Is The 'New' Seiko Alpinist Worth The Extra Money?
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- Опубликовано: 16 окт 2024
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Shout outs galore and a long and rambling video about the Alpinist, old and new. I have borrowed two and bought none, it just isn't for me, I prefer my tool watches in a dive watch stylee. There is definitely more to like about the new one, including various colours which are easier on the eye than green and gold, but I don't think the price justifies the extra features. Shop the deal on this one, HARD! Cheers, Jody
re: 6:45 - interesting Jody that you see this as more suited to a larger collection. I've always thought the opposite, i.e. the appeal of the Alpinist being its versatility (á la the Explorer), and I can imagine a universe in which it's part of a much smaller collection. I'd be able to get away with this at the office, then with a t-shirt at the weekend, and then pretty much anywhere else out in the wild with 200m of water resistance. Hell, I reckon this and a G-shock would see me through most situations in life...especially if I learned to use that compass bezel.
Thanks for continuing to churn out the quality content!
The rare combination of outdoor and dress, not boring but not overdone, like countless others. 200 m, a swim, camping, fishing, hiking, dress watch. That white dial will never get old. A wonderful watch in every way. Love it.
I have the prior gen Alpinist, the SARB017. I think the green sunburst dial and gilt hands/markers are beautiful. For those who perceive a paradox between this Seiko's dressier design cues and its tool watch attributes, I would reference early 20th century field watches, which often had these baroque design cues, especially the cathedral hands. I enjoy it *because* it's so different and defies easy categorization. That and its compact dimensions; a good fit for my smaller than average wrists.
Plot twist; Jason's head exploded when the display sticker was pealed off.
One step forward, X steps back.
And which one is forward?
@@vwlukas The leather strap is now mediocre instead of crap.
COMPASS EXPLAINED: Line up the sun's angle halfway between the hour hand and 12 o'clock. That makes 12 o'clock due south (or in the southern hemisphere north). That's it!
@Antony Mort As far as I can visualize the geometry, I think that works out to be the same thing.
One of the details I appreciate on my sarb017 is the tiny applied lume plots with gold polished edges. Sadly these have have been replaced with just painted on lume. Cost cutting, whilst increasing the price!
None of the reviewers who were so impressed with those dots on the SARB017 seem to have noticed the're gone.
How big of a difference is applied-on lume vs painted?
Yeah but 50% more power reserve, display casebook and deployment clasp are much more significant improvements than this small detail
I've always considered the alpinist as being either a perfect one-watch-collection watch or, as you stated, a watch buried in an extensive collection. The quirky middle ground it sits in doesn't leave much room in between those two extremes. That's why I like it.
That's well said.
Personally I don't get why it's considered to be such an odd looking timepiece. The SARB017 or its 2020 equivalent never spoke to me. That green... 🤢
But the pre-SARB Alpinists of the 90's and the other 2020 variants, especially the cream and gilt dial SPD123 spoke to me immediately upon release in January.
I bought one just a few weeks back at a healthy discount I'm happy to say, and I ʟᴏᴠᴇ it.
It's currently on a perlon for the Australian summer but will mainly live on a Jubilee bracelet.
It's way more versatile than I expected. I really like the piece. A lot!
I have the previous version and love it! I consider it a field watch with sapphire crystal and excellent water resistance. Good for hiking, hunting, and camping as well. And it has a compass!
Even boating👌
Congratulations to Scotland on qualifying for Euros. 🏴
I like it when Scotland gets to any final. It's so much fun watching all those hopes getting crushed....
And here we are...
But Scotland have achieved eternal fame. Whenever the best 10 goals ever scored in the European Cup are selected, Scotland will be there , with 2 of them being scored against Scotland !
Jodi!
Most watches that have cyclops…look like a cyclops, this watch has a dewdrop. I’ve actually had people ask me if I had a drop of rain on my watch! it’s elegant. It’s perfect and I love it.
I was once an Alpinist doubter until this year. Once I got the cream and gilt Alpinist I fell in love with them. A SARB017 and a SBB123 soon followed. The steel bracelet is especially silky to wear and the Cyclops is functional.
With the compass crown the Alpinist is a stand out in a horological crowd. without it, there's a risk of becoming run of the mill.
The Helm Vanuatu still rules my wrist but for a day out or evenings entertainment Alpinist is good watch company.
Cheers Jody.
5:15 I'm not waiting until the end of 2021 for a review of the baby alpinist.
I don't agree when you say it has to be part of a large collection. I love my SARB017, on a NATO strap, it is a great sport watch, and on a leather strap, it's very dressy and would go nicely with a shirt. That's the closest to perfect every-situation watch I think
One of my “best buys” this year was picking up one of the old SARB017 green models for GBP £215. The supplied strap was pretty horrible, but a dark brown vintage leather Colareb strap works nicely on it.
Agree on the supplied strap. I immediately put an Uncle Seiko BOR bracelet on my SARB017.
Where’d he get it!
YOUSEF GEORGE A commercial seller on eBay had about a dozen of them at this price about 6 months ago.
@@nickbyrne1962 damn
I've heard there's some fakes floating around online going for $200 or so. Be careful.
Jody, thank you so much for the shout-out and for coming on the podcast! Take care and talk to you soon 🙏
Miguel
I recently almost chose an Alpinist watch for myself. I ended up choosing a Casio Oceanus S100 instead. No regrets. At 74, I had no thoughts of future resale, I have other watches for that.
Great info. I was thinking of getting one of these, may just get an older model instead.
The best to use as a compass are the ones with a GMT hand: you just synchronize it with your local solar time, point it to the sun and you have the North at 12 (a 24h watch works too, of course). Well, that's in my hemisphere, no idea about yours. (Only if Australia exists and it's not a conspiracy of the round earthers in which you, Jody, are probably involved).
...which Seiko had in the early 2000’s’, with its original Prospex Alpinists (8F56 quartz), aka GMT, the only where the compass bezel made real sense. PS: Australia is real, I heard, like it’s just on the reverse, B track of the LP plate.
I bought the black dial face with the stainless bracelet two weeks ago. I am over the moon with it. 39.5mm is the perfect diameter and the 20mm lug width is nice. Very comfortable and light weight which is key for me. Reminds me of the R Explorer which I will never buy. This will be my go to watch for quite while. Busier dial, but still like it and the unique compass crown looks good. This is the watch I have been looking for and has that Explorer feel for me! Great show! Jeff/Boston MA
Thanks Jody, I'm always looking for Just One More Podcast.
I agree with you. This is definitely a niche piece for someone who has already ticked the boxes with other pieces. I like the internal bezel.
Going back through your old releases ...and here's a like and comment to feed the algorithm. This one is on my list
So now end of April 2021 Sarb017 is more expensive than new Alpinist with 6r35. The choice is clear, new alpinists are better everywhere, better movement and better sapphire with AR coating, also who apreciate display casebacks as me to enjoy the movement is another plus.
I don’t know if Seiko designed that bezel so that North and South line up that way, but magnetic North and South are not exactly 180 degrees apart
I picked the sarb017 and it fit my small collection just fine. I guess that makes sense though, I'm pretty polarizing too.
Nice review of the new Alpinist. I have the Sarb017 and also the SPB123. I love the old and new Alpinist. I agree about waiting for a good sale to pick up the new models. Retail price is just too expensive.
It's interesting reading the comments and opinions when you get something that divides opinion. It is a querky watch which doesn't categorise easily so I just think your either have the for's or against and nothing in between. On the cyclops that looks amazingly clear and well magnified. I started wearing reading glasses a couple of years ago and now don't even bother setting the date on my watches when I put one on as I can't read it without specs on (so why do I buy watches with a date?). So I see a Cyclops and date window you can actually read as a good feature.
I have the non compass "new" one SPB155J1, steel bracelet, dark green sunburst with gold hands. The legibility is just so good because its a darker green than the earlier ones. It beats a Laco Flieger I have in low light before the lum kicks in. The accuracy is really good as long as you don't leave it crystal up by the bed side overnight.
This is my daily beater atm (champagne dial with gold indices). I have put it on a strapcode endmill bracelet and am enjoying it thus far with whatever im doing, from behind the desk to cutting wood. Hasnt let me down yet!
Nice combo! Went with the classic champagne/gold as well!
My favourite is the SPB245J, the 1959 tribute one, triangle and bar indices, no compass inner bezel... looks refined and classy.
I've always wanted the old white dial but this might tick that box for me.
The SARB017 is fetching silly prices in the UK some as high as £800, nevermind daft secondhand prices, Sekio have lost their way, and still misalignment issues!
I think that you sort of argued against yourself there.
The first thing an experienced watch dealer will tell you is that the secondary market is the best indicator of what a watches value is.
If the secondary market is buoyant that means that the piece IS priced at what the market considers fair.
It often says that those who buy them aren't flipping them too...
I think that some concerns over Seiko's pricing is justified so I don't outright disagree.
I'm just saying that if the secondary is the true indicator, the SARBs and Alpinists seem to be priced accordingly.
Hope that makes sense! 🙂
Cheers mate.
@@anthonysmith2982 The market for these ultra overpriced Seikos shrinks by the day. I despise car analogies, but at this point, it's like trying to sell a Toyota Camry for Audi S7 money. This is how you lose enthusiast support, and they aren't won back easily.
Also, how to use the compass (Southern Hemisphere):
1) Keep the watch level with the horizon and point the 12 o'clock index at the sun
2) Make an imaginary angle with the sun's 12 o'clock position and the hour hand as it currently reads
3) North is right in the middle of that imaginary angle (rotate the Alpinist's inner compass ring to that position to indicate north)
4) Use the 1 o'clock index to orientate the sun during daylight savings
You're right about the strap on the 123. I picked one up for a great price not long ago and the strap is so supple. Unfortunately it has the same issue with the compass markers not being aligned.
yeah, a little pricey, still like the older green dial without the cyclops
I got the white dial ("ghost") new Alpinist about a month ago. It's a really nice watch. The only thing I've noticed that's not so great in day-to-day use is.. the lume is not that good, it doesn't last through the night (esp. now, near dark winter months) so in early early morning or waking up middle of night, no clue what the time is.
Also, usually I hate date magnifiers; on this watch, in the metal, I love it. It actually *works*
and overall, just a nice GADA watch. The compass bezel I use as a timing bezel, orange triangle being the "reference/start" point.
wrist check I'm wearing my Sieko Alpinist, cream dial, rotating inner bezel. Love it!!
I have the old one that I purchased new for around 330 gbp back in 2017. It was great value at that price. Seiko charging double for the new one, even allowing for the upgrades, is taking the mickey.
Love the alpinist since the '90. I bought the black one and its has the most wrist time of all my watches.
It's worth noting that deployant clasps are not comfortable for the smaller wrist. The hinge tends to hang out of the side and prevents the leather from conforming to the wrist correctly. So they've effectively made their watch less accessible.
I don’t really get the point of them, you aren’t getting a more accurate fit and it just adds extra bulk
I have this exact model and I'm considering selling mine. The case back juts out a bit too much for my liking. Had mine since January.
Consider wearing it dial up, that way you don't have too see the case back.
@@giusepperocchi2979 lol
Have the SPB210 version of this, hate the Seiko and X logo imprinted on the see through case hardlex. Looking for ways to remove it.
I wanna buy a t shirt with your head on it saying “ hello & welcome “with outstretched welcoming arms & on the. back “so there you have it , they’d sell millions Jody ... well me & me Mrs would buy a couple & the woman across the road is Scottish so she might
I got one of the SPB123Js for $699 in a recent StarBuy sale, right on the limit of what I would want to spend on one of these, but pretty happy with it nonetheless. I reckon the $900ish that they usually sell for is a bit of a joke, though!
Not sure why a leather strap and then couple hundred of water depth numbers. Can you use leather and water together?
Just picked up the European limited edition SPB199J1 and I love it! 😍
Thanks for the mention and thanks even more for coming on, it was a lot of fun. I'll buy you a Stalin when we next get up your way. Cheers
Great video Jody! Shout out to my boy Miguel! @SoCal Watch Reviews, Killing it! Can't wait to hear and see the episode. Also I have to say I'm a huge fan of the new new SPB155. I think that one will eventually join the collection 😍
Thanks Omar!
So I had one of these when it came out. I flipped it last summer but have re ordered one for my 50th. Why? It's a phenomenal straphound. Also very tempted by the new Baby Alpinist in Grey.
The squinty compass was the first thing that caught my eye when I bought my used 017 a few months back ...love the watch but that half mill of squintyness infuriates me ...glad you pointed it out , thought it was just mine 👍
The watch may not be for me but today’s t-shirt is awesome! Gotta love all things Star Wars! I wonder if you could shoot a Womp Rat from the X wing?
I’m loving the baby Alpinist in photos and videos, hoping to see one in the metal soon.
I still love my 017. I wear mine on a nato, mostly, or metal mesh.
Jody, I don't agree at all it's for the larger collections, on the contrary it's a perfect one watch collection. Change the strap and it can be watch for the beach, office or weekend. And that's the true strength of the Alpinist line. And the curved case is simply beautiful. Dive watches are not everyone's cup of tea, especially for smaller wrists, and generally added weight.
you have to point the our hand towards the sun, and put the north marker exactly between your hour hand and 12 oclock. Your compass bezel is then dialed in. I think this is how it works at least
Just unboxed the Glacier LE edition Alpinist and the dial is insane. Love it!
Great review as always.
I went with the SRB Alpinist (green/gold) just before the new line came out. The prices dropped just before the JP rollout and I got it at a very good price. Swapping out different straps, I struggled to get the look I wanted out of it for a long time until finally buying the Strapcode bracelet. It truly transformed it. I have a 7.25" circumference wrist and it just gave it the perfect gradual proportion and tapering. Casual or Dress, it works. I do not care about the sun dial complication functionally, but it does give it a unique look.
Another great video! I must say this might be, actually , the perfect small collection explorer for this collector. Just pop a NATO on there!
I make it a point to learn how to use every function of any watch I have in my collection. It never hurts to gain more knowledge and you never know when you'll end up using it. Not to mention the compass feature is very easy to learn, just takes a 5 minute watch of any of the 20 youtube videos on it and you're set for life. No reason to remain ignorant of something when the information is easily accessible.
It's not really a function on this watch, you can't use it to do any navigation. You can use any watch to roughly find north anyway. The "compass" bezel is aesthetic only.
Good looking out with the shout outs. I follow all of them. Great review. I like them but I will stick to my SARB017 all things concerned. Maybe when the price comes down. I kind of like the no compass one.
As for the money value... TBH I think the days of any Seiko watch being good value for money are long gone now. Seiko in general has become an expensive brand.
My mini turtle, brand new @$280 usd is still a hell of a deal.
The Seiko 5 SNK805 was my first automatic and my "gateway" to watch collecting. I got it for something like $40 on sale. Now *that* was good value. I agree those days are long gone.
I agree for the most part, but the new 40mm Seikos (SRPE61, for example)are pretty decent.
@BackdriftNightfall agreed. Usually 20-30% discount!
I got a seiko SRPD35K1 and put a dark brown canvas strap on it and couldn't be happier. I got it for $300, No cathedral hands, it has day/date, no cyclops, expedition back with emergency ground to air signals, internal compass bezel, 20 bar and great lume. It's just not sapphire, but i figure if i really ever scuff it up, i can replace the hardlex with a sapphire in the future.
I've been waiting for a sale/reasonable price on the black dial/bracelet option since they came out... tellingly, my watch box still has an empty 💲lot 😒
No. Compass - the only thing that could tempt me with this one, and the pedigree. Useful for accurate bearings inshore. Although this functionality is right there, and readily available to any one with *any* watch with hands! (and a visible sun). Never been lost in the outback?
I have the champagne one with the gold hands. It’s a beautiful watch; paid $615 US through Sakura Watches in Japan. And, it’s part of an 8 watch collection.
Personally, I’d like to see the new Alpinist on a bracelet for the price point. I wish it did not have the Prospex emblem on the dial. It takes away from classic look of the dial. The cyclops window comes in handy as you age. I know I certainly didn’t care for them when I was younger, but now I appreciate it.
Last time I criticized the compass bezel, I was hammered by a troll. That means I will, with great pleasure, observe that the compass bezel, IMHO, is lame. Just sayin.
Well, good news for you, they make a version without the compass bezel now.
Ordered the sarb017 a few days ago. I really like the design and want to know whether it lives up to the hype.
you'll love it! Get a strapcode angus for it, or a nice horween leather strap. It really is a bit of a strap monster if you like it. The stock strap is hot garbage and it's a little finicky to set the date, but it's a real banger, if you like the green.
@@derekeboyd thanks! I have a strap code jubilee on my skx009, it’s amazing. Also I have loads of 20mm straps so enough to play around with. If I like the watch I’ll probably get a 20mm jubilee for it pretty soon haha. I really like green watches, I have a green+gold orient bambino as well and I think it looks stunning, the only downside is the fact that it’s prone to getting scratched and it’s not waterproof enough for me, so I think the sarb017 will tick all the boxes for me!
I'll be using it hiking in Washington State so I'll be using the compass at times. :) BTW, the Scouts taught how to use them.
So you're talking football in podcasts. Lots of football talk here in the last few days.🏴
I agree completely with your conclusions. Under $500 and these Alpinists are decent deals. I also hate that the bracelet is only available on the black variation, why Seiko?
Seiko is starting to milk the cash cow these days. Prices are going up but the quality isn't going up that much in proportion to what they're asking.
@@Strideo1 Agree and not just Seiko, many other brands and micros are doing it.
I love my old Alpinist although I can never remember how to use the compass bezel. You point the hour hand towards the sun and dial the bezel to something or other and you can tell your direction. Supposedly.
You also have to account for DST where midway becomes 1 o'clock pm.Its also only really works between ten to and ten past the hour to centre south. Its a bit of a boy scout excersise and no substitute for a simple compass.
It doesn't really do anything useful that a normal analog watch can't already do. It's really just a marketing function.
Recently when looking for a new Seiko to add to the collection looked at the Alpinist, but decided on a SRPD9711 Zen Garden, with it's snowflake face. No regrets, beautiful face and a strap monster!
I am new to the watch collecting world, and I own 2 Orient Bambino but not one Seiko because of the price. I am a micro brands fan and have bought probably 10 watches through your channel. 5 from Alie Express, a Zelos Swordfish Titanium black sand dial I am wearing, 3 Vostok and A Casio Edifice efv-530d that looked better than the original you were showing. I have decided to buy from different countries and my latest is a Panzera Aquamarine pro diver. You must be familiar since you live nearby. Would love for you to review one unless you don't think it's a good company
I fell in love with the other cream dialled variant (SPD123) at first sight. I hung back all year and ғɪɴᴀʟʟʏ pulled the trigger about 3 weeks back.
I lucked out and found one BNIB for $700AUD (that's about $500USD) and I couldn't be happier.
It's not perfect, the green strap is ʀᴇᴀʟʟʏ good, especially compared to the shite Seiko usually deliver, however the clasp has an odd shape and digs into the underside of my wrist; a common complaint apparently. But It wears really well on my 8“ wrist. It's going on a perlon during the summer and I'll pick up a Jubilee bracelet too.
So, I love it.
As much as I hate to say it, it is worth the $900AUD or so that you can find it for pretty easily. I think their scarcity on the secondary market proves that. And it's certainly every bit as good as the entry level Swiss watches I paid the same $ or more for.
Mines been running at a steady +1-2 spd when on wrist and about +5 when sitting dial up, more than acceptable. I have a feeling that this year's version of the Alpinist may just end up being a future classic.
I’ve just pulled the trigger on the 123 although it was a toss up with that and the white dial one reviewed here
Love my 123 - rugged toughness and extreme class!
@@davidhobson7851
You made the right choice I reckon David. There's something special about the cream and gilt dial. Especially with the green strap, although I find it a little uncomfortable. I wear mine on a Jubilee bracelet. It's fantastic.
I found out via an 'Average Bros.' video that a Parnis Jubilee bracelet fits and is the best alternative, mainly due to its depth. It suits the lug profile perfectly. It has a few sharp edges across the top, but overall it's really good. Especially for about $40.
Enjoy the watch mate.
Cheers,
Anthony
@@willardhooton920
Couldn't agree more.
My favourite watch purchase of 2020.
Cheers mate.
Anthony.
Jody, I think you did a very good job with the review and being honest about It. I like the older model better. I don't think the new one is worth 700.00 I also hate cyclops as I think it ruins the symmetry of the crystal. That is just me, everyone has their own opinion. The biggest issue is the price for me. If it was 450.00 I would say that it is worth it.
I have this watch, payed £530 and fitted a super oyster strap code bracelet, looks fantastic.
Now..... Cyclopse removed so no issue, bezel misalignment has been solved and it was very simple.
Overall such a fantastic watch and super versitile, IMO better than the Khaki.
How did you solve the bezel misalignment?
I'm really excited to see the GMT version of this watch that just leaked, especially given that it'll maintain the 39.5mm size. Would really love to see a Seiko 5 GMT that's under 40mm.
Nice watch. Still love the SARB017 though. Unfortunately, i still can't get one for myself.
Another step back is the see through case back, the old one with the Alpinist logo, was much cooler!
If you wouldn't pay more than $500 for these, how much would you pay for the SPB089 (blue alpinist)? They're all over ebay for $1,000 but I can't justify spending that much and I don't want to feed into the hype. I do want one though.
I like the deployment clasp but it doesn’t appear to have much room beyond your size wrist. Does anyone know if it will fit a just shy of 8” wrist? I’m getting tired of paying the big man’s premium - having to purchase a strap that fits...
Never owned one, never had one in but I somehow know that I need one!
I would use that compass bezel to time things, using it as a diving bezel.
Y isn't compass pusher screw down? Watch doesn't seem to work when adding up the features together. Looks like an office watch and for every day.
It's a pretty watch but I already have three Seikos. SARB 035, the original 017 Alpinist, and a STO turtle. I would like the 035 but think I'll get the Tudor Black Bay 36 instead. Would love to see a review on that one!
Hi Sir! Can you also make a video about the SARB013 aka the Unicorn Alpinist?
I’m confused. As there is the spb117/119 range with the rotating inner Bezel. But now there is the spb157 range with 38mm and no internal bezel(looks lovely in blue/grey beige)
I really do adore this version of the Alpinist in particular, but I already own a Seiko with the compass complication and there's absolutely no need for said complication in my needs as a daily driver. Plus the price you have to pay for a 'misaligned' compass and no signed crown just makes me feel quite neutral about the watch. But thank you Jody for the detailed review!
So glad I got an 017. Its perfect and a near daily for me
When are we going to hear more about the casio duro update!?
Spring Drive Alpinist, let's go!
For the money I would buy a Certina or Mido. I like the Seiko but it costs a bit too much for what you get.
Thanks Jodi, another purchase spared. I was ogling at it throughout the video, wondering how to explain this one to the missus, and you managed to dissuade me :P Great re-re-review? Is it?
Thanks for this video, very informative, I recently purchased the SARB017 from Amazon on Amazon Day, for about 400.00 U.S. before Taxes. I was flopping between SPB121 and the SARB017. I am very happy that I chose the SARB and saved myself 350.00 U.S.. The newer SPB121 is pretty much out of stock everywhere, but apparently Seiko is shipping more stock mid December. The other dial colors except for the limited edition blue dial are still widely available. Therefore, finding a SPB121 for 500.00 new is very unlikely. The watches available on Amazon were a result of Amazon buying up the old stock from Seiko. The packaging can vary depending on which market the watch was originally intended for. The watch I received was an Absolutely perfect U.S. market watch without any alignment issues. The Sunray Green Dial is mesmerizing and a joy to wear. The Strap however is horrible, stiff and plasticky. I immediately replaced it with a brown vintage style Fluco strap. I did post a review on Amazon with photos.
It is a very nice watch..... right size with a character
I like it. I really like it. I just to know which watch it would replace in my collection. I guess I don't like it *that* much.
Wonder if that SARB017 has the chapter ring turned a bit so you couldn't easily check whether it's out of alignment also? :D
Are there any alternatives (be it straight homages or just vaguely similar) out there?
I have never myself found an alternative and this was like the first watch I ever wanted lol.
Not exactly an homage but similar styled watches would be the Traska Summiteer or Lorier Falcon
I see a strong resemblance between the cream dialled variants and the Oris Big Crown Pointer Date, but if you are looking for a less pricey option that's of no help.
There are Chinese watches 'inspired' by the modern (post '90's) Alpinist but they they don't really succeed.
Merkur did an homage to the very 1st Alpinist model of the 60's but I'm not a huge fan of that either.