Seiko Alpinist SARB017 alternative

I really love the Seiko Alpinist SARB017. I’d love to add one to my collection, but the price is just a tad high for me.

Does anyone know of any alternatives for this watch? One that is very similar (green and gold, cathedral hands, maybe even the compass inside bezel). I’d be curious to know.

Reply
·

What is the price you're aiming for? Given that it's a discontinued watch, there's no generally accepted price.

·

What's your budget?

Seiko still makes the updated Alpinist SPB121

https://www.seikowatches.com/us-en/products/prospex/spb121j1

·
Edge168n

What is the price you're aiming for? Given that it's a discontinued watch, there's no generally accepted price.

I was hoping for around $500. I could save and stretch to the price of the new alpinist Seiko has, but I was just curious if there is anything else interesting out there I might like

·
nightfury95

What's your budget?

Seiko still makes the updated Alpinist SPB121

https://www.seikowatches.com/us-en/products/prospex/spb121j1

I was aiming for around $500. I could save a bit longer and get the one you linked (I do prefer the older older one for some reason) but I was also curious whether there is anything else interesting like the alpinist out there

·
WatchieDutchie

I was hoping for around $500. I could save and stretch to the price of the new alpinist Seiko has, but I was just curious if there is anything else interesting out there I might like

It's a very specific look. Given that you're so close, I'd just save the extra $100 or so dollars and get the watch you actually want.

If I had to choose a cheaper look alike, I might go with the Kuoe Old Smith

Image

There are also models with gold instead of fauxtina.

You could also look to AliExpress for homage type watches. This Baltany is pretty attractive though not green.

Image
·
Edge168n

It's a very specific look. Given that you're so close, I'd just save the extra $100 or so dollars and get the watch you actually want.

If I had to choose a cheaper look alike, I might go with the Kuoe Old Smith

Image

There are also models with gold instead of fauxtina.

You could also look to AliExpress for homage type watches. This Baltany is pretty attractive though not green.

Image

Yeah that’s why I was curious whether there is anything else like it out there, as it is a very specific looking watch. Just wanted to see if anyone had a suggested for a watch in an similar style.

·

If you’re close, save up and get the Alpinist instead of a substitute. You’ll regret not getting the one you want if you settle.

·
SpecKTator

If you’re close, save up and get the Alpinist instead of a substitute. You’ll regret not getting the one you want if you settle.

Just want to see what else is out there in this style of watch before making my mind up. I’m still in the early stages of my next watch purchase. I have just always loved the look, so thought I’d see if there are any other watches out there with a very similar look

·

You can pick up the new Alpinist variant for around $600 usually. I was late to the hobby after the Seiko value years so I missed out on the SARB017, but I bought the current version and it is a very good watch. Apart from the cyclops and white date wheel, the newer variant is still true to the original.

Finding a genuine Sarb017 for a reasonable price these days is quite hard and usually north of $800 for a good example.

Similar looking watches to the Sarb Alpinist are very slim, it has a unique identity and only Seiko does it well currently with the SPB121.

With a compass complication, there is Boldr Venturer and a few other Seiko solar variants but the aesthetics are very different to this classic look.

·
WatchieDutchie

Just want to see what else is out there in this style of watch before making my mind up. I’m still in the early stages of my next watch purchase. I have just always loved the look, so thought I’d see if there are any other watches out there with a very similar look

Got it. It’s not green but a watch with the similar look is the Hamilton Murph.

Image
·
nightfury95

You can pick up the new Alpinist variant for around $600 usually. I was late to the hobby after the Seiko value years so I missed out on the SARB017, but I bought the current version and it is a very good watch. Apart from the cyclops and white date wheel, the newer variant is still true to the original.

Finding a genuine Sarb017 for a reasonable price these days is quite hard and usually north of $800 for a good example.

Similar looking watches to the Sarb Alpinist are very slim, it has a unique identity and only Seiko does it well currently with the SPB121.

With a compass complication, there is Boldr Venturer and a few other Seiko solar variants but the aesthetics are very different to this classic look.

Yeah same here, just missed those golden years of Seiko value. I’ve been looking and a niceexample of the SARB07 could easily run you $1000..

maybe a gap in the market someone needs to fill!

·
SpecKTator

Got it. It’s not green but a watch with the similar look is the Hamilton Murph.

Image

I do like the Murph as well!

·
WatchieDutchie

I do like the Murph as well!

Macy’s is having a sale with code SUMMER…Murph 38 for $760 (regular price $895). Buy it using Rakuten for another 6% back.

·
SpecKTator

Macy’s is having a sale with code SUMMER…Murph 38 for $760 (regular price $895). Buy it using Rakuten for another 6% back.

Oehh that is a tempting deal! Thanks for the heads up man!

·

This may be obvious but always ask for a discount. Seiko are like cars - ignore the MSRP. May get deals in the JDM too. Good luck.

·
WatchieDutchie

Yeah same here, just missed those golden years of Seiko value. I’ve been looking and a niceexample of the SARB07 could easily run you $1000..

maybe a gap in the market someone needs to fill!

The case construction of the Alpinist and similar internal bezel watches with high WR are more complex to make and the pricing for these type of watches are higher. Alpinist is one of the best value models that offer beefed up specs. Boldr Expedition1 offers similar specs at the same price but has a more modern design.

Image
·

The Alpinist SARB017 (I guess there is a small typo in the title?) is a classic. It's successor the SPB121/SBDC091 is still available and is the closest thing you can get new to the discontinued SARB017.

Is there anything else like it? Well, if you are looking for a watch with gold indices and numerals, sunburst green dial, gilt cathedral hands and an internal compass, then the answer is no. The Green Alpinist is one of the most distinctive and unique models ever made by Seiko and you are not going to find something similar elsewhere.

·
SpecKTator

If you’re close, save up and get the Alpinist instead of a substitute. You’ll regret not getting the one you want if you settle.

Good advice

·

What exactly is it about the SARB017 that draws you to it? Are you just asking for a list of field watches with green dials, or is there something else that you specifically trying to find in an alternative?

I'm not asking this to be a jerk. I have a SARB017 and quite like it. There's no single element to me that stands out, but rather how all of the seemingly incongruent elements work together. I don't think there's a substitute for it, except for the new SPB121 or maybe a version without the inner rotating bezel like the SPB155.

·
caktaylor

What exactly is it about the SARB017 that draws you to it? Are you just asking for a list of field watches with green dials, or is there something else that you specifically trying to find in an alternative?

I'm not asking this to be a jerk. I have a SARB017 and quite like it. There's no single element to me that stands out, but rather how all of the seemingly incongruent elements work together. I don't think there's a substitute for it, except for the new SPB121 or maybe a version without the inner rotating bezel like the SPB155.

Kind of what you are saying, not necessarily a specific thing (I have a field watch with a green dial) but just the overall feel of it. Maybe I should have phrased my question differently, I was mostly just curious to know, is there anything like it out there (as I had not seen a watch that sparks the same with me in this style) and if so is it cheaper. Perhaps I would fall in love with an alternative and save some money too, who knows.

·

Difficult call, there's no other watch like the the alpinist as it's most known today (cathedral hands, numerals, internal rotating compass bezel). And if your heart is set on that, I wouldn't settle and be patient for the right deal in your hunt for the SARB017.

·

Image

Well you also have the choice of a new alpinist. Prefer original for the closed caseback (nothing much to look at).

Theres many color ways and much cheaper at about 700usd on grey

Image
·
renknook

Difficult call, there's no other watch like the the alpinist as it's most known today (cathedral hands, numerals, internal rotating compass bezel). And if your heart is set on that, I wouldn't settle and be patient for the right deal in your hunt for the SARB017.

Yeah I was just curious to see if there were any like it, and if there were maybe I’d fall in love with one of them. But seems the Seiko is unique in its class

·
rar133

Image

Well you also have the choice of a new alpinist. Prefer original for the closed caseback (nothing much to look at).

Theres many color ways and much cheaper at about 700usd on grey

Image

If I’m spending that much anyway on the new one I’d rather safe a bit longer and get the old one! It’s nice the new one is there though, just in case lol

·
WatchieDutchie

Yeah I was just curious to see if there were any like it, and if there were maybe I’d fall in love with one of them. But seems the Seiko is unique in its class

Patience is key, my friend. Trust me.

·
renknook

Patience is key, my friend. Trust me.

I’m happy to wait, just want to weigh all my options. And why pay more if there is a cheaper option that I fall for. But seems the alpinist is in a league of its own

·

The Seiko Alpinist is an iconic watch that goes back to 1959. It has been referred to as Seiko's Explorer for good reason. The Internet has plenty of material on this and the them revolves around the Japanese mountaineers and Mount Fuji being well known to explorers. Plenty of variants of The Alpinist and note that the SARB017 is probably the most iconic and sort after. As time goes by, the more significance the SARB017 becomes. Plenty of articles on The Internet with this discontinued model. For any serious collector, a Seiko SARB017 is getting into the holy grail category and anyone who is a Seiko fan, this should be on The Radar. The most important question being "How much should one pay for a SARB017?" The answer being subjective and is relative to what one is comparing it to. You, the collector can only put a value on these!

·

Seiko Prospex Land US Special Edition Tortoise Watch with Black Case and Gray Dial

Image
·

Ahhh yes.

The one that got away from me as well.

So my story is

At the same time I wanted this watch but didn’t want to afford the price spike on the old version or the new one I bought a watch mod kit and ended up buying extra pieces online that closely resemble this model. For me it was enough and I moved on.

·

Just save for it. It’s not an absurdly unreachable watch to buy. There’s not many watches like it and in the end you won’t be happy with a substitute.