We’re not all complicated human beings. Sometimes we only need some simple things for living our life or staying alive in a difficult situation.
Admittedly, we all like the sophisticated functions of new generation watches that eliminate the need for a compass or a GPS, but we shouldn’t forget about the simple timepieces that are going to take the use for many years to come.
What do you know about Seiko?
Even if we all know it as Seiko, the company’s name is Seiko Holding Corporation. It’s a Japanese holding company that consists of multiple subsidiaries that design and sell watches, clocks, electronic devices, semiconductors, optical products, and jewelry.
Seiko means “exquisite” or “success” in Japanese, and it explains a lot about the company’s constant efforts to create astonishing watches.
Seiko released the first automatic quartz in the late 80s, and the Japanese company has always given us interesting watches that would handle excessive wear and excess abuse.
From the classical timepieces that are long lasting to the world-class diver’s collection that is tough and accurate, Seiko is constantly creating timepieces that you shouldn’t skip from adding to your collection (we know you have one J).
Is Seiko Alpinist a memorable series?
It’s a definite “yes,” and ever since the first model within the Alpinist series (back in 1959), the watch quickly became a reliable tool for the Japanese mountain climbers and outdoor enthusiasts.
In all fairness, the Seiko Alpinist is the very first attempt of Seiko to hit the market of sports watches. Yama-Otoko (Japanese name for “mountain men”) is the primary source of inspiration for the series as mountains do cover a lot of the Japanese landscape. The men working in the mountains have inspired the designers of Seiko watches for this classic line. The men needed impressive gear that would take the rough terrain without sacrificing on the accuracy at any moment.
The original wristwatch has sustained the Seiko’s efforts in becoming one of the most important names in the sports watch category.
The new limited edition is a comeback to the original central theme. It’s a rugged watch that is going to take the use for a lifetime and more.
The first of the seven generations of Seiko Alpinist was the Laurel Alpinist, and each of the series came with some specific features, without ever going too far from the central principle or design.
The U.S. Limited Edition Alpinist –why the rage?
The new Seiko Alpinist U.S. Limited Edition features a 39.5mm stainless steel case which provides water resistance to 20 bar (660ft/200meters). It rocks a blue-patterned dial that is protected by sapphire crystal, whereas the Arabic numerals combine with indices and large hands for hour and minutes. The hands are coated with luminescent material, and the watch also shows central seconds and date at 3 o’clock.
The Seiko’s 6R15 automatic movement is powering the new Seiko Alpinist. It beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour, and its power reserve is around 50 hours.
The series is limited to only 1,959 pieces as a tribute to the original series. Every watch comes with a marking on the screw-down case back and its number. You should expect to pay around $600 for a watch.
The new Seiko Alpinist has a perfect size and is amazingly stylish.
How does it look from a closer angle?
The first thing to notice about the watch is the dark blue sunburst dial. The tone ranges from a deep navy to a slightly powdery dark blue. It’s a vibrant color, and you can get the best idea only by seeing it for yourself.
The dial resembles a sunburst effect on top of a matte and grainy texture. The hands and the indices present highly polished stainless steel finish, but there’s also a powerful luminescence throughout the dial. It’s not going to be difficult to read the watch in dim light conditions.
The case and the lug have polished finishes, and the sturdy case back presents the same finish. It’s clear by now that the watch is a limited edition model.
The watch features a second crown at the 4 o’clock position that you may efficiently operate for adjusting the inner rotating bezel and the compass function.
The watch feels nice on the wrist, and its new color scheme has a slightly sporty feel to it. Some think that it could have used a better taper. Not everyone goes for the black or blue strap, but it’s all a matter of personal taste when it comes to colors.
The strong in-house movement, the exceptional execution, the beautiful dial, and the precision are the main selling points for the new Limited Edition Seiko Alpinist. Many think that the watch could easily be worth $1k.
What’s the final thought?
If you’re into watches, you should never skip the chance from owning a timepiece like the Seiko Alpinist. If you can even get your hands on a limited edition like this one, that’s even better. The impressive build recommends it for the use when climbing up a mountain, whereas its classic appearance is going to fit your style for many years to come. No matter how the fashion is going to shift.
RESOURCES
Introducing: The Seiko U.S. Limited Edition Alpinist – HODINKEE Shop
Seiko – Alpinist U.S. Limited Edition | Time and Watches
The Ultimate Seiko Alpinist Collectors Guide – thespringbar
