Seiko SARB017 an “OG” in a few decades

Definitely a future classic,if it's not already.

Regret selling mine, but funded my Aqua Terra. Do miss it tho.

Isn't it already considered a classic? If not classic, then I'd wager an icon of affordable watches.

I think that it's already a classic and that every attempt made at "improving" it actually made it worse (eg SPB121).

Eh, natural evolution. Before the SARB017, there was the SCVF009, which may have been inspired by Oris Big Crown Pointer Date (or was it the other way round? I can't find the info). And many would argue that while the SCVF was the first "modern" Alpinist, it was also the last Alpinist, because, unlike its successors, it actually had that name on the dial. And it was small and thin, with a 4Hz movement.

IMHO the best Alpinists are those without the compass, but that's just me. 😁There are gonna be further evolutions on this design, and they're gonna disappoint people in other ways.

I have the current version and it seems to me that it doesn’t get enough appreciation. Some people don’t like the date magnifier but it does make the date easier to see and that’s a good thing, at least for some people. Few people don’t recognize that the new movement really is better. The shade of green is a little different. Most probably won’t notice and some may like one or the other better. The price went up but what would you expect re-releasing a very popular model after a couple years off the market.

I think there’s so many compass alpinists that this particular variant won’t be thought of as THE classic, though I’m sure people will look at it fondly. It’s not exactly a rare watch either. I think the ones that will be most sought after are the few that say “alpinist” on the dial (the older ones powered by the automatic 4s15 or the quartz 8f56)

SARB017 is one of my favourites in my collection, of the Alpinist’s I think it’s the most attractive and without the magnifier it’s just perfect, unfortunately mine has been randomly stopping so it’s being serviced as we txt so looking forward to wearing it again 👌🏻👍🏻

Amen brother

Been wanting to pick one of these up they look amazing!

What is the brand of that strap? Looks amazing

Just got mine today

There’s a quartz?! I’d buy that straight away if I could find one.

Search “seiko 8f56” on eBay or for cheaper straight from Japan on buyee and you’ll find them. They aren’t super rare, but prices have been going up, now they seem to be $600+ minimum. They are full titanium. Comes in black, cream, full lume dial cream, and finally 500 LE teal SSASS edition (those are like $3.5k+).

https://buyee.jp/item/search/query/Seiko+8f56?conversionType=top_page_search&suggest=1