[SPB121] Alpinist: Best watch under 1k?
The alpinist has become well known as a great gada watch under 1k, but is it the best all around watch at the price point? Its big contender is either the PRX or a Hamilton, what do y’all think?
This watch has some serious history as well. The first alpinist, the laurel alpinist, was first released in 1959. The line was aimed at Japanese businessmen, who loved to climb mountains in their spare time, but needed a watch they could take into the office. The alpinist was created with tough and reliable specs, while having a refined, professional design.
Since then, the design language has changed, while reissues of the original design have been very popular. The SPB117, released in the 2000s, was the first watch of the line up to catch the eye of modern Seiko enthusiasts. The watch was known for its beautiful sunburst green dial, tough 200m water resistance, and status as a strap monster.
The SPB121 is Seikos recreation of the classic alpinist in modern form. The slightly deeper shade of green on the dial, as well as the upgraded movement, all give this watch a more premium feel. While some dislike certain aspects of the reissue such as the Prospex X or the display caseback, I think this watch still punches way above it’s price point.
The compass bezel is seen by some as being of limited utility, and while not as insanely practical as a diving bezel, is still a cool and useful addition if you ever needed to get a bearing.
I recently picked up a cheap oyster bracelet for this watch, and I love the tool watch vibe it brings. Someday I’ll grab a leather nato strap for this as well, although I surprisingly love the strap that it comes on. It gets a lot of hate, but once I bent it around a little to break it in it fits very well to my wrist and is very comfortable.
Seiko has continued to expand the lineup, adding new colors and strap and bracelet options. The most popular model next to the classic sunburst green dial has been the off white dial, SPB119.
Several limited editions have done well, with the most notable being the blue sunburst release in Europe. The popular “baby alpinist” has also been a hit for the lineup, with its proponents touting its lack of the compass bezel and beautiful textured dial.
Most recently Seiko has brought out a new GMT version of this watch, in blue, green, and cream dials. These watches, while selling at a higher price point, are for sure going to be a hit with Seiko collectors.
If you are looking for a capable gada watch under 1k with some serious horological heritage, look no further than the Seiko Alpinist!
Committed Seikohaulic.
Cool photo
Yea it’s one of the best but I liked it better when it was more affordable
I have one, its nice but quality control issues with mine so have to disagree. Had I got a good one I might be saying the opposite.
This reads like a chatGPT review of the Alpinist line. Not knocking it, but hit all the normal talking points.
Love the alpinist line and it is hard to vote against it for one of the best watches under $1000, but there is a ton of competition, many of which are far more accurate and better value now.
To be honest I would rather have the Christopher Ward C65.
Nope.The cyclop is awful + plastic parts in inner rotating bezel mechanizm.
I love the Alpinist and its heritage but for that price point I would go CWard or Traska in automatic for the office side and Citizen in solar quartz for the mountain climbing side
What about Glycine , Hamilton , top end citizen ?
Personally I'd agree Seiko can appear to be better value than anything Swiss at around the £1000 mark, tho the 6r accuracy lets them down in comparison.
As to which Seiko is best at that price point, it's a matter of personal taste. Mine is the Willard, but the Alpinist are a superb choice.
I agree, I got this one for $400, would never consider paying close to retail. Secondary is way better value.
For my money under 1k I’d grab a used SPB143.
What about Glycine , Hamilton , top end citizen ?
I think there’s a ton of great choices, but as far as popularity under 1k in the watch world this is up there with Hamilton and Tissot.
I personally think Glycine, Traska, Helm, and tons of other microbrands are great choices.
This reads like a chatGPT review of the Alpinist line. Not knocking it, but hit all the normal talking points.
Love the alpinist line and it is hard to vote against it for one of the best watches under $1000, but there is a ton of competition, many of which are far more accurate and better value now.
I mean some people are new to the Alpinist, someone’s gotta cover it.
I think you’re right, there is better value to be found at its retail (675). I paid 400 so for me the value piece is there with this watch. However, under 1k there are so many microbrand offerings that are always going to blow away the big time brands spec for money.
I prefer the diver line from Seiko, but that’s just preference.
Traska, Lorier, and CW seem like better pure value to me.
Alpinist is a worthy contender.
Shrug. I am not sure it's even the best Seiko under $1k.
At that price point, you have Presage Enamel and Urushi (the latter barely under $1K), which are unbelievable. With 100m WR, they can do most duties just fine.
As others pointed out, under a grand also see some beautiful Citizen, Tissot, Hamilton, microbrands, and smartwatch. Competition is fierce.
I love the Alpinist, all of them. I have loved them for as long as I’ve been into watches. I don’t particularly think they are the best in their price range, but they are the most appealing in their class (to me). I would choose an Alpinist over most simply because I love the looks of that line. The one consistent thing that I can say for all Alpinists is that they look better on bracelets. Their limited editions should all have options for bracelets.
I love the Alpinist, but I will not call it a GADA watch. I rather have a CW Sealander, as someone else mentioned here. As a matter of fact, when I did own the Alpinist, it was a GNDN watch for me😭..loved looking at it and photographing it, but never got any wrist time. But that's just me
I love the alpinist but personally, I would go for the vintage scvf007 just for the 37mm size, the creamy dial and the red alpinist.. price wise, may be less affordable but its quite cool to me.. like kind of seiko's version of the explorer 1016
I do love those older models. Super collectible and very cool. Especially the gmt one, what a banger. Quite rare though
The Alpinist is not for me. A much better option would be the Christopher Ward C63 Sealander, better finishing, movement and bracelet/clasp.
I bought a second hand SPB121 a couple years ago and didn't like it at first. I thought it was to small, it lagged 20 seconds a day and a bit awkward looking. I have used it regularly since then and even got it regulated and it has really grown on me. I have now become a Alpinist fanboy and am considering one of the new GMT models 👍
I like the new gmts, for my money I’d get the blue one as it’s a new color for this line, and adds a cool vibe. Which one are you liking the most?
The Alpinist is not for me. A much better option would be the Christopher Ward C63 Sealander, better finishing, movement and bracelet/clasp.
Understandable. A lot of times it honestly comes down to branding and preference as well as specs. The CW branding isn’t for me, and I like the history with this model, hence why I grabbed this one. Some aren’t going to care about that history, which is totally okay.
I love the old 6R15 version and may still pick up one up on my next trip to Japan - if I can find some new old stock somewhere.
I have the Ginza variant, which uses the marker style of the '59 Laurel Alpinist. Admittedly, Ginza isn't the most 'outdoorsy' theme, Ginza is a theme that connects well for me. And because it's Alpinist - it's still a 200m WR outdoors watch I take swimming, running, hiking, etc..! Such a great watch.
Last pic in Ginza 😉
I think, there is no such thing as a "best" watch (or any other object for that matter) in general. What somebody perceives as "best" might be very different from what I perceive "best".
The Alpinist is a fine watch, it is for sure better than some other watches in this price range.
I like the new gmts, for my money I’d get the blue one as it’s a new color for this line, and adds a cool vibe. Which one are you liking the most?
I have pre ordered the white one. Not sure when I get it but hopefully soon 👍
I agree with the Prospex details being unnecessary, is there an Alpinist logo? For the money, in that price bracket and category, they're unbeatable. I just wish they were a little bit wider, or had an option thereof.
I love the old 6R15 version and may still pick up one up on my next trip to Japan - if I can find some new old stock somewhere.
I have the Ginza variant, which uses the marker style of the '59 Laurel Alpinist. Admittedly, Ginza isn't the most 'outdoorsy' theme, Ginza is a theme that connects well for me. And because it's Alpinist - it's still a 200m WR outdoors watch I take swimming, running, hiking, etc..! Such a great watch.
Last pic in Ginza 😉
Wow, that’s awesome! That’s the point of the alpinist right, that it doesn’t jump out immediately as an outdoorsy watch. Yeah, this is sweet
I agree with the Prospex details being unnecessary, is there an Alpinist logo? For the money, in that price bracket and category, they're unbeatable. I just wish they were a little bit wider, or had an option thereof.
Yes there is actually, look at the caseback of the SPB117, that was the last model to use it. Its pretty sweet.
Nope.The cyclop is awful + plastic parts in inner rotating bezel mechanizm.
There are three case shapes in the Alpinist range - only one has those features. The Mini-Alpinist and the 1959 Reinterpretation Alpinist do not.
There are three case shapes in the Alpinist range - only one has those features. The Mini-Alpinist and the 1959 Reinterpretation Alpinist do not.
On the photos Alpinist model with the additional crown for inner rotating bezel.
Love these had one on the wrist but too small for my ape wrists.
I bought the baby Alpinist (SPB155) in January 2023. I was between the SPB121 and SPB155, but decided to go for the baby Alpinist because of a cleaner look and the 38mm is my sweetspot. Still, that SPB121 looks really unique and cool!
On the other hand, talking about the best watch under 1k, I would go for my boring choice - Hamilton Khaki Field 38mm Auto or the 38mm Murph (I love both of these watches) 😀
I bought the baby Alpinist (SPB155) in January 2023. I was between the SPB121 and SPB155, but decided to go for the baby Alpinist because of a cleaner look and the 38mm is my sweetspot. Still, that SPB121 looks really unique and cool!
On the other hand, talking about the best watch under 1k, I would go for my boring choice - Hamilton Khaki Field 38mm Auto or the 38mm Murph (I love both of these watches) 😀
Those are great choices! It really comes down to personal preference at the end of the day. For me I find the Hamiltons to be a little boring, where some love the understated look