Seiko has just presented two new Astron GPS Solar watches in a limited edition, the SSJ027 and SSH157 references. Inspired by the beauty of starred nights, these timepieces combine a titanium construction, light blue textured dials, angular boxes and integrated bracelets. If they share many design elements, each offers its own range of features.
Light blue dials decorated with a starred pattern
The light blue molded dials of the two watches are transparent, allowing the light to penetrate to load the movement. They are decorated with an elegant starred pattern, recalling the celestial vault. This surface inspired by the sky is enhanced with black details, as rejected and sub-cadrans. Unsurprisingly, the indexes and the needles are coated with Seiko's light luminescence, guaranteeing optimal readability even in darkness.
Seiko Astron GPS Solar SSJ027: a clean and functional watch
The SSJ027 reference is the simplest of the two, registering in the new generation of Astron GPS Solar watches introduced in 2023. Like previous iterations, the astron SSJ027 has a titanium housing of 41.2 mm in diameter, 48, 6 mm length and 12 mm thick. The material benefits from what Seiko calls a “super-dur coating” to resist stripes. The faceted telescope highlights the mixture of brushed finishes and polished sides. According to Seiko, the low center of gravity of the watch ensures optimal comfort on the wrist.
The SSJ027 dial hosts a trio of central needles, a date window at 3 o'clock and a multifunction sub-cadran at 8 am. This undercadran displays the process of receiving GPS satellites, the state of charge of the watch, the reception of the data of second interlayer and the flight mode. Under the dial is the 3X62 caliber solar movement, offering approximately 6 months of autonomy with a full load and two years in energy saving mode. At a simple press on the lower pusher located to the right of the case, the movement allows the user to receive a GPS signal (with appropriate sunshine) to automatically adjust the time and date. There is also a flight mode to prevent the watch from receiving signals. In the absence of GPS signals, the defect in accuracy of the Astron SSJ027 is ± 15 seconds per month and its perpetual calendar will remain correct until the year 2100.
Seiko Astron GPS Solar Dual-Time Chronograph SSH157: A sophisticated multifunctional watch
Now let's go to the SSH157, a more complex version added to the Seiko Astron GPS Solar-Time Chronograph collection launched in early 2024. The super-dur treated titanium housing measures 43.3 mm in diameter, 13.4 mm thick and 49.5 mm in length. It is equipped with a double curvature sapphire glass and a black ceramic bezel matching the two black pushes and the black winding crown.
The dial of the astron GPS Solar Dual-Time Chronograph SSH157 includes the 1/20th of a second of the chronograph totalizer at 12 noon and the display of the double time zone at 6 o'clock, which turns into a 12-hour counter when the chronograph is in action. The 9-hour sub-cadran indicates the day, as well as the power reserve and the current mode. The circular date window is nestled between 4 and 6 hours, next to the small AM/PM sub-cadran.
Among the other features offered by the watch, let us quote the GPS signal receiver, the automatic setting of summer time and the global time zone function. The abridged version of the online manual has 22 pages, illustrating how rich SSH157 is. This multitude of functions is made possible thanks to the GPS solar movement 5×83, which offers the same autonomy of six months, the two -year energy saving mode and the precision of ± 15 seconds per month as the 3×62 caliber mentioned above.
Elegant and robust watches, available in a limited edition
The two Astron SOLAR GPS SSJ027 and SSH157 watches have integrated titanium bracelets and three-stea claims with a push button. In addition, the tightness is 100 meters for both models. I find that the star light blue dial softens the robust appearance of these multifunction watches, a bit like light jeans can reduce the severity of a black blazer. Naturally, the effect of the dial is particularly remarkable on the SSJ027, simpler, since there are fewer undercadrans and displays to hide it. According to Seiko, the appearance of the dial changes depending on the angle of view. I cannot confirm it as long as I have not seen one in metal, but to judge by the photos, I can imagine that the color passes in a clearer tone in a darker tone with the wrist movements .
The two watches are offered in edition limited to 1,500 copies each and will be available from certain Seiko retailers from July 2024. The astron Solar GPS SSJ027 will be sold at a price of US $ 2,200, while the astron Solar GPS Dual -Time SSH157 chronograph will be offered at US $ 2,500. For more information, please see the brand's website.
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