Key Takeaways
1. Seiko introduced four new solar GPS watches in the Astron Nexter series: HAC001, HAC002, HAD001, and HAD002, all featuring deep blue dials and titanium cases with DiaShield coating.
2. The HAD001 model includes a complex chronograph design, a stopwatch, and can display world time for 25 cities, while weighing only 90g and maintaining a slim profile of 10.6mm.
3. The HAD002 features a simpler design with two sub-dials for a second time zone and day-of-the-week indicator, and weighs 93g with the same titanium build and water resistance as HAD001.
4. The HAC001 and HAC002 models focus on minimalism, offering just time and date features, while still allowing for automatic time correction and a perpetual calendar.
5. All four watches are solar-powered, lasting up to 9 months on a full charge in the dark and 2 years in power-saving mode, with prices starting at approximately $1,107 for the HAD001 and $1,038 for the others.
Seiko has introduced four new solar GPS watches within its Astron Nexter series. The models include HAC001, HAC002, HAD001, and HAD002, all featuring deep blue dials, chapter rings, and so-called Pure Titanium cases with DiaShield coating. Each of these watches harnesses solar power and can adjust time and time zones automatically by connecting to various satellites, along with providing radio wave correction for major areas around the world.
Features of HAD001
Among the four, the HAD001 stands out with the most intricate design. It sports a traditional three-register chronograph-style layout along with an outer chapter ring that enables viewing world time for 25 cities at once. Driven by the Caliber 8B92 movement, it comes equipped with a stopwatch that measures in 1/5-second increments, a 24-hour hand, and an automatic calendar that extends until 2099. Even with its detailed features, the watch maintains a relatively slim profile of 10.6mm thick, weighing only 90g, attributed to its titanium build. Additionally, it includes a sapphire crystal with Super Clear Coating, LumiBrite on the hands and indices, and a water resistance level of 10ATM.
HAD002’s Design
On the other hand, the HAD002 presents a more subtle design with two sub-dials: one for a 24-hour second time zone and a retrograde day-of-the-week indicator. It operates on the Caliber 8B63, which adds a dual-time display and a date window positioned at 3 o’clock. While it features a chapter ring like its counterpart, it shows UTC offsets instead of city codes. It also can receive radio signals in countries like the US, UK, Japan, China, and Germany. Weighing a bit more at 93g, it maintains the same titanium structure, sapphire glass, and the same 10ATM water resistance.
If you’re curious about the black inner bezel with lettered markers, it’s involved in the watch’s GPS and radio-controlled timekeeping system. When syncing with GPS satellites or atomic clock signals, the second hand jumps to these markers to show reception status and signal strength.
HAC001 and HAC002’s Simplicity
While the HAD models focus on functionality, the HAC001 and HAC002 adopt a more simplified and minimalist design. Both use the Caliber 7B62 and reduce the features to just time and date, while still allowing for automatic time correction through radio signals and a perpetual calendar.
Both models showcase an octagonal case, with the HAC001 presenting a larger size at 39.6mm wide (45.4mm lug-to-lug), whereas the HAC002 is more compact at 36mm in width. Similar to the HAD models, they too have an inner bezel with lettered markers that contribute to the radio-controlled timekeeping system.
As previously mentioned, all four watches are solar-powered, with Seiko asserting they can last up to 9 months on a full charge when kept in the dark or up to 2 years in power-saving mode.
All of these models are expected to be available for purchase in Japan starting in April. The pricing begins at 176,000 yen (approximately $1,107) for the HAD001, while the HAD002, HAC001, and HAC002 are priced at 165,000 yen (around $1,038). The company has not yet disclosed details about global availability or pricing, but more information is anticipated soon.
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