If I had to pick out one type of non-mechanical movement that I rather enjoy, I would have to point to solar-powered movements that pull external timekeeping signals from the sky (either atomic radio or GPS). This puts the two latest Seiko Aston GPS models in the right camp, especially with their sky blue dials.
Seiko Astron GPS SSH157
The first of the new Seiko Astron GPS models is the SSH157, which is a chronograph model. Functionally, you have all of the elements you’d expect: a 12-hour chronograph, day and date, and a day/night indicator. What’s not immediately visible are things that come into play from the GPS synchronization. You can get world time displays, and the calendar is actually a perpetual one, good through February 28, 2100.
On the materials front, you’ve got a light and tough titanium case and bracelet, with an additional hardness coating. The bezel? That’s ceramic, so fairly tough as well. The crystal is sapphire and curved, and the lume is courtesy of LumiBrite on the hands and indices.
Seiko Astron GPS SSJ027
On the other hand, if you don’t want or need a chronograph, then there’s the Seiko Astron GPS SSJ027. This has the same starry pattern done in sky blue, and similar hands and indices, also with LumiBrite. While the movement inside is different, the GPS sync still allows things like the perpetual calendar, and an indicator of power reserve and the last sync status.
Though this loses some of the complications of the chronograph version, we feel that this three-hander is going to serve the best for the long-term for owners. The simpler interface means you’ll remember it clearly, and then the watch will always be running, and always be on time. Pair it with the classic blue and titanium, and it’s a watch that should look in style for years to come.
Wrapping things up
Now, you can consider this article sort of an advance warning system. While you can see product pages for both the Seiko Astron GPS SSH157 and the SSJ027, they’re not actually going to be available until July 2024. When they are ready, the chronograph SSH157 will go for $2,500, while the three-hander SSJ027 will be $2,200. You can check out the full Astron lineup over at seikowatches.com
Seiko Astron GPS Tech Specs
SSH157
- Movement
- Caliber Number: 5X83
- Movement Type: GPS solar
- Precision: ±15 seconds per month (±1 second per day)
- Power reserve: Operating for approx. 6 months (when fully charged), power save: approx. 2 years
- Jewels: 14
- 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
- Case / Band
- Case Material: Titanium (super hard coating) with ceramic bezel
- Case Size
- Thickness: 13.4mm
- Diameter: 43.3mm
- Lug-to-lug: 49.5mm
- Crystal: Dual-curved sapphire crystal
- Crystal Coating: Super-clear coating
- LumiBrite: LumiBrite on hands and index(es)
- Clasp: Three-fold clasp with push button release
- Distance between lugs: 14mm
- Other Details
- Water Resistance: 10 bar
- Magnetic Resistance: 4,800 A/m
- Weight: 117.0g
- Features
- LIMITED EDITION on the case back
- Serial number engraved on the case back
- Allergy-safe metal
- Clasp with Smart Adjuster function
- Screw case back
SSJ027
- Movement
- Caliber Number: 3X62
- Movement Type: GPS solar
- Precision: ±15 seconds per month (without receiving a GPS signal and at temperatures between 5°C and 35°C )
- Power reserve: Operating for approx. 6 months (when fully charged), power save: approx. 2 years
- Jewels: 10
- Functions
- Overcharge prevention function
- Power save function
- Perpetual calendar to the February 28, 2100
- Power reserve indicator
- GPS signal reception function (Time zone adjustment, automatic time adjustment, manual time adjustment)
- Satellite acquisition status display function
- Reception result display function
- Function to prevent the GPS signal reception (in-flight mode)
- Automatic hand position alignment function
- Date display
- Case / Band
- Case Material: Titanium (super hard coating) with ceramic bezel
- Case Size
- Thickness: 12mm
- Diameter: 41.2mm
- Lug-to-lug: 48.6mm
- Crystal: sapphire crystal
- Crystal Coating: Super-clear coating
- LumiBrite: LumiBrite on hands and index(es)
- Clasp: Three-fold clasp with push button release
- Distance between lugs: 14mm
- Other Details
- Water Resistance: 10 bar
- Weight: 110.0g
- Features
- LIMITED EDITION on the case back
- Serial number engraved on the case back
- Allergy-safe metal
- Clasp with Smart Adjuster function
- Screw case back
