Introducing: The Edgy Seiko Astron GPS Solar Dual-Time Chronograph 5X83 In Four New Colorways
Even though the Astron GPS Solar is 13 years old, I still find the tech fascinating because of the constant evolution of the movement and the design. So, of course, I was interested to read the press release accompanying the release of the edgy Seiko Astron GPS Solar Dual-Time Chronograph 5X83 in four new colorways. The Japanese powerhouse watch brand gives us three new Astron watches in the regular collection and one limited edition with a touch of gold.
The latest iteration of Seiko’s solar-powered and GPS-network-connecting caliber debuted in March 2024. As is often the case with Seiko, good things come in fours. The Astron SSH158, SSH159, SSH161, and limited-edition SSH163 impressed with the new caliber 5X83, which can automatically connect to the GPS network twice daily and is very easy to operate. Now, one year later, four new iterations of the Astron GPS Solar Dual-Time Chronograph 5X83 have appeared. Again, the watches come in fours. There are the unlimited references SSH175, SSH177, and SSH179 along with the SSH180, a limited edition of 1,500. All four Astrons feature a titanium bezel with a sapphire insert.
Introducing the edgy Seiko Astron GPS Solar Dual-Time Chronograph 5X83 in four new colorways
If you’re not allergic to quartz watches and have a thing for tech, the Astron GPS Solar models should appeal to you. The tech of Seiko’s caliber 5X83 offers a string of different functions. When passing through time zones, the time automatically adjusts. If the watch loses the GPS signal to adjust the time automatically, it will show that on the dial so that you can adjust the time manually. Furthermore, the movement is accurate to ±15 seconds per month if it doesn’t have a signal.
Last year’s Astron chronograph models also stood out because of their sophisticated design. Thankfully, the four latest references have the same angular form, brushed surfaces, and sharp-looking polished accents. Their 44.1mm titanium cases (44.3mm for the LE) have a 14.4mm thickness and a 50mm length, making them large but wearable due to their proportions and weight. Each watch has an integrated bracelet showing mirror polishing and hairline finishing for a dynamic and sophisticated look. Just like the case, the bracelet received a super-hard coating to keep the watch looking sharp for as long as possible. This is a nice touch, especially for titanium, which always looks worse when scratched than steel.
Four stripy dials in four colors
So far, there’s been nothing new about these watches. But the dials under their legible super-clear-coated and dual-curved sapphire crystals are. The three Astrons that join the main collection are the SSH175 with a blue-gray dial, the SSH177 with a gray dial, and the SSH179 featuring a black dial paired with black super-hard coating on its case and bracelet. The fourth iteration, the limited-edition SSH180, has a navy blue dial.
The limited-edition SSH180 differs quite a bit from the other three watches. Prominent rose-tone accents on the hour markers, bezel, and other parts underline its LE status. It also has a dodecagonal bezel instead of a round one, which is why it measures 0.2mm wider. The bracelet is different too. Its center links are a lustrous black ceramic. All in all, four colors fight for attention, and that could prove to be a bit much, but maybe you’ll have to see this titanium, black, blue, and rose-gold-colored Astron in the metal to pass final judgment.
Like a diamond
What all these new Astrons have in common are diamond-cut markers on the sub-dials at 12 and 6 o’clock. Additionally, the dials all display horizontal three-dimensional stripes and the caliber 5X83’s dictated layout. This includes sub-dials at 6, 9, and 12 o’clock. The main time is displayed centrally, while the sub-dial at 6 o’clock shows the hour and minutes in another time zone. However, if you hold the two pushers down for three seconds, the two time zones switch places, so to speak. Also, when you start the chronograph, the sub-dial at 6 becomes the totalizer for elapsed hours and minutes. An AM/PM indicator sits between 4 and 5 o’clock, just above the date indication.
Pricing and availability
All four of these new Astron models will become available this month. The Astron GPS Solar 2025 Limited Edition SSH180 has a price of €3,400, and the full-black SSH179 costs €3,400 too. The Astron GPS Solar Dual-Time Chronograph 5X83 SSH175 and SSH177 each have a price of €3,200.
What do you think of these new Seiko Astrons? Would you wear one, and if so, which would you choose? As always, please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
