Seiko Goes Solar and Atomic with the Seiko Ignition Takuma Sato

If you read Japanese, check out the pressrelease.If you don't, here's the Googletranslation. Update: Watch Report reader Gilbert Sopakuwa has pointed out several other solaratomic Seikos in the Spirit, Ignition, and Brightz lines. Thanks, Gilbert! One of the things I really love about watches is that I'm always learning and finding something new, often thanks to my readers. The Seiko Ignition Takuma Sato is an unusual watch in several respects. First,Seiko is not very well known for their solar watches. Kinetic, Spring Drive, andeven automatic, yes, but you don't find a lot of solar powered Seikos out there.And you find even fewer atomic Seikos. Seiko is well known for their extremely accuratequartz movements which almost make atomic functionality unnecessary. However forthe Takuma Sato, I guess "almost" wasn't good enough.Takuma Sato is a famous Japanese Formula1 race car driver, and the Seiko Ignition is a worthy tribute. The designof the dial is an attempt to capture the essence of Takuma's helmet, and the casebackbares an engraving of his signature along with the watch's serial number. Only 3,000of these unique pieces will be made, and I seriously doubt very many of them willever make it to US shores.Features of the Seiko Ignition Takuma Sato include:Solar powered, with a 6-month power reserve.Radio controlled atomic time calibration. Again, this is the only Seiko watchthat I know of with this type of functionality. (I should note that I don't thinkthe watch is compatible with our atomic clock in Fort Collins, Colorado, but I don'tknow for certain.)Titanium case and bracelet.Domed sapphire crystal.Water resistant to 100 meters, or 330 feet.The Seiko Ignition Takuma Sato will be available June 7th, and will sell for73,500 yen, or about $680.