Seiko Moves The Astron GPS Chronograph To A 3-6-9 Layout In Two Black Titanium LEs

The Astron is Seiko’s GPS solar line. The watches charge from light and set their time and time zone from satellite signals. Until now the chronograph versions used the calibre 5X83, which put its sub-dials at 6, 9 and 12 o’clock and always had a somewhat unique look. The new calibre 5X63 moves them to 3, 6 and 9, and that changes the entire attitude of the watch. Thankfully, or not, the dials remain just as weird to keep the quirky nature of the Strons. These are the new green HAB009 and burgundy HAB010.

Both cases are made out of titanium with a black super-hard coating, 43.4mm wide and 12.4mm thick, with a lug-to-lug of 50mm. This is the updated Astron case, with an octagonal bezel built from two parts and faceted along its sides. On top is a sapphire crystal with Seiko’s super-clear coating, the case back screws in, and water resistance is 100 meters. It is a big watch, but titanium keeps the weight down.

Seiko says the dials are meant to look like a crystal sitting inside black rock, with the case as the rock. The concept is thin, but the textured green and burgundy surfaces look good against the black sub-dials, date window and UTC ring. The green gets yellow gold-tone indices, hands and sub-dial frames, and the burgundy gets rose gold-tone ones. The indices are new and filled with more LumiBrite than before. The crown and pushers are gold-tone as well, which might be more gold than a black watch needs.

The 5X63 is an in-house solar quartz calibre with GPS tracking. It changes time zone by itself across 38 zones, handles daylight saving on its own and tells you on the dial when it has lost reception. Without a satellite fix it stays within ±15 seconds a month. You also get a second time zone, a chronograph that is accurate to 1/20th of a second and a perpetual calendar good through 2100. The three-row titanium bracelet has polished links down the middle, a push-button folding clasp and Seiko’s Easy Adjust system. A black leather strap certified by the Leather Working Group comes in the box, and the two swap without tools.

The Seiko Astron GPS Solar Dual-Time Chronograph 2026 Limited Editions will be made in 1,500 pieces each, priced at €3,200. See more on the Seiko website.