Alpinist dilemma! Need help…….

That's unusual but completely unnoticeable unless you're looking for it. Is it going to bother you? Are you going to resell it? If it were me I would just enjoy the character.

Instead of a defect, it might just be a slight manufacturing re-design from one year of production to the other. An example of this would be the lume pip at 3 o’clock on the SPB143 which appeared only in the second year of production 🤷‍♂️

Honestly, I think you're being ridiculous. I believe the northern hemisphere is denoted by an orange triangle and the NE and NW are faded orange. To me, it's a non-issue and a gorgeous watch. Congratulations.

Smash it with a hammer it’s obviously eating away at your soul!

No only kidding, if it really bothers you take it back if not just enjoy it, it’s a lovely watch and I didn’t even notice had to look a few times to see what the issue was!

Seiko customer service is the absolute worse !

Called to clarify coloring and the assistant had zero idea and kept saying “if they change the color then the whole model would change”. They are so miserable , every time I’ve called. Never want to help and sound like I’m an inconvenience to them.

I see what you are saying , thank you. I wonder if anyone else has this issue or color difference

Welcome to Seiko where the prices are high for the quality you get and is as bad as the customer support. Orient does better for good prices and is owned by Seiko. Go figure...

If it really bothers you, ask for a change or return it.

For the record, and being a bit pedantic, but it matters, “Seiko” as in the Seiko Watch Corporation does not own Orient. Seiko Watch is owned by Seiko Group. Orient is owned by Seiko Epson, a separate corporate entity which shares the same ultimate parent. Seiko Watch and Orient are only distantly related, sharing only a corporate grandparent, and have very little to do with each other. It’s not at all as Tudor is to Rolex.

Kind of like the Swatch group but the decisions in the brands come from on high. Each brand has to have a place in the family while giving the perception of independence

Unfortunately it’s the last one in stock.

Do I Live with it ? The original orange accents does throw it off alittle

Still contemplating

Agreed, could be redesign, yours is the letter that is orange, while stock photo is orange triangle with black letter. Still easily identifiable in my opinion which is which. If it is a redesign, even you return it for new one, the result is going to be the same, unless they have an old stock.

Definitely keep it

Mine is faded too but not as much as yours. I use mine like a diver bezel timer. I put the orange triangle at minute hand and use it to time workouts, cooking, etc. If you use it similarly you might want to send back. Brighter will be easier to see

This is the last in stock , and it came with the Seiko warranty card. It’s definitely 100% genuine!

Worth returning ?

I found another Alpinist , same model but it won’t come with the Seiko warranty and from the photos the orange accents are more prominent.

Worth risking to purchase another to lose the warranty ?

My Ginza has a tiny hard to see problem with the Prospex X. Like it slightly misprinted: look at top left of X. It’s super noticeable with x3 loup but very nothing at a regular distance

But it’s super hard to see, and I don’t want to let go of this one for fear I wouldn’t get it back. Fine with small hard to see defect on this GADA.

I guess everyone is swaying towards keeping it ?

I did discover some Alpinist on google images that have the same faded orange accents as mine. Far between , but its seems like I’m not the only one.

Keep it or Refund ?

I think that if you purchased the watch and liked the design, specifically with that little pop of color that you should return it. If it doesn’t bother you, than it doesn’t bother you. I have this watch and personally enjoy it with that little orange triangle. It’s your watch though. If you keep it and it bothers you, you are going to notice it everytime you look at it and could irritate you whenever you check the time to the point where you don’t enjoy the watch.

If anything it makes this beauty more special and truly yours!

The thing is that no watch is perfect. You can save yourself alot of headache if you except that. If you return it there is a chance that the new one will have an even more "annoying " imperfection. I understand that it is super annoying though.

She is still waiting patiently for my decision…….

May I also add, my compass actually lines up properly lol

Looks like it is more than the triangle. The orange paint isn’t on NE or NW.

Whoops I missed that when I read it the first time. I was just checking in to see if you made your decision and was trying to help was all.

Thank you for your input , still deciding ! Lol

Orange accents are faded on the compass markers. But it does blend in very well without the accents bc there is no orange accents anywhere else.

May just keep her …

If you’re happy with it that is all that matters. If you decide to keep it enjoy. I don’t see anything wrong with it personally. I enjoy mine.

It’s a KEEPER!!!

It’s officially part of the watch box.

Looking into different colored straps, green doesn’t really do it for me.

Thank you everyone for helping me decide.

Stay safe!