Introducing: Three New Seiko Astron GPS Solar Watches — SSJ023, SSJ025, And SSJ026

The Seiko Astron GPS Solar with an easy-wearing tonneau case design debuted in the spring of 2022. This series started with four models housing Seiko’s 5X53 dual-time movement, and after that, several models followed, including ones with the chronograph caliber 5X83. Now three new, simpler references assume their places in the core collection. The dark blue SSJ023 and the dark gray SSJ025 and SSJ026 all have dials with a gradient design.

The three new Seiko Astron GPS Solar have a few things in common. All three references have a super-hard-coated titanium case with a 42mm diameter, 12mm thickness, and 47.9mm length. They also use the same GPS Solar caliber 3X62. This latest-generation movement provides a strong reception of solar signals, allowing Seiko more freedom when designing the rest of the watch. The watch connects automatically to the GPS network high above up to twice a day. When sunlight shines through the dial, the movement connects to the GPS satellite network and automatically adjusts to the correct time. In the dark, the watch remembers the time of its last manual connection and tries to receive the GPS signal again at that same time, betting on the wearer being a creature of habit.

New Seiko Astron GPS Solar models with planet-inspired dials

The new trio shares much more — three central hands, a date window, and a sub-dial at 8 o’clock. This sub-dial indicates whether the movement is receiving a GPS signal, its power reserve, leap-second data, and an in-flight mode to prevent receiving GPS signals while on planes. There’s also a very comfy six-month power reserve.

SSJ023

All three watches are light and easy to wear thanks to the moderate proportions of the titanium case and the tapered titanium bracelet, which has beveled links and features the Seiko Smart Adjuster. This is a three-position, toolless micro-adjustment mechanism you can operate by pushing two buttons on the clasp. It’s also good to know that these robust-looking, faceted watches walk the walk because they’re water resistant to 10 bar (100 meters). In other words, these Astrons make for great all-around daily watches.

SSJ026

The bezels have a two-layered construction made of differently finished or colored materials. The lower layer is visible through six notches in the upper layer. Last but not least, the dark blue SSJ023, dark gray SSJ025, and SSJ026 with the same dial color all have the same price of €2,500.

SSJ025

Planet-like dials surrounded by futuristic bezels

Let’s focus on the major differences now — the dials. The watches share the same theme, with a gradient showing a novel pattern resembling minute grains of sand, calling to mind the surface of a planet. The deep blue SSJ023 is inspired by a view of the Earth as seen from a spacecraft orbiting our planet.

The charcoal-gray dial of the SSJ025 and SSJ026 have a color and structure inspired by the Moon. In all three watches, newly designed hands with skeletonized centers turn over the dial. The interaction with the oversized indexes offers easy legibility.

“Japaneseness”

In May 2023, Seiko released four Astron GPS Solar models with the same 3X62 movement. Unlike today’s tonneau-shaped models, those all shared an octagonal case and had dials with geometric patterns. The more organic-looking dials and the case of these newest 3X62-powered watches give them a completely different look — even more Japanese, I dare say. The squares and lines of last year’s quartet still seemed to pay homage to some of the most famous and geometrically heavy Swiss watches. Although they looked and felt 100% Japanese, these new ones seem more subtle and original. Okay, the two-tone high-intensity titanium and ceramic bezel of the SSJ026 is not the subtlest thing, but it creates a watch with the biggest dose of “Japaneseness” by far.

My pick is the charcoal-gray SSJ025. I prefer a gray-to-black fade over the blue-to-black fade of the SSJ023. The two-tone look of the SSJ026 is just a little bit too exotic for me. How about you? Do you agree, or are you ready for a strong dose of “Japaneseness?”

Sales of the three new Seiko Astron models will start on October 1st. The Seiko website should have more information soon.