Seiko Astron GPS

[SLRdude]

This is not the type of watch I normally get but I just had to have one, the geek in me didn't have the strength to resist anymore. :)

The size of the original Astron always put me off, but the chrono, at 30 percent smaller, made it a lot less stupid on my wrist so I just had to give it a shot.

This model was introduced at Basel and released on September 30th, so just 9 days ago.

I've only had it a few hours but I'm very impressed with it.
Not only does it have a sapphire crystal and a ceramic bezel, but the fit and finish are outstanding, reminiscent of the Grand Seiko line. Seiko actually claims that the finishing is done in the same manner.

I'm not a review sort of guy, so this might be all I write about it lol.

Oh. One more thing. Screwing up the time then letting the GPS fix that was fun to watch!

[MP5]

Do underrated! Congrats

[kilyung]

I've been thinking of getting this myself.

[SLRdude]

Originally Posted by kilyung

I've been thinking of getting this myself.

Check out www.timelessluxwatches.com

The owner is a big WIS and a friend of mine, and if you ever decide to buy anything he will be good to you.
His shop is a few minutes from my house and that's not a very good thing!

He carries Grand Seiko, Mühle Glashutte, damasko, NOMOS, Armin Strom, Girard Perregaux , and a few other brands.

[SLRdude]

Originally Posted by MP5

Do underrated! Congrats

Thanks!

[raky]

That's a really good looking watch! If it was cheaper I would consider getting one. Enjoy!

[SLRdude]

He gave me a great deal on it. Just couldn't pass it up!

I was reluctant but once I've seen it in person I had to have it. The fit and finish is incredible! It doesn't look or feel like a cheap watch.

I have a trip coming up and I can't wait to see the watch set itself!

[Wesley Crusher]

Really sharp watch. What is the crown made of? Ceramic?

The bracelet looks a lot like the GS bracelets, too. Overall, the finishing definitely looks like something that GS would produce.

[SLRdude]

I know the bezel is ceramic, and the crown appears to be the same exact material. It looks and feels identical to the touch.

I'm really impressed so far and I've already ran down the battery some buy letting the GPS set the correct time after I manually mess it up.

[sierra11b]

It says something that seiko made the bezel out of ceramic when they don't for any GS or Prospex. Instead they've used sapphire for GS and surpisingly durable resin-coated DLC for Prospex. They have used ceramic shrouds for the SBBN013.

I've often wondered about all the gps transmissions going to your body throughout the day. Does it constantly self regulate or does it only access a satellite when you want it? Regardless, Seiko just doesn't get enough credit for its innovations in movement technologies... I think they're the absolute king in this dept.

[Israguard]

Good morning.. That's a beautiful watch and looks much nicer imho than the first model they introduced.
Quick question just to make 1000% I "get it".
The GPS functionality on the watch is strictly to adjust the time when you travel to a different time zone?.. You land, get out of terminal.. Push a button and watch sets itself to perfect time. Once done, functions as regular watch does. Did I get it right?.. There is no daily auto sync feature is there?. and does the date also adjust itself backwards and forwards depending on which time zone you're in?.

Tks

[SLRdude]

Originally Posted by Israguard

Good morning.. That's a beautiful watch and looks much nicer imho than the first model they introduced.
Quick question just to make 1000% I "get it".
The GPS functionality on the watch is strictly to adjust the time when you travel to a different time zone?.. You land, get out of terminal.. Push a button and watch sets itself to perfect time. Once done, functions as regular watch does. Did I get it right?.. There is no daily auto sync feature is there?. and does the date also adjust itself backwards and forwards depending on which time zone you're in?.

Tks

The date adjusts forward or backwards as needed, along with the hour, minute and second hands, for any of the 40 time zones on the planet.

Like you said. You land. You push the button at 10 for 6 seconds, watch searches for satellites, sets the time.

You can also manually change the time zone as well, by pulling out the crown. Once the crown is out to position 1, the chrono hand will move to point at the current time zone on the bezel. Turning the crown will manually change the time zone in one hr increments. I don't see the need for this unless you're in a cave or your battery is too low for GPS use.

There is a daily sync feature as well. You can initiate that by pushing the 10 o'clock pusher for 3 seconds. That will search for just one satellite, strictly for an accuracy check. The watch learns when you do that and in order to save battery, it will attempt to self contact the satellite around the same time every day.

[GermanyMatt]

Lume shot is pretty much mandatory with a new Seiko. So let's see it!

[SLRdude]

Ha. OK.

[Rogdogg]

Nice watch. I'm sure we'd all appreciate an update after say a week or month of owning it. It looks great on your wrist

[SLRdude]

Thanks.

I have a trip coming up next week and I plan on wearing it. I'll probably take my YM or LVC as a backup, in case I get an itch for something else. :)

[stockae92]

Awsome, love it! (and I would love to own one, haha)

[Dan Pierce]

That's a stunner, Chip! Congrats!
dP

[SLRdude]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

That's a stunner, Chip! Congrats!
dP

thanks David!

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by SLRdude

thanks David!

Who the hell's David?
dP

[SLRdude]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Who the hell's David?

dP

Dammit auto correct.

My boss's initials are DP as well and I have a custom phrase in my iPhone that changes DP to David.

Sorry Richard.... Uh... Dan! :)

[texex91]

Looks nice for sure!

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by SLRdude

Dammit auto correct.

My boss's initials are DP as well and I have a custom phrase in my iPhone that changes DP to David.

Sorry Richard.... Uh... Dan! :)

No worries, pal!
dP

[sierra11b]

Originally Posted by SLRdude

The date adjusts forward or backwards as needed, along with the hour, minute and second hands, for any of the 40 time zones on the planet.

Like you said. You land. You push the button at 10 for 6 seconds, watch searches for satellites, sets the time.

You can also manually change the time zone as well, by pulling out the crown. Once the crown is out to position 1, the chrono hand will move to point at the current time zone on the bezel. Turning the crown will manually change the time zone in one hr increments. I don't see the need for this unless you're in a cave or your battery is too low for GPS use.

There is a daily sync feature as well. You can initiate that by pushing the 10 o'clock pusher for 3 seconds. That will search for just one satellite, strictly for an accuracy check. The watch learns when you do that and in order to save battery, it will attempt to self contact the satellite around the same time every day.

That's awesome! Thanks for sharing. If I were a business traveler I would own one.

[SLRdude]

I'm no longer a business traveler but I'm still a geek, so I had to have it lol

[SLRdude]

I don't know how to insert movies here, but I made two crappy short movies of the Astron, one of the chrono in action and one of the GPS setting the time, including a date change. I manually set it to GMT +7 and the watch will reset to Dallas time and change the date back by one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTOF-qUdU9A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHrOMtqgNA0

[stockae92]

that's awesome!

[SLRdude]

[mywatchllc]

Awesome watch! This might be in my collection real soon.

[sierra11b]

Chip,

What reference is this Astron? Is it the SSE011?

I know the MSRP on this reference but am curious if you could PM me what you got it at? I wouldn't expect the friend of the owner discount but am curious of ballpark discount.