You Can Still Buy The Seiko Alpinist, But Should You?

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This one was SERIOUSLY hyped earlier this year by all and sundry. Is it worth it? Prices seem to have stabilised and there is plenty of stock in Japan. Should you jump in before they are gone? Or should you avoid them like the plague? Cheers, JOMW.

[KenSlager]

Desk diver or a stairwell mountaineer? The Alpinist can show you which way your laptop is facing as you move from office to office with that cool internal compass. A diver’s unidirectional rotating bezel works like a stress ball as you spin it calmly listening to the clicks waiting for your lunch break. I think they are both of equal value to the average user.

[NedimHadzihasanovic]

Have one on a colareb Roma, and the combination is quite strikingly good. One American asked me what kind of watch it is, because the hands reminded him of rollie... Divers are great, but not for small wrists, not for any kind of even slightly formal event, and not for people who don't like weight on the wrist. Alpinist for me is absolutely perfect everyday watch, be it on the formal event, beach or mountain.

[adaptivekalman]

I'm not a mountaineer, pilot or a diver. Guess I'll have to sell all the inappropriate watches I have. I have SARB017, it's stunning, the compass can also be used to time things and it can be dressed up or down for all occasions.

[mrfuriouser]

My wife bought me one Christmas '16 and I love it so very much! My 6r, in particular, runs under +1 per day out of the box. Sitting or on-wrist. I couldn't be happier.

[stealthbanana]

Hmmm, One of my favourite, and most worn watches, on my 8 inch wrist, not just for the smaller wrist, I find the watch is incredibly versatile, going with almost every strap I put it on, currently on a bright red perlon I tried as a laugh, and it works. As someone who likes spending weekends in the Scottish Highlands, I find the compass very useful, and as useful as a divers bezel dandering about the center of Glasgow. Also, probably one of my most admired watch, I get it complimented more than any other. Price, yes, now you are playing about retail from the grey market, but the prices before the announcement were about 1/3rd cheaper.

[jeffm]

Fell in love with the Alpinist the first time I saw one. I am not a fan of green dials but the way the hands complimented the dial it all fell into place and I fell in love with it. Thank you as always for your input. You are hands down my favorite watch guy to watch!

[MrSlicer]

I love the green dial! And it's not a garish wrist clock that are so prevalent these days.

[losdawg]

I bought my sarb017 in 2017 and am so thankful I did. I love how it stands alone in its own design. The gorgeous dial transitions from a more forest green when inside to a stunning emerald green in the sunlight. I have had so many compliments on my Alpinist. It’s a watch that makes me happy when I look at it, or take it out of the watch box for a night out. Getting that feeling is what this great hobby is all about.

[susfu]

The Alpinist is a cult classic, which means it's definitely not for everyone. Given it's a field watch I think it's better compared to other field watches like Hamilton Khaki King, for example, or even the Rolex Explorer I, rather than a diver. Prior to the discontinuation announcement earlier this year they could easily be had for ~$350-400 USD on Amazon and Ebay. I was able to pick one up the day the news broke in that price range...and then watch them climb to north of $600 for a bit before settling down in the $400-500 range. Despite the poor OEM strap, it's a lot of watch for the money. As for the 6R15 movement, I have three: the SARB017 is running a consistent -4 spd, while it's SARB033 cousin is coming in at -9 spd and the SARB035 is clocking +3 spd. I'd prefer those negative numbers to be positives, but all in all not bad and well within it's -15/+25 spec.

[tonymaiettasr.]

Jody. Have it and love it. Same combination Strapcode Angus Jubilee. Wear it quite often. I like to switch watches about every week. Divers, Chronographs, Cocktail Time when wearing a suit at dinner about once a month. Option 4, Strapcode Angus Jubilee with gold center links. Really brings out the gold on the dial. Nice video. Nice watch, but not for everyone.

[nmoddentity]

I have an Alpinist paired with a nice mahogany colored vintage leather strap. I believe the strap really makes the watch. Worn with most warm colored clothes (tan, yellow, grey especially) it is stunning. Not a watch for everyone but if you're a collector it is a piece worth considering.

[rcface]

I won't spend too much time talking about this watch, since most people appear to have already made up their minds. What I will say is that I have not thought about buying another watch since I got mine. It's perfect for me. Perhaps I have peculiar tastes. I do want to mention something about the Angus Jubilee. One of the things I love about the watch is the 38mm size. It's quite elegant. The Angus Jubilee bracelet is very chunky and heavy. Don't imagine that your going to be getting the rolex datejust experience with that thing. The bracelet is a beast. For a lot of you, that may be a selling point. More power too you. I would consider putting it on a strap that is slightly maroon. The reddish/purplish brown plays fantastically with the green, and can tie the watch better with your outfit if you like to wear blue. I know it sounds strange, but I love it.

[davidoffrance]

mine is +8 sec per day, not the most accurate watch i own but i love its style and definitively a keeper for 2 years now

[capetowntourguide]

Absolutely love my Alpinist. I have put it on a stripey Nato and it is my daily watch🤩

[jn]

It’s The Marmite watch. I love it, few compare with features you get for the money imho.

[yogililly]

I am pretty much field watches, but when wanting to put together a 3 watch collection under $1000, 38mm with 20mm lugs the SARB017 is my EDC field/explorer choice with the SKX013 being the diver. Still undecided about the dress watch but likely a swiss made hamilton as have $350 left to spend.

The green/gold was high school colors, the colors for the Green Bay Packers (live in Wisconsin) and have a watch for Saint Patty day

Prefer the Alpinist on a worn brown leather strap for a rugged vintage look but have consider a Strapcode Oyster bracelet.

[daletaylorjr.]

I’ve had mine for 10 months now. I still love it and sure it doesn’t go with every shirt like a black dial would but that didn’t stop me from getting a watch with a blue dial and a red one too. If I were to only have one watch, this would not be it, but you know as well as I do, there is always room for....Just One More Watch.

[stahh]

I have one for a few years, still love it. IMHO doesn't look good on any bracelet. brown vintage calf leather strap is the way to go.

[voiceofexperience]

The Alpinist has been my "go-to" week-ender for quite a few years now. I really do think it's a better watch than your review suggests.
I guess time will tell... 😏

[shmendrik]

I see your point there about not being a Japanese mountaineer. I guess you should get rid of all your divers then.