Summary Seiko has introduced the latest model in its legendary Astron line - the Seiko Astron. The SSH187 and SSJ039 models bring "deep space" to the wrist with a specially textured dial, an all-black titanium case, and GPS technology that automatically adjusts to your time zone. It's a high-tech piece of jewelry for those who appreciate Japanese engineering.
The universe is quite large. It's actually infinite. And watchmakers have always had this strange obsession with trying to squeeze that infinity into a 40-millimeter object that sits on your wrist. This time Seiko Astron.
Seiko, Japanese giant, which gave us the first quartz watch and nearly destroyed the Swiss watch industry, has done it again. Their new Astron GPS Solar line doesn't just tell the time. It feels like you're wearing a piece of the Milky Way while you wait for your coffee.
The biggest problem with modern smartwatches is that they lack a soul. The Seiko Astron solves this with technology that's smart but doesn't require you to charge it every night.
From the quartz revolution to talking to satellites
If you're unfamiliar with the history of watches, here's a quick lesson. In 1969, Seiko introduced the "Astron," the world's first quartz watch. It was so accurate that it put mechanical watches in a museum. In 2012, they resurrected the name with a new technology: GPS Solar.
What does this mean in practice? This watch is powered by light (solar or artificial) and connects to GPS satellites orbiting the Earth. When you step off a plane in New York or Tokyo, the watch automatically detects where you are and moves the hands to the exact local time. No buttons, no crown to turn, no connection to your phone. This is technology that works so quietly and reliably that you forget it's there.
A dial that imitates the starry sky
The new models, technically called SSH187 and SSJ039 (Seiko really needs sexier names), stand out for their looks. Seiko created a raised spiral pattern that radiates from the center of the watch. The dark turquoise color is sprinkled with glitter, creating a starry nebula effect.
It may sound kitschy, but in real life it looks surprisingly elegant. It's all packed into a titanium case that's coated with a super-hard black coating. Why titanium? Because it's lightweight. Why the black coating? Because it looks "cool" and prevents scratches. This is a watch that looks like it fell out of the cockpit of a spaceship in a science fiction movie.
Two sizes for two different tastes
Seiko knows that not everyone has the same wrist size, so they have created two versions.
Chronograph for Button Lovers (SSH187) This is a bigger beast. At 43.3mm in diameter, it's noticeable. It has additional dials for a stopwatch (chronograph) and a second time zone display. The bezel around the glass is a combination of ceramic and aluminum, giving it a very technical look. It's powered by the 5X83 movement, which is their newest and fastest GPS engine.
Elegant Simplicity (SSJ039) This model is smaller (41.2 mm) and thinner. It has a more angular shape, reminiscent of the legendary designs of the 1970s. The dial is cleaner here, which means that the “galaxy” effect comes into play even more. Fewer functions on the dial, more elegance.
Do you really need this watch?
Let's be honest. You have time on your phone. You have time on your microwave. But none of these devices are made of titanium and communicate directly with satellites just to tell you that you're late for a meeting.
Seiko Astron is for people who appreciate engineering. It is for travelers who don't want to think about setting their watch. And above all, with these two models, it is for those who want something special. Both watches are limited to 1,500 pieces worldwide. Price? The chronograph costs around 2,900 $, and the simpler version costs 2,400 $. (comparable euros - depending on the market price) It's not cheap, but considering that you will never change the battery, it is an investment in peace of mind.
If you are looking for a watch, combining Japanese obsession with detail with 21st century technology, this is probably the best you can get before we start wearing computers embedded directly in our brains.
