New Seiko E-Ink Watches have been released in Japan

[minidriver]

Press release here in Japanese:


http://www.seiko-watch.co.jp/whatsnew/pressrelease/20100907/


Translated page in English:


http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.seiko-watch.co.jp%2Fwhatsnew%2Fpressrelease%2F20100907%2F


These are solar, have 5 band R/C capability. Really like what I am seeing here





My favorite is the stainless steel model SDGA001




Prices are much better than expected. I think one of these will make way into my watch case fairly soon.

[UpstandingCitizen]

Looks nice, although it does sort of resemble the display of a smart phone to me. 

[peacemaker885]

Mmm, mmmm!

[nhoJ]

Very cool.  I hope Seiko sticks with this technology.

[Technoman]

Very very nice...

[UpstandingCitizen]

Why does the perpetual calendar only run to 2060?  I plan on living beyond that!!!  lol 

[Ted]

Why does the perpetual calendar only run to 2060?  I plan on living beyond that!!!  lol

No kidding!  I'll only be 86 in 2060.  Also, no mention of stopwatch and countdown timer functions. 

[ADB]

Finally! And they'll only be available next year in March? Also no Ti model?
They certainly look cool, but I'll wait for the 2nd generation models in 2012 or so.
A few things I would expect on a $1000 watch in 2011:
- Ti case, case back, bracelet, surface treated or DLC.
- Sapphire crystal with inner and outer AR coatings.
- At least 10ATM WR, preferably 20ATM.
- Multi-functions.

Apart from the dot-matrix display, I had all these in my 2007 Attesa.


Seiko got one thing wrong with this 1st gen: the EPD dial has to be combined with a very thin, light, and hopefully curved, watch. Seiko ended up with a 9.5mm thick, flat watch and Casio already has some models that feature this kind of thickness (their Oceanus Manta line) with a very nice 3D multi-layer dial. One of the main advantages of EPD is completely wasted here.
Cheers,

[Time]

Prices are much better than expected. I think one of these will make way into my watch case fairly soon.

What happened to not buying more watches for 2010? 


I like what I am seeing. These look very good for digitals.

[minidriver]

What happened to not buying more watches for 2010? 


I like what I am seeing. These look very good for digitals.

Fairly soon ----> 2011

[minidriver]

No mention of countdown timer or stop watch

[Time]

No mention of countdown timer or stop watch

its gotta have a stopwatch. Its a digital module, its very easy to add it.
But you are correct, they don't mention it. 

[LUW]

It can't have any form of chronograph function, since the e-ink can't handle that (I'm not sure if the numbers can't change fast enough or the power drain is too big - probably the later).

[ADB]

Luciano is of course correct. This is one of the disadvantages of Electronic Ink technology, and even though Seiko is using an active-matrix driver, I don't think they have overcome the refresh rate obstacle. BTW no running seconds display either (?).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_paper
Cheers,

[LUW]

I thought it could handle at least seconds  .
If it doesn't even show seconds, then it's not for me.

[minidriver]

[minidriver]

I thought it could handle at least seconds  .
If it doesn't even show seconds, then it's not for me.

Unfortunately that is a current limitation that I think it will be easily overcome in the future.


I still want one, but my Seiko SBFG001 digital with timer, stop watch and running seconds ain't goin' anywhere.

[Ted]

Luciano is of course correct. This is one of the disadvantages of Electronic Ink technology, and even though Seiko is using an active-matrix driver, I don't think they have overcome the refresh rate obstacle. BTW no running seconds display either (?).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_paper
Cheers,

So the only functions are time/world time (without running seconds display), atomic sync (what fun is that if you don't know the exact second, hahahaha), and an alarm?  But it has so many buttons.  I wonder what they all do if it doesn't have very many functions. 

[minidriver]

I have got hold of the export market model numbers. It appears these watches will also be offered outside of Japan, so keep your eyes peeled for a US unveiling   (and hopefully better prices than the JDM):


Case and band: Stainless steel (SDGL001J)-Stainless steel with gold-tone hard coating (SDGL002J)-Stainless steel with black hard coating (SDGL003J)

No prices yet.

The JDM models numbers are SDGA001, 002 and 003.

All of these are made and cased in Japan (JDM and export versions).

[minidriver]

So the only functions are time/world time (without running seconds display), atomic sync (what fun is that if you don't know the exact second, hahahaha), and an alarm?  But it has so many buttons.  I wonder what they all do if it doesn't have very many functions.

TECH SPECS FROM SEIKO:
Radio Controlled Active Matrix EPD WorldtimerCaliber S770 movement-Time indication for hour, minute and second-Calendar indication for year, month, date and day of the week-Perpetual calendar up to December 31, 2060-World time function for 32 cities with daylight saving time capability-Dual time function-3-channel daily / single-time alarm function-Sound demonstration function-Automatic radio wave reception function with manual reception capability-Automatic time correction function-Battery level indicator-Power reserve: 9 months (41 months in ‘sleep’ mode)-Overcharge prevention function-Power save function-LED bulb-Accuracy: 15 seconds per month (when not receiving the radio signal)-Movement dimensions: 30.9 x 32.9 mm, thickness: 5.7 mm (excluding solar cells)-Case and band: Stainless steel (SDGL001J)-Stainless steel with gold-tone hard coating (SDGL002J)-Stainless steel with black hard coating (SDGL003J)-Clasp type: Three-fold with push button release-Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating-Water resistance: 10bar-Case dimensions: 45.5 x 46.0 mm, thickness: 9.5 mm

[jason_recliner]

Oh my lord!
 
Ok, it seem to be lacking a few features, but watches are also jewellery.  And that is just plain SLICK.   

[LUW]

Sorry, but if if doesn't display seconds, what's the point of being radio controlled? You can't use it as a regulateur, you can't time basically anything, so you just have a cool screen .
Honestly, I would rather strap that new Nano to my wrist: cool screen, can show seconds and can even play music.

[ADB]

Sorry, but if if doesn't display seconds, what's the point of being radio controlled? You can't use it as a regulateur, you can't time basically anything, so you just have a cool screen .
Honestly, I would rather strap that new Nano to my wrist: cool screen, can show seconds and can even play music.

Funny, I was thinking exactly that: somebody is soon enough going to come up with a Casio G-Shock like bracelet where you can just slip in the new Nano and wear it on your wrist, because the clock is way too COOOOL.



 
And it probably syncs its clock to atomic time on your PC every time you charge it...
Cheers,

[specopswxguy]

Reminds me of my mobile......will have to put it on my wish list..

[minidriver]

So is anyone thinking of getting one of these?