The new Seiko Astron GPS Solar Kintaro Hattori Limited Edition

In 2012, Seiko took electronic watchmaking to a new level with the Astron GPS Solar, which connects to the Global Positioning System (GPS) and adjusts to every time zone* at the touch of a button while generating all the energy it needs from light alone. Today, a new chapter in the history of Seiko Astron opens with the launch of a new movement, which, for the first time, combines Dual-Time technology with a chronograph function. The new movement, Caliber 5X83, powers a limited-edition watch with gold accents that commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Seiko brand and the legacy of the company’s founder, Kintaro Hattori.

 

Since the beginning of Seiko in 1881, the company has continued to innovate in line with founder Kintaro Hattori’s philosophy to be "Always one step ahead of the rest." In 1924, the company introduced the first wristwatch with “Seiko” on the dial, signifying the beginning of the Seiko brand. The year 2024 marks the 100th anniversary of this landmark event.

The new watch features a sub-dial at 12 o’clock that measures elapsed time in increments of 1/20th of a second. Thanks to the new movement design, this is the first Seiko Astron to have a sub-dial at the 12 o’clock position. A sub-dial at the six o’clock position displays the time in a second time zone and becomes a 12-hour counter when the stopwatch function is used. The chronograph’s use is indicated on the sub-dial at the nine o’clock position, which also displays the charging status, day of the week, and in-flight mode.

The new Caliber 5X83 automatically connects up to twice a day to the GPS network, and connects manually with the simple push of a button, to maintain its precision anywhere in the world**. The time of day displayed on the main dial can be switched with the one on the six o’clock sub-dial by holding down two buttons for three seconds. The main dial and sub-dial hands move simultaneously, making the time required for the transfer significantly shorter with the new Caliber 5X83 than with Caliber 5X53.

The limited edition’s all-black case and bracelet, sunray-patterned dial, and yellow-gold-colored accents evoke a view of the earth at night as seen from an orbiting satellite, an image that perfectly channels the groundbreaking technology behind Astron GPS Solar. The two-part bezel consists of a multi-faceted ceramic upper portion and a yellow-gold-colored titanium frame to create a brilliance that further evokes this shimmering night view. Ceramic is also used for the bracelet’s center links and the tip of the crown.

The yellow-gold-colored case back carries company founder Kintaro Hattori’s name and the trademark "S" that he registered in 1900 as a symbol of the Seikosha factory. Just above the trademark appears the phrase that so aptly captured his philosophy for the company.

The watch is offered in a special presentation box with an additional extra-strength silicone strap and a commemorative "S" mark metal pin.

*If there are changes in the region / time zone / DST, manual selection may be required.
**When the dial detects sunlight, the watch connects to the GPS satellite network and adjusts automatically to the correct time. If the watch is hidden from light, it remembers the time of its last successful manual connection and attempts to receive the GPS signal again at that same time.

The commemorative timepiece will be available in June 2024 at select Seiko Boutiques and retail stores worldwide as a limited edition of 1,000.

Three sleek and sporty chronographs join the main Astron collection

The new movement’s enhanced energy-charging efficiency allows the main dial and sub-dials to have contrasting colors and textures, creating a more dynamic and sporty presence. 

In addition to the commemorative watch, three creations that are also powered by the new Caliber 5X83 join the main Seiko Astron collection. Just like the limited edition, the watches feature a two-part bezel that includes an upper part in ceramic and a titanium frame. The bezel is marked with the word "CHRONOGRAPH” along with Arabic numerals. Thanks to the low center of gravity of the titanium case and the dual-curved sapphire glass with super-clear coating, the watches ensure high levels of comfort and legibility.