Drawing inspiration from starry nights, Seiko has unveiled a pair of new limited-edition Astron GPS Solar references. The Seiko Astron GPS Solar SSJ027 and SSH157 watches feature identical ingredients such as titanium construction, light blue textured dials, angular cases, and integrated bracelets, but each serves up its own menu of functions.
Before we dig into each reference, let’s discuss their shared dial design. While the light-blue molded dials are transparent, allowing light to penetrate to charge the movement, they are decorated with a handsome star pattern. The sky-inspired surface is accented with black details, like the rehaut and subdials. As expected, the hour markers and hands are coated with Seiko’s LumiBrite luminescence for top-notch legibility when the lights dim down.
The reference SSJ027 is the simpler option between the two, expanding upon the new generation Seiko Astron GPS Solar collection introduced in 2023. As with the previous iterations, the Astron SSJ027 sports a titanium case that measures 41.2mm in diameter, 48.6mm lug-to-lug, and 12mm thick. The material benefits from what Seiko calls “super-hard coating” to keep scratches at bay. The faceted bezel emphasizes the mix of hairline brushed finishes and polished sides and according to Seiko, the watch’s low center of gravity provides comfort on the wrist.
The SSJ027’s dial is home to a trio of hands at the center, a date window at 3 o’clock, and a multi-function indicator subdial at 8 o’clock. That subdial displays the receiving process of GPS satellites, the watch’s charging status, leap second data receipt, and in-flight mode. Beneath the dial sits the Caliber 3X62 solar GPS movement with around 6 months of power on a full charge and two years of juice on power saving mode. With a simple press of the bottom pusher on the right-hand side of the case, the movement permits the user to receive a GPS signal (with the appropriate sunlight) to set the time and date automatically. Alternatively, there’s also the in-flight mode to stop the watch from receiving signals. Void of any GPS signals, the Astron SSJ027’s accuracy deviation is ±15 seconds per month and its perpetual calendar date window will remain correct until the year 2100.
Moving on to the more complicated SSH157, here we have a new version added to the Seiko Astron GPS Solar Dual-Time Chronograph collection that debuted in early 2024. The super-hard coated titanium case measures 43.3mm in diameter, 13.4mm thick, and 49.5mm lug-to-lug. The case is fitted with a dual-curved sapphire crystal and a black ceramic bezel insert that matches the pair of black pushers and black winding crown.
The dial of the Astron GPS Solar Dual-Time Chronograph SSH157 includes the chronograph 1/20th second totalizer at 12 o’clock and the dual-time display at 6 o’clock, which turns into the 12-hour counter when the chronograph is in play. The 9 o’clock subdial displays the day, as well as the power reserve and current mode. The circular date window is wedged between 4 and 6 o’clock, adjacent to the small AM/PM subdial.
Other bells and whistles offered by the watch include the prerequisite GPS signal receiver, automatic daylight savings time adjustment, and world time functionality. The abridged version of the online manual is 22 pages long, illustrating just how jam-packed the SSH157 is in the functions department. This multitude of functions is thanks to the Caliber 5X83 solar GPS movement, which has the same six-month power, two-year power-saving mode, and ±15 seconds per month accuracy as the aforementioned Caliber 3X62.
Both the SSJ027 and SSH157 Astron Solar GPS watches are furnished with integrated titanium bracelets and three-fold clasps with push-button release. Furthermore, water resistance is 100 meters across the two watches. I find that the light blue starry dial softens the tough look of the multi-functional watches — not unlike how a pair of light jeans can play down the severity of a black blazer. Naturally, the effect of the dial is particularly noticeable on the simpler SSJ027 given there are not as many subdials and displays to get in the way. Per Seiko, the dial’s appearance changes depending on the angle of view. I can’t confirm this until I see one in the metal but judging from the pictures, I can imagine the color morphing from lighter to darker with wrist movement.
Both watches are offered as limited editions of 1,500 each and will be available at select Seiko retailers starting July 2024. The Astron Solar GPS SSJ027 will retail for $2,200 USD whereas the Astron Solar GPS Dual-Time Chronograph SSH157 will retail for $2,500 USD. For more information, please visit the brand’s website.
