The Seiko U.S. Limited Edition “HODINKEE” Alpinist (SPB089).

Brand new watches are not really our bread and butter at The Chrono Duo. However, we love the SARB017. Until it was discontinued in early 2018, the ‘Alpinist’ was one of Seiko’s enduring and best loved cult watches. Why? It’s amazing value for money! The dial, the compass function, the rock solid reliability of one of Seiko’s best automatic movements, the way it sits on the wrist…

Earlier this year they produced a Limited U.S. Edition of only 1959 (the year of the first Alpinist) to be sold only in select USA Seiko boutiques and by HODINKEE’s online shop. They sold out within days of the launch.
We took this example a while ago in part exchange for a vintage piece we were selling.

And to quote from HODINKEE’s own description of the piece:
“While some recent iterations of the Alpinist have taken on a dressier look thanks to the use of gold-colored numerals and alligator-pattern straps, the new U.S. Limited Edition Alpinist has an unambiguous tool watch identity. From its 39.5mm stainless steel case with a sapphire crystal and 200 meters of water resistance to its tried-and-true in-house 6R15 automatic movement and vintage-style leather strap, the new Alpinist is good-looking and functional top to bottom. Not only do we think it’s a pretty perfect watch for daily wear, but it’s also as if Seiko made this watch with the HODINKEE community in mind.”

The Seiko SARB017 field watch is powered by the premium Seiko 6R15 caliber self-winding movement. The 23-jewelled 6R15, first introduced in 2006, is essentially a higher-spec 7S26 (the movement inside Seiko 5’s). Seiko have added to the 6R15 inside the SARB017 Alpinist hacking, hand winding, and that larger 50 hour power reserve.

The 6R15 beats at 21,600 bph, and is nearly silent…

The case has a fine brushed and polished stainless steel finish and the navy blue dial sports highly luminous silver tone hands and hour markers. A date display is shown at the 3 o’clock position. A scratch resistant sapphire crystal is used and the watch is water resistant to 200 meters. The lume is excellent and it is applied to all hands. The crown at 4:00 turns the inner (compass marked) bezel. On the Alpinist, the case back is solid and engraved with its unique logo and model information and limited edition serial number.

So, it’s brand new, never been worn and comes with the box, hang tags and manual.
It’s comfortable, versatile and a great looking and don’t forget, limited edition, watch.