Side by side

Seiko AstronvsVario 1918 Medic Brass

The numbers, the dial colors, the calibers — laid out so you can stop flipping between tabs.

Astron
SeikoAstron
MSRP $3,100
1918 Medic Brass
Vario1918 Medic Brass
MSRP $388

At a glance

15 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Astron44.1mm
1918 Medic Brass40mm
Power Reserve
Astron40h
1918 Medic Brass40h
Water Resistance
Astron100m
1918 Medic Brass100m
MSRP
Astron$3,100
1918 Medic Brass$388

Full specifications

Case

6 specs
Category
Chronograph
Field
Diameter
44.1mm
40mm
Thickness
14.4mm
10mm
Lug-to-Lug
50mm
48mm
Lug Width
14mm
20mm
Material
Titanium
316L Stainless Steel

Crystal & Dial

5 specs
Crystal
Sapphire
Domed Sapphire
Crystal Shape
Curved
Flat
AR Coating
Super-clear coating
Inner
Dial Color
Black
White
Lume
LumiBrite on hands and index(es)
None

Movement

3 specs
Caliber
5X83
Seiko NH38A
Type
Quartz
Automatic
Jewels
14
25

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$3,100
$388

Follow this matchup

Get a note when Seiko Astron vs Vario 1918 Medic Brass gets more votes, a community discussion, or a price drop. No account needed.

What people say

Owners + reviewers, side by side

Synthesized for each watch independently from owner discussions, enthusiast forums, written reviews, and video reviewers.

Seiko Astron

Owners widely praise the Seiko Astron for its spectacular technology, self-sufficiency, and grab-and-go convenience, with one owner calling it the best watch they have ever had. Reviewers and owners highlight the detailed and well-managed dials, often with "Grand Seiko-esque" precision, and appreciate the comfortable, lightweight titanium construction. The solar-powered quartz movement with GPS time sync is a significant draw, offering accurate timekeeping. However, the price point of around €2250-€2400 is frequently cited as high for a quartz watch. Some owners note manual DST implementation, dependence on outdoor conditions or radio tower proximity for GPS sync, and sparse lume. One owner experienced the minute hand sitting slightly off and found the recessed buttons difficult to operate. Accuracy figures vary, with some reporting +/- 15 seconds per month without GPS, while others note autonomous quartz movement accuracy of up to 1/2 second per day.

Vario 1918 Medic Brass

Owners widely praise the Vario 1918 Medic Brass for its crisp enamel dial, easy-to-read numerals, and cathedral hands, noting the brass case develops an attractive patina over time. However, the soft brass scratches easily, and one owner found the lume to be poor. Accuracy varies, with one example running slow by about 10 seconds per day and another owner deeming the Miyota 82s5 movement just okay. On balance, owners rate the Vario 1918 Medic Brass highly for its unique dial and the evolving character of its brass case.

Keep exploring

More watches worth a look

Matched to the watches above on size, movement, style and price — microbrands first. Open any one to dig in.

Adjacent matchups

People also compared

Comparisons nearby in the catalog — alternatives to the watches above paired against the matchup.