Seiko Alpinist GMT review
So yeah, I bought this watch last week and wore the heck out of it. As someone who missed out on the Alpinist experience I admit I'm curious as to how good they are that watch enthusiasts rave about them.
So yeah, the good things first. It's very legible and looking at the time is a joy what with a beautiful dial and all. Best of all, this one did away with the cyclops and moved the date to the 4.30 position in a very discreet manner.
Very wearable too, it's comfortable on the wrist and is a genuine strap monster. Bracelet, leather, nylon, canvas, FKM rubber straps, denim, you name it and the watch will take it and keep on ticking.
I admit, hearing and seeing Seiko's flubs with misaligned bezels and markers did worry me somewhat but thankfully I lucked out and got a specimen with no or very minimal misalignment on the compass ring.
The movement is good too, easy to wind with good tactile feel and mine runs consistently for far, only +5 spd after a week of wearing it.
We move on to the negative, then. Seiko has been accused of using short cuts for their watches and for this one, it's the bracelet. I don't know why but the edges of links are sharp-ish. Really bothered me the first day of wear and what made me decide to wear it on straps instead.
Seriously, Seiko really needs to step up its bracelet game. It's good to design strap monsters but when it's a strap monster by necessesity because of a bum bracelet that's a downer to some.
Forgot something.... I really wish Seiko would use a locking crown on their compass ring crown so that they would be less adjusting because of bumps.
Seiko Alpinist GMT review
Yes
No
- Very beautiful dial that's easy to read
- No cyclops to divide opinion and a discreet date window; which makes it more symmetrical to my wonky eyes. 😁
- Good movement, Seiko seems to get it right on the bat with this one.
- The bracelet. It's sharp! Really ruins what could be a great watchhead+bracelet combo
- Wish the compass ring have a locking crown at the very least. Not a fan of adjusting the compass ring because I bumped the crown.
This bit of lyric should describe my relationship with watches. "I don't know much but I know I love you And that may be all I need to know." Edit: If you see this avatar, high chances it's me. Commis...
Great honest review. Thanks!
Excellent informativw review - thank you! Are you still considering an Alpinist? 🤙
No, this is unacceptable. Paging @Aurelian. We only accept 5.0 star reviews on this site.
No, this is unacceptable. Paging @Aurelian. We only accept 5.0 star reviews on this site.
Consider yourself lucky I didn't knock another point from the design because of that free spinning compass ring. 😛
Nice review Amin!
Nice review Amin!
Thank you sir! 🍻
I think this may be the best Alpinist since the Sarb017
A full Alpinist experience comes with a Seiko bracelet that sucks. It's part of the game! 🙏🏻
I'm seriously on the fence with the GMT Alpinist. The green and gold is very attractive to me, and If I didn't already have the SARB017 it would be an instant buy. The special edition white is less so, at least for me.
I'm also appreciative that they took off the uglification device also known as the magnifier (aka cyclops, watch wart, etc) and wish they would have also extended this to the Prostate logo. But one can't have everything I guess.
As Alpinist owner I fully agree, maybe the grade is a bit high ( I would say 4 max ). In my case I had no luck with the movement and no luck with the bezel alignmnet. For bracelet I can only assume it is shitty like rest of Seiko bracelets, mine was on equaly shitty "leather" strap
As Alpinist owner I fully agree, maybe the grade is a bit high ( I would say 4 max ). In my case I had no luck with the movement and no luck with the bezel alignmnet. For bracelet I can only assume it is shitty like rest of Seiko bracelets, mine was on equaly shitty "leather" strap
So the movement is not accurate, the bezel is misaligned and the strap is shitty. That would relegate the watch to 3 stars maximum for me. You describe perfectly why I no longer play Seiko’s quality lottery despite loving most of their designs.
So the movement is not accurate, the bezel is misaligned and the strap is shitty. That would relegate the watch to 3 stars maximum for me. You describe perfectly why I no longer play Seiko’s quality lottery despite loving most of their designs.
Well you are right but I gave them some slack as compared to what is cost. But I expressed my oppinion on Seiko many times here, same for me not buying any more until these issues change
Thanks for the post! I was quite close to buying this exact watch a couple weeks ago, and I finally went into a different direction. (After all I already owned 5 Seikos, so I thought I was due for a change)
It really looks good, and you're making interesting points about it.
In the Cons I would have added the price tag. Yes it's a limited edition to 3000 pieces worldwide but it's still a bit steep IMO.
Man! that dial!!! I love the subtle shape of the GMT hand, not quite a triangle, more like a miniature Eiffel Tower. So classy!
Reference the leather strap on the Alpinist…. I removed mine and soaked it in coconut oil for a few hours, worked it to soften up and now have the MOST comfortable strap I own on the watch. It darkened up a bit too which is a plus.
Spotted this on the way out from the mall today. Read your review yesterday so I just stepped in the shop for a closer look. No intention of buying whatsoever... that was the plan. I was drawn to the blue and before I knew it was on the wrist. We all know of Seiko's QC issues particularly in the low to mid segment tiers. First 2 watches had misaligned compass points, only the 3rd was ok to me. The sales associate offered 20% off retail but I told him I was looking at least 35. I just needed an excuse to walk away 🤣. I was out within metres when the associate walked to me and said he accepted the deal. Damn... should have said 40%!
Here I am with the Alpenis.. I mean Alpinist. Leather strap not so comfortable and undecided what to do with it. Perhaps I change the strap tomorrow, who knows I might have a change of heart. In the meantime it's going back to the original box. At least my son's birthday is next month. If that doesn't work, there's Xmas. Anyway thanks for the review Amin!
Spotted this on the way out from the mall today. Read your review yesterday so I just stepped in the shop for a closer look. No intention of buying whatsoever... that was the plan. I was drawn to the blue and before I knew it was on the wrist. We all know of Seiko's QC issues particularly in the low to mid segment tiers. First 2 watches had misaligned compass points, only the 3rd was ok to me. The sales associate offered 20% off retail but I told him I was looking at least 35. I just needed an excuse to walk away 🤣. I was out within metres when the associate walked to me and said he accepted the deal. Damn... should have said 40%!
Here I am with the Alpenis.. I mean Alpinist. Leather strap not so comfortable and undecided what to do with it. Perhaps I change the strap tomorrow, who knows I might have a change of heart. In the meantime it's going back to the original box. At least my son's birthday is next month. If that doesn't work, there's Xmas. Anyway thanks for the review Amin!
One of us! One of us! Whooo! 🍻
Thanks - great looking watch and a great review 👏
Thanks - great looking watch and a great review 👏
Both my latest Seiko's have been perfect!