The Seiko Prospex GPS Solar 5X83 SSH169J1 watch hands-on

Introduction

The Seiko Prospex GPS Solar 5X83 SSH169J1 100th Anniversary Limited Edition celebrates the fusion of Prospex and Astron GPS Solar. This is not headline news; in 2016, Seiko introduced a timepiece with the Marinemaster moniker alongside GPS Solar Dual-Time SSF 001. That hybrid exercise was not a one-off but developed with Japanese skipper Kojiro Shiraishi.

In 2024, the Prospex x Astron tool watch will be back in business since it pairs a Prospex case architecture (bear in mind that the 2016 SSF was water resistant up to 200 meters) with all the gimmicks offered by Seiko’s latest generation GPS watch.

The SSF is no longer officially available but has echoed so much to inspire a contemporary model, thus proving that Seiko was willing to revive that concept.

A Prospex chronograph with state-of-the-art Astron GPS Solar

During the last eight years, Seiko has undergone relevant technical and aesthetic evolution across all product lines, but Prospex stands out in technology and options.

Its pursuit of professional performance (Prospex stands for Professional Specifications) is achieved by adopting all the latest technologies, which have the most comprehensive array of calibres, whether mechanical, Spring-Driven, or solar-powered. Finally, GPS technology was added on.

Inside a classic 42 mm three-counter chronograph, which from afar might resemble a Speedtimer Mechanical Chronograph, is the advanced Astron Solar 5X83 GPS platform.

Black and gold. And caliber 5X83.

From a style perspective, the Anniversary model pays homage to the celebrative black and gold livery found, for instance, on the latest GPS Solar Kintaro Hattori Limited Edition SSH156J1. The watch undergoes an IP treatment to be hardened out of a steel case and bracelet, buttons, and crown.

However, the Chronograph functions stand out visually compared to the other features available, setting it apart from any Astron sibling.

At first glance, you might think it is exclusively a 1/20-second chronograph since its counter is surrounded by a shining gold ring.

The 5X83 calibre is a super clever and capable digital device offering a fulfilling list of functions; we have decided to review most of them while focusing, for example, on GPS signal reception and chronograph operation.

How to activate and set up a Prospex GPS Solar 5X83 SSH169J1

First things first, please connect the watch to the GPS satellites. Press the button at two; you will notice that the tiny hand at nine will smoothly move to position “1” in three seconds. That gauge is your dashboard.

Once connected, the central hand swipes and points at the letter “Y” on the outer ring. Moving forward, please press the push-button at four for at least three seconds until the small hand points to the “4+” indication.

The second hand will subsequently move to indicate the satellites pinpointed. Comparing its layout with an Astron’s, you will notice that the timezone scale has moved the bezel’s outer surface.

You can manually adjust the time like with any mechanical watch by pulling the crown to position “1” and rotating it clockwise or anti-clockwise, thus advancing the hour hand in one-hour increments forward and back.

The same goes for adjusting the second time zone by pulling out the crown to position 2; it syncs with the central second’s hand and the outer scale to set the desired time zone.

Home or local time?

Interestingly, you can swap Home and Local time between the primary and offset subdial; how can you do it? Press the two buttons simultaneously for a second, and all the hands, date, day of the week, and AM/PM indications will switch accordingly.

How to operate the Chronograph

It could not be easier. Pull the crown to position one and press the pusher at four o’clock. The hand at nine points to “CHR.”

By closing the crown, you will have everything set as the hands are zeroed, and the Chronograph is ready to start, stop and reset as you will do with any Chrono. The standard second timezone in this setup is your Chrono hours and minutes totalizer.

We can keep scrolling through additional functions, like the handy daylight saving time (DST Daylight Saving Time) or In-Flight ones.

Also, remember that the Prospex GPS Solar 5X83 SSH169J1 is a perpetual calendar set until 2100.

Final thoughts

Astron’s Prospex edition makes the watch easier to read and use, among the main benefits of an SSH169J1. Technology and features are packed into a 2,500 Euro timepiece produced in 1,000 pieces, making it the most accessible 5X83-powered Seiko.

Who is the Seiko Prospex GPS Solar 5X83 SSH169J1 Limited Edition 100th Anniversary prospect customer? A tech-savvy watch enthusiast who appreciates high-tech products and plenty of functions guaranteed by an ultra-sophisticated satellite watch precise to +/- 15 seconds per month, whose design is more streamlined than an Astron’s.

Seiko aims to provide an all-rounder with classic Prospex Chrono attire at first glance while doubling down on water resistance compared to its forerunner’s 200-meter performance.

(Photo credit: Horbiter®)

Giovanni Maria Di Biase @Horbiter®