Alpinist
I remember the first time I saw the SARB017 I thought it was one of the most beautiful watches I had ever seen. The stunning green dial, complimented by the gold indices and hands, in a perfectly sized case. Then I discovered they had discontinued it!
While the latest version is nice, it just doesn't stir the same feelings in me with it's white date complication and cyclops. So I took the plunge and ordered a used watch from a Japanese shop.
Today it arrived 😀. Carefully packed in a box filled with Japanese newspaper, which I found quite novel. I pulled forth my bubble wrapped watch. It is everything I had hoped for and more!
This will be my last watch purchase for some time. I have an Uncle Seiko beads of rice bracelet on the way and I suspect most of my other watches are not going to get any wrist time for quite a bit.
Scottish, in my 50's and I prefer 20th century styling & design for my watches. Have no preference over movement type, Quartz or mechanical they both have pro's & cons. For me, a watch is for telling...
I've been wearing my 017 Aplinist for the last few days. I replaced the original band with a Strapcode bracelet. It was the first automatic I bought for myself. It's very accurate and wears lightly on my wrist.
I've thought about selling it because sometimes the dial seems to be a crazy mismatch of conflicting styles all mashed together. However for some inexplicable reason, its aesthetics have grown on me. It's become a definite keeper.
I've been wearing my 017 Aplinist for the last few days. I replaced the original band with a Strapcode bracelet. It was the first automatic I bought for myself. It's very accurate and wears lightly on my wrist.
I've thought about selling it because sometimes the dial seems to be a crazy mismatch of conflicting styles all mashed together. However for some inexplicable reason, its aesthetics have grown on me. It's become a definite keeper.
I know what you mean about conflicting styles. Cathedral hands and gold would normally put me off a watch. But Seiko pulled it off masterfully with the green dial.
Can I ask how it’s going with the beads of rice, easy of fitting the strap to the lugs, tolerances, clasp quality and whether you are happy with the feel, fit and look? Feel free to attach some pics.
I am having a v similar experience to you. Liked the old Alpinist but really didn’t like the knew one. Couldn’t quite stomach the prices for the old one but have just bit the bullet - it’s on its way. Looking around and that beads of rice looks like my preferred choice. I can find lots of reviews comments on the other mainstream bracelets but very little on the beads of rice.
Be grateful if you would share your thoughts.
Thank you and kind regards
(N.b. There’s a pretty whacky rollball bracelet at Strapcode but my wrists are quite small so I don’t think that will work and I can’t find any reviews or comments on it. Also I think it has a futuristic look while - to me - the Alpinist really references vintage.)
Just checking out your gallery and I can see a few pics there.
Can I ask how it’s going with the beads of rice, easy of fitting the strap to the lugs, tolerances, clasp quality and whether you are happy with the feel, fit and look? Feel free to attach some pics.
I am having a v similar experience to you. Liked the old Alpinist but really didn’t like the knew one. Couldn’t quite stomach the prices for the old one but have just bit the bullet - it’s on its way. Looking around and that beads of rice looks like my preferred choice. I can find lots of reviews comments on the other mainstream bracelets but very little on the beads of rice.
Be grateful if you would share your thoughts.
Thank you and kind regards
(N.b. There’s a pretty whacky rollball bracelet at Strapcode but my wrists are quite small so I don’t think that will work and I can’t find any reviews or comments on it. Also I think it has a futuristic look while - to me - the Alpinist really references vintage.)
Initially I was disappointed by hard it was to fit...
https://www.watchcrunch.com/TyrogScot/posts/uncle-seiko-beads-of-rice-bracelet-for-sarb017-41369
I loved the Alpinist as it was so versitile with straps but dreaded trying to remove the bracelet. However, after wearing the bracelet for a few days I've decided I love it and won't be taking it off the watch.
Thank you - sorry hadn’t seen your “fitting” post.
Definitely sounds like deep breaths and something to tackle when I’m feeling very patient …
Suspect it will be the same whichever bracelet I plump for. And I think the beads of rice suits it so well being sleek and a little retro.
Got a little time to fortify myself … before the watch arrives!
Thank you - sorry hadn’t seen your “fitting” post.
Definitely sounds like deep breaths and something to tackle when I’m feeling very patient …
Suspect it will be the same whichever bracelet I plump for. And I think the beads of rice suits it so well being sleek and a little retro.
Got a little time to fortify myself … before the watch arrives!
Yes, another member bought the president bracelet fron Uncle Seiko and had similar issues with the end links being a tight fit.
https://www.watchcrunch.com/norrecc/posts/alpinist-uncle-straps-president-bracelet-213490#comment-837818
Wow - thanks for the heads up!
That was a massive b***-ache and I probably would have approached it very differently and become very frustrated had I not had the benefit of your experience and warning.
At times it didn’t even seem as if this was the right bracelet! I only got there by bending the spring bars a little, which I am not too thrilled about but, given the end link and bracelet style, there is very little scope for them to move further … and fail - hopefully!
It’s a pretty nice combination but - if we’re all having the same problem - it does suggest Uncle Straps could improve things?
Anyway with that behind me, here’s hoping I don’t encounter another one of those anytime soon.
Wow - thanks for the heads up!
That was a massive b***-ache and I probably would have approached it very differently and become very frustrated had I not had the benefit of your experience and warning.
At times it didn’t even seem as if this was the right bracelet! I only got there by bending the spring bars a little, which I am not too thrilled about but, given the end link and bracelet style, there is very little scope for them to move further … and fail - hopefully!
It’s a pretty nice combination but - if we’re all having the same problem - it does suggest Uncle Straps could improve things?
Anyway with that behind me, here’s hoping I don’t encounter another one of those anytime soon.
Looking good. 👍
I think I managed to get one on with no issues. The second lug I broke a thick bar so switched out to a thinner one that had a bit more flex to it.
Once you've worn it for a few days you will probably not be bothered about a leather strap for the watch. For me, it just feels and looks perfect.
I’m very much bracelet preferred - and beads of rice for refined watches and engineer for tool watches, so don’t see myself ever wanting to put it on leather.
Can’t actually believe just how awful the supplier strap is - reviewers all comment on it but, until you handle it, it’s hard to believe a watch with sapphire crystal could be accompanied by something so bad! Not sure what Seiko were thinking but they obviously didn’t expect it to become a classic.
Thanks for your input - I was lucky to get a SARB017 for an okay price. Was never going to pay crazy money for one. In the flesh it’s a good package though - just not worth the earth!
V best
Absolutely beautiful!! One of the most beautiful watches there is indeed and the next watch to add to my collection.