The Seiko Enthusiasts Have Wanted For Years - Alpinist GMT Review

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In this video, I provide my complete thoughts on the new Seiko Alpinist GMT, a complicated model enthusiasts have been asking for since the original SARB017 made its monumental debut. As a little bit of a spoiler alert, I think Seiko knocked it out of the park with the SPB377 and SPB379, but what do you guys think?
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Timestamps

[@TeddyBaldassarre]

Just a small correction, determining direction in the Southern Hemisphere with the sun and the compass bezel is actually a little bit different than we show in the video. Sorry about that!

[@peterkalos6271]

I love the way they integrated the gmt into the alpinist design language. And getting rid of the cyclops looks more like the original sarb

[@edrader]

original sarb was not original alpinist, tho

[@user-mh9zx9mk7o]

Had my brother fetch me the regular green dail Alpinist during his vacantion to Japan, loving it.

[@MartinSmith-qt3cc]

How much??

[@williamthomas6106]

I don't know, even Teddy seems a little hesitant getting 100% behind this one. The Seiko 5 Sports GMT was a grand slam, and I absolutely love mine. And for the price I paid for mine, the compromises made were more than reasonable. At over $1100.00, those compromises aren't as easily accepted. a 3hz movement? An iffy band? An office GMT complication? All these are easily overlooked when the watch is in the $350 to $500 price range. Not so much on a watch costing over twice as much.

[@Micksteroony]

Yeah for a few more hundred $ you can get a true, 36mm GMT from Farer - with a top grade Sellita movement and only 11m thick!

[@BM-si2ei]

Agreed. There are a half dozen or more options using the Miyota 9075 that come in just under to well under this price point. Many of them have significantly better finishing and watch-enthusiast nods like on the fly micro-adjust clasps. I'd happily plunk down $350 for the Seiko GMT if I didn't already have a true GMT watch. $1,100 is far too much with far too many better options.

[@bradl2636]

Totally agree. It’s a ripoff.

[@osamu_90]

Agreed. I like Seiko but this one is disappointing outside of its looks.

[@cloggedpitot1]

@@BM-si2ei What would you rec as an alt? I like the looks of the blue dial but they are pricey.

[@hamidhussain307]

I always loved the Seiko alpinist and now I love this alpinist GMT even more. The cathedral hands, power reserve along with the GMT tick many boxes. Only thing I wasn’t too impressed with is the date window at 4 o clock position. Maybe it was better suited at 3 o clock position.

[@claytonmarkin7863]

I’ve never seen a 4 o clock date window that I’ve liked, ever. Either 3 or 6, there are no other good places

[@3581tossit]

@@claytonmarkin7863 disagree, placing it at 4 keeps the dial more balanced

[@MadMax76er]

Not a fan of a near 4 o clock date window but putting it in a circular window and aligning the the text straight does make it look a whole lot better

[@adamscottv]

I think it's a clean solution given the other design elements.

[@archygrey9093]

I find the compass feature is actually quite useful for more than just a compass, for example you can set the north mark at the minute hand and use it to see the time elapsed

[@imbanett0]

haha became a legend diver

[@ArtifexBarbarus]

If only it weren't so easy to knock the 4:00 crown :-)

[@rtfh61]

With a GMT watch it's very easy to determine North. When you point the GMT hand (set to local time) at the sun, the 12 o'clock marker of the watch face points north (in northern hemispheres)

[@hankhillsnrrwurethra]

Got my GreenSeventeen in 2014 and there was tension that it would go away and never be seen again, in those days. I've been through a few straps and bracelets with it. Thinking about a shell cordovan strap for our tenth anniversary next year :) This version is no slam dunk for over a grand. Seiko continues to go insane.

[@annikinstarkiller600]

Shell cordovan works perfectly with it

[@dblh84]

So does rich Corinthian leather.;)

[@zainalazzan]

Honourable mention, Teddy! There’s actually a JDM Green model which looks really good too.

[@3581tossit]

the blue model is absolutely beautiful. well done, Seiko!

[@jimt7292]

Good review. For me, there is always one or two reasons why I won't pay the price for a beautiful Seiko, like this one. You noted them. Given all the movements that they have manufactured over the many years, not to have their movements regulated much tighter is had to understand and it is the reason I stopped by Seiko watches. Way too many other options out their these days that come less priced and you get more for your $.

[@bradl2636]

Last Seikos I bought were SARB017 SARB033 and SARB035 I haven’t seen any since that made the cut.

[@zumalot]

I believe Teddy advised that one model was running at -11sec/day. Sorry, but that is unacceptable to me and for that money well it is a shame a nice looking Seiko is not more accurate when it can be with tighter regulation. Over the years I've managed to nail down +5 and better on the old 7s26. Many of us fanboys did this to get an awesome, easy on the wallet timepiece. If a Seiko movement is capable of a certain accuracy then why can't they get it closer? It is just sad when the first thing a new Seiko owner does is 1) check for alignment issues 2) check accuracy and as already stated, people are spending some bigger money for these timepieces. Love the channel, Teddy.

[@ehrenkrause9861]

6:22 I use my sub 17 the compass feature all the time when I'm outdoors It was the purpose I bought this watch when I go camping and hiding. The GMT function would be an added bonus for me especially when I travel. Right now I'm on Kauai The compass feature helps with my bearings when I'm going through the forest

[@CompassIIDX]

Why not bring an actual compass?

[@ehrenkrause9861]

@@CompassIIDX why carry extra tool what time is used for navigation anyways. ☺️👍

[@brainloop99]

​@@CompassIIDXWhy not bring a watch with an actual compass function in it? Even a dirt cheap triple sensor casio will do instead of this.

[@zainalazzan]

⁠​⁠@@brainloop99why do we need to tell the guy to change something when he’s clearly happy with what he has and uses it for? To the original commenter, I’ve got tonnes of respect for you and the fact that you actually USE this feature on your watch. You’re awesome 😄

[@mattmcgriff5952]

From whom are you hiding?

[@dissy1994]

This is a gorgeous watch from the front - but once you turn it on the side it just looks too thick for me. It's gorgeous though in every other way! Love the white dial limited edition too.

[@YouTube_is_full_of_trolls]

The disappointment is the price. I think that's a universal thing for seiko buyers or prospects buyers. Seiko become so big by selling to the masses and delivering quality for money. Now they went to the higher end market and priced out the majority of buyers. Someone at seiko isn't thinking about the actual clientele

[@Drbudweiser]

You could say that about pretty much any current Seiko. They are going hard to charge more.

[@yapzunxuan1]

Ngl, but spending 1.1k usd for a Seiko....Well, is not that bad, but just not that great

[@YouTube_is_full_of_trolls]

@yapzunxuan1 when it's a 6r movement and you could buy a longines or oris or something... I think they are in steep competition at that price range, but I agree it's not horrible, horrible, just like 20% overpriced in my book.

[@bradl2636]

Too expensive considering the lack of features

[@adamscottv]

You can get these two models for $800-850 street. Not exactly rich. I think it's a fair price for what it is.

[@DionieannGohari]

Watches are so delicate and intricately designed, so I have intense respect and admiration for amzwatch watch makers

[@philippestrickler3461]

I truly love the design of these new SEIKO . Beautiful DIAL, perfect casing . I have no doubt about the calibre reliability. It is sport style and i think that it is the perfect watche to wear every day . Of course you can by another watche for dress opportunity . I am sure that SIEKO will sold millions of Alpinist Watches.

[@agaperion]

If you're actually using the compass, the adjustable (office) GMT hand makes more sense. Think, people. It's a field watch at heart. Form follows function.

[@pellecergreggory]

I have never been disappointed since I became a customer of amzwatch. Their watches are of exceptional quality.

[@robbiecleighmarks3088]

Definitely a tool watch with adventure in mind... Not my favorite design but definitely a great one to throw in your pack when heading to the woods.

[@kbar11]

Got myself the green dial GMT alpanist and I am very happy with it, wish the green dial was the same as the one that came out in the 2000s but its a nice olive green still. Got a braclet on it or a nato strap for when I take it hiking or swimming.

[@ClevaTreva]

Don't forget there's a JDM version - in GREEN! : SBEJ005

[@rashmit]

4 o' clock and 4:30 date windows are there since long time and no had a problem then. Nowadays, since a couple youtubers voiced their opinion and so the sheeps are just following them! These hypocrites who are complaining about the symmetry are also the ones who glorify pizza slice power indicator on a Grand Seiko!

[@Whizzer_]

My favourite Seiko GMT (not mentioned here) is the Sumo Prospex solar diver GMT SBPK001

[@RedwoodAggie]

I think both of these look great, though I am guessing that small date will be hard for my aging eyes to read. There's a bit more of a Japanese explorer vibe with the 3/6/9/12 numerals on these too. I am okay with the look/position of it vs. getting rid of or intruding on one of the numerals. My only other wish is these came on bracelet. My only actual complaint is the finishing looks like it leaves a bit to be desired considering the price. I imagine something like a Farer Lander would look better up close. These are definitely no brainers though. For fans of the green Alpinists, the green GMT model is apparently JDM only, with the model number SBEJ005. I think we have the SARB Alpinist situation all over again.

[@dblh84]

Since I recently received my traveller's GMT with a 9075 for right at a grand, this is a very hard, relatively overpriced pass.

[@toonlad4091]

Love it in black! I have the cream 2020 Alpinist and love it, just isn’t very versatile in terms of its colour but most wouldn’t care about that.

[@KikoMachine999]

Bought the 377! Mesmerizing blue sunburst dial! Love it!

[@gitargr8]

Man I'm glad they nixed the cyclops for the Alpinist GMT. Dunno what the hell Seiko has been on lately that every damn release needs to have the sapphire cancer bubble.

[@ficko88]

Seiko going up-market made it loose my appeal to the brand. I got the SKX007 in 2016 for ~200 USD at that time. I still think that was THE bang for the buck pick, and for an iconic piece as well. Design + value wise, I can't think of anything that comes close to that in their current catalogue.

[@legmantillidie1030]

I agree. Am by no stretch a Seiko fan boy .I have a few and all were inexpensive. I have a 1st gen black monster that was $160 cndn. Love that watch on a rubber strap. You start paying $500 and up say to $1200 and up sorry I'm looking elsewhere. 'll save and spend a bit more on a Sinn or a beautiful inexpensive Hamilton. Grand Seiko I appreciate but Seiko has a few qc issues that imo doesn't warrant a steep price.

[@shiraz1736]

Yep I’m not sure where seiko is headed, strange pricing decisions and movement selections for some of these price brackets is a little confusing also.

[@mikhaildeanogumedov4778]

I don't like how the 24-hour scale seems like an afterthought. Like someone on the design team just said, "Just scratch it on the bezel. It's fine. They'll love it." It looks like an alpinist with an identity crisis. I'd much rather that they got rid of the sliding compass and placed the 24-hour scale in there. All analog watches can be used as a compass anyway.

[@shiraz1736]

I really think seiko should differentiate their sub branding using the crown rather than having Pressage or Pro-spec on their dials. And I really hope seiko is working on having a third selector on the one crown to operate the compass bezel that would be sweet.

[@skiparsenal]

Wish they leaned into the GMT-ness and replaced the compass bezel with a 2nd 24-hour bezel instead. The compass feature is a neat little quirk of the Alpinist but the function is really situational, even on its intended use case. A 24-hour rotating inner bezel would have been more useful.

[@harryh536]

The problem of the compass bezel is people who know how it works don't need it. Like do they really need to be reminded where the rest of directions are?

Counterpoint: the GMT hand lets you use the compass bezel much easier, no need to take the half angle as with a 12h hand

[@turbyoulance]

Close to the best U tube you have ever presented IMHO. Not a fan of the date window at 4 myself. On SEIKO and as an alternative for a gift at a lot lower price is this > Seiko, NEW Seiko SUR557P1.Worth a GOOGLE . USD about $200+ but no color variant's that I know of yet. Cheers.

[@draakisback]

These are nice but I can't say I like the date or the thickness. I have the original alpanist on a metal strap and I love that watch, but I just can't justify getting a GMT that is slightly thicker.

[@ehrenkrause9861]

Oh snap. I'm on a week long vacation and I was actually talking about getting it affordable GMT when I travel on vacation and then this pops up😮. Looks nice. 🤔

[@micheledb]

This would be the perfect watch for a pilot IF it was a true GMT. GMT for layovers in different time zones, and compass bezel for a quick visual reference to runway orientation and wind: eg taking off from runway 23, you would line up 230 with the marker at 12, you see immediately the opposite runway (050 would read at 6 o’clock, so runway 05) and when given the takeoff (or landing) wind, a quick glance would show pictorially where the wind is coming from

[@LindaBui-s3o]

Been watching your videos for a while now and was inspired to start a collection. Started with the amzwatch, its specs for price and clean looks, now am looking for a dress watch to add.

[@carlmercado2474]

Damn, I thought my grail watch being the Explorer 2 is unattainable. But this changes thing!

[@Noud-od5tx]

I would look into the christopher ward c63 sealander, also very beatiful and around the same price

[@OleMisss]

@@Noud-od5txgreat watch! Christopher ward has been killing it.

[@ghillytheexplorer1251]

Yeah if you like a nice homage explorer 2 the c63 gmt with the white dial is ur best choice

[@javopu]

I just want the cocktail time line whit sapphire Cristal. Please Seiko 🙏

[@HRM.H]

Really interested to see if they fixed the accuracy issues with the 6R35

[@Brian-vu5pk]

Me too. My Willard has the 6R35 and it is horrible. Loses 1-2 minutes a day.

[@Rch_P]

Likewise. I eventually had to sell my SPB147 because the 6R was so erratic. No demagnetizing or fine tuning could tame it.

[@Brian-vu5pk]

@@Rch_P My $300 Presage keeps better time.

[@fvlok]

Vostok for the win

[@Ferien7]

Nope lmao

[@Red_Beard_Actual]

Apples to oranges I realize: Same disappointment every time with “upgrading the brand” is the strap/bracelet. Longines failed with the Zulu timer, this one fails with the crap strap. It’s unacceptable at $1k plus to deliver a poor quality strap option

[@davidphillips7255]

What I want is a new Kinetic to replace my old one. It was one second fast a MONTH!!!!! for a decade.

[@johnmartin7158]

I want a nuclear watch that is deadly accurate to no more than a second either way in a century.

[@behonestwithyourself3718]

I like this one! I had my eyes on the Hamilton Feild expedition but now im not sure.

[@ob3443]

If you’re follow the recommendations of Seiko on how to keep a Seiko mechanical watch more accurate (which includes daily winding) , this one will be almost on the second accurate.

[@rickrounds5150]

C'mon Seiko, $1,150? You're leaving your customers in the dust.

[@flow2tech]

@rickrounds2173 How do? There sales are at all time highs

[@user-pf6bi1ty7h]

Hey, I’m from India. Huge fan of yours! I’ve been building my collection. It has Seiko, Casio, Timex for now. And my fav watch is must de Cartier. Will buy it someday in my life!

[@user-pf6bi1ty7h]

Thank you so much Teddy!

[@CompassIIDX]

@@user-pf6bi1ty7h That's not Teddy, it's a scam bot.

[@antoniopedre7384]

If seiko made an Alpinist gmt with a traveller gmt calibre, I would definitely buy one.

[@runnerwatch2280]

I might buy it second hand. I appreciate and like the applied logo and 3,6,9,12.

[@llud840]

Excellent little wayfinding tidbit. Well done, as always.

[@petesjk]

I find it amusing that so many desk jockeys find certain movement features useless.

[@andrehernandez3193]

I really like the font you used in the text box specs. It looks really good!

[@Blayzn18]

Awesome video. Of course I'm biased because I'm wearing my SBP409 right now! I'm so happy to get the limited edition and it comes on a bracelet! It's my forever watch. Fits me perfectly not just in size but also lifestyle. When you look at it by the numbers it's a chonky boi but because of the shape of the case back it wears much slimmer. My other watches aren't getting much wrist time anymore!

[@chillerhr3804]

hate 3 DAYS inscription, hate that it’s 3 Hz, hate diver like numbers on a bezel, hate no frame date window 🤷🏼

[@anthoniusalphaproject1588]

Nobody knows how accurately use that compass without getting lost in the woods.

[@mattd9330]

Thanks for the very thorough review. Lack of a signed crown and bracelet option are deal killers for me I am afraid.

[@robcameron9351]

1M on the horizon, Teddy!! Excited for you.

[@ConspiredPictures]

I think it loses some of the dressiness that makes the alpinist so nice for any occasion. The brushed GMT bezel really brings down the versatility for me. I’ve been eyeing the Hamilton Jazzmaster GMT that I think hit it out of the park

[@eagleonefr]

Hi Teddy, do you plan to make a video about Pequignet? Cool brand with house-made mechanisms!

[@ianforber]

Nice watch but for that price I’d go for the Farer GMT

[@TheV3R]

That 55 anniversary watch looks really sick. For the price too, seems like a great deal taking into account it is a limited edition

[@Paperfiasco]

man... I BADLY just wish they gave us an option for non-exhibition casebacks. I just want the classic Alpinist engraving on steel, I don't to see the movement behind this one... damnit.

[@NetRatStudio]

Thank you for the video, Teddy. The watches look worse than I expected them to, I prefer the "nonGMT" design. Also, these type of compasses are absolutely useless, otherwise I like the alpinist. These got too thick. They dropped the even hours and went with 3-6-9-12, which makes the "alpinism" vanish for me. Is it really necessary to write "automatic 3 days" on the dial? Come on, Seiko!

[@OperationNonsense]

before i even watch this video, let me guess at the start - this watch does not have a true GMT movement, this is merely a "dual time zone" watch, not a GMT watch. i would be shocked if you can get a true GMT movement at this price level.

[@TheWayOfAlex]

Dimensions and price point kill it for me.

[@Screenwriting]

That exhibition caseback...LOL

[@tysolomano5754]

Well I mean there were the Seiko Red Alpinist GMT from the early 2000s ref SBCJ021. It’s probably the best watch in my collection.

[@latinballa88]

Nice, but not for more than $600-ish. Also, Seiko… please find a way to make your watches less chunky 🙏

[@Megatraum504]

shit bracelets too. even mentioned in this review as if it is a feature lmao

[@CompassIIDX]

Yep. I see 13+ and I check out pretty much immediately.

[@miggygetright6344]

This is a beauty but a 1.1k id think one would rather just double down and get a GS or a Tag Heuer, or maybe get a lesser known brand at that price point like Baltic, for example.

[@ET-cj8jo]

The compass feature is in the most part completely useless as it only works on a sunny day, which are few and far between in most of northern Europe, for example. Most bona fide alpinists would carry a compass for those cloudy days and after dark. I really can't see the point of it.

[@syedrehanfida]

Thank you so much for these informative videos. It covers much more than just the watch review.

[@BeyondTheLineProductions]

Sorry I don't understand why is this better than the spb121 (I love the green gold and brown leather)

[@slayergut]

Love this, love the non traveller gmt. But the price and not having the bracelet is very annoying.

[@fvlok]

This looks fantastic

[@francoisbm6785]

great review. I wish Seiko stay more true to the original design though. The original is not a 3-6-9 dial. The way it is with new date window it is copying Bell & Ross design too much to my liking. No need to see this movement, would shave some height too. I actually wish for a GS Alpinist.

[@jf300car6]

The problem of seiko models is just accuracy. I took my alpinist 4 times to guarantee and it still runs.- 75 per day. I will request the change of movement or my money back! Never more seiko in my life!😅😢

[@erikknudsen2971]

Love it. A rather unique looking field watch.

[@user-iz9co4qf6z]

Dive watch, put a GMT in it. Field watch, put a GMT in it. Dress watch, put a GMT in it

[@achuck4321]

Waiting for the inevitable green dial variant

[@Spurdospaerde692]

As in waiting for your shipment of the green SBEJ005 from Japan, or waiting for Seiko to start selling it world wide as well? Do Seiko often (re-)release JDM models world wide?

[@stratkat9714]

Hey Teddy! When are you stocking this new Alpinist GMT, as i do not see this on your Seiko page.

[@Ahmad-vw5uw]

Many thanks Teddy for the comprehensive review; belive it is a very reliable watch for Sports, Diving and Adventures. Having a 6R-54 Movement with 72 hours power reserve and built in Compass, it is almost a perferct wach. However; a signed crown with Stainless Steel bracelet would have been much better. Best Regards from Egypt.

[@bitta3084]

@teddybaldassarre, great review as usual. Around this price, and excluding Chinese brands, what would be the best automatic GMT around? This Seiko? The Nodus Sector? Any others? Thanks.

[@kentherradura3713]

Office spec and price makes this watch short with its delivery. I don’t think the power reserve is worth but if they made it a traveller gmt would’ve not only justify the price but could’ve got away with an extra €250+ on the current msrp.

[@wayneturner1336]

Not everything needs to be a gmt. It looks so busy, so packed together that I don’t think I’d manage that very well.

[@AKSD1985]

Great video as always. They definitely need to release the green alpinist in gmt form.

[@leekangswee651]

They did. Its available as a JDM release.

[@Megatraum504]

i feel like buying a seiko is like buying a watch case with no strap. Why are they always so bad? And why do we so happily accept that the brand new watch you buy for a few hundred bucks needs a replacement strap as soon as you buy it? This is like buying a pair of Jordans that came with rubber bands for shoe strings. Makes no fkin sense.

[@baandoptager]

The original J1 had one major flaw, legibility sucked and it felt more like an indoor dress watch. The new Alpnist GMT's are an improvement for sure.

[@MegaBlackley]

39.5 is just a tad small. The lowest I'll go is about 41mm.

[@henrikl1394]

Why not in green 😞

[@Spurdospaerde692]

SBEJ005. Or were you wondering why Baldassare didn't review that one?

[@user-hj5lw6jp9j]

Beautiful.the blue one ho mi god.❤

[@ronseg123]

Hi teddy. When are you going to do a review of the MM200 GMTs? Spb381, spb383 and spb385 🙂

[@Mrswordfish109]

Tried this on today. I still prefer my classic green alpinist. I thought I would love the GMT but meh, didn’t do anything for me..

[@Jtjustintimberlake]

Personally, I am not a big fan, and I love GMT's. This watch seems like it is doing too much. I happen to like the original style Alpinist with the triangle markers.

[@Angelo-ir2um]

Agree, loved the original alpinist, but this one seems like it’s doing too much

[@kong8504]

4:29 That misaligned chapter ring....

[@Spurdospaerde692]

I suppose you mean the compass ring. Misaligned to what, though? It's only supposed to be aligned to either the hour or the GMT hands, at one single point. Its use is completely independent of dial indices or the chapter ring. But yeah, the "lateral sloppiness" of the compass ring, and the slight aesthetic deviations it causes, does trigger my OCD as well...

[@JackDeberry]

Such a nice watch

[@theopachs7247]

I see they’re still not making the compass bezel line up.... it’s pretty though!

[@lieb9042]

I really like it but that X is killing it for me. I can't get over it

[@BAF605]

An "office" GMT movement in a GMT for travellers. Not the best move Seiko ever made since the Miyota "true" 9075 4Hz introduction by Citizen has been embraced by Microbrands who are giving collectors a wide choice of attractive well made GMT watches under, often well under, $1K. Next!!

[@tschoy9388]

That is what I am thinking. Someone may do some mod to change the caliber to Miyota 9075, then this "Seiko" is perfect. I am compare this to Citizen Series 8 GMT (NB6030-59L) , true GMT, at the price US1350, Pepsi Dial, is much good looking then this Seiko Alpinist.

[@rgr4475]

For me personally, $1150 is not worth the price increase over the standard Alpinist. Especially when you can get an SSK for under $350.

[@Timalways]

Need a green dial for this gmt version.