The one thing I wish the SARB017 had
The SARB017 Green Alpinist is one of the last models from Seiko that offered true value and we have to accept the new reality where bean counting rules first and foremost.
But, there are still a few things that I wish that the old SARB017 had and one of them is AR coating on the sapphire.
The lack of anti reflective treatment is turning the dial into either a semi opaque milky haze or a glittery mess, which is making it harder to capture on camera the shine from the indices or the iridescence from the green sunburst.
At least the steel case back plate is there to remind me of a time when Seiko wasn't ashamed of the word "Alpinist" and understood why double branding is a bad thing.
In fairness when the SARB017 was launched, sapphire crystals were not used as often as they are now and it wasn't uncommon to leave them without AR coating. I also think that having no AR is better than coating both sides, which is something I never understood the rational behind it, and that third party sapphire replacements do exist and are easy to fit if I'll ever decide to fix this minor issue.
My green Alpinist is still fitted to the ColaReb Perugia leather strap and I continue to think that it's a match made in Heaven. The tan color and rough texture are adding a slightly rustic look which works really well with my SARB017, or at least - it works very well for me.
I'll have to wait a bit more for the sun to rise fully and experience the daily explosion of green and gold, but that's OK. I'm not going anywhere and neither does the Alpinist.
I'm a big fan of watches that are interesting because they are either unique, have interesting features, well designed or simply offer a great value for their price.
I was just a little late to the SARB017.. prices for these are wild now.. what a watch!
Agreed. $1,000+? 😬. Beautiful watch tho.
Agreed. $1,000+? 😬. Beautiful watch tho.
Yes I saw that as well, some sellers have an overly optimistic view about how much the SARB017 is really worth.
I think they do have some AR, mine was certainly a lot less reflective than my Hamilton Murph which I sold as it was illegible in anything other than perfect conditions 🤔
I bought mine for $550 & sold for $960 AUD so I can’t complain. I enjoyed it while I owned it . The case size for my skinny wrists was perfect.
I bought mine for $550 & sold for $960 AUD so I can’t complain. I enjoyed it while I owned it . The case size for my skinny wrists was perfect.
I remarked once on the size of the SARB and mentioned that when it was launched the larger than life watches were still very much in fashion, so it's quite interesting to realize that the SARB017 with its sub 40mm diameter was probably an oddity.
And also, you should have kept it.
I think they do have some AR, mine was certainly a lot less reflective than my Hamilton Murph which I sold as it was illegible in anything other than perfect conditions 🤔
Nope, No AR whatsoever on the SARB, that came only with the SPB.
I remarked once on the size of the SARB and mentioned that when it was launched the larger than life watches were still very much in fashion, so it's quite interesting to realize that the SARB017 with its sub 40mm diameter was probably an oddity.
And also, you should have kept it.
I should have Claude :)
Nope, No AR whatsoever on the SARB, that came only with the SPB.
Fair enough, but still far more legible than the Hamilton was.
Nice strap choice. Im a fan of ColaReb and have my Alpinist on a brown Roma.
Nice strap choice. Im a fan of ColaReb and have my Alpinist on a brown Roma.
The very same ColaReb Roma is the strap that saved my SPB147 from becoming a drawer princess.