Outer space is so vast and nuanced that even watchmakers never seem to run out of ways to convey celestial inspiration inside a 40mm surface, from Moon-inspired textures to bespeckled lume.
Now, Seiko has given us a new take on its Astron models with swirling dials that look like a star-filled galaxy right there on your wrist. It’s available in two different styles and utilizes the GPS Solar platform that helped relaunch the series over a decade ago. Let’s take a look…
Quartz Revolution to GPS Solar
If you know your watch history, the Astron name carries serious weight. Back on Christmas Day 1969, Seiko dropped the world’s first commercial quartz wristwatch — the Quartz Astron 35SQ — which was so revolutionary it triggered the quartz crisis that reshaped the entire watch industry. Cased in 18k gold and priced like a mid-sized car, it delivered accuracy around ±5 seconds per month when mechanicals were lucky to hit ±5 seconds per day.
The Astron name then went dormant for decades until 2012, when Seiko revived it for another landmark: the world’s first GPS Solar wristwatch. These modern Astrons sync with GPS satellites to automatically adjust time zones while running on solar power alone. It was a fitting revival as both watches represented step-changes in electronic timekeeping, just 43 years apart.
A Cosmic Dial Treatment
The latest SSH187 and SSJ039 bring a newly developed embossed spiral pattern to the Astron line, radiating outward from the center to mimic swirling galaxies. Seiko infused the dark turquoise dials with glitter to evoke a starry sky, and paired everything with all-black titanium cases and bracelets finished with a scratch-resistant hard coating.
Both models feature LumiBrite on the hands and indices, sapphire crystals with super-clear coating, and 100m of water resistance. The bracelets come with Seiko’s Smart Adjuster clasp system, which allows easy on-the-fly micro-adjustments without tools.
Two Sizes, Two Calibers
The SSH187 is the larger of the pair at 43.3mm across with a 13.4mm thickness, sporting a ceramic and aluminum bezel around its face. Inside ticks the Seiko 5X83 caliber, a GPS Solar chronograph movement with dual-time functionality. The dial layout is busy but functional, with a 1/20th-second chronograph counter at 12 o’clock and a 6 o’clock subdial that switches between second time zone display and chronograph hour/minute tracking depending on whether the chrono is running. There’s also a perpetual calendar accurate until February 28, 2100, DST adjustment, and world time covering 38 time zones.
The SSJ039 takes a cleaner approach at 41.2mm across with a 12mm thickness. Its angular case design with that broad, vertically brushed eight-sided bezel channels a bit of that Royal Oak aesthetic. The in-house 3X62 caliber inside handles the GPS time sync and perpetual calendar. With more breathing room on the dial, the starry pattern really shines here. Both movements offer roughly six months of power reserve when fully charged.
Spec Sheet
Models: Astron GPS Solar SSH187 & SSJ039
Movement: Seiko 5X83 GPS Solar Chronograph / Seiko 3X62 GPS Solar
Case Material: Titanium with super-hard black coating (SSH187 adds ceramic/aluminum bezel)
Case Size: 43.3mm (SSH187), 41.2mm (SSJ039)
Case Thickness: 13.4mm (SSH187), 12mm (SSJ039)
Water Resistance: 100m
Crystal: Dual-curved sapphire (SSH187), Sapphire (SSJ039)
Strap: Titanium three-row bracelet with super-hard black coating
Functions: GPS time sync, perpetual calendar (to Feb. 28, 2100), power reserve indicator, world time, DST adjustment, in-flight mode, chronograph and dual-time (SSH187 only)
Power Reserve: ~6 months when fully charged
Limited Edition: 1,500 pieces each
Price: $2,900 (SSH187), $2,400 (SSJ039)
Pricing & Availability
Both the SSH187 and SSJ039 are limited to 1,500 pieces worldwide. The chronograph SSH187 is priced at $2,900, while the three-hand SSJ039 comes in at $2,400. They’re available now through authorized Seiko Luxe retailers.
Recap
Seiko Astron GPS Solar 2026 Limited-Editions
Seiko just released two limited-edition Astron GPS Solar watches with swirling galaxy-inspired dials. Based on their solar-powered platform, each model is limited to 1,500 pieces worldwide.
