Introducing: The New Seiko Rotocall Series
Well, well, well, Seiko is on a nice roll! Last week, we covered the new limited-edition Prospex GMT Seashadow, and it garnered the type of enthusiasm we used to see with all Seiko releases. Additionally, the limited edition of watches has already sold out. Today, it seems that we have another mega hit in the making. Seiko has brought back the Rotocall, a faithful reissue of its ’80s “Astronaut” digital instruments. Best of all, these watches are all part of the regular catalog.
Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in! Of course, I’ve never truly abandoned Seiko, but I probably went a bit overboard in my buying habits for a period. Therefore, I’ve taken a break, but if last week’s GMT and this week’s new Rotocall are any indication, I’ll be adding more watches to my collection! Folks, today’s releases look seriously good, even if we don’t have all the details we’d like. But before we get to the new pieces, let’s spend some words on history.
The original Seiko A829-6019 and -6029
In 1982, Seiko released the original A829-6019. Then, two years later, came the -6029. Aside from slight dial differences, the bezel shapes and knurling also differed. Functionally, however, both pieces were similar. If you’re relatively inept with digital watches, like I am, the A829 pieces feel heaven-sent. Instead of fumbling with a series of buttons to change functions, the watches introduced a novel bezel-actuated concept. Simply turning the bezel changed the function, and then a button on either case side allowed its usage. In fact, the interface was so useful that it found favor among astronauts despite not being an official NASA-supplied piece of equipment. Seiko tells us that the watches, and the -6029 in particular, were used on over 160 missions by astronauts, including Sally Ride, Kathryn Sullivan, and Anna Lee Fisher. You can read more about both models in a fantastic article by my colleague Tomas.
The new Seiko Rotocall series
Seiko’s latest digital shot across the bow at Casio is a reissue of the original A829-6029. The watches each have a 37mm stainless steel case with a pleasant 10.9mm thickness. Sadly, at the time of publishing, there’s no official word on the lug-to-lug, but it seems long enough to assuage any concerns about the watches looking too petite. In fact, the lugs look sturdy and feature brushed top surfaces. Joining the catalog are three models that are faithful to the originals. Reference SMGG17 has a yellow and black bezel with an anthracite-colored surface surrounding the digital display. The SMGG19 is similar, but it replaces the yellow with red. Last, there’s possibly the most distinct variant, the SMMG21, with a gray and blue bezel and a light gray dial. All watches come with a five-row stainless steel bracelet and NATO-style nylon strap. The water resistance rating is a pleasant surprise at 100 meters.
An eight-sided bezel means eight functions
Like the originals, the new Rotocall has an eight-sided knurled bezel. Each side is labeled with a function. Simply turn the bezel in either direction until the desired function reaches the top position. Then, the buttons on each side of the case actuate the capability. Time, time setting, a timer, a counter, a stopwatch, a dual-time display, a daily alarm, and a single alarm round out the list of competencies. The powerplant behind this is the brand’s A824 digital quartz module. We don’t have any information yet on the minimum battery life or the case back, but we will update the article as we learn more.
The Rotocall has a clean, legible design
I’m fortunate to own a few interesting digital watches from the 1980s. For me, this was a high-water mark for the genre. Brands were proud to display their wares, and there was a desire to pack in as much technology and color onto a small screen. The Rotocall certainly has that cool ’80s vibe, but it’s incredibly legible. Everything is well labeled and logical, but it has style primarily due to the use of two colors and the octagonal bezel design.
An incomplete picture, but we have pricing!
We’re still waiting for additional details, including the crystal type (we assume it’s mineral glass or Hardlex), clasp information, and the lug-to-lug measurement, but we have info on pricing and availability. The Seiko Rotocall is priced at £480, which puts it in the same realm as other all-metal digital watches, such as the £489 G-Shock GMW-B5000D-1C. That’s heady competition, but the G-Shock is larger and blingier. Then again, it also uses solar power and has better water resistance.
Overall, this is a great release for Seiko, and I hope it announces the brand’s intent to develop additional digital watches. As mentioned at the beginning of the article, another positive is that these references will be part of the regular collection. Seiko is opening up pre-orders on its various sites, including Seiko Boutique UK and Seiko Boutique Europe, today. Expect deliveries to begin on November 1st. For now, let us know your thoughts on these new watches in the comments section below.
