Grail Watch Checked Off... my SARB017
Love 'em or hate 'em the SARB017 Alpinist has been on my grail list since I fell heart first into to this hobby. I was immediately taken by the beautiful sunburst green dial, cathedral hands and rotating chapter ring. But by the time I started my collection, the 017 had already been discontinued and they immediately started showing up on the secondary markets at 2-3 times original MSRP.
As Seiko launched their numerous reimaginations of the Alpinist, the various Prospex models never spoke to me like the 017 and decided that I would hold out till the right one showed up.
I've been on the hunt for a reasonably priced 017 for the past three years and just last week, this beauty came up for sale with tags, papers and boxes. As luck would have it I purchased it just an hour after they posted it. The case and case back have a few hairline scratches and unsurprisingly the OEM strap was a little battered.
The watch just arrived from Japan and in anticipation of its arrival, I ordered a ColaReb Venezia leather strap and installed it as soon as I unpacked the watch.
I'm a firm believer that good things come to those that wait. Thanks to all those on WC that shared similar stories of waiting for the right one... the anticipation, the build up and finally the adulation of it finally being strapped onto your wrist.
Restauranteur. Home Chef. Fledgling Mixologist. Horology Student. Unapologetic Seiko Fanboy. Aspiring Bon Vivant. IG:@stangee22
Love it all the way. Great watch. Glad you were able to unlock your grail.
Fantastic watch. Enjoy. That’s next on my list as well.
Fantastic watch. Enjoy. That’s next on my list as well.
Best of luck. It's still kinda ugly out there. Too low of a price and there is a risk that it may be a clone. Need to find that sweet spot between you're comfort level and the verge of being gouged. There are still sellers out there looking for $1,200+. 😕
Sure that is not a fake...I think I saw somewhere that the date windows should have two squares around it. I only see one on yours.
Best of luck. It's still kinda ugly out there. Too low of a price and there is a risk that it may be a clone. Need to find that sweet spot between you're comfort level and the verge of being gouged. There are still sellers out there looking for $1,200+. 😕
Yep, it’s rough. Fortunately for me I don’t mind the new SPB121…in fact I prefer it in some ways. So I’ll just buy new.
Similar story here. I bought mine on C24 right after discontinued, from a seller in Japan. I had a nice Colareb Venezia strap (the one in beige) and it is the perfect combo. Enjoy!!!
The original strap is unfit for human consumption. I got mine of a ColaReb Perugia and hadn't looked back since.
Similar story here. I bought mine on C24 right after discontinued, from a seller in Japan. I had a nice Colareb Venezia strap (the one in beige) and it is the perfect combo. Enjoy!!!
The Sarb017 is the business, much better than the prospex versions and the so called baby alpinists which are just a Seiko rip off. In years to come it’s the 17 that will be sought after not the wannabe rest
The Sarb017 is the business, much better than the prospex versions and the so called baby alpinists which are just a Seiko rip off. In years to come it’s the 17 that will be sought after not the wannabe rest
Agreed. I don't particularly like the newer relaunches of the 017. They lacked character IMO. The looked like the 017 but seemed like just another watch. I am, however, looking to add a Champion 850 Alpinist to the collection.