Seiko Alpinist Ginza Edition alternatives?
I love the alpinist ginza special edition. I've seen a few folks here rock them and I get jelly all the time. Love you guys, but I'm jealous @Fieldwalker @JaeBust and there's a few more here.
Out of a stupid, semi-stubborn guideline (I can't call it a "principle" because it's not so noble, it's just a stubborn refusal to pay way above retail for something. I know I shouldn't anchor to the retail price, but brains are dumb), I can't get myself to pay 3-4x retail price or whatever it is.
I saw a helpful post from someone (sorry forgot the name) that tried on this beautiful mystic forest. Similar look and feel, but more green and less blue and no tile motif. I also heard of this mountain glacier watch which is nice, but not sure if I love the retro look of the cathedral hands and the Arabic numerals.
Any suggestions of watches that might give me the same feel as the ginza??
Thanks!
Avid watch wearer, not collector. Like my children, I love all of my watches equally, but I love my Lange the best.
I’ve been on the same hunt for a while now. But there’s really no substitute.
Would I take this Ali Express Special scuba diving? No. Would I buy this for $70? Also no. 🤷♂
I’ve been on the same hunt for a while now. But there’s really no substitute.
Are you really gonna pull the trigger at usd 2k+? 😭
I keep going back and forth. Not a very high absolute amount, but that is poor logic I guess.. dunno
Would I take this Ali Express Special scuba diving? No. Would I buy this for $70? Also no. 🤷♂
Oh, I was like, yes this is the watch were talking about.. until *smacks head* I got it. Hmm. Thank you for the alternative suggestion. I'm not really into close homages bc I'll always crave the original I think. Food for thought, thanks
Are you really gonna pull the trigger at usd 2k+? 😭
I keep going back and forth. Not a very high absolute amount, but that is poor logic I guess.. dunno
Nope, I’ll go hunt down @Fieldwalker next time I go to Vancouver 🤣
I can’t justify $2k+ for a Seiko
It is! Do you mean the ginza or the other possible alts I found?
Oh, I was like, yes this is the watch were talking about.. until *smacks head* I got it. Hmm. Thank you for the alternative suggestion. I'm not really into close homages bc I'll always crave the original I think. Food for thought, thanks
Probably not the same quality. It’s $70
Probably not the same quality. It’s $70
Wow that's a great deal 😂
Well I recently discovered a Swiss micro brand that has a model that captures this and the Omega Aqua Terra vibe, while remaining it's own unique design. L
Stunning, high quality, and comparatively very affordable. The Tuseno Windseeker. I ordered mine just 3 days ago. The curved lines engraved on the dial are supposed to resemble the deck of a vintage sailboat.
Well I recently discovered a Swiss micro brand that has a model that captures this and the Omega Aqua Terra vibe, while remaining it's own unique design. L
Stunning, high quality, and comparatively very affordable. The Tuseno Windseeker. I ordered mine just 3 days ago. The curved lines engraved on the dial are supposed to resemble the deck of a vintage sailboat.
Thanks for the suggestion. I have seen this when depeerblue wen to a micro watch fair in NY. Indeed, AT vibes but different. I like the color.
I like the ‘59 style, the original, more than the 60s Alpinist with compass bezel
But - The 60’s design is still a classic as well, and green and gold always look good. The older 6R15 model with no cyclops is my pick for that watch. Easier 20mm lugs and tons of bracelet options aftermarket. Beware of fakes for this model. @Max bought a fake
I’m the same, I wouldn’t pay over retail for any watch. Rolex especially.
A few other ‘59s I like are
1. This classy blue one, gold seconds pops nicely
2. and the pricey most OG one
Pictured here on bund, but I’ve seen on a dark tan leather and thought it looked stunning. 11mm thick and better balanced looking dial. Only a 36.5mm watch and no word “Alpinist” on dial and 18mm lugs are dealbreakers for me
3. The base Alpy with green and gold colorway also looks smart
Find a used one of either and should be decent amount under retail. The pricey model gets a far better movement 6L35
A 6R35 should be bought via dealer, even if used, so can come back if movement out of spec
My 6R had to be regulated by seiko 🤨 (the 6R is the only seiko movement I don’t fully trust)
I like the ‘59 style, the original, more than the 60s Alpinist with compass bezel
But - The 60’s design is still a classic as well, and green and gold always look good. The older 6R15 model with no cyclops is my pick for that watch. Easier 20mm lugs and tons of bracelet options aftermarket. Beware of fakes for this model. @Max bought a fake
I’m the same, I wouldn’t pay over retail for any watch. Rolex especially.
A few other ‘59s I like are
1. This classy blue one, gold seconds pops nicely
2. and the pricey most OG one
Pictured here on bund, but I’ve seen on a dark tan leather and thought it looked stunning. 11mm thick and better balanced looking dial. Only a 36.5mm watch and no word “Alpinist” on dial and 18mm lugs are dealbreakers for me
3. The base Alpy with green and gold colorway also looks smart
Find a used one of either and should be decent amount under retail. The pricey model gets a far better movement 6L35
A 6R35 should be bought via dealer, even if used, so can come back if movement out of spec
My 6R had to be regulated by seiko 🤨 (the 6R is the only seiko movement I don’t fully trust)
A nice little education here, thanks mate. I was wondering why the two alpinists everyone talks a lit are so different. I agree I Ike the 1959 re-creation better. Cleaner, more focused on the dial, and the cathedral hands could grow on me but now immediately.
I've just discovered that deep lake version on your #1. I don't like herring bone bc it reminds me of the first tailored suit I ever bought. 🤣 Really random but it makes me feel old.
Wait, so are you saying I should explore the originals? Hmm, let me go down this rabbit hole....
I can also campaign a bit that it’s over rated
In mostly lights, the dial, while iridescent, is nothing special for color - a grey blue/green that’s hard to describe
Your first Ginza pic above is not really color accurate, unless maybe in bright sunlight. Usually looks this color :
The Ginza is just unique and can't be replaced unless Seiko wakes up and decides another Ginza edition in different color. And that will sell ridiculously fast considering the demand.
In the current collection, the Mystic forest is the only variant that captures somewhat of a unique dial.
I had the Seiko Alpinist 1959 Reinterpretation in navy blue and loved it. The rope-style dial is insane! And the lume at 12 looks like the Triforce!!
I can also campaign a bit that it’s over rated
In mostly lights, the dial, while iridescent, is nothing special for color - a grey blue/green that’s hard to describe
Your first Ginza pic above is not really color accurate, unless maybe in bright sunlight. Usually looks this color :
Oh interesting.. haven't seen this side before. Still nice, but I see what u mean. The baby blue seconds hand goes nicely with the dial too.
Their isn't really a replacement, I wish I bought one at retail too, but they're discontinued and its gonna have to be over retail now,
I bought a Limted Edition alpinist recently and while not the same it has scratched the itch for me at the moment but the ginza will be stay on the list, I also own the grey 1959 alpinist too.
The mystic forest might scratch the itch untill you fund a deal on the ginza?
Both of yours are nice! The blue numerals and grey dial goes well - not a combo you see often.
Ah man…. Don’t worry you’ll find it. Don’t be jealous of @Fieldwalker and @JaeBust , be happy for them. Celebrate with them and then join the fun post when you get it. You’ll find it, all things are possible through grit and patience. 🍻
Plus, when you get it, it’ll make it that more satisfying. When things are easy, they loose psychological value at times, not all the time, but often. Anyhow, maybe look at it this way…..don’t know if this will help, but I get bummed out when I thought my watch box was going to be full and I’d have to stop chasing. Then, I realized that two of the watches I just bought, I wasn’t really liking, so I returned them.
Weird enough, I got so happy that I had two more slots to fill and the hunt could continue. 🤣😂that feeling was better than the acquisition!
I appreciate the supprotive words, which is why WC is awesome.
I'm joking on the jelly part. Fieldwalker is my buddy and all respect to jaebust for having what I think is one of the best collections I've seen! I'm super happy for them and I love my collection as well.
Rationalization is our friend! But In this instance, I think I'm gonna go for mystic forest. I've never seen it until I got the inspiration for this post and I like it almost as much as the ginza and the price is nice!
I'm selling my like-new Mystic Forest Alpinist in case anyone is interested. I love the watch but the color overlaps with my Accutron Spaceview 2020. I purchased it from my local Seiko Boutique/AD, hence it's still under warranty, comes with box and papers, the additional branded leather strap and deployant clasp, etc.
@Beanhead I've owned the mountain glacier (SPB299J1). It's a lovely watch but all together different in character from the Ginza Alpinist.
The Mountain Glacier is all curves, the Ginza Alpinist is all angles and points.
If you don't like the retro styling of the classic Alpinist, you won't like the Mountain Glacier.
Yeah, I agree. When you look at watches at a glance, you just admire then forget. After holding the thought of both watches in my head properly for the first time and considered the whole package, I'm going mystic. I like the green dial, the texture, the sharp indices vs the rounded catherdral-ness, and the price!
That’s a tough ask. There isn’t anything really like it, so hunting for something‘similar’ may not satisfy.
I’d suggest a slightly different approach by going for either: 1) a textured dial alpinist, or 2) a cocktail time. Neither is really the same, but both have great dial options. Otherwise, you’re stuck paying a premium for the actual Ginza version 🤑
Yeah, I think my question was flawed. It's less about alternatives, but rather I'm not gonna pay the high premium, so what other designs does alpinist have that are also beautiful in their own right.
I had the Seiko Alpinist 1959 Reinterpretation in navy blue and loved it. The rope-style dial is insane! And the lume at 12 looks like the Triforce!!
And that seals the deal. It's a triforce!!! My favorite game growing up.
I'm selling my like-new Mystic Forest Alpinist in case anyone is interested. I love the watch but the color overlaps with my Accutron Spaceview 2020. I purchased it from my local Seiko Boutique/AD, hence it's still under warranty, comes with box and papers, the additional branded leather strap and deployant clasp, etc.
$1750 is way above my rule….i don’t spend more than $300 per watch. The grey market helps me with that goal. 🤣😂
But thanks for mentioning
And that seals the deal. It's a triforce!!! My favorite game growing up.
Hahaha me too! I still sing that song! I stood on line outside a target like 5 years ago or so when the classic NES came out, just to play the original Zelda again!!!
Hahaha me too! I still sing that song! I stood on line outside a target like 5 years ago or so when the classic NES came out, just to play the original Zelda again!!!
It took me so long when I was a kid to know what that guy wanted when he said "grumble, grumble". Oh memories
I'm selling my like-new Mystic Forest Alpinist in case anyone is interested. I love the watch but the color overlaps with my Accutron Spaceview 2020. I purchased it from my local Seiko Boutique/AD, hence it's still under warranty, comes with box and papers, the additional branded leather strap and deployant clasp, etc.
Let me get back to you! Thanks
It took me so long when I was a kid to know what that guy wanted when he said "grumble, grumble". Oh memories
The sad part is that I STILL haven’t beaten that game! I never wanted to look up how to beat it! I still can’t find one of the levels, like 7 or 8. Right now I’m stuck in a locked room in level 6 with like 2 dozen enemies and paused it/saved it, and that was a year ago! I’m too scared to try to get out alive! Hahaha
Well I recently discovered a Swiss micro brand that has a model that captures this and the Omega Aqua Terra vibe, while remaining it's own unique design. L
Stunning, high quality, and comparatively very affordable. The Tuseno Windseeker. I ordered mine just 3 days ago. The curved lines engraved on the dial are supposed to resemble the deck of a vintage sailboat.
That's a good look, although to me the curved lines resemble curved lines.
That's a good look, although to me the curved lines resemble curved lines.
First thing I saw was a globe - lines of latitude