Seiko’s Super Sports Watch Borrows a Long-Awaited Feature from High-End Competition

While Seiko’s many mechanical watches form the backbone of its catalog, it’s the brand’s Astron line where you’ll arguably find Seiko’s most impressive watches.

The quartz line, the direct descendant of the world’s first quartz watch, the original Seiko Astron, contains some of Seiko’s most expensive and most advanced models. It’s where the brand showcases its latest technologies, like solar-powered, GPS-linked movements that are effectively always powered up and always correct.

The brand’s latest is a reworking of the Astron’s flagship GPS Solar Dual-Time Chronograph, comprising four new references featuring a higher-end design, a new movement and a superb new feature that puts Seiko in direct competition with some higher-priced luxury competitors.

Seiko

Seiko’s super watch

The GPS Solar Dual-Time Chronograph was basically already Seiko’s super watch on account of its insane movement. On its own, the quartz calibre is accurate to within +/-15 seconds per month. But with its satellite-linking capabilities, it automatically adjusts itself to atomic time multiple times a day, so it’s always right.

Not only that, but it’s powered by light and can run for six months on a full charge. It’s also packed with features, including a perpetual calendar, a dual-time function, a 1/20th-second chronograph and a world timer. It even automatically corrects itself for Daylight Saving Time.

For the new versions, Seiko has swapped out the Calibre 5X83 for the new Calibre 5X63. Functionally, the movements are largely the same, with the biggest difference being that the second time zone indicator is now tracked on a 24-hour subdial rather than a 12-hour one. As such, the new watches no longer feature an AM/PM indicator.

Seiko

The other big change is the dial layout, as the three subdials are now in a traditional tricompax format. This layout is more symmetrical and attractive than the previous layout, which saw the three registers vertically aligned on the left side of the dial.

The case has also been updated. While it maintains its sharp edges and integrated rectangular pushers, its dimensions have changed slightly. The diameter is basically the same, now 43.4mm instead of 43.3mm, and the lug-to-lug distance is 0.5mm longer, now clocking in at an even 50mm. But the most notable change is the thickness, with the new Astron shaving off a full millimeter off its case height and measuring just 12.4mm tall.

Seiko

Partly responsible for this more svelte appearance is the new bezel. Gone is the ceramic external bezel displaying the chronograph seconds. In its place is a new, sharply finished, two-piece octagonal bezel that reads much more high-end. With its two-piece construction with brushed and polished finishes and its eight sides, it comes across like a hybrid of the bezels found on an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Vacheron Constantin Overseas … not bad company to keep.

Flip the case over, and you’ll find the most exciting change yet. The watch debuts a brand-new quick-release bracelet exchange system, unlike anything I’ve ever seen on a Seiko before. It’s a simple push button that releases the bracelet, allowing you to swap in a rubber strap instead. The bracelet and strap snap in just like clicking a seatbelt, and while I haven’t yet tried this in the metal, it appears to be similar to the systems used by Vacheron and Zenith, which I rank among the best in the biz.

Seiko

Availability and pricing

There are four references of the new Seiko GPS Solar Dual-Time Chronograph Calibre 5X63. References HAB001 and HAB002 are almost identical, with both coming on titanium bracelets and featuring dials in either light (001) or dark (002) blue.

Ref. HAB003 mixes things up considerably. Instead of the bracelet, it’s mounted on an integrated black rubber strap with a deployant clasp. It features a charcoal dial with gold-tone accents on the hands, indices and bezel.

Seiko

Lastly, and my favorite of the quartet, is the Ref. HAB004. A limited edition of 2,000 pieces created to honor Seiko’s 145th anniversary this year, the 004 features an attractive panda dial in light silver with its subdials and minute track in “Seiko Blue.” The watch is also the only one of the four to include both the titanium bracelet and a rubber strap, allowing you to make use of the quick-release system right out of the box. The silicone strap is decidedly sporty for Seiko and features blue sides and a white center, with a generous taper.

Understandably, HAB004 tops out the range with an SRP of $2,900. HAB001 and HAB002 are both priced at $2,700, and the rubber-mounted HAB003 will save you a little dough at $2,600. All four will be available to purchase in June.

Seiko

Seiko GPS Solar Dual-Time Chronograph Calibre 5X63 145th Anniversary Edition

Specs

Case Size	43.4mm
Movement	Seiko Cal. 5X63 atomic solar quartz chronograph GMT
Water Resistance	100m

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