Seiko's JDM Astron Range Has Never Been Cheaper!
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- Опубликовано: 23 окт 2023
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I've always loved how Japanese watch brands have embraced Quartz to create some truly special JDM watches.
Thank you for covering this! I was looking for a sub 40mm Astron and this was the only model I could find in Sakura Watches, but there are only a couple of reviews posted by Japanese channels. Another watch I would like to see is Citizen EO2020-08 that came out in July.
There are apparently ways to simulate the atomic clock signal, such as some mobile apps that will actually play a high pitched tone that somehow carries the signal. I've never used them but they might be worth a shot (and a video!)
Jody once used such apps that claimed to do so with weird noises but no avail after 30 minutes of screeching noises. Take your pick!
There's an app that works with my region which makes just clicking sounds, no screeches. Sets my g shock in just 3.5 mins
@@bigboiganiga8356 Anecdotal, but the Clock Wave app has always worked well for me. Take's a few minutes with my G-Shock, but it works without fail every time.
@@annikinstarkiller600 Pretty amazing. When I first heard this I expected it was BS. But looking at the frequencies used (40kHz to 76kHz), there are plenty of audio DAC's which support sample rates that are more than high enough to reproduce a 40kHz tone.
Obviously it would be the EMI from this that the watch would be picking up, in order for this to work (as opposed to the modulated audio artefacts we might hear). The speaker voice coil (or PCB trace to the speaker) would essentially be acting like an antenna.
Software Defined Radio with a "High-Res" DAC! LOL
@@annikinstarkiller600why do that when you can just manually set the watch?
That’s a beauty. Thanks for the thorough review!
If this was available here in the UK I’d buy it in an instant. Not having a valid guarantee bothers me.
The Seiko Astron is £510....Casio Oceanus S100 £306 both very good watches and very similar, I think I would go for the Oceanus and still have £200 in my pocket.
To be fair to the Citizen, the Chronomaster is insanely accurate without needing the radio waves that make the Seiko exactly as accurate as a $30 Casio Waveceptor. But damn the Seiko dial is beautiful. Thanks for the video.
Tell that to the guys that wear mechanical watches 😂
Great review and with Christmas around the corner, very tempting!
Lovely watch that ticks all the boxes for me. An alternative Seiko worth considering is the SBTM339 that has similar spec. and is available from Sakura Watches. Thanks for all the great videos!
This watch is now seriously on my radar. I'm just too into blue but I am sure there are other options more up my alley. Thanks Jody.
It's a lovely watch Jody. Gorgeous dial as expected. Very refined looking and nice bracelet, but with an 8.1“ wrist I might struggle. But it would still look great on a nice blue leather strap. If it has a coating on the titanium, it might be still Diashield, which was on a Seiko diver I owned......and still got scratched to bits! Entertaining review as ever!
Oh my, I live in London bought this watch in Tokyo from the Seiko House as a memory of the trip. At the time I didn't know it's JDM only and absolutely love it. Didn't expect to see it here!
Michael is over 1,000 subscribers now. Very nice watch!
Can't be a Seiko, it hits all the markers
😂
Seiko Arnie SNJ025 here, does a very good job at hitting the markers!
Both my Seiko 7545 from 1979 as well as my 7A38 from 1984 hit their markers spot on. Quality was different back then.
I had a Citizen, it hit few of the markers. I bet it was actually a Seiko that Citizen had rebadged. After all, it couldn't have been a Citizen, because the internet says they always hit the markers. So it must have been a Seiko. Right?
Seiko have never had a problem with hitting the markers, try again.
What a great watch! I love it!
Thanks for sharing, Jody.
Not really a quartz enthusiast but I could go for one of these. Looks good, dial hands, crystal and overall proportions spot on, and perfect size for me. In the UK it would just be a grab and go whenever. Not bothered about no lume, very occasionally it matters, I'd just wear something different then.
Fantastic video as always Jody! I'm also looking forward to what Seiko adds to their astron line moving forward. Thanks for the shout-out too :)
I'm convinced Seiko JDMs are the cream of the crop
That really checks all the blocks for that particular style of daily driver for me. I've always wondered why they're not marketed here given that we have access to atomic time. I'll have to pop into a boutique next time in in Japan. Cheers!
Nice watch. How about a comparison: JDM Seiko vs JDM Citizen vs JDM Casio🤔
Nice. Can't wait for the Erebus GADA 😊
Very cool watch - thanks Jody!
Very nice video and a very appealing watch. Thanks!
Hi Jody, would love to see a review of the JDM Citizen NB1050-59E. Looks like a great Sarb alternative. Cheers
Thanks, I bought another one because of your channel. But at least it was under $600 and I get the atomic clock signal. Solar quartz is the best movement type. I don’t care about a sweeping seconds hand.
That's really nice. Most Astron's we get here tend to be a bit too much for my liking but this is perfect. It's a shame we don't get the radio control feature in Australia and why is it we don't have access to an atomic clock via such a service? Makes us look a bit like a backwater lacking what the rest of the developed would has. Maybe you could do a deep dive into that system and even why we can't have it here. Maybe the watch fam needs to start a petition up to get it here? Also wearing my MAS again today. Such an amazing watch and would love to see some more videos on them as its great to support a small aussie microbrand.
I understood that some Astrons could pick up GPS signals instead of/in addition to the terrestrial radio transmitter signals. This one is perhaps too inexpensive for that.
Great video, Jody!
If I were in the market for Astron, I would also check out Seiko Brightz line, especially Seiko SAGZ081. The same features - radio controlled solar, titanium case and bracelet with sapphire for half the money and it's a beauty.
I absolutely love my Seiko sbtm313. Solar quartz with radio time that picks up signal just fine in Europe/UK
Received mine about a week ago and it’s been on my wrist ever since. Was able to get a perfect fit on a 6.5” wrist. This was really surprising but one of the reasons I haven’t taken it off.
It picks up the radio signal, in the US, every night as long as I place it on a window sill. Masonary home construction prevents receiving the signal otherwise.
Like all titanium watches the weight makes it feel “cheap”. But it’s certainly not and the lightweight allows it to disappear on wrist.
It’s dressier than I normally wear. There are a lot of polished edges on the case and bracelet. No lune doesn’t matter. It befits a dressier watch.
I have a Casio S100, and T200, and like the Seiko better. Case size and weight are main reasons. No integrated bracelet is always a plus. The issue as/ the Casios is they don’t pick up the radio signal if you have it paired to a phone. If you don’t connect it daily it doesn’t sync.
Stunning watch. I've been looking at the SBXY049. A bit pricey though. Cheers.
That Buyee tip in another video was great. Just picked this one up new with serious discount. :D
That’s a lovely proposition! 😍
I love the Astron range. A GPS Astron is my grail, but this radio controlled one looks fantastic, too!
amazing. In about an hour you got Addicted to Watched past 1K followers 🙌
Love the Mario shirt, Jody! Have you had a chance to play the new Mario Wonder yet? It’s an absolute treat for fans of old school Mario!
Jody, would love to see you check out one of the 3 hand GPS Astrons eg SSJ003
Considering this or the non Astron version with the same movement, the SBTM341 (Edit: Which also has lume!). This is the in between of a SUR319 and a GS 9F, which I’ve been looking for for ages. And it actually exists! This is just about my dream watch. Personally I’d rather have this than most expensive Swiss mechanical watches. A 9F in this style would be cool too, but I want a do-it-all piece that I won’t have to worry about getting a bit scratched up, and that won’t potentially take half a months salary before taxes to replace.
Thanks for pointing out this smaller, simpler Astron. A lot of the other models look like 15 designers all got to add something to the watch. I would still pick a Casio Oceanus over this. They seem better finished.
The Astron name carries a lot of weight for a certain breed of watch nerd. I am one of them.
Pricey! But it’s true that recently Seiko doesn’t mind putting a big price tag (I guess for the name) especially compared to Casio. Although it real does have some good functionality. Nice
🥰🥰 I have a citizen and casio atomic guess I need this to right? Watch Addiction gotta love it
Love that watch, can't seem to find it for sale anywhere (based in UK). Got a part number and where to buy??
Thanks Michael!
Superb entry-level Astron watch. I share your taste for JDM watches, they have that extra something that some watches don't have. Like Kanji day for example. Thank you for this discovery Jody. 👍🤩🇨🇵
Hey Jody, you can get basically the same specs on this watch, Seiko Selection SBTM287 Titanium Solar Atomic, for half the price. I bought mine in '21 and it is my GADA. It even has a little lume on the hands. Seiko is basically asking us to pony up $300 for the Astron moniker. Cheers!
I spent much of my life wearing a Ti Citizen eco-drive with atomic time. I think it's the perfect combination for the "non-watch guy". You never have to do ANYTHING to it! Now, I have 3 versions sitting in my watch box that I never wear because they don't thrill me anymore. 🤷♂
Any feedback on the real world accuracy of this watch? (When not using the radio control feature)
Tempted to say that's the best Seiko I've seen. Refined, pretty dial, titanium, premium functionality. Classy watch.
Check out the sbtm range. You get most of this for even less money.
You can choose titanium, super clear coating, hardness coating on case/bracelet, solar radio controlled, and a perpetual calendar.
I just picked up a citizen NY0120-01Z with the orange dial. For less than 200$ absolutely gorgeous. What do you make of the new Seiko presage in gold
Beautiful Watch really love these just wish for that price could at least get 100 meters WR
Nice to see some appreciation for high tech quartz watches. Most see ticking seconds and write them off under the illusion that a base spec auto is somehow superior because of a sweeping second hand. This one is not really my style and I prefer the Oceanus line and G-shock MTGs.
whew, Jody is back to the JDMs, instead of tempting me with yet another microbrand.
One might notice that those jdm videos aren't sponsored while all the quirky micros are.
Mans gotta eat
Had a couple of microbrands, to be honest they all looked way better on paper than in person. The exact opposite of the big boy Japanese brands, especially JDM models.
@@harryh536 Fantastic observation 😉
I do really like Helm, and hopefully the Erebus will be worth the cash too!
Other microbrands seem a waste of money to me, but great if people enjoy them without regrets.
@@harryh536 see this is almost the opposite of my experience. we attribute way too much value to heritage. often big boy japanese brands(and honestly the swiss) cut corners while still charging more.
microbrands on the other hand, some brands are owned by people who really LOVE watches and you can see that passion go into the design. Jody's Erebus is one such example, and I love hearing the thought process that went into the design far more than hearing about Seiko's history and then paying £500 for mineral glass...
I'm sure it's probably been mentioned already but it does have a hard coating. Great watch for the money.
Remarkable finish for titanium watch, very smart piece.
Sakura have the Seiko SBTM335 in stock - same movement, stainless, sapphire - dial looks plain black, only 38mm and a semi integrated bracelet. But its only 200USD. If it was 40 or 41mm and I was sure the bracelet would fit my wrist I'd have ordered one already.
Jody, how did you buy from Ikkodo in Japan, I don't find a website... ?
I absolutely love my Seiko Astron SSH111. Yes it was expensive but worth every cent.
Man I'm digging this one! Might have to look into it, as the other Astrons have been a bit expensive 😅 Currently I'm in a bit of high tech Japanese Quartz stage
There's a similar variant that has lume with the angled style case with that same movement. Similar price range and specs otherwise. SBXY061 for the blue dial. SBXY063 for the black dial
You should try and get the SKX quartz cousin, the JDM SBCM023.
Perpetual calendar, HAQ, 39mm.
This is mega cool. I might have to get one
Nice but I can't justify it when I still own my Oceanus t200. I was tempted by a sbxy0089 that is new on ebay but decided to stick with what I have.
Can you look at citizen Attesa specially CB3030?
It's a nice watch, but for that price you can buy 2 Citizen Attesa watches with excatly the same specs except for the "sleep" mode. I have the Attesa CB1120-50G that costed me 295€. And it is the most accurate watch I have, even without using the radio controlled function, for instance, since the beginning of October until today, it went from -0.6 sec to -0.4 sec.
Thanks for the reminder of just how great Citizens are.
That style of pattern on the dial that you're calling wiggly lines is referred to as Guilloche (phonetically pronounced gee-oh-shay) which traditionally requires what's called a rose engine lathe to make but I doubt Seiko would or can use that traditional method because of it being cost prohibitive and it probably wouldn't work with a photo transparent material that's necessary for the function of the solar cell.
Thanks for video. Went down rabbit hole of jdm radio offerings. Then pure quartz. Ultimately bought this on buyee. Only regret is Jody doesn’t get commission.
Oh and buyer price was just over 500 usd
I bought this from japan, partly based on this review. One thing i missed was how difficult it is to read the hands. Their reflectivity, at least on the blue model, blends into the dial. Perhaps the black is better but despite loving everything else about it, i cant see keeping a watch where the time is difficult to read.
Great video, as always 👍 Was in buy mode until the sapphire. Single Dome ??? Why? It's looks awful, such a shame on an otherwise brilliant watch.
What's the story behind the fact that the seconds hand hits all the markers? Is there a auto alignment function?
It's a lovely watch, would be nice if Seiko incorporated a lower cost version of their spring drive to give it that smooth second hand sweep, but I guess they need a reason to encourage sales of their $6k Grand Seikos! 🤷🏻♂️
I wish they also fit a GPS receiver, just like the other Astrons, into the same casing.
Thanks for the review, the watch look good, but why buy when you cant even use the radio signal? Which is the watch main feature. I bought the Astron ssh127, yes they are more expensive but they use the gps signal which more convenient and work everywhere in the world, so more useful. Also they have the on the fly adjustment just like those high end swiss, which also surprise me. Plus the shield coated on their titanium bracelet is very impressive. I have been using the watch for months and not a single scratch. Anyway Astron is a good choice for anyone who want high tech watch 👍
I got this watch, but somehow I can't manage to get it to sync with the GPS/Radio signal. Im in the Netherlands which is an area where it should work according to the seiko map. Any ideas what could be?
I press the tiny button for 3 seconds, it shows 'L' and then fails, each time. I tried in different locations including parks with no buildings around.
Please review the three hander Astron SSJ003J1!
My Casio Red Bull dose the wakeup thing much more imprecive because of the indivoduel moving hands. And thats a 14 year old watch. Always funny to see peoples reaction when I demostrate it. I love the simplicety and the blue dail of the Seiko tho
Which watch was accurate at the end…the Seiko or the Citizen?
Still prefer my Longines VHP GMT which was on sale for the same price and although not titanium arguably has a better movement and is big enough for my wrist. Sorts out DST for itself too.
I am SO EXITED!😅
Sometimes I tend to overemphasise intangible nonsensical details 😂 - while you a truly „NO NONSENS“ when it comes to watches (which I appreciate, as it reins in my bias 😊). But still, there is one fact that you didn’t mention !
The Astron line is not ANY line, but the line that introduced the first ever Quartz wacht, with the Astron 35SQ!🎉
This piece of history does matter to me A LOT! … and there we go: NONSENSICAL 😂😂😂
The seiko sbtm316 is basically the same watch with lume. Looks pretty close to your "the citizen" minus the dial. Its in 316 instead of titanium for less than half the price of that one. Look it up.
I still cannot justify the $600 price tag of this vs.
Same with my SBTM305. Also don't forget the Ultra Clear coating and Needle Position Control, hits all the markers!
same with my SBTM313, amazing range of watches
SBTM339!, cheers
SBTM-217 here
SBTM293 here😊
Since i got a titanium solar citizen, all my other watches haven't left the case. It's near perfect
Asstron is a good name for Seiko.
Jody. When are you gonna wise up and take a hard look at some of the Orient Star watches? Outdoor? Basic Date? 1964 2nd Edition?
It was a bad idea watching this video lol. I've been looking for a titanium blue dial watch to pair with my titanium Citizen Exceed and I was supposed to be waiting for the gps Astron to go on sale/get discounted.
Important note that most Citizen Chronomasters don’t have lume, either.
But they're five-grand Citizens you can only order on the internet from the other side of the planet. Free pass therefore.
Citizen Lineage radio watch is my choice here. It feels good when you don't have to mortgage eating for a couple of months!
Awesome daily, I want, is 10 watches too much?
Looks great and love it, but I am not sure if I would choose this over the Oceanus S100, which is much cheaper
Absolutely correct
I bought. Buyee was really easy to US. JDM rabbit hole for sure.
Love it! 👌👌👌
There should be clear line drawn between Astrons which are GPS controlled + Solar vs what is in this review. The expensive ones you should say are GPS controlled allowing you to press button anywhere on the planet and with few seconds watch will adjust its time. They are brilliant piece of tech and definitely worth the high price. They are also completely different level than radio controlled one versions from this review which only use radio control in spots where it is available and not adjust time to any chosen time zone.
I just got my first gen Astron serviced. Seiko North America charged me $407. The watch was gone three months (actually very good compared to Swiss brands).
I will add that the Diashield works great with the titanium and the ceramic never scratches. In addition, the regular Astron watches get satellite updates anywhere on the world, and mine has a separately setable clock one can set to another time, both hours and minutes. It also has a power reserve. Mine is also massive, but light weight. The watch looks great, and has no scratches since 2014.
Please help, I am about to sell my Astron because I simply cannot understand how the watch does it’s daily time adjustment automatically. I feel stupid walking around outside under the open sky waiting for it to happen. I have read the instructions. I’m tired of holding the button down to make it happen.
Owned one. Didn't catch the signal for 3 days. Without signal it was terribly inaccurate to my surprise. Wasn't happy with the finishing either. Very disappointed, returned it and swapped it for a Tissot.
Get the Gps Astrons that take time off the satellites.Its the one watch i set all my other watch s and clocks off!
Good to see that we got 'Addicted to Watches' nicely over the 1K mark so quickly! 🙂
What's the reference number for this watch?
So you can pull out the crown and adjust the watch to a new time zone simply by turning the crown? That's revolutionary! :-D