Seiko has unveiled their new limited edition Astron GPS Solar Dual Time Chronograph, with a stunning light blue dial and more functions than you could wish for!
Seiko has launched their latest in the Astron range, the SHH157J – colloquially known as the Astron GPS Solar Dual Time Chronograph in a titanium case and bracelet. The standout on this one is the light blue, almost iridescent dial which Seiko describes as a “transparent light-blue molded dial that evokes the power, beauty, and infinite radiance of the starry sky”. And it kind of does!
With a full titanium case and bracelet, the Seiko Astron GPS Solar is light (117gms) and robust. Measuring 43mm and just 12mm thick, it’s a respectable size for a watch that is designed for wearing everywhere and for any occasion that may arise. This combined with the brushed case and polished edges, it serves as both a watch for adventure, travel, and just out and about!
We mentioned that the dial is the star and shines (quite literally) and this effect is done by Seiko having a dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective, super clear coating to cut down excessive glare. This means that whatever angle you look at the watch, you’re ensured that it is highly legible in any situation. It also gives off a 3D effect which if you look at the image below, the Seiko Astron writing on the dial seems to float above the dial, but below the hands sitting on the second crystal.
As this is a Seiko Solar GPS Dual Time, the dial showcases these with ease, along with the 1/20th second chronograph subdial at 12 o’clock. At 6 o’clock you have the dual time subdial, allowing you to manually adjust it when you’re traveling to one of 38 different cities (the GPS automatically adjusts your local time based on 4+ GPS satellites), and next to this, the AM/PM indicator ensuring you always know what part of the day it is in the secondary time zone. At 9 o’clock, the day of the week, and power reserve indicator and the date window is at 4:30.
Around the case, you have an easy-to-read ceramic bezel with a UTC tracking dial on the inner rehaut, and the chronograph pushers at 2 and 4 o’clock allow for easy timing on the watch, with 12 hours of continuous measurement and 1/20th second accuracy via the dial at 12 o’clock. Being angled with the case, the operation of the chronograph function is fairly seamless and easy.
The bracelet is solid in construction, and having played with this piece for a day or so, had no issues with it, due to the titanium, was light and felt good on the wrist. Seiko has equipped the Astron GPS Solar Dual Time Chronograph with a folding push button clasp, also in titanium which is pretty standard on most sports watches these days, and the links are held together with pin leaves as opposed to screws.
Inside the Seiko Astron GPS Solar Dual Time Chronograph is the Calibre 5X83 – a solar-powered quartz movement accurate to +/- 15 seconds per month when not linked to the GPS, but with automatic daily time adjustment, is accurate to +/-1 second every 100,000 years. Yep, that’s 100,000 years, so you’re safe to hand this down for the next 1000 or so generations and this watch will still be beating and keeping time perfectly (as long as the sun is still shining or there is light!) With solar power, the Astron will have up to 6 months of power reserve without light and will go into power save for up to 2 years.
Closing Thoughts
The Seiko Astron GPS Solar Dual Time Chronograph is a watch that wouldn’t normally cross my radar – primarily as the world we play in is mostly mechanical Swiss watches. However, in saying this, it would be remiss of me to dismiss this piece, or any piece for that matter for that reason. And let’s face it, Seiko is a brand that is great to play around with due to the sheer number of options available at differing price points. In this instance, the Astron sits at the higher price point when it comes to Seiko (not including Grand Seiko of course) at A$3,950, however, what you get for this is quite frankly, a lot!
This is a good-looking watch, that seems to be versatile and designed to be worn daily. Even though it’s now what many would call large at 43mm, the short tapered lugs help with this when on the wrist, and the lightness means that you’d be forgiven if you thought this was a 41mm watch. But the size isn’t a major factor here and let’s face it, you need the dial real estate to make sure all the vital time functions are easily read, which they are. Perhaps it’s a case of form meeting function in a nice balance here.
Seiko Astron GPS Solar Dual Time Chronograph
Reference: SSH157J – Limitged to 1,500 pieces worldwide
Specification:
- Size: 43mm, 12mm thick and 48.6mm lug-to-lug
- Case: Brushed and polished titanium case with ceramic fixed bezel
- Movement: Solar-powered calibre 5X83
- Power reserve: 6 months on full charge, 2 years on power save
- Water resistance: 10 bar (100 meters)
- Crystal: Dual Curved Sapphire Glass with Super Clear Coating
- Case back: Titanium caseback
- Bracelet: Brushed titanium bracelet with folding push button clasp
Functions:
- Overcharge prevention function
- Power save function
- Chronograph up to 12 hours in 1/20 second increments
- Perpetual calendar to the february 28, 2100
- World time function (38 cities)
- Dual-time function
- Day display
- Power reserve indicator
- Time transfer function (Switching between the main-dial and sub-dial)
- GPS signal reception function (Time zone adjustment, automatic time adjustment, manual time adjustment)
- Satellite acquisition status display function
- Reception result display function
- DST (Daylight Saving Time)
- Function to prevent the GPS signal reception (in-flight mode)
- Automatic hand position alignment function
Australian Recommended Retail Pricing: A$3,950
Availability: Available for pre-order now via Seiko Boutiques and online at Seikoboutique.com.au – expected delivery late June/early July
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