Hi Everyone, Tim has claimed his prize. He decided to go with the Formex Essence on the bracelet. Thanks to you all who participated. We can do more in the future.
Love it! Never really understood the hype surrounding the original alpanist, but this one looks stunning without the inner rotating bezel. Another one to add to the list. Thanks Teddy!
Great looking watch! I'm a teen who has just started getting into watches, and got my first watch (an orient bambino) this Christmas. Your channel has been a great inspiration, keep up the great content!
Great watch. I also just got into them a few months ago and got a Seiko SNE329 for Christmas eve and I wore it that night when I proposed. That watch will always carry that sentimental value
I just purchased the green dial version with the bracelet, and I am really enjoying it. It is a substantial watch without being huge. The combination of the bright bezel, reflective crystal and bracelet make it work for nice casual and moderately dressy. Not my choice with a business suit or formal wear, but it works well with what I wear these days 90% of the time. Mine is running slow by about 3 to 4 seconds per day, which I think is OK. Overall, I would recommend this watch as a high quality, versatile every day watch that is not overpriced.
Seiko, as usual, continues to make great watches. Although, imho, the value you get for the money is no longer there with their intention to move up-market.
I bought this blue one recently as a self birthday present and it's absolutely worth it (granted I got it for a bit less at about 560usd). Perfect size for my thin wrists. And that dial! That dial is just something else!!
I’m glad to see someone speaking the truth. I’ve heard too many people complain about the price of the new Alpinists...but if it were a Tissot or Hamilton with those specs at that price everyone would be drooling over it.
There are many new Seiko watches where the prices are more of a stretch, this one is completely reasonable to me in every aspect. It is a well-finished watch and hangs with the Swiss counterparts if not beats them. I think many people get caught up in the JDM models or old Seiko 5s that flooded different markets and set a price expectation of Seiko that was actually not true to the actuals. The over production and exchange rates created a unique scenario in the market.
@@TeddyBaldassarre to be fair, the new 5 is a solid model. Sure, it’s not the old $70 Amazon special anymore, but I love how they’ve made it nicer, and in about a million finishes. Seiko is doing well, and this is a beautiful watch.
Picked up the green dial variant a few weeks back as my daily wearer. Love the size, dial texture and accuracy of the movement. Most of the time (indoors) the green is darker than depicted in the product shots, except in sunlight where it pops. Great watch, definitely reccomend.
This is my favorite Alpinist. Dial wise, my preference is actually for the graduated grey variation rather than this, still handsome blue dial variant.
the internal bezel was just pointless. This new smaller version is just better classier more waterproof. I just wish they'd went with a better movement then a display back
@@EliMeadAZ lol I specifically like numbers on my outdoorsy watches. Easily to read what not. Rolex explorer feels. I especially like it when the whole number is lumed
Just got mine because of this video! Thanks Teddy! Never thought I would get a watch with a blue dial. But after seen all three colors in store, the tasteful blue dial is just so stunning! It looks just as good as it does in the video, if not better.
Love this watch! These Seikos are a great way to start a collection - I found the dial more interesting to look at than the tissot powermatic you compared it to.
Glad someone finally made a review of this watch! I’m heavily leaning towards the green variant on the bracelet. Would love to see a full review to include the bracelet to see if it still falls short as most seiko bracelets tend to do
That’s a beautiful watch. It would have been a great replacement/upgrade for my SARB. 20 more hours of power reserve & a screw down crown doesn’t really justify an extra $300, though. Now that I think about it, maybe my SARB was just underpriced.
I used to have a SARB 017 . It was a really good watch, but ended up selling it to a good friend who wears it all the time . Seeing Seiko's new offering , I must say , that is 1 beautiful package for the money yku spend. As usual , a good , solid informative video. Thanx Teddy
I purchased this watch recently. The watch has a great quick read dial and case size. The movement is a little fast day-over-day. My one down note is that I had to take this watch to a jeweler to tighten the rotor. For a brand new watch from an authorized retailer, I was disappointed that after short use, I had to have this small adjustment. Overall, good day-to-day piece.
I just want to mention how awesome the customer service is from your site. I ordered a 39.5mm Oris green dial diver thinking it was 43.5mm. I genuinely made the mistake and didn’t notice until I received the watch. Emailed your customer service the next business day Gabe reached out and took care of everting. Within 5 business after sending the watch back, stickers and everything stick in tact, I got a full refund. If I decided to order another watch, it will most def be from you.
👍🏽 another great review. I’m a total seikophile and I’ve considered this in black dial too ... both awesome. Must admit tho I agree with you that if one wants a “one and done” the Tissot Gentleman is the way to go. This watch would be killer as the daily wearer in a 3-watch collection.
This really is a great watch..I have the green on bracelet for 3 weeks now.....none of my other watches get a look in now..and thats a first in many years of watch collecting....and i have 20cm wrists and even though its only 38mm its my most readable watch..love that it has easy to read minute markers because of that excellent colorway and generously made minute track...As for the movement mine started out at +10spd and afther 3 weeks its around +2spd and thats 24/7 wearing with 30 winds every 4th day. Oh and thats another thing..love that i can handwind this thing without causing damage..and its smooth and easy like it should be.....looking at you ETA.
just came across this looking for seiko recommendations and oh my I haven't seen this one and I am immediately in love. Gonna have to be the next watch I look into getting!
Huge watch lover. Newish collector. Stumbled upon your videos with Kevin O'Leary today and instantly subscribed. Love the content and glad I found you. Keep it up 👏🏻
Just purchased this as my first automatic watch! I can't wait for it to arrive. I received my Hamilton Khaki Field in black PVD last week and knew I wanted an automatic that has a little dressier and classier look to it. With how much the watch community admires the Hamilton I knew it would be a good choice and I was right. Now I'm hoping the same for this watch because it seems to be loved by watch enthusiasts.
I am impressed with the quality of your videos, content, fiming, close ups, and editing make all watches look great ! Keep it coming, it's always a real pleasure. Thanks !
This is a nice looking watch. I am not a fan of Seiko's branding term Prospex. I don't know what it is, but could have come up with something less generic sounding...
This is such a great release by Seiko. I can't think of a cheaper way into a 6R35 movement. All the dive watches with it are much more expensive. I think the Presage models are more expensive too. I love the blue strap, and have a somewhat similar blue one on my SPB089. The gray one is also great, especially when put on a Seiko or Strapcode bracelet. Very Explorer-like that way, and on that topic, how cool would a gray dial Explorer be? It really takes a lot of will power for me not to add one of these to the collection. I just need to focus on a bit more variety though.
I was wondering when the bigger watch channels would do a video on these guys! I got my spb159 a few weeks ago for $550 and it's really nice. I was hesitant on the matte dial, but in person it sparkles in the light spectacularly.
I was waiting for this review so long man! Found this to be a great deal and was wondering why reviewers never reviewed this. Love it ❤️🔥 (My favorite is the black/grey dial though)
I really like this watch Teddy they did job on the overall looks and esthetic. One thing I don’t like about some watches is the way they do the script or the amount of information they put on the dial (as you pointed out about another model Seiko), but is true of many watches out there. It’s very minor but for me personally I would have like to have seen this watch without that X on the front. It is very clean, dressy, and vintage looking with all the other details and to me that is a more modern looking detail that is home on the dive watches. I know it is there to signify the technology of the watch, but put it on the back, it doesn’t need to be on the front. Just my take. Great review. Great contest it was a lot of fun to participate you had a lot of cool options, it made it a good challenge to pick the best of each style under a certain price point.
At first sight I haven't considered this Seiko, but when I saw the green version at the AD I definitely changed my mind. Beautiful finishing and an amazing dial.
Thank you for the review of this great looking Alpinist . I'm a big fan of this watch. In my opinion, first of all it looks amazing .... this watch catches peoples eye. Second the alpinist history make this a great story watch and a perfect every day explores / field watch . Thanks for the review !
I have been wating to purchase an automatic watch for a while now. About a month ago i bought this same watch "baby alpinist blue". I found the watch really well built however the 38 mm diameter and the domed face was the reason i returned it. I have a fairly small wrist size still felt this to be small. My wrist size is 6.1 inches. I however purchased a tissot gentleman and found that was the watch for me.
These watches hit the scene and have somewhat fizzled among the watch enthusiast community. The biggest problem is Seiko charging a hefty premium for watches with a 6R35 movement where a year or two ago a watch with the exact same fit and finish and a 6R15 movement was hundreds of dollars less. The 6R35 movement is only a 6R15 with larger power reserve. Performance-wise it is the same. Judgement has been passed and the verdict is unless you can buy the new Prospex line watches for a significant discount, they are not worth the money and you're being fleeced if you get one for anywhere near MSRP.
Agreed. This review doesn't seem honest to me. They made the dial look cheaper, added a prospex logo, augmented the power reserve, and that's worth roughly twice the price of the original? No way.
Agreed, but he is also a business man trying to move these on his retail site. I love Seiko, but they use to be the best bang for the buck now they're just priced like everyone else. Maybe it's a good strategy maybe not. Time will tell. The number crunchers will lower price points if it doesn't work out for them.
I think these are super attractive, and do a good job of pairing down the extras w/o loosing its parentage. I’d like to see applied numbers. The dial’s reminiscent of the TAG Autavia, and side by side in the same blue / stainless color way this Alpanist holds its own, especially for the $!! I do hope that textured dial stays less widely used so it retains an extra special detail. That said, that TAG Autavia in bronze and brown is ridiculously handsome, and I have to own it! I’m not a TAG fan, but that thing?!
Enjoyed the vid 👍 Nice watch. Wish it was 40mm, though. The only real gripe I have with this new line is that Prospex "X" on the dial 🧐. Seiko needs to get rid of it. Being on the caseback only is sufficient.
My SPB199 is the last Seiko I'll ever buy, because they re-release a limited edition watch now on a metal bracelet as SPB197. My love for Seiko has its limits.
Got myself the green variant and that dial is just stunning in person. Recently took it to the beach on a vintage tropic strap, definitely a sleek vintage style tool watch. The 200m water resistance brings it head to head or even above some of the usual dive watches to wear casually around water.
@@josefsbeach thanks dude! Im getting this for my brother as a grad gift, who is just getting into watches the only problem is we have very different sized wrist. Im thinking this watch, a vaer c3 in 36mm or a smiths PRS-25 if i can get my hands on one. Im still newish to watches so if you have any other suggestions im all ears.
@@BlakeJames42 I see you're looking into the Rolex Explorer looking type. I think value for money, the Seiko will serve you the best. Also will have a more original and interesting look with the dial, it'll serve as a great all rounder piece that can withstand almost everything you throw at it. As a starter watch, you can't go wrong.
I have the spb155J, and it’s glorious, bracelet is excellent, nice clasp, great finishing....but I’m running at +25 Seconds a day. I know it’s within specs but I would’ve liked it to be better out of the box, especially for the 1100 Aussie dollars it cost me
I have the same green dail... bought new in NZ 1250.00...mines +10spd..after a week of nostop wearing it's starting to slow down, now it's around +7spd...I gave mine 60 winds as soon as I got it a week ago...I suspect it will end up around 2 or 3spd...in around another 3 weeks from now... your's should slow down as well
take a sharktooth if you want applied... it's design choice guys, not because they are trying to save money... Please ask omega to redo their railmaster series, because you NEED applied indices in your life... First world problems...
personally saying the sarb017 is difficult to pair with outfits is like saying the rolex hulk is difficult to pair with clothes as well. and i never heard that about that watch....ever.
I like it! 😃 It reminds me of the limited edition blue Alpinist. I had a chance to to buy that watch but I didn't like the internal compass bezel with extra crown. This new watch solves those problem, and it looks great!
I own the original SARB017 Alpinist and its one of my favorites, but Ive been on the hunt for a classic field watch to pair with my NATO collection. Despite owning an Alpinist already Im considering picking up the charcoal dial version. Though similar, I think there's enough contrast to justify owning both. Can't wait!
I have it and sure is a great watch but would have been even better if the numerals were raised and applied. As always Teddy really enjoy all your videos, great work.
Great review. This is the first where I am starting to appreciate the look of this watch. That may be entirely because your videography is so superb. Watching this I think this color is my favorite which surprised me but I am just not loving the pebble texture dial. While watching I was imagining it with a vertically brushed dial. Make mine that way with drilled thru lugs and I'm all in. I'd also prefer a slimmer solid case back since we really don't need to see that movement and the watch would be slimmer on wrist.
Really enjoying my Spb155j since I got it last November. Time keeping since the has been approx + 2.5 secs per day, can’t argue with that! (Set once per month).
Would love more giveaways from the teddy store, some really good selection particularly like the options from tissot, hamilton and junghans. I noticed you have bell and ross on your store as well but don't know them as a brand but like their look, should do a review of one of their pieces. Great video as always
Bought this watch for US$450 in Hong Kong. Added a Strapcode Super O bracelet with ratcheting clasp at US$115. Got the movement regulated to COSC specs for US$30. I think this
Love this watch. Own the green bracelet version, and love it. Had actually requested Teddy on Insta to review this. Maybe he noticed :D cheers from India
I have the SPB143J1 with the same movement and it's a great daily driver. The baby alpinist look like a great watch but honestly $700 is a bit steep for what you get.
Before Brexit I use to get cheap Seikos form the UK pretty much every week, from ebay. There was a marine master reduced for 750 eur, brand new with warranty the other day, so don't cry :)
We absolutely love giveaways. For many, it may be the only way to end up with a grail watch - especially in this crazy COVID economy. We very much appreciate your detailed reviews and unique generosity.
This is a very nice new entry into the Alpinist lineup, but I'm still very happy with my SARB017. I found it hard to pair until I put a khaki NATO on it. I wear khaki pants a lot and it works well with the green and gold on the dial.
I bought the SPB155. I'm not impressed. The watch is good looking, I'll give it that, but the bracelet is inexcusably poor (looks and feels cheap, and rattles and squeaks). Further, the 6R35 movement is hard to operate, it is difficult to change the position of the crown, and the overall feel of the winding and adjustment is not great. I cannot honestly say I'm pleased with this one's value for money.
IMO, I really think THIS line of "Alpinist" should be at the $350 range, not $700. Now the New Alpinist with the inner rotating bezels, yes, makes sense.
hour markers being printed could've been lumed minute track could've been on a chapter ring other than the rotating dial on the previous model, I think it has a better dial proportion
I’m literally wearing this watch when I saw the notification. I managed to source the OEM bracelet and man it just sings. I sold my SARB033 cause of this watch
@@watchesandcaps2566 which one did you get? I don’t think that huge divers clasp fits the watch at all, or the male end links. Also I’ve purchased two SC bracelets for different watches and returned them, end links didn’t fit on both. Quality is there though, and they have really good customer service.
I have one of these. The watch is fine. The blue leather strap looks nice enough off the wrist, but its stiff and so far hasn't conformed to my wrist at all. And I really dislike deployants; seems like they combine the worst features of leather straps and metal bracelets. I'll be replacing the blue leather with a stainless bracelet from Strapcode or Uncle Seiko. At this price level, Seiko should put them all on bracelets; you can always take it off, but it's hard to find one that fits if it isn't included.
