Seiko's new feature-loaded limited-edition Astrons get crystal dials on black titanium

Seiko has taken the wraps off its new Astron limited editions on the Japanese and US store. Not that it matters, but they cost ¥88,000 less than the Ohtani model that gets the same case.

The HAB009J and HAB010J both cost ¥352,000 including tax, around $2,226. Reservations open on 8 October and delivery starts 7 November. Seiko is making 1,500 of each, 500 of those for Japan; it's also numbering the casebacks.

The primary theme for this launch is minerals. The Japanese timepiece manufacturer says the dials stand for crystals that form over long stretches inside jet-black rock. Those crystals are rendered here as a diamond lattice pressed across the face. The HAB009J goes for green under yellow gold accents. The HAB010J goes for burgundy under rose gold. Both sport all-black cases.

That black is Super Black Diamond Shield, Seiko's hard coating. It has been laid over pure titanium and broken by sections of gold-colour plating. The case measures 43.4 mm wide, 12.4 mm thick and 50 mm lug to lug, under sapphire with Seiko's Super Clear Coating.

Caliber 5X63 is the heart and soul of the watch. It takes a GPS satellite fix for time and time zone, and runs about six months from a full charge, or two years with power saving on. Furthermore, it holds 15 seconds a month either way when it has not seen a signal. It's actually quite feature-loaded: a perpetual calendar good until February 2100, world time across 38 zones, dual time, a 1/20-second chronograph to 24 hours, a power reserve display, daylight saving, an airplane mode and automatic hand position correction.

Water resistance is 10 bar. The bracelet closes with a one-push three-fold clasp and a micro-adjuster, and a calf strap comes in the box.

Merely for the sake of scale, the Shohei Ohtani Nexter that Seiko showed last month used this same case and movement at ¥440,000 across 1,700 pieces.