Seiko Astron Solar In Titanium | A Week On The Wrist

The Seiko Astron Solar may not resemble its 1969 ancestor much in an aesthetic sense, but its history is deeply rooted in what makes the Seiko brand a leader in the realm of technological innovation. In this video, Hodinkee's Managing Editor, Danny Milton, gives us an inside look at what makes this watch so futuristic beyond just its design.
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[@lockhandle8276]

The design of this watch is so aggressive, yet, so elegant. Only Seiko can pull this off.

[@TheRavisrajan]

I own this for last 5 years. To save stored energy this watch has an amazing function. It gets into sleep mode when not in use for certain time.... when wakes up from sleep mode it restores current time/day/date by least movement principle on its various micro motors within ..hats off seiko

[@Random_dudebro]

I am a total beginner in this hobby but good lord this is cool.

[@TheNotoriousKID]

I’m a Rolex man, but like any other smart man who knows truly what’s what, I’m also a Seiko man.

[@gilluminati-2042]

Broooolex

[@rdee8652]

Exactly

[@cece86ita]

If you're a Rolex man, you probably don't know truly what's what

[@janmisaelnarito8174]

👏

[@yarly3180]

I'm a Rolex man: a shallow shill of a man who buys mainstream luxury brands just because there's a brand name on it r00fles :P

[@divisiondesign5771]

This is a beautiful watch. I'm not sure why people are saying it looks ugly.

[@daley1985]

The king of accuracy, its like the one watch to set all your watch,s. The ad years ago said it would lose one second every 100000 years! I,m watching mine to see this happen!

[@TheKaranpahwa]

This is great content. It's been such a long time since "week on the wrist" didn't simply gush about the watch being featured. This kind of editorial work is much appreciated.

[@rdee8652]

I've had mine (blue dial) a year and it is extremely comfortable and practical. Very good lume. It's the watch I wear when going to sleep. I do a lot of international travel, so the GPS auto-time-setting functionality and dual-time are very useful. It's also what I use to set my mechanical watches. It's rarely the watch I go out in but it does get the most wrist time. I wouldn't want to be without it.

[@ChrizzLau69]

I have the limited edition SSH113.. I wear it more than my Rolex date just, and my Zenith defy 21. The value and craftsmanship are simply unmatched.

[@ludosys4903]

Same here but with a SSH123 Super Nova Limited (1500 pc’s, I have 444). My Omega Speedmaster and Seamaster are barely used anymore, Rolex Date Just is collecting dust (but climbs in value apparently for what it’s worth). That titanium watch on your wrist is so addicting, you hardly feel wearing it.

[@craik7]

Of course.. once you go titanium it will be a little uncomfortable going back to steel (SSH063 here)

[@koustavpoddar]

Have the same ssh113. The finish on that is extraordinary. It is my most praised watch from non-enthusiasts around!

[@ludosys4903]

@@koustavpoddar good choice! Hope you enjoy it.

[@rickfanning5647]

Not sure why, but I dig the solar watches. I have an old echo drive and an Arnie and love them both. May need to check this one out too. Thanks for highlighting this watch.

[@alohatraveler]

Gorgeous watch. Stunning. I'm getting one!

[@grantmcduling9760]

Great insight into a wonderful time keeping concept. Bleeding edge in style and concept I think. Thanks so much for a really insightful look at this watch.

[@jmosch]

You really can't go wrong with the Astron GPS line. I am mostly an automatic watch fan, but there is something to be said for switching between watches, putting the Astron down, and picking it up again a week or two later and it's still right on the second without having to worry about a winder, lost seconds, etc. My first non-automatic watch was an Oceanus, and got me thinking about other non-automatic watches. I wouldn't have landed on an Astron otherwise, and both of those brands, you really get a lot and also a pretty decent argument about why you shouldn't have only automatics in your collection.

[@alexkng14]

I think it looks great. Its purposeful everything is there for a reason.

[@Studat]

I picked up one of these, the SSH111 grey version and I absolutely love it. Wears beautifully on my wrist, on the fly micro adjustment bracelet is fantastic. As for not getting comments when you wear it.... comments is all I get. The fit and finish is on point. Love this model and fits in perfectly with my mechanical watches. Nice review for an underrated watch.

[@dragonforces]

May I ask you if the second hand on your model hits the markers precisely? Mine lands almost everything exactly in between the seconds markers… went through two of them, the 3rd one is slightly better but not perfect. Kinda disappointed with a watch that has a retail price of 2600… my Longines VHP hits every marker spot on, even under a loupe.

[@Studat]

@@dragonforces Hey mate, I am happy to report yes, the hit nicely. That's something i checked before paying. I will make a video and post it if you like.

[@dragonforces]

@@Studat would love to see it and show it to my AD. Appreciate it. Thank you

[@Studat]

@@dragonforces no worries, I will record something soon mate

[@beardymcbeardface69]

@@dragonforces Curious to know if you guys have tried the hand alignment feature mentioned in the manual? The manual claims that the hands can be manually aligned, if they need to be and this includes a mention of aligning the seconds hand. The manual also mentions that automatic alignment occurs at various intervals throughout the day. Interestingly, the instructions then go on to mention the procedure to manually align all the hands and indicators, but strangely with the one exception of the seconds hand. I've got my eyes on the new SSH135, however I will be super annoyed if the seconds hand does not align on a watch that will cost me $4,000 AUD!

[@MeestroDavid]

There are a couple of Astron watches that pack most of this functionality (GPS time setting, perpetual calendar, 0-deviation accuracy, solar, etc) in a simpler, more conservative 3-hand package that would probably appeal to traditional buyers. Personally, the modernity of the design is what I love here, even though I find it too busy, partially because it's such a modern timepiece technologically, and partially because I'm getting so tired of how desperately the industry has turned into an oldies act, relying on the past for inspiration and afraid to do much more than play the hits.

[@vtechead1]

Very good video and presentation, of a series of watches that don’t get the recognition they deserve. I have the white dial SSH047J1 which is selling on a site in the UK for £1495 ! A bargain. It’s a beautiful watch and is worn almost every day. No problems leaving it around for weeks either, as it can last six months from fully charged, without seeing light. It’s been a great addition to my small collection of other Seikos. If I won the lottery, the Tokyo Lion Grand Seiko would be on my wrist ( SBGC253 ) but hey, it’s nice to dream. Keep those videos coming and now subscribed. 👍

[@jackxams]

I have got my hands on the Limited Edition SSH113. I can honestly say, this watch is way ahead to any smart watch on the market.

[@ChrizzLau69]

I agree and I have the same! It’s a spectacular piece on the wrist.

[@samshygiene3202]

Does it track steps accurately? Heart rate? Blood oxygen? Warn of severe, otherwise unnoticeable heart conditions? Act as a GPS navigator? Does it display notifications from your phone? How can you compare these things? This is jewelry with cool tech in it. The other is orders more sophisticated and masquerading as jewelery.

[@Studat]

@@samshygiene3202 remind me how long the battery life is on a smart watch🤔

[@Studat]

@@jakeroberts8517 it's definitely a smart watch. If you owned one you would get it...

[@ronak4195]

​@@samshygiene3202Can your smart watch show time without charging it for 1 week? This watch will. Its a WATCH and it will show accurate time wherever you are. Smart watches are basically electronic devices that show time as an additional feature to be honest. I have this watch and apple watch too, the apple one needs charging everyday whenever I'm on vacation the least i care about is charging multiple devices like crazy. I keep my phone on minimalist mode and wear this watch and I'm sorted. The user that said it is better than smart watch intended to talk only about showing accurate time without human intervention, like charging it.

[@matthewg3647]

This video was exceptional.

[@ctxrider7585]

Your very last sentence is so on point! 🎯

[@TommyRibs]

Very cool watch. I typically like traditional offerings, but I also have a couple of G-Shocks, and this almost seems like a mashup of a traditional watch and a G-Shock.

[@enduringtech822]

I have a word that I use to describe these type of dial design that the Japanese seems to excel in. Cybernetic. Because it looks like it is ready to transform into a robot anytime.

[@TheCyclingCardio]

The Astron GPS Solar was the watch that I aspire to have before I’m introduced yo the world of mechanical watch. Maybe I would try one again someday

[@charlieboylol527]

Great watch , thanks 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🙏

[@gqwarren]

The focus of this product presentation is off, delivering a confusing message to the Hodinkee audience. The Astron line is hugely popular in Asia, and it competes with other GPS digital watches like Casio and Citizen Eco-drive Satellite. A person shopping for one would not be comparing it to a mechanical watch or a Grand Seiko. It is a travel companion, look nice enough for work everyday yet not a luxury piece. Seiko has a long line of "high-end" digital watches that started with the Brightz models, and the Astron models with GPS time synchronization basically took over the radio-wave sync Seiko Brightz (like multi-band 6). They've always been large and look dressier than wearing a GShock.

[@sinesaii]

I think the anti-Quartz hysteria needs to finally end. Quartz has benefits, and there is a place for it. All watches need not be mechanical, nor Swiss. The Astron watches are light and comfortable, but they are kind of squat. The lugs are too short for the size of the watch. Seiko divers often suffer from the same problem.

[@villainax1126]

Agreed. I think a formal dress watch is a good example. You likely won’t wear one often, and when you need it, you shouldn’t have to fuss with resetting the time.

[@Gang1955]

@@villainax1126 dress should be mechanical imho. Field/chronos benefit from being quartz

[@mrk131324]

I used to own a Seiko Astron (a chrono) and now I miss it. It is a real watch - a device to tell the time with an interface made for humans, yet with the most advanced technology available. Plus as they are made from titanium and ceramics they are super light. An everyday piece where telling the time matters more than having a piece of jewellery. Shinzo Abe (the former Japanese prime minister) wore an Astron when he was in office. There is not that much competition for high end quartz watches anyways.

[@gunner9010]

I think I found my grail watch with the Astron. I have a couple of Coutura's and really love them. Having to set my handful of automatics each I time I grab them really annoys me sometimes. lol

[@phallpdx]

Citizen also makes some really rad solar GPS chronos in titanium.

[@noahsvideos]

I'm curious which models you're referring to, I'm interested in looking into those.

[@GadgetyMV]

Seiko certainly has succeeded in slimming down the package while maintaining the dial depth. They've also kept the dial clean despite all the complexity. I find the design pleasing. The thing with these watches is you've gotta have two, just to enjoy the perfect synchronicity, and the dance of the hands. If one gets a Citizen to complement the Seiko, the speed at which it will capture GPS will likely be faster.

[@ragnevi]

I saw the Seiko Aston SSH123J1 and the store had 25 percent off every watch during two weeks. I wasn't planning to buy a new watch, but I tried it on. For a week I couldn't stop thinking about it, the store only had one left. But I went back and it was still there, so I felt that I needed to buy it.

[@kahhin]

Buy

[@justingalore123]

Love everything about that, apart from the size

[@mattdavis3421]

Please review the SSJ005. It is a great simple timepiece with the solar/gps functions.

[@guenoleadamantu8939]

Citizen Satellite Wave rules! 👍😎

[@kentohamaoka4063]

Check the other models without the UTC numbers on the bezel, some are not Titanium, but that extra weight makes it feel much more premium, also they are shinier and less messy looking.

[@AcmeRocket]

It's beautiful. Perpetual calendar for how much? Incant buy this because I just bought a Seiko solar Chrono but...... 🤤

[@guillermovillegasbarquero4054]

Very nice 🎰

[@dmarti47]

Great review! Please get a chance to se the SBXD007 model - 39 mm case, 46 mm lug to lug, and a much simpler dial. That’s the I’d get if I were to get a GPS watch.

[@AntiWanted]

Nice

[@drregmonster4371]

Is this the SSH107 grey dial? Seems to be a better buy than the Tag Heuer Solargraph.

[@JuanLopez-rx6sx]

“Seiko presents, Hodinkee”

[@danielroy8232]

I know that my phoen sometimes thinks I'm on atlantic time because I'm so close to eastern canada. wonder if this watch would switch between zones when it's not convenient.

[@bani_niba]

Watches like these perpetually keep perfect time. Yet, such features & functionality aren't so important to watch enthusiasts. It means watch enthusiasts don't actually care about time-keeping, rather they only care only precious man-jewelry.

[@MrKinghuman]

Smart watches are cool, more to track your health, its truly a great tool for that. But theyre soulless. I have one and have worn it three times. A watch is a watch. At this point they're as essential to style as wearing shoes. Going barefoot is healthy, but you need shoes. Just my insignificant opinion. And these little technology add ons feel more scientific and engineered, like a tuned vehicle for its purpose. Love it

[@silv3rArrow]

Not a trick question: does the second hand align with the markers?

[@mstanojcic]

I have a big dillema, I want to buy in the next week or so, my new everyday watch. This model reviewed here is option 1 and 2nd one is GS quartz SBGP015G. I've read lot of reddit comments, reviews online, and it's hard for me to choose. GS is cleaner looking, has a timeless beauty, bit more expensive but high end luxury, only known to watch enthusiasts. Astron on the other hand, GPS sync, solar, titanium, looks like a watch that could go everywhere. I still can't decide which one to get.

[@Sierra8one8]

What did you end up getting?

[@mstanojcic]

@@Sierra8one8Astron. I needed EDC watch more. But GS is on my shortlist for sure.

[@Sierra8one8]

@@mstanojcic nice! Congrats!

[@mstanojcic]

@@Sierra8one8I travelled from Europe to US, first east coast then west coast, and it’s amazing how it syncs on it’s own. Thanks!

[@Sierra8one8]

@mstanojcic I'm waiting for the new one to come out like in June and I'll try to get it 🫡

[@dctrclaw]

I thought he said, "This is not an expensive watch by any means...." I was like, wtf?? Was getting ready to launch a keyboard attack....Rewatched and was corrected. 😂

[@ClassicalProtestant]

Love Rolex - love Seiko. Lived in Japan / Seoul Korea and Hawaii - feel way more connected to Seiko

[@whodeycinbengals]

I love the GPS Seiko and Citizens and I even owned a world time satellite wave Citizen. BUT WHY ARE MOST OF THEM SO HUGE?!

[@tbone121974]

I have a Citizen sattelite wave Atessa calibre F150 and Citizen Promaster sky A-T titanium. Both are great reference timepieces, well finished and better value than the astron. For the same kind of money I could have Fortis B42 Cosmonaut or Longines GMT. Equally Seiko have a fantastic sharp edge true GMT for less. I don't know whether I could justify an Astron. A reissue of the 60s is original would be great though.

[@bobsmiley06]

The Citizen SkyHawk A-T does all the same stuff but for 1/5 the price

[@12hebrewtribes]

It does not have GPS, it uses the atomic broadcast system.

[@Studat]

and doesn't have the same levels of fit and finish. The Astron is also made in the Grand Seiko factory.

[@JizzyNinja]

You can’t buy it from the Hodinkee shop tho

[@bobsmiley06]

@@12hebrewtribes It achieves the same outcome - an automatic time update through the atomic clock.

[@rdee8652]

It's fugly.

[@ajaybahure111]

Which watch is best between seiko astron and Casio MRG B2000

[@barryvercueil2346]

Anyone else clicked on this video hoping to see Brandon?

[@zman8340]

What do you do with the utc bezel ? How about the clasp ?

[@beatenbytheclown]

The UTC bezel is used to set the second time zone dial. When in the mode to set it you point the second hand at the UTC zone you wish to display. Then the dial adjusts and the second hand catches up to where it should be on the primary dial

[@zman8340]

@@beatenbytheclown cool

[@rickfanning5647]

@@beatenbytheclown Thank you. I spent the whole video trying to figure that out. Wish they had showed how that worked.

[@gyrfalcon7332]

Not appealing to the enthusiast? Don’t agree. But I loved your closing statements. And all timekeeping instruments are worthy of a second look. If only for the fact that they are part and parcel of this obsession with time and sparkle.

[@BillyJupiter]

I'll take 2.

[@vignesh69841]

What is that bezel made of?

[@timetraveler_0]

It's the only true buy and forgot watch. No worries of power, no need to worry about adjusting time.

[@anestishatzivasiliou3072]

Good watch! Citizen satellite wave are better

[@rayleeaustralia]

I really like this watch. Tried it and to me it's still to big. 40mm would be perfect and is happy to sacrifice some function to achieve this. Like second time zone. Would buy that at a heartbeat

[@sinesaii]

Seiko seems to do this strange dance where they make watches that are too large, then squash the lug-to-lug to make them passable to guys who never should have bought a watch that large to begin with. I am a big guy, and I can do 43mm (I have a Sumo that is 44mm), but the lugs need to accommodate the size. I hate when watches look like a square. My Sumo works because the lugs extend out properly. I had an old Turtle years ago, and it looked absurd on wrist (wide and short). I wish I had kept it because they are worth more now (6105), but the watch did not wear properly (unlike Seiko’s Sumo models, which I really like).

[@GadgetyMV]

There's the 39 mm SSJ Astron line.

[@rayleeaustralia]

@@GadgetyMV that looks more like a dress watch. Not as sporty as this though

[@GadgetyMV]

@@rayleeaustralia True. The SSJ-line, likely one of the smallest analog GPS watches. Casio had the OCW-S100 some years ago that was 41.5*10.5mm.

[@retired_in_portugal]

This the watch enthusiasts smart watch imho

[@thetruebatman4632]

$1800 for an analog watch that Casio has made an entire line of… They’re called “Edifice” lol and they’re sick as hell.

[@eddiejones.redvees]

My bluetooth watch is just has accrete and adjusted the daylight savings time atomictley it also tells me how the wether is going to be and help me go in the direction I wish to go and all at a lot lower prices

[@SunFlower-ts9ow]

What if the phone died? Can get time then.

[@MyWatchTherapy]

Please help, I am about to sell my Astron because I simply cannot understand how the watch does it’s daily time adjustment automatically. I feel stupid walking around outside under the open sky waiting for it to happen. I have read the instructions. I’m tired of holding the button down to make it happen.

[@CG-ql5rr]

i ran into the same problem,guess what ? the gps doesn't have daylight saving time,so your watch wont adjust itself to the correct time,you need to do it automatically. a radio controlled watch does it . I travelled to another country in europe and the watch failed to adjust to local time, i needed to press the A button few times in order to get the correct time . I had few casio and citizen,radio controlled and all were spot on

[@drvikramgg]

What is the price plz

[@almcl9391]

40.7 not 42.7 for the win

[@sinjinadams2862]

I'm just a little confused who the market is for this watch. Who is the person buying this watch?

[@winston_best_tank2277]

If this ain't sexy, I don't know what is

[@RJ_331]

I love the style of this watch. It's sexy

[@gundam0816]

why show the entire watch but not show the clasp??!

[@diddliewinks3486]

my casio does the same thing and more at a fraction of the price.

[@YoitsDro]

Which model?

[@diddliewinks3486]

@@YoitsDro any casio protrek

[@YoitsDro]

@@diddliewinks3486 these are all plastic and atomic (not gps). I heard there were some really good gps models from citizen that are cheaper but i cant find it.

[@jasminespencer3992]

What’s the typical price for this watch?

[@jasminespencer3992]

I answered my own question I see it’s about $2500

[@ebiedog]

At the end of the day, the watch is a time keeping tool and its almost weird to turn your nose up to a watch like this astron just because it leverages modern technology and modern design language and keeps time more accurately than a mechanical watch. In the car world, ppl don't poopoo Ferrari for using the latest tech.

[@cameratool]

Those unevenly spaced UTC bezel numbers without city codes are beyond stupid.

[@CapitanHarlockisback]

Don’t know, if I want technology in a watch, I’d buy an Omega X-33

[@derekg2132]

I just don't understand why seiko solar are like 3 times the price of the automatic and why their new solar watches they don't tap a diff market snd make them auto there new solar chrono are their nicest watches

[@BeagleChalaegi]

automatically adjust?! 🤯

[@markus9415]

The second dial isn't aligned correctly with the seconds. For such an expensive watch i would at least expect that.

[@koustavpoddar]

It is aligned! Just a parallax error!

[@markus9415]

@@koustavpoddar In this case it could indeed be the viewing angle cause it's youtube but I have seen this numerous of times with expensive watches that i had in my hand. So no not always a parallax error. Dial simply not aligned.

[@koustavpoddar]

@@markus9415 You are not wrong! There are QC issues with expensive watches too. Seiko in-fact is notorious for QC issues specially in their popular Prospex and Seiko 5 series. But as far as Astron goes, I have not seen anything as such so far. I own the Astron SSH113J1 Limited Edition. It is similar to the one in this video, but more beautiful! No QC issues, hands align perfectly to the markers and finishing is just superb! Super confortable too due to the light weight titanium.

[@markus9415]

@@koustavpoddar You have a beautiful watch. It's weird that certain types of the same brand don't have that problem. Have a Hamilton watch that has a dial problem. Went back to the store and they just told me to live with it.. I was so baffled cause you indeed expect expensive watches to have better quality.

[@Nightfury0695]

Its parallax error in the video. Plus if you do pick up any of these Astron, the seconds hand even if they get knocked due to backlash will will align to the markers itself since the module has a built in function to correct the hands. If that doesnt work, you can still overide the module following the instructions from the manual to align the seconds hand yourself. Its effortless and very nice system in Astron modules.

[@koopzz]

:)

[@faridgasimov1742]

As much as i love Seiko i think Citizen Satellite Wave is superior. Both in design and mechanism. Love my F100 Satellite Wave. But these recent smaller Astrons are catching up i must say.

[@badzponad]

looks like casio

[@jeeperspeepers8323]

Where's Brandon? Let's go, Hodinkee!

[@user-ri2gm1ol2g]

Слегка веиковаты

[@AZU560]

I miss Brandon Menancio, honestly

[@JumpingWatermelons]

Cool technology but why do they make it look like that?

[@takethecurseOFFwashingmachine]

This watch is pretty cool, but not pontiff approved.

[@MrJtrot90]

It drives me nuts that the second hand doesn't tick or align with the indexes on the dial.

[@aristarkhsvistoplyasov853]

А секундная стрелка в метки не попадает

[@erkanvural3621]

am I the only who things seconds hand is misaligned? it doesnt match on minutes indices . if its so, this is very shame for such a premium GPS watch at premium price tag. pls anyone who owns it comment about it thx

[@nishadm4291]

Model number

[@CG-ql5rr]

accurate time keeping ? this astron cant even change to daylight saving time like a radio controlled watch can. I went abroad and my astron wont automatically change the time,I needed to do it manualy. when back to uk ,it took few hours to adjust to local time,but 1h behind (no daylight saving time). a radio controlled watch is perfect for travel . I dont think i will ever buy an Astron again. Seiko should add a Bluetooth function

[@tomasf1398]

The bracelet was visibly unadjusted. A week on a wrist, really?

[@kieranmcmahon6117]

Well seiko are going for a consumer home run just saying

[@kimdds.5577]

사용해보니 gps 기능은 느리고 잘 작동하지 않을 때가 많습니다. 실제로 유용하지 않습니다. 잘 사용하지 못하는 기능에 너무 큰 비용을 지불해야 되는 시계입니다.

[@A_Dude_And_His_Watch78]

Meh

[@Soarin8]

Style is far too polorising for my liking

[@mell3109]

Hmmmm at that price your better off with an Apple Watch

[@Mapalves27]

To late for seiko

[@MP_pov]

All this innovation yet the second hands doesn’t hit the markers...

[@koustavpoddar]

It aligns! You are getting a parallax error

[@bc6806]

💩 er!!!