Gadget watches
IT’S four decades since the launch of the first digital watch, and the technology is about to take its next big leap forward. Thanks to the proliferation of e-readers and touchscreen devices, those old liquid crystal digital displays now look about as up-to-date as tartan bell-bottoms. It was only a matter of time before watch producers started incorporating the new tech, and fast out of the blocks is Seiko with its Active Matrix EPD, launching next month.
The letters EPD stand for Electrophoretic Display – more simply known as electronic ink, and the same technology by which e-readers get their crystal clear graphics. It’s all to do with negatively and positively-charged white and black microcapsules suspended in fluid, as it happens. From that you get a display of 300 dpi clarity, on a four-shade grey scale.
Seiko hasn’t just left it at that though. The watch is also connected via radio wave to the world’s atomic clock stations. When in signal, it can be accurate to, well, one second in every 30 million years. And the self-recharging solar battery doesn’t ever have to be changed.
It may be pointing the way to the future for digital watches, but the Active Matrix EPD also references the past in its retro-tinged design and old-school bracelet. It’s one classy piece of kit, no question.
SEIKO ACTIVE MATRIX EPD
The EPD will come in stainless steel, stainless steel with gold-tone coating and stainless steel with black coating.
£1,350 www.jurawatches.com
CASIO G-SHOCK MTG-1500
Casio’s G-Shock watches are tough, muscular, and stylish. This new model has rose gold elements for a bit of glam. £500 www.g-shock.co.uk
D&G HIGH CONTACT TOUCHSCREEN
No mere quirky fashion watch, this incorporates touchscreen technology. Comes in bright colours too.
£165, tel: 01628 770988
LINDE WERDELIN SPIDOSPEED
Linde Werdelin makes attachable instruments for diving or skiing to clip onto its stunning watches. This chronograph launches next month. €11,760 www.lindewerdelin.com