One of Seiko’s Most Advanced Analog Watches Gets a Luxe Upgrade

There are different ways to measure timekeeping accuracy.

Saying that Seiko’s most accurate watch is any Grand Seiko Spring Drive is correct because it is the brand’s mechanical movement with the lowest variance.

Seiko

You would be equally correct to claim that the new Astron collection is Seiko’s most accurate watch because it receives consistent signals from GPS satellites to correct the time anywhere on the planet.

Even the Spring Drive, one of the most advanced mechanical watch movements ever created, still needs to be manually set occasionally. Where as the Astron only needs correcting if something goes wrong, and perfect accuracy only scratches the surface of what this watch can do.

Seiko released the Astron GPS Solar Dual-Time Chronograph in 2024 with a steel case. Now, the line of SSH references packs every major watch complication into a luxurious titanium package, topped off with a sapphire crystal bezel.

Powered by the sun, regulated from space

The newest Astron references run on Seiko’s 5X83 solar-powered, satellite-linked quartz movement. It is the latest in an evolution of electronic movements dating back to the original Astron, Seiko’s first quartz watch.

Seiko

It is solar-powered, which means that any light source, including artificial light, will charge the battery. The GPS-linked regulation automatically connects to a satellite up to twice a day and can be manually linked at any time with a button.

This feature will accommodate any time zone. According to a Seiko press release, “When the dial detects sunlight, the watch connects to the GPS satellite network and adjusts automatically to the correct time. If the watch is hidden from light, it remembers the time of its last successful manual connection and attempts to receive the GPS signal again at that same time.”

Seiko

The new Astron’s astonishing accuracy isn’t limited to real-time. It is equipped with a 1/20th-second chronograph, with counter dials at twelve o’clock and six o’clock.

Seiko

A second timezone is displayed on the small dial at four o’clock, making this watch a GMT. On top of that, the perpetual calendar complication is read with the date window between four o’clock and five o’clock, and the day on the sub-dial at nine o’clock

A case worthy of the movement

Previous references of the 5X83 powered Astron had a steel case and bracelet, but this titanium upgrade is finally worthy of housing the exceptional movement inside.

Seiko

The angular titanium case has a brushed finish that matches the titanium hour and minute hands. Attached is an integrated titanium three-link bracelet with a brushed finished broken up by two polished lines running through the center.

Taking the upgrade further, the bezel is made from a sapphire crystal insert held by a titanium frame. It is marked with the 60-second tack for the chronograph hand.

The titanium case back is decorated with a relief of Seiko’s GPS Solar icon.

An extra lux limited edition

Seiko

Joining the three regular production references of the new Astron GPS Solar Dual-Time Chronograph is the limited-edition reference SSH180. Along with the titanium and sapphire crystal upgrades, it features rose gold hour and minute hands, rose gold framing for the hour indices and bezel and black ceramic center links on the bracelet.

Availability and pricing

The Seiko Astron GPS Solar Dual-Time Chronograph will be available in May from Seiko Boutiques and select authorized dealers for $3,100.

It is available in brushed titanium with a blue dial and bezel, all black with gray chronograph sub-dials and brushed titanium with a silver dial and black bezel, all as regular production references.

The limited-edition reference SSN180with rose gold and black ceramic details will be released at the same time in May and is limited to 1,500 units.

Seiko

Seiko Astron SSH175

Specs

Case Size	44mm
Movement	Seiko GPS Solar
Water Resistance	100m

• $3,100 at Seiko

Related Topics