Casio Inc. (Dover, NJ) presented its new Atomic Solar timepieces, which are designed to automatically provide the accurate time and date all the time by tuning in to the official time transmitter in Fort Collins, CO. Multiple times a day, data is transmitted each second for a minute to keep the time accurate and reliable. The Atomic Solar watches are powered by a solar panel that converts light into energy. Light hitting a set of solar receptors on the face of the watch recharges a power cell inside the unit.
The new Casio watches draw their power from a newly developed, ultra-small, solar panel featuring highly efficient electric power generation and a large-capacity rechargeable battery. Never needing a battery replacement, the watches are capable of operating high-load functions, such as alarms and sensors, with large power requirements. The watches recharge themselves, even in low light from a fluorescent lamp, whenever they sense light.
The recharging speed differs depending on the brightness of the light source, but in optimal circumstances, outdoors on a sunny day (50,000 Lx), the solar battery can generate enough power for a day's operation in just 5 minutes. It also keeps on charging naturally during normal operation worn on your wrist. Also, the watches are equipped with an over-charge prevention function that prevents problems caused by excessive exposure to light.
The Casio Atomic Solar line includes the Luxury Atomic Solar G-Shock watches, the GW1200BA, GW1210A-9AV and GW1300A-9AV, which feature Ana-Digi dials with both analog and digital timekeeping. The solar panel dials have digital readouts for battery levels/date, atomic timekeeping signals/seconds and watch modes. The WVA510 Ana-Digi Series includes the WVA510DA-2AV, WVA510A-1AV and WVA510SGA-9A models that incorporate the Atomic Solar technology and chronograph. The GW700A Series of Atomic Solar G-Shock timepieces feature atomic timekeeping, tough solar power and G-Shock's shock resistance.
The Casio Atomic Solar timepieces are priced from $200 to $400.
