The Seiko Alpinist is Back (in January)

Faithful readers will recall that last month we brought you word of the (potential) return of the Seiko Alpinist, one of the most popular Seikos in the enthusiast world. While the watch has been available in a variety of colors over the years, the green dialed version in particular has been a collector favorite. When that watch was dropped from the catalog a few years ago, it triggered a great deal of speculation of when and how it would return.

Seiko Prospex Alpinist

• Case Material: Stainless steel
• Dial: Black, green, gray, champagne
• Dimensions: 39.5mm
• Crystal: Sapphire   
• Water Resistance: 200 meters 
• Crown: Screw down        
• Movement: 6R35
• Strap/bracelet: Stainless steel, leather 
• Price: $725-750
• Reference Number: SPB117, SPB119, SPB121, SPB123
• Expected Release: January 2020

Well, we finally have official word from Seiko that the Alpinist is indeed on its way back. Or, rather, a tribute to the original Alpinist, which Seiko considers their first sports watch, introduced in 1959. The new watches are part of Seiko’s Prospex collection, which is their flagship sports watch line, and come in cases measuring 39.5mm in diameter. The new Alpinist will be available in three dial variants: green (SPB121), black (SPB117), gray (SPB119), and a limited edition and e-commerce only champagne dial (SPB123).

Aside from the champagne dial, these are all permanent parts of the Prospex collection, and resemble a very limited edition version of the Alpinist released earlier this year in a handful of markets. While the aesthetics stay fairly close to the Alpinists that are so prized by Seiko collectors (but with more text on the dial) they make use of Seiko’s most modern movement technology. These are all equipped with the 6R35 movement, which includes hacking and handwinding functionality, as well as an incredibly convenient 70 hours of power reserve. 

Seiko’s new Alpinist collection will be available in January. Seiko