Seiko SARB017 Alpinist Review What Was Seiko Thinking?

[@calcramer]

I’ll tell you exactly what they were thinking: “What were we thinking!? This is too much watch for too few dollars. End production!” Prediction: Soon, a blue version with ‘upgraded’ movement at about double the price.

[@JustWatchreviews]

Best explanation I've heard lol

[@stritlit]

Thing is, even at double the price it'll still be a heck of a watch🤣

[@wangosthewang4835]

Well...

[@paulwilberforce9659]

Wow good guess 😂

[@wakawaka1976]

And you were right on

[@johnmoore5561]

Point the hour hand at the sun, half way between the hour hand and the twelve o'clock position is due South in the Northern Hemisphere.

[@basilbcf]

I have a lot of Seiko watches - this one is on my bucket list for my next Seiko. It is beautiful

[@SilverSergeant]

Better get one soon. They have jumped from $399 to $475 on Amazon in just 4 or 5 months.

[@csharpewalls]

When you discontinue an watch and the reviewers gush over it, the reissue resets the price. Simple economics

[@jamalkherry5296]

I bought this absolute belter of a watch import from Japan basically unworn a few months ago. I thought I'd regret it but I'm so glad I got in on this before mint examples start going consistently over 1000. What a watch. My favourite at the moment.

[@jonathanmabry4587]

You either love this watch or you don't. It certainly doesn't fit everyone's taste. That's why you always see them for sale second hand. It's a great value for the price. I personally love mine! It's one of my favorite time pieces.

[@johnmoore5561]

Love the Alpinist, it's my favorite watch !

[@thecoyote9866]

I recently bought a Manta turtle off of amazon. I can’t lie, I really debated on getting this instead. I'd just replace the strap with some genuine gator looking leather. I'm one of the few who loves the green & gold color because it reminds me of being a small boy watching Ritchie Rich on boomerang lol (I'm 23 now)

[@joehiatt1992]

Got this just b4 they stopped making from ebay japan,added a SARB 033 to the collection as well ,I put a SS bracelet on the Alpinist

[@JustWatchreviews]

Nice, it's a great watch, I really like them on a bracelet. Cheers!

[@seanliew7343]

Green dial is great for some people but majority is a put off. Personally I may find it to be a compulsive attraction but how long will it last? I can’t provide you with the answer. I don’t think this colour is future proof or forever evergreen.

[@mr.smitty4359]

Strapcode has the two tone Jubilee for this.had I seen it on the Jubilee I'd have this watch right now...

[@SilverSergeant]

My Uncle Seiko Beads of Rice bracelet makes my SARB017 the most comfortable watch in my collection.

[@TheWayofGrace89]

Have this watch and love it Can you please let me know what strap from Barton that is? Thanks!

[@farhatbdhj]

This watch is the durian of watches.

[@mrsrandommademedoit3387]

You either hate it or love it ?

[@BabyEater9000]

@@mrsrandommademedoit3387 It's really smelly on the outside but once you crack open the case and taste the 6R15 movement, you realize that it's really just buttery smooth and sweet.

[@CrookedNose2131]

@@BabyEater9000 There's nothing special about the 6R15. I've had several and the results have been mixed.

[@mica32j]

New release in January 2020. Twice the price. New 6R35 movement, display case back and date magnifier. Not sure if they addressed my one pet peeve, Have the compass hold it’s position. Interesting to see how this effects the pricing of the 017 as they slowly go out of availability

[@JustWatchreviews]

I saw that, upgraded to 6R35 and sapphire and nearly doubled the price. It’ll be interesting to see how they sell.

[@Bob.martens]

If youm have checked the compass, you should know that you're doing it wrong...

[@voxer99]

Your explanation of the compass feature is baffling.

[@omniryx1]

It is baffling because his explanation is incorrect. Read the instructions with the watch. It really is quite simple. Otherwise, a very nice review.

[@k31rifleman]

I want to like this watch but can’t in its current form. If they would make the dial black or even like the sarb033.... and keep the gold hands etc it would be killer and look more Explorer like......imho

[@twbrkfd1733]

Just get an $8 compass...works even when the Sun ain't shinin'...AND at night!

[@andrewkristanto3517]

I have this SARB017. However, I am still trying (hard) to like the green dial - gold indices combination of the Alpinist even after several months. Oh well, perhaps I should just flip it.

[@jamesgeorge6290]

Andrew Kristanto keep me in mind if you get serious about letting it go. I would be interested.

[@shakur4648]

James George have you bought it yet?

[@HGX1]

Your instruction on how to use the compass is wrong. Directly between the hour hand and 12 o clock is where you mark south (in northern hemisphere, N in southern). Also if its Daylight saving time, which it currently is in Toronto where I am, you mark it between the hour hand and 1 o clock. I do have to add dont rely on this, its currently overcast to all hell outside right now and I have no idea where the sun is, this is a nice back up to an actual compass in case you really want to make sure or if you find yourself unexpectedly lost, it can save you, but if you're planning a backpacking trip in the woods or what not, bring a compass.

[@Pete-z6e]

helder gaspar , use a stick on a rock, it will cast a shadow, now you see the direction.

[@HGX1]

@@Pete-z6e just said it was overcast.

[@MIGHTYcbu]

The only negative about this watch is the original faux crocodile leather strap. Would love to have this watch.

[@JustWatchreviews]

There's definitely a lot to like at the price!

[@waldemarhilt3574]

Hello guys :) I am new to the world of watches and am looking to get the SARB017. Do you think the authorized dealers still have some of those watches? Thank you all very much :)

[@JustWatchreviews]

Hi Waldemar, thanks for checking in. Your best bet will probably be eBay for that. I don't think any AD's have them any longer.

[@kerolostawfik4694]

Long island watches have them in stock and they are an authorised Seiko dealer.

[@SacreDro]

Will not buy another Seiko until they fix the quality issue, my Sarb017 Alpinist has movement issues within 6 years, stays behind in 1-2 days with 10-15 minutes without wearing it, just winding it and the rotating bezel was broken because it was flimsy from the start, now it repaired itself automatically.

[@DonaldPerley]

The new watches they are introducing in this price range have cheaper glass crystals and 4R family movements.

[@22Phanatic]

When are you going to review the Tudor BB ? Can’t wait for your viewpoints!

[@JustWatchreviews]

Soon, thanks!

[@milastojano8155]

What strap is this?

[@chargedchiefhaze9130]

Good watch.. I have one few years now, but it's defo not worth the crazy money people are asking for it now.. Just cause greedy seiko discontinue it.. So many other better choices out there for half the money.. In my opinion👌 and that compass is a joke, if you are stuck in the middle of nowhere, you're staying stuck with that compass. Lmao😂👍

[@JustWatchreviews]

ha! True!

[@MrJmendel]

Delaney and Bonnie??

[@JustWatchreviews]

Yes, wow, good call!

[@MMM8624Med]

How is price

[@JustWatchreviews]

$500 or so

[@CharlieGV]

What the fuck?? This ia insane!!! Under 600 bucks?? Seiko must be way too generous or stupid!!

[@JustWatchreviews]

LOL

[@Bugster987]

Everybody seems to love this watch but it does nothing for me (other than the sensible size). Each to their own.

[@repo4]

I don't get the appeal either. I don't do gold, it's too green, compass would just drive me mad if I rotated it a millimetre inadvertently, the hour hand is hideous. I'd get Hamilton Khaki field over this every time.

[@voiceofexperience]

repo4 I have & love both actually. I've never had a conflict about which one to wear when either... they are really quite different imo.

[@donfoley1590]

Mine is new and loses 10 seconds per day. I wouldn't recommend this watch, this is common with the Alpinest. Very poor timekeeping

[@JustWatchreviews]

That could easily be resolved by bringing the watch to your local watchmaker, they don't get much critical adjustment before leaving the factory.

[@donfoley1590]

@@JustWatchreviews Thank you, I did that, he put it on a machine. Keeping +/- 1 second per day now. Cheers 👍

[@CrookedNose2131]

Why is it "common with the Alpinist"? Where did you hear this, because it sounds like you made that statement up. You realise the Alpinist movement is the same one used in many watched across the Seiko range?

[@donfoley1590]

@@CrookedNose2131 I stand corrected, you're absolutely right. I was just disappointed with a new watch losing time, but I did see somewhere on KZbin that they were losing time. I brought mine to a watchmaker who adjusted it and now it's keeping perfect time. Sorry for upsetting you 😊

[@inkitatus1]

I just don't understand the hype around the Alpinist.. hideous green dial, not very legible , pointless compass gimmick, ugly hour hand..sorry! I get that its well made (as I'd expect from a Seiko) but for me its a case of the emperor's new clothes...but to each their own,I'm clearly in the minority. Cheers 👍

[@4gegtyreeyuyeddffvyt]

inkitatus1 I don’t think it has mainstream popularity it’s more of a cult following.

[@inkitatus1]

Steve Allen yes,that makes sense. Cheers 👍

[@MichaelAndersen_DK]

I disagree. The dial is mesmerizing and cathedral hands are one of my favourites. You get a really nice play with the green sunburst in the sun. Yeah the compass is a gimmick, but it has it uses (I use it for timing).

[@inkitatus1]

Michael Andersen fair enough, glad you like it.

[@mattfrancis8826]

Yeah, I really dislike it, but that is mainly to do with the green and gold (just not my thing). If they reissue in blue with silver numerals/markers I'd think again

[@danielmartini3229]

what's the crystal made of?

[@HarryUnchained]

sapphire no ar