Unworn 2020 Seiko Alpinist Green SARB017 Box & Papers
Ref: SARB017 (6R15-00E1)

Specification

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 February 2020 and is sold in unworn condition, as you can see. 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 to make 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 monopusher. Not stopping there Seiko launched Japan's first true divers watch the Seiko Diver’s 150M fitted with the automatic Caliber 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 Unworn 2020 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 and at 3 o’clock a date window. Elegant lume-filled gold-plated cathedral hands are complemented with a fine centre seconds hand with a 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 cult classic from Seiko that you either love or you don't, I'm constantly on the fence personally from a design perspective, but from a build quality and reliability standpoint, they are undeniably incredible. If you haven't owned an Alpinist now is your chance to own a brand new one!