That's no moon. (Astron Stratosphere content)

[estrickland]

My Astron 'Stratosphere' SBXA033 arrived today just before work - here are my day 1 thoughts.



1. The initial impression opening the box is 'wow' - the cavernous depth from the edge-to-edge crystal to the dial is really something. The blackened steel case gleams, and the overall design balance is great. 




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2. It wears pretty well. After the initial shock over the size, I got used to it, and except when I took a peek it went mostly unnoticed during a long day of typing. The rubber deployment strap is soft like silicone diver straps, but without the tacky/lint-magnet feel.

This shot captures the size well:


This said, it is definitely a large watch. Here it is next to the 6105-8110:



... and for giggles the QS 2539:


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3. The crystal is really something special - capturing and refracting light to really cool effect:



... and the case back looks straight out of the Star Wars universe.


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4. Initial setup was a little choppy - but once I calmed down and carefully followed the instructions about button order and duration,  it synced right up with the satellites and corrected the time and date. I did have to use the control sequence to take the watch off DST, but after that it was dialed.  

Other than initial time setup I haven't scratched the surface - I still need to set the subdial time (I'm thinking Japan time until I take this on the road) - and I have no idea what the screw-down crown is for, but I hope to find out soon.

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In total, I think it's a really nice piece. I wouldn't want to build a collection of 48mm pieces, but it's kind of nice to break out the death star when you're in the mood for it. Despite some fierce competition, I think this one will make it out of the watch box regularly, and dazzle when it does.

Please let me know if you have any questions. I probably don't have answers but I can find out!

[psrivats]

Congrats on an awesome purchase! This watch is a technological marvel. I seriously love that crystal, that lume shot is beyond cool. And "Star Wars" is the right description for that case back!

It is really a very large watch, and that'll be a deterrent for many people. The dial/crystal design accentuates the size even more, but it doesn't look too huge on your wrist. How is the thickness compared to a tuna - any idea?

I have girly wrists and have been contemplating selling my Darth and golden tunas. I freaking love those watches, but they look really huge on me. This Astron is one watch that I'll never get to wear .. but I'd love, love to see one in real life some time.



(Sent from my mobile, please pardon my spelling)

[estrickland]

Feb 19, 2014 2:11:28 GMT -8 psrivats said:

Congrats on an awesome purchase! This watch is a technological marvel. I seriously love that crystal, that lume shot is beyond cool. And "Star Wars" is the right description for that case back!

It is really a very large watch, and that'll be a deterrent for many people. The dial/crystal design accentuates the size even more, but it doesn't look too huge on your wrist. How is the thickness compared to a tuna - any idea?

I have girly wrists and have been contemplating selling my Darth and golden tunas. I freaking love those watches, but they look really huge on me. This Astron is one watch that I'll never get to wear .. but I'd love, love to see one in real life some time.



(Sent from my mobile, please pardon my spelling)

Thanks! The Emperor Tuna is 48.2mm in diameter and 17.4mm thick whereas the Death Star (!) is the same 48.2mm in diameter and 18.1mm thick. So, yeah it's a massive technological terror Seiko's constructed.

To me it looks huge (area is 60% larger than a 6217), but that's kind of the fun of it - it's laughable but I'm in on the joke.
If you like them, I think you should embrace your Tunas the same way.

[sdoocms]

Congrats on a great looking watch!

[69ChevelleSS]

Very cool, very beautiful.  Congrats!

Question on how it sets the time based on GPS.  Does it set it to the correct radio signal time or would it just set it to your previous time setting  + or - however many times zones you are from GMT?  In other words, if you set it wrong by a minute would the watch correct that when it syncs.  Also, does it only resync when you change time zone locations or does it sync daily?

Just curious!

Thanks and enjoy it!

[Groundhog66]

Now that, is an interesting looking watch! Is it a heavy piece?  Is that crystal Hardex, or plastic?

[igniferroque]

Feb 19, 2014 8:28:44 GMT -8 Groundhog66 said:

Is that crystal Hardex, or plastic?

As if.

[estrickland]

Feb 19, 2014 7:11:04 GMT -8 69ChevelleSS said:

Very cool, very beautiful.  Congrats!

Question on how it sets the time based on GPS.  Does it set it to the correct radio signal time or would it just set it to your previous time setting  + or - however many times zones you are from GMT?  In other words, if you set it wrong by a minute would the watch correct that when it syncs.  Also, does it only resync when you change time zone locations or does it sync daily?

Just curious!

Thanks and enjoy it!

Thanks. In order to work everywhere in the world, the Astron identifies the time directly directly from the GPS signals, so yes it would correct any error you introduced when it syncs.

Once a day (when the watch is in direct sunlight or well charged) it will do fine calibration using a single satellite.
To adjust time zones, however, it needs multiple satellites and a lot of energy, so that is manually triggered.

[69ChevelleSS]

Feb 19, 2014 9:45:20 GMT -8 estrickland said:

Feb 19, 2014 7:11:04 GMT -8 69ChevelleSS said:

Very cool, very beautiful.  Congrats!

Question on how it sets the time based on GPS.  Does it set it to the correct radio signal time or would it just set it to your previous time setting  + or - however many times zones you are from GMT?  In other words, if you set it wrong by a minute would the watch correct that when it syncs.  Also, does it only resync when you change time zone locations or does it sync daily?

Just curious!

Thanks and enjoy it!

Thanks. In order to work everywhere in the world, the Astron identifies the time directly directly from the GPS signals, so yes it would correct any error you introduced when it syncs.

Once a day (when the watch is in direct sunlight or well charged) it will do fine calibration using a single satellite.
To adjust time zones, however, it needs multiple satellites and a lot of energy, so that is manually triggered.

Dang that is awesome . . . . enjoy that beauty . . . it's a sweet time piece!

[estrickland]

Feb 19, 2014 8:28:44 GMT -8 Groundhog66 said:

Now that, is an interesting looking watch! Is it a heavy piece?  Is that crystal Hardex, or plastic?

The watch is 138 grams, which is heavy enough to feel solid without feeling like an anchor.
By comparison, the smaller MM300 is 50% heavier at 210g

Re: Hardlex or plastic

This is from Seiko's press release:

Imagine our planet as you would see it from space; a blue sphere floating freely, silently and beautifully in its graceful orbit. This is the idea that has inspired the new design and it was realized by the creation of a dome-shaped sapphire glass. Sapphire is very difficult to fashion because of its hardness; it is a material whose hardness is second only to diamond. Over 10 hours of polishing is required to create and polish the glass on the new Astron design into a smooth, curved surface. The light from the luminous paint underneath the glass creates a sense of the earth’s atmosphere through the sapphire. The effect is dazzling. The spherical surface extends from the glass to the case and to the silicon band, creating the overall illusion that the watch is like our Earth moving through space. What better design could there be for a watch that talks to the stars?