The Astron was unveiled in Tokyo on December 25, 1969, after ten years of research and development at Suwa Seikosha (currently named Seiko Epson), a manufacturing company of Seiko Group. Within one week 100 gold watches had been sold, at a retail price of 450,000 yen (US$1,250) each (at the time, equivalent to the price of a medium-sized car).
The Astron was showcased in Tokyo on December 25, 1969, after ten years of research and development at Suwa Seikosha (now Seiko Epson), part of the Seiko Group. Within one week, 100 gold watches were sold at a price of 450,000 yen each (equivalent to the cost of a mid-sized car).