Seiko Alpinist Ginza VS Longine Spirit 37mm
So, I'm new to watch collecting and watch crunch, so hello!
Now here's the crux of my issue, I want to buy a new bluish every day watch and after months and months of searching I've narrowed it down to the Seiko Alpinist Limited Ed. Ginza or the Longine Spirit 37mm. The Seiko originally costed $1140 AUD, but unfortunately because of how people are it's now selling on the grey market for around 2.2k-3k which is crazy. Whereas the Spirit is selling at around 3.2k. It's very possible for me to buy the Ginza for 1.9-2k and its possible for me to buy the Spirit for around 2.8k. The Ginzas dial is absolutely gorgeous which is the main selling point for me since I plan to wear it on leather. Whereas the Spirit has a better movement, case, finishing and bracelet. So my question is this: is it worth it to buy the cheaper Ginza for around $800-1000 less, even though the Longines is the better watch in every aspect except the Dial, and more expensive but atleast I'm buying it for what it's worth.
I'm only starting to get into watches but my favourite part of the watches are the dials 😆
I will probably go for the Longines! If you have a small wrist, i will say 37mm is good. I have seen these spirit models in the flesh before and they have very straight lugs. the blue dial is very outstanding and with the 5 stars there, you are getting the best from Longines. I have owned 2 longines and they are superb! Not to say the seiko is inferior, I just feel that the spirit wins this round.
I loved the Ginza when I found out about it, and like yourself looked on the second hard market and I think the overs are a bit ridiculous. Definitely go for the Longines it’s lovely in person.
You should buy what you like!
Longines without a doubt.
What you like is of course the right choice, but for me it would be the Longines, which has an extra kick with an exceptional finish.
The longines has better quality for sure but the seiko has a more interesting dial.
you could get the longines and a standard alpinist xD
Buy the one you can’t live without, not the one you can live with. I speak from experience.
That said, I do like both brands and both watches, but hands down I’d get the Longines.
i like the plain colour alpinist, but in this case i probably choose longines spirit
I’d go Longines. No less beautiful, and seems a tier above. Of course, you should buy the one that makes you happiest.
And this could have course be just me, but it seems like the charm of the Ginza dial might not last as long as the beauty of the Longines dial.
I absolutely LOVE a sparkly Seiko dial, however, between the two I would go for the Longines. I think it has a beautiful elegance about it that is no less beguiling and for me personally it has a more timeless feel.
I'm not into supporting the black market double the price ripoff scene so in this case I would pick the Longines even if I liked the Seiko more. I was looking for a blue dial watch myself and just picked up the EC Andersson Calypso II for a fraction of the prices we are talking about here. I just got it but the initial impression is very good. Delivery was one week from Sweden to my home in the US.
I like both for different reasons, but if it was me buying I'd go for the longines.
My advice is to go for the one you like the most, if it's the Longines then save up even if you wait longer to have it, it's going to be worth it, no substitute watch is going to feel like the one you really want.
pick what would make you smile each time u would take a peak at your wrist.
But my vote is Longines. Im biased tho
pick what would make you smile each time u would take a peak at your wrist.
But my vote is Longines. Im biased tho
beat me to the punch. Great advice!!!!!
enjoy either of those beauties.
happy Holidays
Longines
If I bought every beautiful dialed Seiko out there I would be in a bad way 😆
I think for the price of a Ginza there are better options if you are just after a pretty dial. You can get lovely vintage Seikos for a fraction of the cost or pre-owned Seiko Presage (which are phenomenal value and have a range of colours). I went for the presage in white, but the blue, green and GMT options I think are gorgeous too.
But the heart wants what it wants. Get the Ginza if it's calling to you. There is no denying it's a beautiful watch 👌
You don't need to tell me about the sharp edges. It's my newest and favourite watch currently 🤣
But yeah, the Ginza is calling to me strongly. I'm a Seiko Sucker for them dials 😅
Out of curiosity that vintage Seiko, what's it called? It's got a pretty cool crystal.
Used 😱?
On Chrono 24, can't find any used. All are in "new" condition hahaha
On Chrono 24, can't find any used. All are in "new" condition hahaha
Don't you got something like ebay local to your country 🤔?
Truth be told both would make me happy hahaha In a perfect world I'd buy the Ginza for my blue and the champagne dial of the Longines 😆 I love a textured dial, hence why I have the Seiko Presage Sharp Edge in red. The longines simple but beautiful sunburst finish and applied Arabic numerals is definitely more "timeless" but maaaannn, that Seiko Ginza bricks 🤣
I‘m right there with you. I just got my Cocktail Time Negroni last week and I love it, and I could stare at those GS dials all day. In this particular case, I just found the Ginza dial busier and the Longines really sharp. Of course, you should act according to your own preferences, and here’s hoping you DO end up with both someday!
Don't you got something like ebay local to your country 🤔?
I do but it's actually MORE expensive on Ebay 🤣 They're trying to sell a Longines spirit for 5k!!!
I‘m right there with you. I just got my Cocktail Time Negroni last week and I love it, and I could stare at those GS dials all day. In this particular case, I just found the Ginza dial busier and the Longines really sharp. Of course, you should act according to your own preferences, and here’s hoping you DO end up with both someday!
For sure, but the question is, should I buy the Longines first then hope for a cheaper Ginza down the track? 😆
Cool looking watch 😮
As the owner of Alpinist Ginza, I can tell you it's a fantastic watch, but not worth over retail. Go with the Longines!
Longines or Seiko Ginza would both be good!
If you want a blue dial watch and like the Alpinist case design, you can check out the SPB249 and SPB289. Both have exclusive dial patterns and are priced at 800 USD.
There is no doubt in my mind, if price is not a concern, Longines every day, all day.
I'm having the exact same internal debate between the champagne versions of the Seiko and the 37mm Longines. I've already tried them both, and I agree with most people that the Longines is nicer overall, but not sure if its 2.5 times nicer, as the prices would suggest.
I'm having the exact same internal debate between the champagne versions of the Seiko and the 37mm Longines. I've already tried them both, and I agree with most people that the Longines is nicer overall, but not sure if its 2.5 times nicer, as the prices would suggest.
At a certain point, it just comes down to what your comfortable spending that won't break the bank. If you have 3k (my currency) to spend on the longines then get the longines. It's finished nicer, it's a Chronometer grade movement, has a better Bracelet, and is much more nicely finished. However if you can only spend the 1k ish (my currency 😆) then buy the Seiko because it's still a do it all watch that can be dressed up and with its 200m WR, it can last and be with you for a long time.
I know that most probably it is too late to write here but at least it can be a reference for people who might see it in the future 🙂
I have both watches, with different dial colors. (you can check my posts on WRUW to see both)
Nothing on this price point is comparable to Longines Spirit. However for the price of the Seiko (which i've bought 1,5yr ago with a discount on Seiko Boutique Amsterdam for 640EUR) there are many alternatives.
I love the Seiko tbh just because of its green dial. It checks all the boxes, 200m WR, pretty nice Lume, sapphire glass etc. But at the end, it is not even close to be comparable with the Spirit.
If you have the money, buy the Spirit and live with it forever.
(Btw I also owned 249 for the Seiko with a super dark grayish blue dial, trust me it is not blue 🙂 On the press images it looks like a blue but it is not. It is more like a purplish grayish super dark bluish jeans color.)