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Seiko Alpinist (SARB017) Automatic $674.43 + Delivery (Free with Prime) @ Amazon US via AU

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Seiko Alpinist SARB017 Automatic.
I believe they have discontinued this model and superseded it with the Alpinist Prospex model SPB121J.
Gorgeous watch to have on a Steel and Gold jubilee bracelet.

Automatic Movement with 50-hour power reserve
Sapphire Crystal and Inner Rotating Compass Ring
Japanese-automatic Movement
Case Diameter: 39.5mm
Water resistant 200m (660ft): in general, suitable for professional marine activity and serious surface water sports, but not diving

Free faster shipping if you have Amazon Prime.

Chrono24 have the cheapest BNIB at $799 from a Japanese AD, but this price excludes VATs etc.

Price History at C CamelCamelCamel.

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closed Comments

  • +1

    Cheapest recently would have been this deal back in Jan: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/511956

    • Ah Sorry i'll edit it - didnt notice that one.

  • how come it is much more expensive now compared to January?

    • +8

      discontinued - it's also a bit of an icon. Represents amazing value, new series is upgraded but they ruined the dial with an additional logo and it costs a chunk more.

      The band it comes on is a bit meh - but if you swap it out you've got a hell of a watch for not a lot of money.

      I type this whilst wearing mine, so perhaps some bias.

      • this is my dream watch actually but i now regret that i should have bought it in the Summer .

        • +4

          Best buy it now - it may not come back on the market at this price, only to increase more i reckon.

          • +3

            @TruePotato: agreed ^
            regardless of price change in future, if its your dream watch, go for it.

    • +3

      Seiko stopped producing the SARB series' a year or two ago, all stock now is whats left and double the price you used to be able to get them when they were current.

      • +1

        Years ago, when they were in production. This isn't surprising at all in the watch world. These are cult-classic watches that will almost certainly increase in value like all their precessors.

        The Alpinist kicks ass, I just bought one, comes to under 600 after 7% cashback and 4% gift cards. Used sales on ebay are generally $600-1000.

  • What a great bargain! Cheapest from ebay is $961.

  • +1

    Asian model lol they sure know their market

    • Some of THOSE people visit these forums too šŸ¤ž

      • what do you mean YOU people??!

        • THEY know who they are

  • -6

    Is this marketed towards old men with money? because it sure is ugly.

    • +4

      Looks better in person. Seiko suck at taking photos.

      • Dad bought one last year. It looks much better than the photo. I wouldnt get one myself however

  • +1

    I prefer the look of the SARB033, but I think itā€™s much dearer at the moment.

    • IRL the sarb 033 has a very reflective crystal that put me off. owned it for a year and sold it

  • +3

    This is a beautiful watch. I own one of these (as well as a SARB033). Looks much nicer in person than in the photo - although the first thing I did was ditch the stock band - it's a bit crap.

  • +1

    This plus metal bracelet = winner

    I've had mine for 5 years

    Diameter is closer to 38mm

  • -1

    Omygoodness is this a watch? Looks like there are a lot of fans šŸ˜³. Need to have a poll for users age (perhaps someone has done that) … Come on negs lol

    • this made me laugh! yeah, its a nice watch..mate of mine has a Submariner and after seeing mine, wants one too

  • any suggestions on where to get the jubillee bracelet? saw this on aliexpress, anyone have experience buying one of these cheapos? https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000191702920.html?spm=a2g0oā€¦

  • +2

    Buyer! Check your watch when it arrives - this puppy is notorious for classic Seiko misalignements

    • Serious question, what's the best way to go about this? This is my first 'serious' watch, and I frankly don't know how to spot it other than it being plainly obvious.

      • +2

        best way to avoid bad experience is to buy via AD ( i.e. Starbury in AU), who check their watches prior to shipping / can replace without any questions asked.
        I own several Seikos and very happy with them! I did return Seiko Arnie to starbuy with a slight issue with the screw (0.1mm play) - got replacement fairly quick

    • the question at this point is realistically do you want one with a fractional alignment issue or not have one at all. Those are really your only options with any surviving stock.

  • the best (price and look) of seiko will be the shogun, which is a japanse domestic model. they keep the best for themself.

    • Shogun is 44mm across, unless you've got giant wrists, it's very difficult to pull off. I think many of their offerings (including the alpinist) are better than the shogun but it's definitely an opinion thing.

      • -1

        i think 44 is standard these days. i.e panerai looks amazing on tiny wrist, i can pull off a 47 easily even with my below average wrist size. I wouldn't wear anything below 40, to be honest. but you are right, it's an preference thing

        • +1

          My grand seiko is 39mm and im a big boy. But is the nicest on my hand.
          For a clean watch face smaller is better. Obviously if you have chronograph bigger is better. My breitling super avenger is a massive watch at 48mm but actually dont like it lol.
          I think you can get too big

        • -1

          You cannot pull off 47mm with a below average wrist unless you're going for the early 2000 NBA draft look. You are no longer wearing the watch, the watch is wearing you and it looks objectively awful. The guy that sold you the Panerai lied to you to get a sale for a terrible oversized watch.

          • @trueaye: What are you, a fashion police? Pfttt

            Now go wear your grandmas sized watch

    • Call me uncultured, but as far as I'm concerned, almost all these big notched bezel divers all look the same to me. They all feel like Rolexes for people that can't afford a Rolex yet.

      Not a dig at wealth or taste, they just do nothing for me and all blend together. I enjoy this watch for its strange uniqueness, that it's both a sport and dress watch, that it's colourful and sleek, that it's modern and traditionally-inspired.

      I'm also a tiny dude, so having that hunk on my wrist looks ridiculous.

  • +2

    Oh no, not again. I really don't need another watch.

    But definitely a bargain for the burgeoning collector. Japanese movement with 50h power reserve, hacking and hand winding movement with a sunburst green dial and sapphire glass. If it was European, it'd be at the very least 4 figures.

    However, the strap is apparently quite awful.

    • I quite like the brown leather/green dial combo, but I am wondering about nicer options.

  • +2

    I bought this 2 weeks back (~$20 more), arrived within a week from the US. Also bought this Strapcode oyster bracelet for it, cheaper than from their website, they have a few other options if you search around. https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/aw/d/B075SVQWYQ?psc=1&ref=ppx_pā€¦

    Been looking at it since I missed out on he $600 deal earlier in the year, $674 best price since then according to camels due to stronger AUD I believe. Iā€™ve noticed it goes through a cycle of selling out then restocking.

  • Does anyone know if this is the ā€œJDMā€ version?

  • +1

    Bugger, paid a bit more for this last month for a, ahem significant birthday from a Japanese JDM supplier. Oh well, it turned up in time for my birthday and I love it. It is a lovely thing.

  • +2

    This is a really good price. I paid more than this posted deal. A very beautiful watch. Discontinued model and will get harder to find and will become more expensive. If you are considering picking this watch up, this is a very good opportunity.

  • +1

    Thanks OP, just picked one up! Such a beautiful watch.

  • +1

    The limited blue version offered at USD600 sold out in no time.

    https://shop.hodinkee.com/blogs/journal/seiko-us-limited-ediā€¦

  • +3

    Thanks op and thanks ozbargainers your reviews let me pull the trigger, wifeā€™s not going to be happy in the morning about this indiscretion šŸ˜…

  • +2

    silly question but how long do these deals last for? until sold out?
    asking as I have an interview next week, and may buy it as a present for myself if I get the job.

    • Generally not more than a day, but cross your fingers. Go have a look at camelcamelcamel for price history.

    • +1

      Buy it now and wait for it to ship, won't get here till end of September.
      Job or no job, you tried.

  • +3

    Thanks for the deal

  • +2

    Thankyou OP. What a gorgeous watch. This seems like a sensible graduation from my Casio FW-91.

  • +3

    Bought this one a few months ago and the green is much nicer than pictured.

    If anyone is interested it uses a 20mm strap.

    Looks great on vintage leather straps and NATOs!

  • +1

    Ahhh the Alpinist..those who know, knows how graceful this watch is.The cult leader of watch which will gain more following in years to come noting this has discontinued

  • +2

    Ordered one for $693 from Amazon two weeks ago. This is an absolutely gorgeous timepiece, definitely a future classic. I love the look of the SARB017, the sunburst green dial looks amazing in person. No amount of photos will do it justice.

    • Does this come in the original long length box?

      • +1

        My watch that was bought from Amazon US didn't come in the long length box. I think it was put in US packaging.

      • Mine came in a small white Seiko cardboard box, with a black pillow, with a Seiko label. The buckle had a tag "$475 Hardlex Glass".

        Which according to Reddit is most likely a misprint and the watch actually comes with sapphire glass, or the USDM model could be hardlex.

  • +3

    Been in my whishlist for as long as I can remember, finally caved in.

  • Just received mine. My watch didnt have a plastic protector on the front nor back that I usually get when a new watch arrives, anyone have the same issue?

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