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Solar-powered watches: Casio Oceanus OCW-G1100S timepiece pays tribute to the exosphere

An evolution of its predecessor Casio OCW-G1100, the timepiece runs on solar energy and includes automatic world time settings and diamonds

Apr 07, 2017 | By Staff Writer
Worldtimer with auto switching and radio-controlled solar calibre — just some of the features of the Casio Oceanus OCW-G1100S

Worldtimer with auto switching and radio-controlled solar calibre — just some of the features of the Casio Oceanus OCW-G1100S

The Casio Oceanus OCW-G1100S is not a reference to Oceanus, the figure in Greco-Roman mythology who represented the world-ocean surrounding the world. On the other hand, there is a connection of sorts here. The OCW-G1100S celebrates the exosphere, otherwise known as the space between our earthly atmosphere and outer space. The blue here represents the blue edge of the boundary between our terrestrial space and the inky blackness of outer space. In fact, just as the mythical Oceanus surrounded the world, so too does the exosphere.

Both the OCW-G1100 and the new OCW-G1100S are equipped with GPS and standard time signal reception technology, allowing both models to always supply the correct local time anywhere in the world. The nomenclature here tells us that the OCW-G1100S is an evolution of the original OCW-G1100. Of course, the new watch is packed with contemporary technology, including not only solar and GPS Hybrid Wave Ceptor but also a Dual Coil Motor.

This motor allows the hands at six o’clock to move at high speed both clockwise and anticlockwise. The display of time on the dial can thus change quickly whenever world time functions are used. In terms of user-friendliness, the right side of the moulded bezel indicates time zones ahead of UTC, accented in blue, while the left side indicates time zones behind UTC, rendered in black. This blue-black dichotomy continues on the dial, with an interesting touch at two o’clock representing stars. This is done with “recrystalised blue sapphires” (basically synthetic sapphires) and natural diamonds.

As part of the Oceanus line, the OCW-G1100S is cased in metal, here with a DLC coating.

Specifications

Movement Radio-controlled solar calibre, worldtimer with auto switching, direct access to UTC, chronograph, full auto calendar, low battery alert
Case 51.1 millimetres in titanium with ceramic bezel; water resistant to 100 metres
Strap Solid titanium bracelet
Price S$5,699

This article was originally published in WOW.


 
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