2007 Seiko Alpinist Green SARB017 on Strap 6R15-00E1
Ref: SARB017 (6R15-00E1)
Specification
Lugs : 20mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box & Papers : Box & Booklet
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold with its original Seiko presentation box and instruction booklet. The watch is paired with its original Seiko 20mm leather strap. The watch is from Circa. August 2007 and is sold in very good condition, as you can see. The green dial and indexes are in perfect condition. The watch comes with our 12-Months Warranty.
The Watch
Seikos history began in 1881 when Kintaro Hattori established the K. Hattori retail and repair store. In 1892 Seikosha was established making wall clocks. 1895 saw the production of their first pocket watch. 1913 saw the launch of their first wristwatch, the Laurel. In 1924 the first Seiko was manufactured. Daini Seikosha (now Seiko Instruments Inc.) was established in 1937. Seiko was listed on the Tokyo stock exchange in 1949. The Suwa factory became independent and formed Suwa Seikosha Co., Ltd. (now Seiko Epson Corporation in 1959). In 1956 Seiko launched Marvel as their first true in-house made watch; they continued to make this watch until 1959. Japan’s first chronograph watch was introduced for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics; it was called the Seiko Crown Chronograph mono-pusher. Not stopping there Seiko launched Japan's first true divers watch the Seiko Diver’s 150M fitted with the automatic Calibre 6217 which later was given the nickname “62MAS” by collectors. The company name was changed to the Seiko Corporation in 1990. Innovation at Seiko continues today with GPS Solar watches.
Seiko introduced the Alpinist in 1961, under their sub-brand of Laurel which is Seiko's oldest sub-brand first seen in 1913. It was inspired by the Yama-Otoko Japanese for Mountain. These men required equipment to be robust and accurate as they led many expeditions. Seiko reintroduced the Alpinist in 1995 after a 30-year gap. The SARB017 was introduced in 2006 and was the 5th generation of the latest Alpinist, incorporating many of the features of the previous generations. It came in 3 colours: cream, black and green. This Seiko Alpinist SARB017 has a satin-brushed and polished edged 39mm stainless steel case with tapering lugs. On the right side, we have a screw-down signed “S” crown with crown guards and at 4 o’clock a second crown is used to adjust the rotating inner compass bezel. A stepped smooth polished bezel holds a flat scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. Its stunning sunburst emerald green dial has gold-plated Arabic numerals with alternating gold-plated dagger indexes and lume pips for the hours. At 3 o’clock a date window. Elegant lume filled gold-plated cathedral hands are complemented with a fine centre seconds hand with lume tip. Giving the watch a vintage look and feel. On the reverse a polished screw-down case back with the Alpinist mountain logo engraved in the centre. Inside a Seiko Automatic 6R15, 23 jewels, 21,600 beats per hour with hand winding and hacking. The watch comes fitted on its original 20mm leather strap and comes with its Seiko presentation box and instruction booklet.
Personal Note
A true cult classic within Seiko, regardless of where you stand on liking it or disliking it, it's probably swayed you like it has all of us and we've owned and enjoyed this SARB017 at some point! What I will say is if you buy this, swap out the leather and you'll get a far better experience, Seiko can make a fantastic watch, but they suck at leather straps!