The new Seiko Milemarker is an interesting combination of modern and classic technologies. On the modern side, the Milemarker has a 10 year battery, perpetual calendar, and an extremely accurate quartz movement which deviates less than 20 seconds per year (yes, that's per year, not per month). The more classic technologies include a map wheel and a manual compass.
The map wheel works by allowing you to trace routes along any map that has a scale, then calculate the distance between the two points. Not exactly a GPS, but then again, no batteries or satellites required. The compass works in conjunction with the 24-hour hand and the rotating bezel. Point the 24-hour hand toward the sun, and the 12 o'clock position will be pointing roughly north. This is definitely a watch for hikers and orienteers who like to do things the old-fashioned way, but with a certain amount of style.
Features of the Seiko Milemarker include...
- Stainless steel case and bracelet with a double locking clasp.
- Built-in map wheel for calculating distances along a map.
- 24-hour hand to allow you to easily maintain time in a second time zone, or to find your direction on a sunny day.
- Perpetual calendar (which means it automatically adjusts for months with different numbers of days, and for leap years up to February 28, 2100). The Milemarker can also indicate the month, day, and the number of years since the last leap year.
- Quartz movement accurate to less than 20 seconds per year (which is exceptional, by the way).
- Ten-year battery (and a battery life indicator to tell you how many of those 10 years are behind you).
- LumiBrite hands and hour markers.
- Comes with a laminated conversion chart to help you read maps of different scales.
Retail for the Seiko Milemarker is $400, but Seikos are usually thoroughly discounted, so expect to pay no more that $300, and possibly less. Find out more on the Seiko Milemarker product page.
