Seiko Alpinist Vs Alpinist (sbdc115 vs spb123)

Thanks to Ryley and Homer for sharing.
38 vs 39 width
46 vs 46 lug to lug
13.3 vs 13 thick
20 vs 20 lug open
Both have 6r35 and both cost about $700

[@truno7]

I prefer the newer version because the printed indices make it much easier to read at all angles especially with the green face. To me, the other versions in green took too much time to read. This speeds my read up. The removal of cyclops also makes me very happy too because to me, they’re hideous. I totally understand why the purists love the applied indices and the busier dial and why that is cool. However, for myself, the simple, east to read dial, gives it that more of a simple tool look I like, yet the domed sapphire dresses it up slightly. And I’m a sucker for that distortion I love it. I wish the indices were fully lumed. I’d buy it if they were fully lumed in that beautiful blue. But as a mountain man, I may hold out because my orange orient ray has done what I want so well for so long! But it’s tough I love that new simpler dial!!!

[@timehill556]

A first-rate comparison and much needed. My vote goes to the traditional piece, but I can see the appeal of the more recent reference.

[@RandomRobReviews]

Ditto

[@J.Bradley.]

Same

[@situated4]

I bought both.

[@FouseQuentin]

Compass always kept me from getting an alpinist. I love my watch to only have useful features no bullshit. But I always liked them. I now have a spb155 I am delighted.

[@wristwatchtalk]

Love them both but for me it’s the newer variation of the alpinist. I like the printed on indices as opposed to applied and I never did care for the compass. That’s the one thing that always stopped me from picking one up.

[@remycris2108]

Printed instead of applied? Lol

[@theunsureavenger]

ItsRedPanty Nite what’s up with that guys preference? If he prefers printed then so what. Some watches look nicer with printed indices. Applied shiny indices like on the blue HODINKEE Alpinist can cause the dial to have poor readability. On top of that, I have many watches that have applied indices and that are way cheaper than those that have printed indices so if your thinking is one equates to better quality because of price you’d be wrong.

[@TheGamblersHand]

ItsRedPanty Nite Rolex 1016 with printed indices and I don’t see people complaining.

[@simonthomas5113]

I bought the green one (its model SPB155J1 in the UK) and it is my favourite watch in my small collection. Great to see it side by side with the compass version here. Its all about choices. They both appeal to me.

[@JohnClausen]

I can’t keep the SPB123 off my wrist. That Champaign dial is ridiculously good

[@stusims6567]

I definitely prefer the old version! Great review as always Rob!!!

[@throwingdartsandbreakinghearts]

Getting my Spdc115 next week. Can't wait. Love the green textured dial.

[@firmasyahrian2483]

Still have it or already sold it? And is the dial better in person, or in photos/videos?

[@matefurlan86]

Spb121 green is top class, got mine for 500$ new and in live watc is perfect!

[@jeamxbeam]

compass is the thing that gives depth to alpinist. it doesn't need to be really used. we usually don't use the divers' bezel, as well. "vibes" is the key word here. besides, the second crown is visually important, while we like choronographs for part of their cool 3 crowns. nevertheless, baby alpinists are beautiful, for sure, but as a field watch. real alpinist is a watch on its own. therefore it is able to compete with big bros, like oyster or aqua terra.

[@FT4Freedom]

Really great alternative to the Rxplorer.

[@ollywhitehouse]

I'm flipping a couple for the new. Absolutely love the look. Future classic. Interesting that people see the inner compass dial as "original style" the original alpinists didn't have one and they are completely useless

[@FlyingEriksen]

Oliver Whitehouse The compass ring is not “useless”. You can use it to tell the time of day using the sun as a reference. But why even bother having a wristwatch, if you have a phone... 🙃 Not all makes sense.

[@ollywhitehouse]

@@FlyingEriksen I understand all watches can be used as compass? Point the hour hand at the sun, and south is between the hour and minute hand. Bezel or no bezel. I might be wrong? Either way you are right, Fundamentally watches are surplus to requirements in a digital world, I'm just an old romantic! 🤣

[@danm5021]

@@ollywhitehouse yes you're right you can find which way is south, north etc using a traditional three hander. But the compass bezel is really about being able to take a bearing (which is why a mountaineer would use a compass - to navigate between two points). You're bang on re this being all about the romance and fun of it - clearly no-one would ever really use the compass bezel for it's intended purpose, just as few people who own chronographs really need a tachymeter scale to measure speed over a mile course.

[@tydish]

I don't care for the gradient colour on the new dial. Seems a little gimmicky. But still is an nice looking watch. The old style I prefer but loose the cyclops and make that rotating inner bezel not so sensitive.

[@WINDINGCROWNS]

Thanks Rob. Great comparison vid.

Champagne dial all day… Its a strap beast!

[@mitondo6123]

The older version might be prettier (dressier), but the newer version keeps more within the Alpinist ethos--a rugged Mountaineer's watch that can be worn every day. It's more like a tool watch, like the Rolex Explorer and the Tudor Black Bay 36 or the North Flag. But you're right, it would be nice to just simply have both. Cheers!

[@FlyingEriksen]

SARB017 = buy it before they are gone! Let the rest of the rest have the SBDC & SPB's...

[@TZOID08]

I almost bought one a few times and the prices keep going up...... Amazon had them for $ 349 about 9 months ago.....$ 475 now

[@fabiandee8178]

it is an spb

[@Aikaramba12]

The SARBs are just as overpriced now. There’s like a 50 dollar difference. I have the SARB017 and the SPB123, and i like the SPB123 much more. The finish is a lot better on the SPB

[@fteambjj]

I got the sarb017.... im thinking about buying a second one..... just incase i bang and scratch one i still have another ... this watch disease is fxcked

[@horeastefanescu2677]

Rob's most used line in 2020 "And all that good stuff"😆

[@RandomRobReviews]

Don’t even realize I say that.

[@phillipmoodie9071]

Having just spent 14 weeks in the COVID 19 Emergency Intensive Care Ward of The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne Australia after having been told the Doctor in Charge that the infection was so advanced that I wouldn't live out the day, I am now in Shopping Mode. As I want to get back to new projects in the emerging 5G IOT sector of the ITC Industry, wearing some new clothes for interstate travel, I think both watches would be the ideal purchase. One would wear well with a plain suit and the other with a sports coat. Phil

[@RandomRobReviews]

Wow, glad you made it. Yeah time for some living.

[@J.Bradley.]

All the best.

[@youtubeperson1856]

All the best from a fellow Melbournian 👊 buy yourself a watch to celebrate life

[@phillipmoodie9071]

@@youtubeperson1856 I was not frightened of dying and when I admitted myself to Hospital I had already been tested for COVID and cleared, but I was suffering serious concussion from a violent Criminal Assault which had affect my balance and ability to walk. When I collapsed three times on the day I was admitted to hospital, I thought it was caused by the concussion. The next morning, when the Doctor in Charge of the COVID Intensive Care Ward told me that the infection was very advanced and that I would not last the day, I went to sleep believing that I would not waken the next day. While I failed about 40 tests over nearly four months, when I woke up and found that I was still alive, my mental state was what kept me determined to live. While I was the last person in Melbourne to be discharged from Intensive Care, I am now in a facility adjoining The Alfred Hospital, because the Doctors said that it will take at least three months before I can walk unaided. But I certainly am not complaining. Thanks for the kind thoughts because it's very lonely spending a total now of four months locked in a single room, in solitary confinement, with only a $60 Telstra mobile for company. Phil.

[@larsstougaard7097]

@@phillipmoodie9071 wow Phillip, what a story, very sad to hear what you have been through. I hope there is free wifi and that you get well soon. 2020 is just such a crazy year for us all. You deserve a cool watch or 3. I like the Alpinist but in Europe its almost 850 $, too high for me at the moment. Maybe Black Friday will bring in a good one. Best of luck 😊⌚

[@seanliew7343]

I really dislike that eyesore cyclop. The champagne dial looks great amongst the two.

[@situated4]

I love it because I can't afford a F Rolex Datejust, but I could afford this one.

[@LamarFaciane]

Going to see Mimo in the morning for the Baby Alpinist✌

[@donmillsaps7270]

Love both!

[@JayHiza]

I honestly really hope that Seiko does a reissue on the Alpinist SSASS. A GMT Alpinist just makes sense, and that lightning blue color on the original is to die for. There are two available on Ebay right now, but $5,000-$6,000 is too much for me to stomach. I'd gladly pay $1,000-$1,200 hour a reissue though.

[@83ravioli]

Seiko is going to release more limited edition alpinists alright... Limited to the number that they can sell:-)

[@RandomRobReviews]

So true

[@larsstougaard7097]

I just saw the alpinist limited ed on Amazon for 859 $, suprise surprise Seiko😋

[@fabiandee8178]

spb199j1 was sold out almost immed, they cud sell many moar but they decided not to

[@doofy28]

Thanks to Ryley and Homer

[@357magnole8]

Just my opinion. Seiko should not have doubled the price.

[@fiorikim5702]

자막 감사합니다, 잘 봤습니다.

[@NPrez-cv4jn]

I’m not feeling this current trend of painted dials with gradient effects (fumè, shadowing, don’t really know what to call it). I much prefer when different textures or materials on the dial itself create a light/shadow/depth play rather that it just being a permanent paint job. That’s just me though, feel free to disagree.

[@DarthMalaks_Missing_Lower_Jaw]

Yeah, fumé-you’re so French!

[@NPrez-cv4jn]

@@DarthMalaks_Missing_Lower_Jaw Oui, merci.

[@remycris2108]

I agree. It reminds me of tacky micro brand watches.

[@NPrez-cv4jn]

@@remycris2108 tacky, that’s the right word.

[@Matty9003]

I agree. Feels very "fashion watch".

[@Harleyglide03]

Are the bracelets on these watches interchangeable? Strap code makes a better bracelet and I would get one for the Baby Alpinist.

[@faragogyorgy88]

Do they have the same case shape? So would a SARB017s Angus braclet fit one of these?

[@fardjell1432]

I've watched your review on the new seiko 5 (5kx) and I realised that the lume looks blue. I have the exact same model (srpd63k) but its green. I'm very confused

[@tezzanewton]

Blue for me. But I wish it came on steel.

[@wuchinshan133]

What is 6R35 accuracy? So many negative reports out there, I'm must wondering if it has improved with more recent watches.

[@toni8555]

No. The watch is nice, but very disappointed with the caliber 6R35

[@JulesBrunoJjBaggy]

I bought the spb123 and might as well have thrown away my other watches. I've hardly touched them in 6 months.

[@sequen-cielscientific]

This is the success and the power of an individual who is rich to pay for a quality watch from (thirty-four jewels movement) the style of the watch is very unimportant but the mechanism occupies a major place in the industry. It means, buy a twenty three jewels watch, it means mr everyone at low wages from the 3rd class. and it's a shame, it's reality! Me, watchmaker and jeweler for over 77 years retired. S&W. This watch at the price it sells for, would need a movement with at least 30 jewels because of the high asking price!

[@situated4]

What are you even talking about?

[@can4515]

İ did buy spb155 but i cant find cream one :(

[@leonardocozza3140]

nice review! for a VERY small wrist (5.9 inches) do you think one of these watches could fit fine or not very much? thanks!

[@RandomRobReviews]

Alpinist usually work well on smaller wrist

[@GabrielGGabGattringer]

Unfortunately a couple hundred $ above my personal budget. Couldn´t find a SARB017 in Austria, can´t find one of these two either! :-(

[@matefurlan86]

Lol you live in Austria and you dont have a 700€ for a watch?

[@petergplus6667]

Seems the green one is the ugly step brother just like the crappy new 5 series is to the SKX.

[@ghettotraveller2027]

Prefer the OG

[@indaleciomendez8442]

Green one is NOT an Alpinist.

[@josefsbeach]

On the contrary, the green one actually follows the original style of alpinist more. The compass with crown guards only came out mid 90s I believe.

[@TheGamblersHand]

You seem confused because it sure is mate. It’s an Alpinist 👌

[@indaleciomendez8442]

@@TheGamblersHand show me where it says alpinist, it's based of the alpinist but just because it has the same color and hands doesn't mean it's an actual alpinist, it almost has the case of a sarb033, so don't be fooled by the color. Same goes for the new "5kx" also not an skx.

[@indaleciomendez8442]

@@TheGamblersHand unless this was how the first alpinst was, befor they made the Sarb017 and then i am wrong.

[@josefsbeach]

@@indaleciomendez8442 do a quick search of 1960s alpinist and you'll see where this "new" design came from. The sarb017 is actually the redesign and what became more popular. Odd move tho of seiko of removing the Alpinist branding and replacing it with prospex, even in the new sarb017 looking line. These cleaner ones seem to be a heritage/homage line that watchmakers often do.