The Seiko Alpinist is the ultimate GADA watch (aka why I will win #1WC)

“The Rolex Explorer, the Omega Aqua Terra, and this new Black Bay 39 are considered GADA watches…” - @Max

Max may consider those watches to be GADA watches, but not me. Yes, those watches may be GADA in form, but not GADA in substance. To me however, the SARB017 (and its Prospex successors) is the ultimate GADA watch.

Why? Let’s look at the characteristics of a GADA watch:

• Dressy enough to fit under a shirt cuff and wear to an office job.

• Casual enough to wear with shorts and a t-shirt.

• Rugged/water resistant enough to go camping and/or swimming.

I have an additional characteristic:

• Something you can replace without relying on an insurance payout.

You see, I have something that is more expensive than this watch addiction we all share: they’re called children. Raising kids ain’t cheap, especially when all of the grandparents (read: free childcare) live on the opposite side of the country from you.

Yes, thanks to the six figures of a law school student loan debt I incurred, I can likely purchase an Aqua Terra or a BB39 with my next annual bonus (and can put myself on a waitlist for an Explorer without worrying about it too much) but I can’t easily replace without impacting my real day to day finances if any of those watches are lost or destroyed.* The SARB on the other hand:

I can handle $725, whether paying for it outright, utilizing a discount or sale, or using Affirm or some kind of 0% financing. I’ll be sad that the newer Alpinists doesn't have a solid caseback with the word “Alpinist” on it, but the watch can be replaced without too much pain.

I can GADA fearlessly with the SARB017.

So let’s recap, the SARB017 is:

• Dressy enough to fit under a shirt cuff and wear to an office job. (Look at my WRUW posts)

• Casual enough to wear with shorts and a t-shirt (See also my WRUW posts).

• Rugged/water resistant enough to go camping and/or swimming (20 BAR WATER RESISTANT BABY!)

• Something I can replace without waiting for an insurance payout.

I can go anywhere and do anything with the SARB017 without much worry and that is why I chose it for #1WC and that is why I will win.

Which Disney princess will wear the SARB017? Easy. Merida. She’s as GADA as SARB, and the green dial would go well any of her outfits. Look at this!

*GET YOUR WATCHES INSURED PEOPLE!