Seiko Astron SSH113 INCOMING!

[samson66]

Picked this watch up pre-owned a couple days ago. Tough one to find. It's a LE model with 1,500 produced and all sold. I asked my local Seiko AD and he confirmed there are no more to be had. Wound up finding an excellent condition pre-owned model on Chrono24 and contacted the seller, a Malaysian AD, directly. Three days later it was on my wrist.

This is the 10th Anniversary Seiko Astron SSH113 which was introduced in 2022, celebrating 10 years of solar power Astrons. I have wanted this specific Astron ever since I tried one on two years ago - I loved the dial color and texture. I've always found their capabilities to be fascinating. For those that aren't familiar with modern Astron watches, this is a GPS enabled watch that connects to satelites to track the atomic time exactly. And it does this with no cell plan, no software to update, and no batteries to recharge. All it takes is a little sunlight every so often.

As for features, it tracks two timezones simultaneously via the main dial and bottom subdial, which can be swapped back and forth with the push of a button. You can track any of the 39 timezones on either dial with a twist of the crown. It has a perpertual calendar accurate until the year 2100 showing date and day. It shows DST or ST, accounts for leap seconds (which I still don't really understand what that is), has airplane mode, 24 hour display, power reserve indicator, and power save mode meaning this watch can function for six months with no daylight at all.

And it does all this in a slimmed down case, finally. The diameter is a reasonable 42.7 mm and is only 12.2 mm thick. The bezel is sapphire and looks really good. The main display is a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on the inside and outside - it basically looks like it's not there. The hour, minute, and second hands as well as the 12 indices are all nicely lumed with LumiBrite. It is full titanium with super-hard coating with a fully integrated bracelet, which I really love. The bracelet has a really nice taper from 25 mm at the case down to I think 18 mm at the clasp. And here's a shocker, it has a three position on-the-fly micro adjust built into the clasp - are you listening Grand Seiko!

So far, I really like the look. It's comfortable and with the light weight titanium you forget you are wearing it. It's been a blast to activate the GPS time and timezone setting and watch all the hands spin around and do their thing. It's the most grab-and-go watch I've ever owned since it periodically corrects the time via satelite communication when you are outside. No time to set, nothing to wind, no battery to charge. It's as easy as it gets. I could see this watch as a one-and-only for the non-enthusiast or as a travel/fun watch for all of us watch nerds. It's a lot of fun having a "smart" watch that doesn't need a cell plan, cell towers, or a cable to plug in, or a battery to charge, or a phone to communicate with.

Some photos for you. Feel free to ask any questions. I know many aren't too familiar with the Astron line or the various functions.

[scarlet knight]

Looks cool!

[RW16610]

Nice watch, Mike! Congratulations!

[1William]

Congratulations. I really like it.

[Trailboss516]

This is cool, thank you for sharing and congratulations on your pick up.

[BSG75]

Congratulations! I have a SSH107 and it's an incredible watch. As long is it receives its GPS signal I believe it's accurate to 1 second every 100,000 years. Along with solar, dual time zones, and the perpetual calendar, it's probably one of the most practical watches to own. It could easily be a one and done!

[BSG75]

Plus it has an on-the-fly adjustable clasp!

[samson66]

Originally Posted by BSG75

Congratulations! I have a SSH107 and it's an incredible watch. As long is it receives its GPS signal I believe it's accurate to 1 second every 100,000 years. Along with solar, dual time zones, and the perpetual calendar, it's probably one of the most practical watches to own. It could easily be a one and done!

The 107 was the other one I was looking at. I love the dark subdials on that one. I was torn between that and the 113. In the end, I just really liked the garage door texture of the 113, so I went that route. If I couldn't find one, the 107 would have been it. Very cool watch, and yeah, the accuracy is ridiculous. Good watch to use to set all my mechanical watches to, ha! Glad you are enjoying yours. Post a pic if you can.

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[BSG75]

Here it is! I took this pic a while ago.


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[samson66]

Originally Posted by BSG75

Here it is! I took this pic a while ago.


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Heck yeah! Looks fantastic. Love the panda look on that one. Great picture.

[Dan Pierce]

Great looking watch, Mike!!

Just saw this watch for the 1st time a couple days ago, but can't remember where. I was intrigued. Lots of features there.
dP

[samson66]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Great looking watch, Mike!!

Just saw this watch for the 1st time a couple days ago, but can't remember where. I was intrigued. Lots of features there.
dP

Thank you buddy. Always nice to have something a little unconventional in the collection.

[BSG75]

After seeing samson66's post, it inspired me to wear my Astron again! It really is a beautiful watch. If you ever get a chance to see one in person, you'll be very impressed by the finishing. I have a Grand Seiko 9F GMT and the Astron comes very close in terms of refinement. I think the GS bracelet might be a tad nicer, but having the adjustable clasp on the Astron is a fantastic feature.

I've read that Astrons are assembled in the same facility as Grand Seikos, but haven't been able to confirm that. It wouldn't surprise me.

[fskywalker]

Great pickup Mike !!


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[samson66]

Originally Posted by fskywalker

Great pickup Mike !!


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Thanks Francisco! I'm jealous of that summer blue PO of yours. Gorgeous watch!

[samson66]

Originally Posted by BSG75

After seeing samson66's post, it inspired me to wear my Astron again! It really is a beautiful watch. If you ever get a chance to see one in person, you'll be very impressed by the finishing. I have a Grand Seiko 9F GMT and the Astron comes very close in terms of refinement. I think the GS bracelet might be a tad nicer, but having the adjustable clasp on the Astron is a fantastic feature.

I've read that Astrons are assembled in the same facility as Grand Seikos, but haven't been able to confirm that. It wouldn't surprise me.

I read the same thing about the Astrons being assembled by Grand Seiko. But yeah, the dial finishing is right up there with GS. As for the bracelet, it's really hard to compare a titanium bracelet to a GS steel bracelet. The Grand Seiko FEELS nicer, but is that just because steel feels different and weighs more than the Seiko titanium bracelet? I will say I prefer the Astron clasp over GS clasps, especially with the micro adjust. I still have no clue why GS doesn't add this feature to their watches.

[brandrea]

I’m sorry I missed this one Mike … BUG congratulations, that looks like a great reference. I especially like the thin bezel

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by samson66

Thanks Francisco! I'm jealous of that summer blue PO of yours. Gorgeous watch!

No infinite waiting lists on them Mike, should we save you a seat in the table?


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[samson66]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I’m sorry I missed this one Mike … BUG congratulations, that looks like a great reference. I especially like the thin bezel

Thanks Brian! I like that thin bezel too, especially since it's sapphire. Has such a nice shine to it. I'm starting to get spoiled by having a watch I don't have to do anything to. Weird not having to set the time or date ... ever