It top of the line quartz. There is literally nothing higher quality than this.
On other topic don't generalize is Seiko quartz is any good. Seiko makes whole spectrum of watches from sub 100$ sub brands to Grand Seiko and Credor.
Seiko quartz any good?
While looking for a quartz "every day fun" watch (i'm not going to say a beater) i stumbled on Seiko Astron series and totally fell in love with sbxd007 model.
It's fantastic. 39mm, only 12mm thick, titanium case and bracelet with special coating. 200m wr, Solar, GPS for accuracy and time zone setup, tough, looks great. I ordered it already for a very good price. But what i want to talk about is Seiko quartz technology in Astron series?
Is it any good? I know Casio is in it's own league here, following by Citizen, but i'm sure Seiko can't be that bad?
![Watch Analog watch Silver Clock Rectangle]()
It's fantastic. 39mm, only 12mm thick, titanium case and bracelet with special coating. 200m wr, Solar, GPS for accuracy and time zone setup, tough, looks great. I ordered it already for a very good price. But what i want to talk about is Seiko quartz technology in Astron series?
Is it any good? I know Casio is in it's own league here, following by Citizen, but i'm sure Seiko can't be that bad?
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On other topic don't generalize is Seiko quartz is any good. Seiko makes whole spectrum of watches from sub 100$ sub brands to Grand Seiko and Credor.
No, it's no good.
Great watches you have !! Would you say the Oceanus is worth so much more than the Astron ? I wish the Oceanus didn't have the blue on so was more universal.Seiko Astron is better than any Citizen except Chronomaster. Casio Oceanus is comparable. In my personal ranking, Astron and Oceanus both beat any non-The Citizen. I'm talking about the watches overall.
This particular model OP has purchased is made at the Grand Seiko factory. It's honestly a Grand Seiko level case and dial with a higher end Seiko bracelet. The solar GPS movement every bit as accurate as any Eco-Drive with roughly the same expected lifespan and ability to service.
In terms of heritage, Astron was the first quartz watch and first GPS solar watch. It's a premium label for Seiko. Citizen the first titanium watch and a leader in scratch resistant coatings.
Here are my owned quartz examples of each
View attachment 17186732
View attachment 17186734
View attachment 17186733
View attachment 17186742
View attachment 17186743
GPS is less reliable sync vs Atomic for me. It really needs to be outside, and occasionally I've needed to "force" a sync. My atomic always sync indoors. These observations are from 2 locations in the US, St. Louis area and Phoenix/Scottsdale area, YMMV based on location.Nice!! Curious... how has the GPS calibration been for you? It only needs one satellite signal correct? Does it receive signals indoors?
+1I would go for Citizen
Thank you.Great watches you have !! Would you say the Oceanus is worth so much more than the Astron ? I wish the Oceanus didn't have the blue on so was more universal.
No I would not say that. I will say Oceanus at under $400 is a better deal than Astron at 2-3x the price. But Astron is overall finished at a higher level.
Just as a point of opinion, I think Oceanus 3 handers are 1 of the great overall bargains in all of watchmaking. It's ~90% of GS quartz/Astron/Chronomaster at far lower prices with a very tough and storied movement from the G-shock range.
You can pick up either of those Oceanus....es For around $225-300usd. They are likely the best watch for the money. As for the blue? I kinda like the splash of color honestly. Plus the lume is actually awesome and long lasting.Great watches you have !! Would you say the Oceanus is worth so much more than the Astron ? I wish the Oceanus didn't have the blue on so was more universal.
Seiko Astron is a step above typical solar/quartz powered models. Better materials, movement, fit and finish. Seiko also utilizes Diashield, proprietary surface hardening on titanium models. If you are planning on buying one, get it from a reputable seller with good return policy just in case a watch has QC issues. Best of luck!!!While looking for a quartz "every day fun" watch (i'm not going to say a beater) i stumbled on Seiko Astron series and totally fell in love with sbxd007 model.
It's fantastic. 39mm, only 12mm thick, titanium case and bracelet with special coating. 200m wr, Solar, GPS for accuracy and time zone setup, tough, looks great. I ordered it already for a very good price. But what i want to talk about is Seiko quartz technology in Astron series?
Is it any good? I know Casio is in it's own league here, following by Citizen, but i'm sure Seiko can't be that bad?
View attachment 17186543
1200$ from a good reputation Japan dealer on Chrono. I'll need to add the import costs to EU, so that will rise the price a bit. Still a good deal i think.@Gargamel35 Where did you order it from, and what is a good price? Looks like the MSRP is $2000USD? I assume you didn't pay that much for it (I ordered a new GS diver for not much more than that).
While looking for a quartz "every day fun" watch (i'm not going to say a beater) i stumbled on Seiko Astron series and totally fell in love with sbxd007 model.
It's fantastic. 39mm, only 12mm thick, titanium case and bracelet with special coating. 200m wr, Solar, GPS for accuracy and time zone setup, tough, looks great. I ordered it already for a very good price. But what i want to talk about is Seiko quartz technology in Astron series?
Is it any good? I know Casio is in it's own league here, following by Citizen, but i'm sure Seiko can't be that bad?
View attachment 17186543
That watch looks beautiful but my only hangup is that for a $1500 quartz it still has the quartz backlash effect. I hate that. Their tunas dont exhibit that with the high torque quartz movements. This Astron should do better IMO
Where do people in this thread take the confidence from?
Saying how much Citizen is better and comparing a high-end quartz watch (Astron) with basic eco-drive watches.
This watch is not good, it's excellent. From technology standpoint the only "better" quartz watch is probably The Citizen Chronomaster. Still, it doesn't sync with anything.
The 9F Grand Seiko is better decorated and thermocompensated (more accurate on it's own), but it lacks solar charging and any time synchronization technology.
Saying how much Citizen is better and comparing a high-end quartz watch (Astron) with basic eco-drive watches.
This watch is not good, it's excellent. From technology standpoint the only "better" quartz watch is probably The Citizen Chronomaster. Still, it doesn't sync with anything.
The 9F Grand Seiko is better decorated and thermocompensated (more accurate on it's own), but it lacks solar charging and any time synchronization technology.
How come?Citizen (Eco-Drive) > seiko
I was and still under the impression (generally) Seiko comes before Citizen on the grand scale of things.Citizen is a bit better than Seiko but it’s not like we’re talking about the Citizen racehorse and the Seiko donkey. Both manufacturers make a very good product and you should most definitely get the one you like the look of.
What has changed?
3x22 has automatic marker correction, and perpetual calendar in the world's smallest solar GPS movement which enables it to fit smaller watches. If it's missing a feature my guess is they decided it wasn't worth the space as an engineering decision.That watch looks beautiful but my only hangup is that for a $1500 quartz it still has the quartz backlash effect. I hate that. Their tunas dont exhibit that with the high torque quartz movements. This Astron should do better IMO
Personally I don't notice backlash examing side by side with my GS9f but fair point if you do.
Actually, the top of the line quartz are the two mentioned below. Chronomaster and 9FIt top of the line quartz. There is literally nothing higher quality than this.
They work anywhere on the planet, on the moon/mars, fully self-contained, and are repairable, not disposable.
... From technology standpoint the only "better" quartz watch is probably The Citizen Chronomaster. Still, it doesn't sync with anything.
The 9F Grand Seiko is better decorated and thermocompensated (more accurate on it's own)...
i am just judging by the video I linked. I havent seen in person. it does seem to line up at each marker well though3x22 has automatic marker correction, and perpetual calendar in the world's smallest solar GPS movement which enables it to fit smaller watches. If it's missing a feature my guess is they decided it wasn't worth the space as an engineering decision.
Personally I don't notice backlash examing side by side with my GS9f but fair point if you do.
Astron is just below GS in the Seiko hierarchy. It may not be "the best" quartz movement on the market, but there are more options in the "worse" category than the "better".
So I’ll ask a silly question… maybe someone else has thought this too. Do these GPS syncing watches transmit a signal also or just receive them? We all carry a tracking device in our pockets anyway… but nice to know your watch isn’t also beaming out your location 😂
It only recieves gps signal and light source for power.So I’ll ask a silly question… maybe someone else has thought this too. Do these GPS syncing watches transmit a signal also or just receive them? We all carry a tracking device in our pockets anyway… but nice to know your watch isn’t also beaming out your location 😂
Thanks for the info!It only recieves gps signal and light source for power.
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