The Quartz Revolution: How Seiko's Astron Transformed Timekeeping

Almost fifty-five years ago, on December 25, 1969, in Tokyo, Seiko (now Seiko Epson Corporation) released the world's first commercial quartz watch – sparking a technological revolution in global timekeeping.

The Problem of Imprecision in 1969

Before the Quartz Astron was launched, general timekeeping was imprecise. Mechanical watches could lose or gain anywhere from 5 to 30 seconds per day, equalling around 30 minutes to 3 hours of inaccuracy per month.

However, the new Quartz Astron watches were accurate to within ±5 seconds per month, or one minute per year. This level of accuracy was revolutionary, providing people with more reliable timekeeping on the go.

A Technological Breakthrough

Quartz watches use a quartz crystal, a battery, and an electronic oscillator to keep time. Batteries send electric signals to the quartz crystal, causing it to vibrate. A circuit then measures the vibrations and converts them into a single electric pulse once per second.

Open Innovation: The Legacy Continues

Seiko didn't withhold its innovation. Shortly after launch, the company opened its patents worldwide, setting a new global timekeeping standard.

The impact was transformative. Today, approximately 96% of all watches manufactured globally are quartz—including digital watches like the Apple Watch and all Casio models.

More Than Just a Watch

For engineers, designers, and innovation enthusiasts, the Quartz Astron represents more than a timepiece—it's a testament to how breakthrough thinking can fundamentally change an entire industry.

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