Casio Oceanus OCW-G1000S

There is a definite sense that I am handling something precious in this review of the Casio Oceanus OCW-G1000S BaselWorld 2015 limited edition watch.

For one thing, there are only 300 sets made (ours is the 249th). It also possesses that rare mix of beauty, brawn and utter attention to detail.

It is based on the original Oceanus OCW-G1000, which won the Digital Life Editor's Choice earlier this year. We hailed it for its superb workmanship, as well as a hybrid timekeeping system that merges radio-wave time calibration with a Global Positioning System (GPS) feature. It is what makes this watch such an accurate timekeeper.

The Oceanus OCW-G1000 is the first non-G-Shock Casio watch model to adopt the hybrid timekeeping technology first seen in the G-Shock GPW-1000 series.

The watch divides the earth's surface into 2.6 billion data points, each spanning 500m by 500m. Each point contains data about the time zone, daylight savings and time-calibration signal availability. If time-calibration radio signals are not available, the watch will use GPS signals to sync its clock.

If you use this watch in Singapore, it is likely to tap GPS often, given the nearest time-calibration radio tower from here is in China. I tested the GPS lock by pressing the bottom-right button for 3 seconds. It took the watch about 50 seconds to get a GPS signal lock. This is comfortably within the 30-second to 13-minute range that Casio gave as the time needed for a signal lock.

The Oceanus OCW-G1000S BaselWorld 2015 is said to be inspired by the earth at night, as viewed from space. Look closely and you will notice that the watch face has a slight tinge of ocean blue to represent earth. It is really subtle, though.

Sharp-eyed fans will notice that, compared with the OCW-G1000, the inset dials, lower-left button and second hand now sport a gold finish and luminous markers on the face are thinner.

At the 12 o'clock position of the watch face, there is now a "XII" in Roman numerals. This lettering is finished in luminous 18-karat gold and is the most luxurious part of the watch. The titanium watch case and band feel just as smooth as the original. The watch face is protected by a dual-curved crystal sapphire glass that is scratch-resistant.

• Verdict: A beautiful variant of a Casio classic, but with a premium of as much as $2,200 over the original, you are ultimately paying for its rarity.