograph: a nod of the utmost admiration. If I am to sum it up in just one word: perfection. You are looking at the most perfectly polished, painted, coated, anodized, printed, milled, ground and anglaged surfaces on any watch, which are the result of decades of perfecting the art of watchmaking. You are literally looking at a watch that can not be further refined, improved and perfected. Timekeeping? Beyond perfection. Way beyond the accuracy you’ll ever need, or even want. It’s an Astron. To those who love watches, precision engineering, design and functionality: you are lucky to be around at the exciting time when humans have reached the pinnacle of precision manufacturing and precision timekeeping, embodied in the hundred year old form of a wrist watch, which displays time in a six hundred year old analogue form – with three hands showing hours, minutes and seconds. A format that has proven itself deeply embedded in our own perception of what time is, and what it means to us. Yes, it’s an Astron: a watch for those who care and understand, who appreciate and respect time itself.

Seiko Astron GPS - Dual Time Chronograph SSH180J Limited Edition. 1,500 pieces worldwide.  44.1mm case size. Titanium & ceramic case and bracelet. Sapphire crystal. Blue textured dial. Power reserve indicator. Stopwatch measures 12 hours in 1/20th of a second increments. Calendar Automatically Adjusts For Short Months and Leap Years Until February, 2100. Dual time. GPS solar movement. Water resistance 100 metres.  Accuracy: +/-1 second every 100,000 years (with daily automatic time adjustment). Boutique price: $5,200

Skull and Skeleton

KENTARO x SEIKO x AUSTRALIA "Kentaro Yoshida, an artist originally from a small fishing village in Toyama, Japan, moved to Australia at 18 to embrace a new lifestyle. Drawn to the opportunity to learn English and enjoy the sunny beaches, Kentaro has since made Australia his home, now living and working on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. Kentaro’s passion for both traditional and digital media shines through in his pastel-coloured artwork, which often features bold lines, quirky characters, and a light-hearted, beachside humour. He specialises in hand-painted art, creating everything from large-scale murals to intricate watercolour paintings." Seiko 5 Sports x Kentaro Yoshida Limited Edition Collection Created in collaboration with renowned artist, this Seiko 5 Sports series draws inspiration from Kentaro’s artistic journey in Australia, reflecting the landscapes, culture, and lifestyle that have shaped his distinctive vision. Tribute to Time Through Kentaro’s Eyes: “Time Goes by Forever” Kentaro Yoshida was commissioned to create the original artwork, “Time Goes by Forever,” as the foundation for this collaboration with Seiko Australia. The theme embodies the concept of time as an endless cycle, reflecting the continuous motion of life. Drawing from elements of nature—Clouds & Sky, Sun, Moon & Beach, and Wild Plants & Flowers—Kentaro’s artwork captures the essence of growth, change, and the inevitability of time’s passage. The collection’s overarching concept revolves around time’s perpetual cycles: the sun rising and setting, plants blooming and withering, waves continuously rolling in, and clouds drifting across the sky. These motifs remind us that while time moves forward relentlessly, it is up to each of us to decide how to spend it. Each piece in the collection weaves these themes into its design, creating a cohesive narrative that celebrates the duality of time: both relentless and precious. Three Timepieces Inspired by Nature’s Elements

SRPL25K: Clouds & Sky Symbolising fleeting, transient moments, the “Clouds & Sky” timepiece features a sophisticated dark chromatic dial that evokes the depth of the skies. Complemented by a durable black silicone strap, it offers a sleek and timeless aesthetic. SRPL26K: Sun, Moon & Beach Reflecting the rhythm of the ocean and celestial transitions, the “Sun, Moon & Beach” watch shines with a yellow gold stainless steel case and matching bracelet. Its design captures the warmth and brilliance of sunlit beaches and the endless motion of ocean waves. SRPL27K: Wild Plants & Flowers Representing growth and renewal, this model features a vibrant green dial adorned with intricate motifs inspired by wild plants and blooming flowers. A stainless steel case paired with a green nylon strap creates a harmonious, monochromatic design. Symbolism and Craftsmanship Each timepiece incorporates Kentaro’s signature skull and skeleton motifs, seamlessly integrated into the designs. Powered by the reliable Calibre 4R36 movement, they offer a 41-hour power reserve for enduring performance. With a case diameter of 42.5mm and a thickness of 13.4mm, the timepieces provide a bold yet practical design. Water resistance up to 100 metres ensures durability for everyday adventures. A Limited Edition for Collectors Completing the design, each watch features a case back engraved with Kentaro’s signature logo and is presented in a limited edition tin box that complements the artwork’s colour theme. A super rare opportunity for Australian collectors! Price: $695 each

Ichigo Ichie: The Art of Cherishing Every Moment

 

"Rooted in a 16th-century Japanese proverb and a core principle of the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, "Ichigo Ichie" (一期一会) roughly translates to "for this time only" or "once in a lifetime." It embodies the idea of being fully present and cherishing each moment as a singular experience that may never occur again."

Each limited-edition watch comes with a special presentation dark timber box, making it a perfect addition to any watch collection.

Freshly arrived from Seiko, an Australasian limited edition of only 1,000 pieces. Seiko Presage Limited Edition SRPL20J 40.5mm case size. Stainless steel case (Rose gold colour) and black leather strap. Hardlex glass. Champagne dial. Automatic movement - calibre 4R35. Water resistance 50 metres.  Our price: $950

Seiko Supercars

 

"The Repco Supercars Championship is the leading Motorsport category in Australasia, with events taking place across Australia and New Zealand. Last year saw Seiko celebrate 10 years of partnership with the Repco Supercars Championship as the official timepiece of Australasia’s Premier Motorsports series. The category is renowned for its exciting racing and the closeness of competition, with millimetres and milliseconds often being the difference between victory and despair. 2024 sees the continuation of the partnership between Seiko 5 Sports and the Repco Supercars Championship. To celebrate this legacy, we are thrilled to release our latest Seiko 5 Supercars Limited Edition; SRPL01K."

Seiko x Supercars 2024 Ref. SRPL01K 42.5mm case size. Stainless steel (black hard coating) case and bracelet. Additional silicon strap. Hardlex glass. Day-date function. Self-winding automatic movement - calibre 4R35. Water resistance 10 bar. Only 2,024 pieces made.   Our price: $750

Astron - The radiance of the early morning sky

 

Today we are introducing two newly arrived Seiko Astron. Both watches are limited edition (1,200 pieces worldwide) and are black titanium, fitted on a bracelet. Although they share the same concept—a purple star dial with gold hands and indices—they are essentially two different watches. The first one, SSH145J, is made for a nerd. A buyer who wants to squeeze the last feature out of the 5X53 calibre movement. And the list of features is simply astonishing: Overcharge prevention function, power save function, perpetual calendar to February 28, 2100, world time function (39 time zones), dual-time function, day display, power reserve indicator, time transfer function (switching between the main-dial and sub-dial), GPS signal reception function (time zone adjustment, automatic time adjustment, manual time adjustment), satellite acquisition status display function, reception result display function, DST (Daylight Saving Time), function to prevent the GPS signal reception (in-flight mode), automatic hand position alignment function. On the other hand, SSJ021J is a Japanese businessman’s watch. Austerity, simplicity, and elegance. A minimalist dial that focuses the wearer’s attention on the most important reason why a watch is worn, the time itself. Having the two sitting on my bench next to each other, I am hard-pressed to make a final call. Would I want an Astron with all the bells and whistles that only an Astron can offer? Or an Astron that simply tells the time within 1 second over 100,000 years?

42.7mm Limited Edition Astron SSH145J Boutique price: $4,250

41.2mm Limited Edition Astron SSJ021J Boutique price: $3,450

Back to 1968 - Seiko GMT

 

A modern watch with an unmistakeable 1968 vintage feel. What is vintage? The overall dial layout, the hands, the 1968 case shape, domed crystal, the caseback true to original design, SEIKO logo. What is modern? Very comfortable well engineered bracelet, superb clasp, new 6R54 mechanism, sapphire crystal, rotary GMT bezel. And what remains unchanged? Made in Japan. Value for money. Pride and pleasure of wearing a genuine SEIKO. If you are of the 68 vintage, then this watch is made for you. I’ve said this so many times, and I’ll say it again. Get yourself a SEIKO – stop bashing those Omegas and Rolex like there is no tomorrow. Especially so if you are planning an overseas trip. Why risk it? If the SEIKO gets stolen, not a big deal.  And I have no doubt, like most of my messages, this one will be ignored too. Such is life.

Seiko Prospex Land Mechanical GMT SPB411J 38.5mm case size. Stainless steel (super hard coating) case and bracelet. Sapphire crystal. Automatic movement. Water resistance 10 bar.  Limited Edition of 4,000 pieces worldwide. Our price: $2,500