A Complete Package For Around $700 - Seiko Alpinist SPB121

Shop The Seiko Alpinist SPB121 On TeddyBaldassarre.com: teddybaldassarre.com/products...
Shop All Seiko On TeddyBaldassarre.com: teddybaldassarre.com/collecti...
Shop Watches: teddybaldassarre.com/
Written Content: www.teddybaldassarre.com/blog
Subscribe To Our Newsletter For The Latest Watch Releases, & Special Offers In Our Shop: teddybaldassarre.com/?email=s...
In this video, I take a closer look at the Seiko Alpinist SPB121, the modern descendant of the legendary SARB017. For years now, I've called the Alpinist one of the best buys under $1,000. However, the landscape for attainable watchmaking has changed a lot in recent years, so is the Alpinist still the excellent value proposition it once was? What do you guys think of the Seiko Alpinist?
Videos Mentioned:
Determining the Best Watch Under $1,000 According To You: • Determining The BEST W...
Instagram: teddybaldas...
Top Articles On TeddyBaldassarre.com:
50 Luxury Watch Brands You Should Know: teddybaldassarre.com/blogs/wa...
10 Affordable Watch Brands And Their Best Watches: teddybaldassarre.com/blogs/wa...
Best Watches Under $5,000 Complete Guide: teddybaldassarre.com/blogs/wa...
0:00 - Intro
0:37 - Background
2:35 - Case & Wear
4:26 - Internal Compass Bezel
5:28 - Dial
6:35 - 6R35 Movement
8:17 - Final Thoughts

[@USMCRonin]

On my last trip to Japan I bought a Grand Seiko “snowflake” in Tokyo and this Seiko Alpinist in Kyoto. The high level of customer service and pride they gave me in BOTH watches was the same. The GS/Seiko store treat each watch whether it’s $100 or $10000 with the same pride in craftsmanship.

[@johnmartin7158]

That’s nice that you felt like royalty in the great service and shopping experience you had.

[@muhamadfadhil2682]

Meanwhile you gotta wait 6 months just for entry level watch in Rolex stores and you gotta make the decision in under 3 seconds

[@1JJONES]

You mean they are not jerks like some Rolex shop staff?

[@underwaterlevelz1947]

@USMCRonin Same story with sending a piece off to get serviced. Had a Seiko 6t63 00b0 that needed a new battery, it was a gift from my father on my first fathers day, so it has sentimental value. It's not a super expensive watch, only retailed for about $200 brand new 15 years ago. When I got it back, they had done a gorgeous job polishing and cleaning the entire piece, it looked brand new.

[@frenchtoast1068]

Hey man, I am planning to go to Japan and I would like to buy this Seiko Alpinist. To which shop did you go ? Thanks a lot

[@adamcook5940]

I've had mine for 3 years and it gets plenty of wrist time; it really is so versatile and personally I love the strap! Love the channel!

[@calvinliem8271]

man i was just thinking on buying this watch, then the shop near me restocked, and now Teddy posts this?

[@ozicryptoG]

You like watches that use plastic? I don't. It's a NO

[@BascomeTP]

@@ozicryptoGWhich part is plastic?

[@Ali-kq7yv]

What part of it is made out of plastic? And are there any alternatives with a similar design and no plastic?​@@ozicryptoG

[@weader9143]

The stars aligned, and your wallet becomes thin. Perfect. Haha

[@d.orayaki5567]

@@ozicryptoGyeah same. I wouldn’t consider anything below a Rolex AP or patek. Any other brands it’s just a waste of money 🤡

[@broko7842]

My first watch and now I'm hooked on this new world of watches! Love this piece.

[@Violacomfy]

This is the first watch I ever owned. I did a ton of research into it. Picked it due to its versatility and sturdiness. I love wearing this watch. From jeans to tuxedo tails, it looks good.

[@moosabman]

SARB 017 was my first mechanical watch and it will always be in my collection. I bought it in anticipation for the birth of my first child. I finally achieved my grail this year (Tudor BB Pro) but still if I could only keep one watch it would be my alpinist and it wouldn't even come close. The thing just absorbs all the memories and magic.

[@eternalmemri]

I am anticipating the birth of my first child to. I’ve been looking for a watch that would commemorate this memory, I think I found it!

[@LBenn302]

Nice brah

[@AMM-MMA]

I'm anticipating getting this clock. I need some baby now to comemorate to this memory. Any suggestions?

[@LBenn302]

@@AMM-MMAI’m sorry, I am not understanding what you’re asking?

[@adityapatel8701]

I am confused between alpinist spb121 and speedmaster 911. Which one should I get?

[@Essexman0023]

I maybe in a minority, but I really like a cyclops on a watch. My aging eyes appreciate it too.

[@lskit]

My wife bought me the Alpinist for my birthday. It is a beautiful watch. In the sunlight the dial really is spectacular.

[@EnderXeno1983]

I have been watching this watch for a minute. Exquisite timepieces has it on sale and I bought it tonight! I’m excited! This is my first step into collecting and absolutely love the look of it.

[@rev.waynet.oleary7387]

Saw it in a shop today, sooooo tempted. It has a big advantage over other watches, swiss especially, you wont be afraid to wear the seiko..

[@TheDoubler41]

This is actually out for delivery to me today. Super excited 😆

[@rev.waynet.oleary7387]

Happy days ahead...😊

[@ilhamn1177]

congrats dude, enjoy wearing it!

[@cagataycakmak2280]

Wear it in good health! Great watch!!

[@chipi1972]

You won't regret it! I love wearing that little watch every time I look at it I smile because of how nice it looks and weird at the same time.

[@johnmartin7158]

Awesome watch !

[@zmurray52]

I have an SPB117 and I absolutely love wearing it! Such a fun and unique piece that wears well with everything

[@RogerMillerInVA]

I bought my gold case Alpinist a year and a half ago. I have scores of pieces in my watch drawer, but the Alpinist calls out to me every time I open it. It is an all-around great watch! Thanks for your review, Teddy ... I'm glad you liked it so much!

[@Hinata-vr-is-me]

Love my Alpinist! It’s a do-it-all and an oddball, at the same time!

[@radsasquatch]

I love the inclusion of different wrist sizes, really helps when thinking about purchasing. Thank you!

[@jameswellman9839]

I bought this one last year and I absolutely love it and I did flip the strap as well. It also looks good on a variety of straps and you dress it up and down as needed.

[@aayushagarwal4942]

What an amazing watch and what a spot on review! Great job Teddy!!

[@jordantherubio]

The beautiful colors and that hour hand just winds me over just gives me out door leaf 🍂 style. Wins me over all the time.

[@vampyweekies]

I've been looking at these every day for like two weeks and here you come with this video...

[@fishboycy_5891]

I love this watch so much and it’s totally out of my price range for my age but it’s probably on my dream watch list

[@MrTimsfilms]

Love that you opened a luxury watch store but continue to put out videos on attainable watches.

[@tobysimmondsX]

I think this watch is absolutely beautiful. I’ve been wanting to get into watch collecting for a while and I think this will be my first piece:) Thanks so much for all your videos, you are wonderful.

[@Ben-hq2wg]

bought one of these a month ago! thanks for pushing the price up Teddy!

[@timgargis7565]

Greatly enjoyed your take / review of this watch. I can't wait to get one for myself. Cheers!!

[@user-mh9zx9mk7o]

I love this watch, it's now my go-to weekend watch.

[@DesertRider760]

This was my first watch and I love it! Threw a OD green nato on it and wear it everywhere, every day!

[@joshbentz9846]

Teddy, love the super lux watch content, but appreciate this just as much. Thanks for doing high quality reporting on attainable gear, great channel cheers

[@danialahmed5771]

Bought mine a month ago , easily the best watch under 1000 USD in the market period , the dial is truly phenomenal

[@carllucas89]

Is the watch comfortble? Bought a g shock mudmaster a while ago and it feels horribly not comfortble on my wrist, so would you say that this is comftorble `?

[@JamesL88]

One of my personal faves. I already bought this last year at your recommendation 🙏

[@JoseAlvarez-jb6yi]

I'm in love with the sarb017, not this one, but the way it's designed, that's the beauty of the watch, plus the green dial and a nato strap

[@leoagbayani7684]

Got this SPB121 as my gift to myself last Christmas and I really love it!

[@dcsoda1]

Been on my list for years. Such a cool different feeling watch.

[@cut_mountain]

I bought this watch yesterday for my graduation. Crazy coincidence. 🤙🏻

[@xtr1092]

after a few weeks i pulled the trigger on this watch and i am not unhappy about it quality item thanks for your info it helped me choose from many watches

[@scottmurray8526]

Added to my collection of 2...other is a Hamilton Field Kahki which I love. Swapped the Alpinist band for a green rubber strap for a more casual look.

[@JuanOrtiz-tt8lv]

I own this one. Bought it from Teddy! Absolutely gorgeous and I get a lot of compliments on it when I wear it

[@WorldandWatches]

One of the best Seiko and easy one of the best Watches ever in the Price range!

[@AeroDeth183]

I’ve got mine on a Two-tone jubilee bracelet and it’s stunning

[@Heisenberg_747]

The spb210j1 is absolute beauty.

[@BPayne]

I purchased the my SPB121 from your website. I actually really like the watch. I'm fairly new to the mechanical watch world and started my collection with a few of the Seiko Cocktail Time watches along with the Alpinist SPB121. I really like the green and gold on the dial. I'm not normally a fan of gold but those two colors really look good together. I appreciate you explaining the compass bezel because, I had know idea how it worked and I haven't looked it up yet.

[@simonwood5587]

Glad I bought my SARB 017 years back for less than $400.

[@oasiasoasiaso]

So do I 😃

[@thomasreuter1968]

Same here. Bought mine just after the end of production was reached and our shops here in Germany offering JDM models were emptying their remaining stocks.

[@paulbugoni2846]

Me too, never getting rid of it, may get a the black dial one.

[@luobomu9747]

339.99 on Massdrop in 2016.

[@paulbugoni2846]

That’s how I got mine lol@@luobomu9747

[@michaelgeib5948]

Bought one from you guys a couple months ago such a unique watch yet super versatile. Great watch

[@jamesdaly1111]

I never had a cyclops until I got my Seiko GMT and I wasn’t excited for it, but now I have one I really like it.

[@DeeEllEff]

A great review, Teddy. It may have taken a few years for the solo spotlight to land on it, but after all this time, the Alpinist is still worth both the attention its paid and excellent price point!

[@Shizzy77]

SPB209 with the brown dial is my favourite and I think is the one you can dress up and down the most.

[@HaiNguyen-mj5pd]

Man Teddy! I just visited Asia last month and actually bought this watch at the Seiko. Felt in love with the unique design, and the cyclops is a plus IMO.

[@eduardopenafiel2341]

Own this very model and I love it. I’ve removed the original leather strap as it doesn’t really make sense, but I pair it with a camel yellow leather strap and a green glossy leather strap and boom 💥, it just elevates the watch to a class above in the elegance category. I’m currently using it with an oyster bracelet. 👌Versatility is the name of this watch, definitely a strong GADA contender 👏🏼

[@jh5635]

I love mine. I got it for $555.00 shipped from Japan. It’s an great daily

[@nadeje8]

Link please!!

[@jh5635]

@@nadeje8 go on 24 chrono, I’m not posting a link to a competition site on one of my favorite KZbinrs.

[@aureate]

Bought this watch from Teddy. Fantastic watch.

[@flubdreload2818]

I currently don’t own any nice watches but I’ve been eyeing this for a while. It’s my favorite looking watch in this price range.

[@SerialWheeler]

Love my Mountain Glacier SPB197. It wears like a dream with the dark blue rubber strap from the mini Tuna Save the Ocean SRPH77. Excellent clip, Teddy!

[@sbtruitt]

Great review Teddy! I love my 121 - it’s now my main watch. It has a unique design and its own cool factor. Accuracy for me is under 5sec/day. It’s a classic watch.

[@dust7138]

This was my first automatic watch and absolutely love it.

[@nickallen5477]

I own this watch and have always loved it, it was the watch that actually started my collection and still enjoy it every time I put it on, it’s different yet still very appealing to the eye! I wear it on an oyster style bracelet and constantly receive comments on it from people who admire it!

[@anjinhopapudo7941]

I had the SARB017 but hated the old fashioned green tone and its shimmer which, in my opinion, looks odd. I sold it and replaced it with this new iteration and I couldn't be happier. The green tone of this one looks much more sophisticated, so the markers do. I would go for the new one any day of the week!

[@user-fu1yp6lq2c]

My dady bought one NKUWAN and he loves it. It had been there for over 10 years when he went out with it.

[@BorisYegorichev]

From Seiko, the Alpinist are my favorite all-around model and I wear them often.

[@DeepanMaddy]

This is my first watch in my collection 🤩

[@AbrahamBetancourt-ni6tl]

I have this watch and it's one of my favorites no regrets buying it.

[@lawrence-ec5dm]

I keep looking at this watch,maybe I think you have just convinced me.

[@ajmarion]

I recently picked up the SPB123 cream / champagne dial, and it’s been great. Very unique design, and wears nicely

[@WardStroud]

My all time favorite Watch... the cyclops is more like a dew drop and i'd bet my bottom dollar that its Saphire... it really looks like a drop of rain:) The bezel is so handy for timing coffee brew and pizza etc etc... it is a perfect Watch! ohhhh and to all the reviewers out there that pooh pooh it... if you actually wear it for any length of time that band will patina into something absolutely divine... w

[@barrettwbenton]

I've had my 017 Alpinist for close to six years, and love it just as much as the first time I strapped it on. It epitomized the brilliance and value of the entire SARB line, and has enduring aesthetic and practical charm. (Yes, the original strap left a bit to be desired, to put it gently, but c'mon, that's the easiest thing to remedy.)

[@nickr.5835]

Had a layover in Japan last month and bought this for $530.00. Absolutely love it!

[@ElDiabloBunny]

I have the glacier blue variant which I had to order from Europe since we can't get that color in the US. It's been with me on every peak I've climbed.

[@MetHerInBaghdad]

I adore this watch, and wouldn't mind picking one up from the pre-owned market either... if there was one! Great review and I am sold.

[@kingtaj]

I am literally just beginning my watch journey. Prior to this, watches have been purely functional (Timex, Momentum, Apple, Casio). Today, I bought this Alpiner model because it just speaks to me aesthetically and seems super solid for the price. I'm excited to start my collection here.

[@orenkassner2510]

Bought this watch a few months ago, after the last video you did on affordable mechanical watches. Love it whole heartedly. Such a good all around watch, beautiful dial, and the joy of watching the movement.

[@alexgreen7096]

Amazing watch. I love you the point you made where the specs and features sound odd on paper but Seiko pulled it off. I believe they also have a gold version. Would be cool if you could show the other variants in the model. Thanks Teddy!

[@dougstump2520]

I've owned this watch for two years. I think the dial is striking without feeling dressy. I will admit that I wish it was 1mm larger, but it still works well. I did not wear this as much as other watches until I swapped out the strap for a light saddle brown leather buckle strap, and then it became my daily watch for much of the time.

[@angrypenguin956]

It's one of my favourite pieces in my extensive collection; it's seeing quite a bit of wrist time. I swapped the strap for a stainless bracelet.

[@lakshbhambhani8565]

121J1 here 🙋‍♂️ Minus the cyclops, minus the compass, plus a domed crystal and a steel bracelet. I feel a much classier everyday watch that can be easily dressed under a suit. Cant get enough of it. Ive had watch snobs double take my wrist in disbelief that its a seiko!!

[@blaineschultice9813]

Another thing that makes this watch great is the fact that there are extremely high quality aftermarket accessories available. I was able to find a 3rd party bracelet that fits the case perfectly, has screwed links, milled clasp & micro adjust for less than $100

[@richhowe4139]

I bought this watch in 2020, not long after it came out. It's a good, solid watch. I like the dial and handset and I appreciate the high contrast of the lume one the hands against the dark green face. I think the exhibition case back is a bit of a waste and it could have been a touch slimmer without it, but it's just another bit of quirkiness. This was my first mechanical watch since I moved beyond Timex watches with quartz watches in the 70s and I like it.

[@humbertocastro7776]

Purchasing mine tomorrow. This watch just called out to me.

[@Cody___]

I really wanted my next watch to be Swiss made and I was choosing between a Marathon GSAR or saving up for a Tudor Black Bay 58, but after watching this video, I'm now considering the Alpinist. Its a beautiful watch and the compass bezel is kinda the selling point for me. I'm an avid hiker, so it would be used for its intended purpose, plus it just looks cool.

[@dougstump2520]

So I do a lot of hiking as well -I own this watch, and I've also been searching for a good hiking watch, something that can take a beating and you don't really worry. I looked at the Marathon GSAR and the Muhle Glashutte SAR - which I love. This Alpinist is interesting to me because it doesn't exactly wear as a rugged watch, I wear it to work quite a bit, but it's design heritage is that of an exploration watch. I don't think you could wrong with any of your choices - but if you want something rugged the other watches may do better

[@cbrottler]

I got the SBP121. I modified it and got rid of the cyclops, I personally like it much better without it. Great watch, in general.

[@12986hekjrkdo]

I bought the alpinist rock face as my very first mechanical watch. Love its look and the strap looks great! (Much better than the leather one on this model I’d say.) Loved this video and getting a bit more of a background story on my first watch ☺️

[@stereoslime]

Great watch. I have the glacier Alpinist on the Uncle Seiko jubilee.

[@samthurgood]

My first automatic watch. I love it so much

[@henrymorgan6552]

just got one of these last week as a graduation gift. Couldn't be happier with it.

[@jordanl.4997]

Congratulations! And such a great gift.

[@clementbelanger4249]

I have one and absolutely love it!😊 ❤

[@TheMastersaldivar]

I love my Alpinist 121, great buy!

[@luxelist]

This piece is simply gorgeous. In my opinion, the green dial with that strap gives it such a timeless, classic look.

[@yleexot]

Heh. I understand that my opinion is unpopular, but, to me, this one is the ugliest of all. It ticks all my boxes in reverse and then some. As a cerebral exercise, I will now try to cosplay an alpinist adorer for a bit to see if I see anything I’m missing. Because it’s not often that I react so negatively to a watch for aesthetics.

[@johnmartin7158]

@@yleexotWhat watch appeals to you.

[@yleexot]

@@johnmartin7158 generally, i like pared down design. there are exceptions of course. my favorite modern seiko is easily the SPB143. but there are lots of watches that are not my taste that i don't loathe. don't know why this is one of them. maybe i had an ex in a past life that wore one :)

[@ricorico6698]

Good vid Teddy.....do more vids from your new store when featuring the watch of the week. I will be making the trip later this year...very excited .

[@gmund317]

Love mine, especially with the butter-soft, muted green leather strap I swapped in...

[@dasquisha1]

Love this watch!

[@samirdiwan612]

I own the watch and love it to bits. One interesting thing is that they use the same strap sizing as the grand Seikos so you can essentially change the strap while keeping the butterfly clasp from Seiko. And that made me love the watch a lot more. I do find that some of the unique color options particularly difficult to pair such as the green dials and would love to see what straps you’d recommend for it.

[@dgdave2673]

Have the SPB210 version of the same watch, Green and Gold and it’s one of my favorites. I have regulated it myself to COSC level accuracy. Worst in crown down position is +3 sec a day, flat dial up is just +1 sec a day. Not sure if I got just plain lucky! OOB it was almost -10 sec a day.

[@davidbarclay3651]

I own both. I don't wear the 017 much anymore since it's rising in resale. I own a handful of new Alpinists. I love them all and often can't decide. Great work watch, great field watch. Really the Seiko Explorer, at a much more reasonable price, and you get a bezel that can be used for timing, and a date complication. I love them all

[@paulbugoni2846]

I too have the 017 thinking about picking up a new model, probably the black dial one as it to me is the Seiko Explorer.

[@davidbarclay3651]

@@paulbugoni2846 I have that one too

[@RamosKid]

literally just bought the 121 from you guys. Can't wait to get it.

[@TimAhKin]

Amazing watch, I have the one with cream dial and green strap.

[@Colorado_Ronin]

Got this a few months ago and rarely want to wear anything else now. On a horween leather strap it’s amazing

[@GEWDJ2]

Very nice,thanks.

[@karlost23]

I have my (thinner, no-cyclops, no prospeX, no display back) SARB017 on a Bonklip bracelet. I like that an already quirky watch that "somehow just works" looks so good on a definitely quirky bracelet too! Alpinists just seem to pair well with any strap...

[@windraFadly]

Thank you😊

[@Lebon996]

With it's beautiful green and gold colourway, think that this piece would do well on an Australian wrist, also built strong for the outback.

[@charlesmcclune8892]

This is my next watch, 38/40 is typically the size I like, the green dial with gold accents just pops, and the cathedral hands add so much style 🤔 the SPB121 punches way above its class 😎

[@tacul9333]

Love my Alpinist. The band is not the best, but I put a nice shell cordovan band on it, and now it's perfect.

[@Ratgibbon]

I've got one of the "Rock Face" European Limited edition versions, bought it used, couldn't be happier with it. I agree, it's like honey and mustard or strawberry and pepper: the constituents shouldn't work together, but somehow they do, and that's why I like it. It's odd and weird and I'm into weird looking watches.