Seiko's ROLEX Explorer Alternative!? - Seiko Alpinist SPB197J1 - Full Review

[@WristWatching]

Great review! You made the right choice. This SPB197 has to be my favourite Alpinist colour way.

[@augustb7535]

This alpinist specifically the SPB199J1 will be extremely valuable considering the 2020 controversy. Such a beautiful watch, both variations. For those of you that have them. Keep them.

[@TomB09]

I've got it and bought a president style bracelet. Looks great and is very versatile

[@daniellehotsky1776]

Why should be this Rolex alternative? This looks much better then most of Rolexes, lol.

[@ZeFleischwaffe]

Great review👌🏻 i got mine. Now i just need the green watchband. Do you mind telling where you got it from?

[@ZackShep]

@ShinyThings That leather strap is great! Mind letting me know where you got it? Thanks!

[@jacooosthuizen3593]

Stunning dial!

[@ShinyThings]

Agreed! 🙂👍

[@jeid3822]

I HAVE TO BUY A NEW ONE WHICH ONE DO YOU THINK THE BETTER THE SHARK TOOTH ALPINIST OR MOUNTAIN GLACIER BLUE THANKSSSS❤😮😊

[@ericbana355]

It is a very nice watch but to be honest the older sarb017 is a much nicer watch.Everyone to their own but there is a reason the 017 has appreciated so much

[@Bob.martens]

I own both. And a SPB355J1 'rock-face' Alpinist. The SARB017 is the more special watch. The metal caseback makes it 0.6mm thinner. That doesn't sound like much, but it makes a lot of difference on the wrist. It just sits nicer on the wrist. I also like that it doesn't have a Prospex-logo on the dial. That said, the glacier-blue dial is stunning in its own way. The appreciation has more to do with the fact that the 017 is a discontinued pre-prospex JDM model. It is, and in my opinion, will always be one of the few Seiko's that actually retain value.

[@azhanz]

Subscribed. I own one, my only issue is the legibility. The dial is beautiful but with silver hands it's not that legible.

[@Bob.martens]

I own this and the SARB017. The previous generations, like the SARB017, had a flat sapphire, no cyclops and no AR. On all Alpinist models the dial is stamped, so not truly applied markers. Looks good, though. The lumed dots on the hours are no longer in a metal ring, just dots of lume. Shame. The second crown only has rubber gaskets in the case, but since you don't push or pull it in or out that's enough for waterresistance. However the 200 meters WR is not ISO certified. It's NOT a divewatch! This means that prolonged exposure to water pressure might eventually result in water ingress.

[@ShinyThings]

Thank you for sharing! 🙂👍

[@paulkukula6541]

Great review & a great watch. I’d definitely like to get one for my collection.

[@ShinyThings]

Thanks for watching! 🙂 👍

[@tbstars14]

These are going for $1100 now. Is this price worth it in your opinion?

[@ShinyThings]

@tbstars14 Hmm... tough question :-) Look, my take is: the green dial version can be found for about half that price, so you will be paying double for the dial and the fact that this model is now discontinued. And while it is a beautiful dial, it can actually look quite dull in some light conditions. As for it being discontinued - without having a crystal ball 🙂 it is hard to say if it will hold that price or not (skx for example just keep on getting more expensive). HOWEVER, having said the above, I can think of a number of really cool watches that are in that $1100 price category, including higher speced Seikos and Swiss Made timepieces. But, the final decision is of course yours! 🙂 Hope this helps, and good luck with whatever you finally decide (or not 🙂) to buy! 🙂👍

[@tbstars14]

@@ShinyThings thanks for the response! I think you’re right. What other kind of watches come to mind that might are better similar to this one?

[@Reconteamwatchblog]

The SPB197J1 was discontinued last Aug.

[@ShinyThings]

Thank you for the update! I'll hold on to mine then, maybe it will appreciate in value in 10 years or so 😁

[@Reconteamwatchblog]

@@ShinyThingsyes hold on to it😎 the market trends show both holding value well over 1,000usd. The controversy will make both hold value for ever it seems.

[@SerialWheeler]

Managed to get mine last year and searched for it recently... nowhere to be found anymore. Was thinking of selling it, but I think getting some new straps and bracelets will make me fall in love with it again 😊.

[@johndudley5761]

Sans Martian just came outs with one !

[@jeid3822]

I HAVE TO BUY MY SEIKO ALPINIST WHICH ONE DO YOU THE BETTER SPB 117 THE SHARK TOOTH OR SPB 197 MOUNTAIN GLACIER BLUE THANK YOU SIR❤😊

[@ShinyThings]

It is really down to personal preference. Also, while spb197 dial can look really enticing in good light, it can be somewhat dull in the low light conditions. The spb117 has stronger contrast due to dark / black dial background and I think it will look good under any light. These are my thoughts, however I strongly advise to physically try both of them on before buying! You might change your opinion entirely 🙂 Hope this helps and good luck! 🙂👍

[@jeid3822]

@@ShinyThings thanks

[@uqureshu]

Hey where do I go about buying this watch? I’ve been looking everywhere!

[@abdullahfilms4065]

Same plz tell me anything if you do

[@Reconteamwatchblog]

@@abdullahfilms4065they were discontinued last year. They are basically only on ebay and maybe some euro mom and pop shops

[@petarradocaj913]

nice. I have j117 shark tuth, and I am happy with it, my only problem is clasp on bracelet but I will solve it with uncle straps option... also on black dial I have no problem its little more on mat side so no problem there.....

[@sailen7298]

You lucky. where did you buy one for brand new?!

[@gerard_bau]

Someone know where can i find it to purchase?

[@Bloodstryke]

that bee at 6:15 , hope you didn't get stung

[@ShinyThings]

All good 😁 Thank you for watching! 🙂👍

[@mell3109]

I don’t understand the water resistance, how is it possible with the bezel crown? Someone needs to do a test!

[@Spurdospaerde692]

Why wouldn't it be possible? Unlike the main crown, the bezel crown can't be pulled out, so it doesn't need to be secured with threading against such axial movements.

[@Reconteamwatchblog]

There are multiple o rings for water resistance

[@rafaelalbarracin9278]

Que bonito diseño me gusta más que el Rolex👍

[@ShinyThings]

It is arguably a better value than Rolex costing 10 to 15 times cheaper 🙂 Thank you for watching 🙂👍

[@Success_is_inevitable]

Why can’t I find this watch in Germany? 😢

[@retired_in_portugal]

What is it with watch reviews comparing watches with dates on them as an alternative to the Rolex Explorer? They simply aren't the same kind of watch not to mention this one has a god awful cyclops on it to accentuate the fact that it has a date complication. Now if it had a GMT hand and bezel it could be touted as an alternative to the Explorer II but alas it does not. So therefore its not an alternative to that one either. Having said all of that this watch could possibly be considered as an alternative to the Datejust.

[@martinpatterson3417]

I tried one but unfortunately it wore a lot smaller than I was expecting. I don't even have large wrists (6.75"). Nice watch but could be a bit larger.

[@shouv]

I am not going to get into Rolex vs Seiko ..but the explorer is just a dull watch with a dodgy historical significance.. I'd rather a OP or a Explorer 2 gmt .... Also if collectibility means anything ...get the SARB017 which is a JDM... The alpinisit inspired propex is not worth the hype....its a lesser gen

[@joeskeptical4762]

*I would replace the hour & minute hands with Tudlex Rodor snowflake or Explorer style units.* *_I don't like cathedral hands or any pointer tipped indicators. The hour indices, however, I do like quite a bit._*

[@alexmacchalatte]

Personally, the Tudor hands are the specific reason why I have avoided Tudor. But to each their own.

[@DOPEGEEE]

what is the difference to a nh35, 72h, yes ok. the date in this watch looks similar to the magnification in the Steeldive. Here you like it, thks is typical Seiko fanboy talk. Im not talkin about the channel owner, more to the big seiko fanbase.

[@joeskeptical4762]

*The 6R15/35 movements use a better mainspring (Spron, it's called) and the hairspring is also higher quality. These give better timekeeping.*

[@kevinh5349]

"Seiko's ROLEX Explorer Alternative!?" - sure, why not? Pretty soon the Seiko prices are going to rival Rolex.

[@ShinyThings]

😁

[@smokingbeetles5793]

if they made 42mm i'd be all over it.

[@urielalbertosanchezm]

Seiko alpinist is VERY similar to Hamilton Khaki

[@Spurdospaerde692]

Well, they're both sort of GADA field watches, if that alone counts as "VERY similar". Otherwise, the only shared distinct and obvious design feature I can see is if you're comparing the Alpinists to the Murph version of the Khakis, which at least also has cathedral hands.

[@seanhickling7340]

It's nowhere near as nice as the SARB & also completely ruined by the dreadful X on the dial. Seiko haven't been good for years now.