On this subject, has anyone read anything to suggest the existing Strapcode bracelets for the Sarb017 would fit the new models? There’s a guy on IG who suggested they do and posted a photo, but I skimmed past it at the time and can’t find it now. They look like the same case.
Yeah, I like them on an oyster bracelet which is what I’d want to do with the ivory dial one (if it ever turns up!) but didn’t want to order from Strapcode if it wasn’t gonna fit. Although, you can order (and return) Strapcode via Amazon global store now which makes it a bit easier.
After two weeks wait mine arrived this morning, had it on all day. Got the cream dial, very much an ivory sort of colour.
First observations: case seems identical to the Sarb017, which is a good thing IMO, sits very nicely on the wrist with those nicely curved lugs. I’m liking the cyclops, the magnification is very strong and it doesn’t look out of place as a feature on the watch. Crown action is great, the compass bezel feels a lot firmer than my old 017, which moved around quite easily. Strap is ok, a bit stiff and probably not good enough quality for a watch at this price point (although I won’t be keeping it on this strap anyway). The deployant clasp however is very nicely designed. Lume is typical excellent Seiko quality.
I knew this colour way was for me as soon as I saw the pics, and definitely know I’ve made the right choice. I loved the design of the 017, but couldn’t stick with the green/gold. I much prefer the aesthetic of the Arabic’s/indices over the shark tooth look of the black dial, and I was already looking for a white/light dial watch to pair with my Tudor BB41.
Here are some pics, my wrist is about 6.5” and flat for reference.
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That is a stunning looking Alpinist , very nice choice .
Well done David on being the first on here to buy one of these new releases. It looks great and I agree the dial colour with silver furniture is probably the nicest out of the four and a combination not done before as both the Cream 'Red' Alpinist and the SARB013 both had Gold furniture.
I have seen some pics of this Watch on the Strapcode bracelet and it looks stunning.
It is also interesting if these releases will make the previous generations more or less desirable. I think the die hard collectors will keep hold of their watches, but some will use this as an opportunity to upgrade on the cheap. Just this week I was offered a second SARB013 from an old WTB on WUS which I have passed on to a collector in Australia who has been hunting for one.
What we need now is for several people to buy these new watches, then hopefully some might make their way to SC
@davidj54 congrats on the forum's first and thanks for sharing your first impressions! What strap are you planning for it?
Cheers mate👍
I’ve had a tracksuit top on all day and the watch looks really good with it - yet you can see it would look just as good with a smart suit. Definitely got that classic sports-dress watch feel going on. Am gonna be ordering the Strapcode oyster for it, and a better quality black leather with cream stitch. Really good to have an Alpinist back in the collection, I had a bit of sellers remorse when the 017 left but for me this is a superior version simply because the colourway is so much better. If I could change one thing I’d replace the word ‘Automatic’ on the dial with the word ‘Alpinist’.
I wish they had the black face with the Arabic. The Ivory does look great though. Congratulations
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Ive no idea, Seiko aren’t exactly renowned for the quality of their straps and bracelets though. If necessary you could probably source a strap that was designed for a deployant and attach it to that. To be honest the strap isn’t awful and it’ll be better when broken in - it’s way above the dogs dinner of a strap that came with the 017, it’s just arguably not up to much for a £600 watch when you look at what you’d get with say a Hamilton for less money. It’s also quite a slim, dress watch style strap - I prefer something a bit chunkier. It’s possible there will be people that buy other versions of the watch that would like the Seiko strap and deployant as an alternative, so if I find I don’t use it I may stick it on eBay and try to claw back a bit of my outlay.
Parked it on a black Zulu while awaiting a strap delivery. The black strap & ivory dial are a great combo, and the proportions of this watch are superb - the dial size, lug to lug, it hits all the sweet spots. I’m so glad they brought these out.
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It is a nice watch with a black dial and a good non-Seiko oyster bracelet.
It cannot hold a candle to SLA017.
To me that white/cream dial on black nato looks meh. May be an oyster bracelet will elevate it.
Horses for courses and all that.
That pic actually makes the dial look quite white - must’ve been the light. It’s a definite ivory colour. It looks ok on the nato, not something I’d keep it on - it’s just a stop gap while I wait for something else. In fact it’s a 22mm strap which is 2mm too big. This pic taken just now is more a more accurate one of the watches colour to the eye.
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Much better pic. Looks definitely more appealing there, I agree.
An oyster would be even better,IMO.
Just seen on Hodinkee they're offering the new Alpinist - https://shop.hodinkee.com/blogs/jour...aign=hod-posts
The main interesting point - confirmation that the gold furniture model is available direct from Seiko (or Hodinkee shop). I think it's the best version.
First things first, they started in 1961 and not 1959 - come on Hodinkee, get it right.
The champagne and gold was billed as an e-commerce model only. The Seiko boutique in London will be getting some in February and you should be able to buy from the store or order on line. Usual Seiko outlets won't have this Watch.
Studying the four releases against previous releases I think the Cream with the silver fittings is the nicest of the current release. The gold version is very similar to the SARB013 and the Red Alpinist and the Black dial does look a little flat due to the missing spiders web that was on the Red. The Green is nice, but I think the SARB017 ran for too long and is still available new, so it is hard to get excited about that one. Go on FB and every other post is someone's 017.
All person opinions of course.
Available on HODINKEE
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I think you’re right about the 017, you can still get them new for about £400 and although it’s good they’ve retained that colourway in this line up, I can’t see it being a big seller as there is close to no difference between the Prospex and Sarb versions but the Sarb is still considerably cheaper.
I wonder why the 017 remained so widely available but the 013 and 015 are now as rare as hens teeth.
The one you bought David is fresh to the market, they haven't done Cream and Silver before so that makes it interesting. The three SARBs are a bit strange. When you read up on them they suggest the Black with the Sharks tooth dial is the rarest as it was only made for a short time, but the Cream 013 is easily the most desirable. Difficult to understand why it was dropped so quickly when the Green ran for nearly 13 years.
Bizarrely, in the earlier Red Alpinist generation it is the Green that is the grail out of the three. The Cream and Black are fairly easy to find, but the Green is a difficult beast.
All good stuff.
Thanks for posting these images David. The white (cream!) with silver is really appealing to me and I’m almost at the point where I might order without seeing one in the flesh. Almost but not quite...
I’m conscious that the only other cream dial I have is on a watch I barely wear, despite being massively keen to buy in the weeks and months prior to it’s official launch. So I’ll sit tight for a little longer but really appreciate you taking the time to post the photos and write up some initial impressions.
Nick
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No problem, I enjoyed doing it. Hasn’t left my wrist since it arrived. If you’ve owned or handled the old Sarb017 then you’ll know exactly what you’re getting with this watch - the case is identical. The new one has the 70hr power reserve movement in, but the only cosmetic tweaks are slight change in dial text, addition of cyclops and an exhibition caseback. The 017 and this are very much brothers rather than distant cousins. Just a question of picking a colourway - this cream and silver puts this a level above the 017 for me, much nicer to look at and more versatile, but that’s totally subjective.
Last update on this one for a while, I’ll pick up a Strapcode oyster soon enough but for now a black leather with cream stitch
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Do they have the fat 2.5mm spring bars? Thanks.
With no means to measure them accurately other than putting them on a ruler and guessing, I would suggest nearer to 1.8mm. This is based on the fact that I have previously bought 1.5mm bars for an Orient Mako and they are as skinny as hell. The Alpinist bars are as David said, normal.
Never had an issue with straps or indeed Seiko OEM or Strapcode bracelets.
Looks like the new Alpinist is no stranger to Seiko's notorious alignment issues.
(Around 7:10, if you don't want to watch the whole vid).
Gotta buy in person or risk a defective product.
Just been looking at these quiet fancy one.
Little update on this; noticed during the first couple of weeks of ownership mine was gaining about +30 seconds per day timed against my atomic clock syncing G-Shock. Have re-tested it over the last 48 hours having worn it solidly and it’s now settled to about +7 per day. Still only 3 weeks out of the factory so may come in a bit more but I’m happy with +7 and very happy with the watch overall. Still trying to work out the best SS bracelet to get for it though.
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Anyone have the black one yet?
And how is the compass crown action? Too loose still?
Heard that certain Parnis bracelets are a good fit for the Alpinist - coincidentally knew someone that was moving a Parnis Gauss on so took a chance and, have to say it’s a pretty good fit indeed. Bracelet is good too - brushed, screwed links, solid end links, not chunky like I’ve read the Strapcode is. The clasp is a bit oversized though, for me at least. I’ll be swapping that out in due course.
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Anybody seen anything about this - ‘baby’ Alpinist release in the pipeline?
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9WueisH...d=wb6ofapfgb0b
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I think calling this an Alpinist is stretching things. Remove the compass, any reference to Alpinist and we are just getting further and further away. Same central dial, but so do the recent Tic Tac limited edition.
It is a nice looking watch and will be user friendly I'm sure, but it's now just a Prospex date watch.
For anybody interested, the London Seiko Boutique have now got the new Champagne dial with gold fittings in stock - the Seiko e-commerce only model 👍