The Perfect Affordable Watch? 

Love mine and wear it frequently. I know many people don't like the cyclops, but just wait a few decades - you'll be glad it's there. Trust me.

SPB121J1 baby alpinist here! Absolutely love it on my wrist, its right up my aesthetic. I also didnt like the flat crystal and the cyclops, so this other model was perfect to me. Originally on a bracelet, I immediately bought a leather strap to go with it. Good for a beater, easy to dress up. I've had watch-snobs double take my wrist to check if its REALLY a Seiko!! That is how good these watches look....

My SPB121 is one of the favourites in my collection. I'm always surprised at how polarising the X on the dial and cyclops are, when they genuinely don't bother me at all. Also the SCVF009 (the 90s green Alpinist) also had one. It's not a perfect watch, but for versatility, value and punching way above it's weight; it's fairly hard to beat.

I have the silver dial model and steel strap which to me makes more sense for an outdoor watch I use to swim, ski and report from the Donbas! I adore it. Unbelievable value for money. Reliable, sturdy, decent looking and pretty accurate. For £600 it’s a steal.

I have not actually put the manual compass method into practice, but it seems a little simpler to bisect the shorter distance between the hour hand (pointed at the sun) and the noon marker, and to identify that direction as south if you are in the northern hemisphere, and vice versa.

This is the kind of video I want more of. A proper review of a watch. And a Seiko at that. I got my son this model for his 20th birthday. He seems very happy with it.

I own and love multiple Alpinists, although not the SPB121. I admit I did not get it initially when I got into watches and people were going on and on about it, but it only took me a few months to realize why it's great. I adore the overbuilt 200m of water resistance. The design is quite unique and I really consider it to be the Japanese version of the Rolex Explorer. Not because it looks like an Explorer (it doesn't), but because it's a field watch meant for adventure in its own quirky Japanese way. It is a classic.

I've got two, a Baby Alpinist and the new GMT...both are simply brilliant. Full on tool watches that can be dressed up. I believe originally they were made for City types that liked to go wild at the weekend in the snow...do they had to look good on both environments. Great stuff chaps, thanks for sharing.

I own both a Seiko SARB017 Alpinist and an SPB243 Alpinist. I love them both. Each piece has its own place and time to wear. I find the SARB017 a little "blingy" actually yet still tasteful with its green and gold colorway. While intended as a "field" watch, the high polishing, rather than a more brushed steel finishing, tends to diminish the visual "field" aesthetic of a tool watch yet makes it still versatile enough as a single watch collection. The specs however do deliver on the field watch capabilities. I don't find as many opportunities to wear this one. The SPB243 on the other hand I find extremely versatile allowing it to be worn, in my opinion, in many more scenarios and dress style from jeans and polo shirt to wearing a suit, particularly if you swap the bracelet for a strap. It's a little more subtle in presence than it's elder sibling. It does have enough polishing that still makes it pop. You can't go wrong with either, but if you truly want a "field" oriented watch, the SARB017 or its latest iteration, the SPB121, while a little "blingy" will be your best, more functional field watch option, again in my opinion.

Notice that no current Seiko actually has the world "Alpinist" written anywhere on the dial or caseback. Such a shame. They have all this awesome history, and they slap a prospex logo on the dial instead. 🤷‍♀ Still a nice looking watch, but if you can find a SARB017, grab it instead. It's thinner, the dial is cleaner, and the caseback has "Alpinist" written in beautiful script along with the mountain engraving.

Hey! Imagine my deight:) I'm wearing mine now! First time I unboxed my Alpinist I was sitting outside in the Summer in the Northwest of USA in Oregon. The direct sunlight literally made rainbow flashes off the impeccable hour indices and I've been in love every since. The dewdrop (not a cyclops!) looks more like a jewel than anything else and for those reviewers that complain about the strap... If they actually wore the watch instead of collecting them like hotwheel cars they would see an amazing patina occur with time and wearing... Thanks for highlighting a true classic thats all it's own! Thank you for all the great videos. You make the community more fun and interesting!

There are currently three varieties of Alpinist all with several dial colours and strap/bracelet options. You'll find them offered at amazing prices. I bought a Baby Alpinist for £320. A steal for that money.

I’ve worn a different version of this model daily for years, absolutely fantastic in every way

Another fine overview! I've owned an 017 Alpinist for some six years, and love it as much as the day it arrived. I can quibble somewhat about the changes made to its successor (exhibition case back adds thickness and takes away the iconic engraved Alpinist script and mountain logo, the crown loses the JDM-aware "S" engraving, Et Cetera), but the Alpinist DNA, so to speak, remains.

I recently purchased the new GMT version of this watch in black, SPB379, and it has become my daily driver. I put it on a nato strap and I absolutely love it to death, all for less than $1k! Fantastic value

I managed to get myself the original Alpinist SARB017 some years back at it's retail price. I much prefer the 38mm size to the newer Prospex models.

The SARB017, SKX009J1, SARB 33 and 35 are the 4 Seikos I will never sell; represents Seiko’s pinnacle of bang/buck ratio IMHO. Now charging more for less….

This is an amazing watch. I enjoy it more than the previous Sarb, though I like that too.

I have one the brown dial , feels really premium for the price point like way wayyy more expensive, and also wears smaller and thinner than the suggested dimensions ! Great watch to start or add to a collection! Solid stylish and classic choice

I have the glacier one. Lovely watch. Never letting it go.

I saw this watch at a local Seiko AD recently. I was excited to hear they had one in stock. When I saw it in person, it wasn’t for me. I passed since there were 2 other people who wanted to see it. But they too didn’t purchase it. The deal breaker was the cyclops dial and the cathedral hands….wasn’t for me.

I got the brown dial version and love it.

I think it's perfect for a small (2-3 watches) collection. Add a dress watch, and what more do you need? Maybe a diver, for those who think it's mandatory for some reason.

My wife bought me this watch for my 70th birthday. I have 6 seikos and 3 tissots in my collection but this SPB121 Alpinist is in my view drop dead gorgeous. I love the cyclops on the date window. I have changed the Seiko brown deployment clasp for a Hirsch green leather strap.

I got a SARB017 and then couldn't help but also get a SPB089. I think those two are my favourite.

I just ordered the SPB409J limited edition, impulse buy I'm afraid but a price I could not ignore!- but I did like the combination of looks, utility and build... with the bonus leather strap it can also go 'semi-dressy' as well so a nice all occasion watch - I'm hoping.... It will be my first automatic watch too so there is that...

I've seen some reviews complain about the strap but without specifying why. It has only a single-fold deployant clasp, which can make it a little tight to get over your hand. And the leather strap is quite thick and stiff, so I found the watch did not sit readily on my wrist (though that may improve with wear).

Love my SPB119 as my daily beater and the 6R35 movement is pretty close to perfect running just a few seconds fast each day.

The SARB version is my favorite. I love it. Gorgeous and gets lots of compliments. It’s also my wife’s favorite watch of mine.

What are the best metals bands for this watch? I'd appreciate any options in the $75-150 price range

Could you, by any chance, review some more Farer watches? I'm really interested in their chronographs, but next to 0 content about it. Love the vids!

Loved the previous version but never pulled the trigger in time. Have quite a few tool watches now so would be hard to justify an alpinist now. Do love the internal compass though, so could be swayed. See that Seiko now do more affordable GMT. If they work that into the alpinist while still keeping the same dimensions and same price then it would be very difficult to say no to for me.

Have the SPB210, but at $775 plus taxes, I wouldn’t call this cheap. After regulation I have set it to be with +/-2 secs a day. With the deployant style calf leather strap it’s just wonderful on your wrists!

Have the SPB243J1 version new. Like the cleaner dial more. Runs at +8 a day so well within spec. Could get it for €500 so well under normal price for a new watch. Would love to have the alpinist logo on the watch instead of automatic or the Prospex logo.

Stunning watch and one of the favorites in my collection. I don't want to know anyone who thinks this watch is unattractive.

Been wearing a Marathon Steel Navigator for nearly a year, but seeking to update my look. I love my Marathon, but want something with automatic movement so I am looking at the Alpinist

I always imagine I'd be selling my Mountain Glacier Alpinist SPB197J1 (not seeing it anywhere anymore, discontinued?), but whenever I put it on my wrist it just gives a very unique feeling. Also, changing straps does magic. Blue rubber strap from the SRPH77 mini Tuna works like a dream, so always change the strap/bracelet on your watch before deciding to sell it on... you might be surprised.

Hello! May I ask what is its difference to the SBDC091? It’s the only available moden in our country :(

i would absolutely love this watch if not for the cyclops. i've just never been a fan of them and i wish there was a model without it (unless there is and i'm not aware - and yes i know the sarb017 doesn't but it's discontinued and difficult to find at a good price)

You're right, a Marmite watch to be sure. And I never touch the stuff. What I'd really like is a faithful recreation of the original Alpinist Champion, perhaps with a 6r movement, in the King Seiko line since that original watch was more svelt with an elegant dial.

Great, now I'm on Seiko's website figuring out which one I like best 😁

i tell my friends who are on the watch journey to either start here with seiko or tissot; just told one of my friends about the tissot gentleman but now i think he might like this one better. especially since this can be dressed up or down. i personally have the alpinist GMT and its too good.

Yes, I agree, mostly.. I believe most Sarb owners would have liked to have the “holy” Sarb017, which is popularly considered the og 🤷🏼‍♂️. I know I would-if I didn’t own one. That green on the dial is heavenly. The mountains etching on the back-so simple and cool. No magnification on the beautifully framed date window. Perfect watch. Lousy band.

I have always loved the look of this watch and it is on my shortlist to pick up someday.

Love the alpinist design but the movement is horrible to regulate. There ars so many other options for the same price tag with a sw200 which you can regulate to +-5 Sec!

love mine as well , got the Glacier blue version

Love this watch. I saw the cream and jumped , then the green came so I got that. Now I have two!

My dady bought one NKUWAN and he loves it. It had been there for over 10 years when he went out with it.

awesome watch... hope to see better calibers in the next iterations...

Im from the Philippines and ever since I discovered watches, the SARB017 was my grail watch until it was discontinued. When this arrived, I wanted to get this. This may be affordable in a 1st world country but at over 40,000 PHP (3 months above average salary) is very very expensive. I had a chance to get this but circumstances made me not able to do so. Someday, I will be able to get this but for now, listening to its specifications and how awesome it is will do. Haha

Regarding mountaineering......A HUGE amount of mountaineering is done in the dark, it's absolutely essential. A normal 'Alpine' day on the mountain starts off at about 2am and a large proportion of a mountain is climbed in darkness. The reason for this is rockfall. Once the sun hits a steep mountain, such as the Matterhorn, the ice will start melting, and there is an increased risk of rockfall. Ideally you'd want to be on the summit shortly after dawn, and making your way back down aiming to be in a safe location again by early afternoon at the latest!

I just paid 860AUD for mine and I'm really pleased with it. Always wanted a nice green dial. Don't like the cyclops, never have. Why do they persist in putting them on?

I just bought this two months ago, my first real watch. The accuracy is better than advertised. With a fully wound watch, its +- 5 secs a day, even after a week if its worn daily. However, mine gains about 20 secs if i dont wear it for a day.

I have many dial variants of this model. Best watch ever

Just bought the 2023 limited black alpinist

I like my SARB017 and prefer the no-cyclops date.

I bought this watch in NY back in Sept 2023 and I absolutely love it. Incredibly beautiful and clean

And there is so much more to discuss regarding the history of this watch..!

I’ll keep my Red Alpinist. It’s amazing how every SPB Alpinist video on RU-vid talks about the Alpinist history starting in the 1950s/60s then jumping straight to the SARB. No mention or love for the SCVF 4S powered Alpinist that helped Seiko come back to mechanical watches after the quartz crisis/boom era. The specs the Red Alpinist had were way better than even the SARB. I’ll take the thinner case and a better accuracy hi beat movement over the eye candy and less accurate movements they sell nowadays.

The new watch I bought from an AD was an SPB199J1 in 2020. I wouldn't be without it.

I have a couple of (for me) quite expensive watches, but this Seiko really tempts me. Beautiful watch 👍

I love the Seiko Alpinist. It's an excellent watch. Great quality and is affordable. I love my Seiko SPB197J1.

I plan on getting the SPB117 or this as my first watch. I’m torn

I bought the Seiko spb121j1 but the strap is to short for my wrist!

The Mountain Sunset FTW. Love it.

I have owned this watch for about a month, and it's my first proper watch. It looks excellent, but as someone new into the watch scene I have a few gripes (despite how good it is): The strap is sort of stiff and does not exactly conform to the wrist, as of yet anyway. The numbering on the even digits throw me a bit off. As someone not used to mechanical watches, the loss of accuracy over time, although expected, still a bit annoying. Still a great piece though, and will never look bad.

i considered this one for my next watch, but the magnifying window for the date was a deal breaker. Instead I snapped a alpinist deep lake SPB249J1 instead. Gorgeous dial, no rotating besel I wasnt going to use that anyway and packed with specs. It has taken a prominent place within my daily watches.

I like this watch, but would get the Baby Alpinist instead. Basically the same look, but just a single crown and no internal compass bezel. Simplifies the looks and really streamlines it. I have no need for the compass bezel, and the second crown just throws the balance off too much for me eye.

Choosing the perfect affordable watch involves considering various factors such as style, durability, and price. A well-selected timepiece can add a touch of elegance to any outfit without breaking the bank. Some brands offer excellent options in the affordable range, balancing aesthetics and functionality.

I have the blue GMT variant of this watch

I have the SPB155, good everyday watch.

Some quality shortcuts. The original SARB017 hour lume pips have individual gilt surround. The SPB121 doesn’t.

Nice but what’s the point having a compass in your watch?

I own the model displayed in this video. It's a good watch. Two issues that i wish would be corrected. The strap it comes on is just not comfortable, nor does the color do the watch any favors. I swapped it out for a saddle brown plain leather strap with traditional buckle, and it looks and feels much better. The watch also wears smaller than it's case size, and this watch dial is too pretty to get lost in the smaller size. It would work really well as a 40-41 mm watch.

What about that “compas”?

Can't abide a compass bezel. Put a clip-on compass on your watchband if you are going off the pavement.

Yay, I have one! Well mine is actually the Sarb017, which is even better. I LOVE IT!

Planning to visit Japan in the near future, and before leaving I'm going to try and buy one. Is there anything more perfect in this hobby by buying one of our favorite Seiko at his origin country and enjoy your stay? 🇯🇵 🫠

Had the Alpinist but ended up selling. I felt it was more like a dress watch trying to be a field watch and the 6R35 is not particularly accurate. Also I found it to be a little too thick 13.2 mm. The compass feature wasn't particularly useful for me. I think it's gorgeous but not a keeper for me.

Seiko did it again, what a beauty!

I love the brand, love the baby alpinist, I think the compas bezel on this watch an irrelevant gimmick, how often can you see the sun? I carry a compass if I need to navigate. I would prefer the larger watch without the compass bezel though.

How much?

I have it and I like it a lot, but I don’t wear it more because of the horrible strap. Just a few minutes ago I was looking online for a replacement strap.

Improving the caliber?

At about half that price I will keep my Tissot PR100. The stopwatch facility is useful to me and the accuracy is incredible,

Better dial on the SARB017

I have a Seiko PADI and it stays in its box most of the time. It looks great, but when ever I pick it up, it has stopped! So the time and date are out and have to be set. Too much hassle. 'Automatic' so-called!

I have the cream dial version and it is currently my 1 watch collection.

Have the European Edition on the bracelet and I like it. It’s far from perfect, gain’s +20 seconds daily, the inner compass does not align perfectly and has a bit of wiggle when rotated. However, what it lacks in attention to detail, it makes up for with charm.

Lovely looking watch. The best Seiko?

Lovely piece! A true GADA piece. I got the black sharktooth version.

When I first saw the Alpinist, I really liked it. About a year later I ended up buying one second hand. I did enjoy it for a while afterwards, but I just didn't end up wearing it that often. Currently trying to sell that very watch, though I am a bit torn about it. On paper everything about the Alpinist works, but when I got it in my hands, it just didn't feel that special. I don't think I'll ever quite figure out why...

Had the older model and sold it for a decent profit. Massive regret over that decision. Have the blue Baby Alpinist and the 6R movement failed after the warranty expired. Repaired by Seiko for $300. Ugh.

I'm more a fan of the SPB241, because it's a more simple and elegant design, allowing more versatility.

Just ordered a Balteny 1926 for my 60th...but I have had my eye on this Alpinist for a long time...one day when I have the dosh😅. Btw it's the only watch I'd pay over £500 for and see it's value, functionality and engineering as sublime mix of all it's attributes. I have over 30 watches including a Chinese tourbion and it's a beauty and a Cheap dress watch under £5 which is obviously a quartz and a great time keeper . Lord help me if I ever win the lottery 😂...as the money ceiling would be enhanced for sure. We enthusiasts collect within our constraints, aspire to the next watch with the desire of a patriot 🇬🇧 ... British in my case. But watches and the passion we have for this hobby/ passion transcends borders , countries and economics , race creed or colour. Heirology is imho one of last true forms of escapism and ways to appreciate the amazing engineering prowess of the watchmaker and our fascination with an artist from that speaks volumes to us. Looking forward to expanding my modest collection.

If this one is perfect, with the cyclops and 300$ more expensive, then what is my SARB017?

If movement really can be adjusted for chronometer accuracy (or close to it), this is good watch. If not and you get so bad accuracy - it can’t cost more than $200. For me, only chronometer grade caliber is ok. COSC is ok, Rolex or omega standard- what I want to get

Seiko Sarb17 and sarb33 stay king at the affordable price range

I have gifted this to my son and he is just loving it

I thought this model had been discontinued by Seiko a couple of years ago?