Seiko Prospex Alpinist SPB121J1: A Watch That Didn’t Disappoint

The original Seiko Alpinist watch earned widespread acclaim among watch enthusiasts, ticking off numerous boxes that appeal to a broad range of wearers. Also, it was readily accessible, reliable, sturdy, and visually appealing. And yes, it was reasonably priced—an all-around watch that could have satisfied even Goldilocks in her quest for the perfect timepiece. Unsurprisingly, these qualities contributed to its immense popularity during its heyday.

Read More: How to clean a watch?

Seiko introduced the Alpinist wristwatch back in 1961, positioning it as a trustworthy companion for Japanese mountain climbers and sports enthusiasts. This model marked a significant milestone for Seiko, representing their initial foray into crafting sports watches. In 2006, Seiko launched the Alpinist Green Ref. SARB017, along with two other variants, namely:

• The SARB013 (Cream white)
• The SARB015 (Black dial)

Seiko has unveiled a fresh iteration of the Prospex Alpinist Green SBDC091/SPB121J1. This updated model boasts the latest 6R35 calibre and incorporates several enhanced features.

The Seiko Prospex SPB121J1: A Well-Loved Sports Watch with Impressive Features

The Seiko Alpinist resonated deeply within the watch community, even amidst the prominence of renowned divers like the Sumo, Turtle, Monster, and Tuna. This resonance was well-founded. While the early models bore a resemblance to the dress watches of their era, the distinct style and features associated with the Alpinist, as we know it today, began to take shape around 1995.

Read More: How to remove scratches from your watch crystal?

During this period, Seiko introduced a series referred to by collectors as the "Red Alpinist" (the SCVF). Further, it introduced most of the elements that have since become iconic. This included:

• The inner rotating compass bezel is controlled by the crown at 4 o'clock
• Cathedral hands
• The dial designs that continue to be featured in the latest releases

It's a design that has stood the test of time. Although the Alpinist may have been overlooked at times, the announcement of its discontinuation sparked a surge in interest. Besides, it happened just before introducing the modern SPB series.

Specifications

• Movement: Mechanical
• Calibre: Seiko Cal. 6R35
• Hacking: Yes
• Power Reserve: 70 hours
• Hand Winding: Yes
• Automatic: Yes
• Glass: Sapphire crystal
• Date: Yes
• Width (without crown): 39.5mm
• Thickness: 13.2mm
• Lugs: 20mm
• Lug to Lug: 46.4mm
• Water Resistance: 200m
• Dial: Green
• Bezel Type: Internal
• Case Material: Steel
• Band Material: Leather
• Caseback: Display
• Warranty: 2 years

Dial

The dial showcases a vibrant sunburst green hue adorned with applied golden numeral indexes and luminescent dots using Seiko's proprietary LumiBrite. At the 12 o'clock position, you'll find an applied Seiko logo. Positioned at the bottom center of the dial, three lines of text and the Prospex logo are elegantly printed in white lettering.

Read More: Reasons to gift a watch on this christmas!

Moreover, the inclusion of the Prospex logo not only conveys the watch's professional stature within Seiko's lineup but also marks a new addition to the Alpinist series. The SPB121 features an inner rotatable compass ring. It can be conveniently adjusted using the crown located at the 4 o'clock position.

Hands

The hands on this watch are golden and follow the classic Alpinist design with minute, hour, and seconds hands. Moreover, these hands are generously coated with LumiBrite, making it effortless to read the time in low-light conditions or the dark. The white LumiBrite hands contrast sharply against the green sunburst dial, ensuring excellent legibility.

Case

Crafted from durable stainless steel, the case of this timepiece measures 39.5mm in diameter, making it an ideal size for wrists of all sizes. The lug-to-lug dimension comes in at 46.4mm. When paired with the original leather strap provided, this effortlessly transitions between a dress watch and a professional tool watch.

Read More: Seiko VS Tissot!

Removing the spring bars from the inside to change the strap may take a bit of practice. Well, it is a straightforward task. Once you've mastered this process, switching to a more suitable strap for different occasions becomes hassle-free. Furthermore:

• The original leather strap is a fitting choice for a formal dinner.
• Opting for a NATO strap can lend a more relaxed or sporty appearance.

With a water resistance rating of 200 meters, you can confidently swim and dive without worrying about the watch's ability to withstand static pressure.

Besides, the case features a screw case back with an open window, allowing you to admire the movement within. Notably, the new SPB121 boasts an upgrade to a sapphire crystal with an internal anti-reflective coating. This promises that the coating remains intact even with extended use. Additionally, it's the first Alpinist in the series to include a date magnifier, providing better date readability.

Bracelet

The Seiko Alpinist SPB121 has a calfskin band featuring a pressed print pattern resembling reptile skin. Securing the bracelet is a stainless steel three-fold clasp with a convenient push-button release. This folding clasp allows for easy length adjustment by selecting the desired hole for the pin placement.

Read More: Top 8 Seiko Watches!

While it corresponds to a typical and more common pin buckle, this folding clasp imparts a sense of extravagance and sturdiness. It's worth noting that the black version of the Seiko Alpinist reference SPB117 comes with a stainless steel bracelet. Do you prefer this option? You can consider purchasing it separately to complement your SPB121.

Additionally, Seiko brings forward the possibility of equipping the watch with an OEM stainless steel strap, providing you with various customization choices.

Seiko’s In-House Movement For The Prospex Alpinist SPB121J1

The Seiko caliber 6R35 is an automatic movement belonging to Seiko's high-performance 6R series caliber lineup. Regarded as an enhanced successor to the renowned star-caliber 6R15, the 6R35 is proud of its slightly slimmer profile. Moreover, it offers an impressive power reserve of a minimum of 70 hours, surpassing the 6R15 by 20 hours.

To fully wind the mainspring, you'll need to turn the crown at least 55 times. Well, it's not possible to overwind the movement. Seiko's documentation confirms that manually winding the movement when it's fully wound will not damage the spring. The date is between 9:00 PM and 1:00 AM. Be cautious if the hour hand falls within that range, as it may inadvertently charge the movement.

Read More: Best Seiko watches in Canada!

Pull the crown out to the second position when the second hand aligns with the 12 o'clock position to adjust the time. Now, rotate the crown to move the hands until the date transitions to the next day. The time is initially set for the AM period. Further, proceed by advancing the hands to the correct time. The date is adjusted at the first click of the crown.

Similar to the well-known 6R15, the caliber 6R35 now finds application in many iconic Seiko watch series, including:

• The Alpinists SARB
• Prospex Sumo
• The vintage-inspired 62MAS.

Specifications

• Movement Type: Automatic
• Diameter: 27.40mm
• Height: 5.25mm
• Jewels: 24
• Vibrations: 21,600 beats per hour
• Lift Angle: 53 degrees
• Diashock Shock System
• Power Reserve: Approximately 70 hours
• Rotor Direction: Bi-directional (Magic Lever)
• Hacking: Yes
• Hand-Windable: Yes
• Magnetic Resistance: 4,800 A/m (60 gauss)
• Functions: Hours, minutes, central second hand, date at 3:00
• Country of Manufacture: Japan

6R35 Accuracy

Seiko specifies that the 6R35 caliber maintains an accuracy rating of -15/+25 seconds per day under normal temperature conditions. It typically ranges between 5°C to 35°C.

Read More: Must have luxury watch brands!

Crown Positions

• Position 0 (against the case): Clockwise rotation results in manual winding, while counterclockwise has no effect.
• Position 1 (pulled out one click): Clockwise rotation does not affect the movement, but counterclockwise adjusts the date.
• Position 2 (pulled out two clicks): Allows both clockwise and counterclockwise adjustments for setting the time.

Stem Removal & The Need For Servicing

To remove the stem:

• Make sure the crown is in the normal position (position 0, not in date or time setting).
• Look for a lever with a small indentation.
• Then, gently press down while pulling the stem out.

Official Seiko documentation recommends servicing watches with the 6R35 caliber every 2-3 years to maintain optimal performance.

The Seiko Prospex Alpinist in Various Versions

Within the Seiko Prospex line, you'll find a range of SPB Alpinists, each with its dial. Further, these variations include green, blue, white, cream, and the black SPB117. Notably, the SPB117 features a unique dial design compared to the other models, yet it shares its roots with the 1990s Alpinists.

The resurgence in popularity of the Alpinist has prompted Seiko to explore this concept further. As a result, they've introduced more variants that pay homage to different historical iterations of the watch. In addition to the 1990s design, you can find simpler models that do not include the inner rotating compass bezel. It will be drawing inspiration from Alpinists dating back to 1959, such as the SPB155. There are also smaller, more retro, and dressier models like the SPB243, along with its various dial color options.

Read More: Watch Recommendation!

What truly sets the Alpinist apart is its captivating and distinctive design. From its somewhat intricate dial to the cathedral-style hands and the intriguing second crown that tempts your curiosity, it exudes a unique charm. This distinct design, combined with its sturdy construction and high-quality materials, results in a timepiece that offers an enjoyable, gratifying, and versatile character. Nothing like your typical Seiko watch!

A Little More About The History Of Your Favourite Alpinists

The first one, Laurel Alpinist, was designed for Japanese mountaineers, known as Yama-Otoko. It had:

• Highly legible, luminous hands
• A waterproof screw-down case back
• A domed acrylic glass for durability in rugged conditions

Despite its non-sporty appearance, it housed the robust Seikosha manual movement with Diashock shock protection and 17 jewels. Further, this offers great accuracy and shock resistance for its time.

Seiko introduced the Alpinist Champion in 1963 to cater to mountain climbers' needs. This mighty rendition featured a redesigned look with a light-centered dial and square-shaped, applied hour markers.

The “Red Alpinist” In The 1990s And Then The 2006 Series

After a 30-year hiatus, the Alpinist returned in the 1990s by introducing the "Red Alpinist" under the Prospex line.

In 2006, the SARB Alpinist series was introduced, drawing design cues from the "Red Alpinist." These models were equipped with the caliber 6R15 Automatic Diashock 23 Jewel movement, offering a 50-hour power reserve and 200 meters of water resistance. Moreover, notable changes included:

• The replacement of the "Alpinist" label above 6 o'clock with "Automatic" in white
• The use of a sapphire crystal
• The relocation of the date display

The SARB013 (cream dial), SARB015 (black dial), and SARB017 (green dial) became instant successes and have remained in production, showcasing the Alpinist's enduring popularity.

Wanna Know Why This Line Is So Special?

Among Seiko enthusiasts, owning an Alpinist is a badge of honor. What sets the Alpinist line apart is its remarkable diversity, which keeps giving to its collectors. The robust timepieces in this line hold a special place in the hearts of Seiko fans. These are celebrated for their distinctive design, built to withstand adventures in water, air, and on land, while also suitable for everyday business attire.

From its inception, the Seiko Alpinist received acclaim. Over the past six decades, its prestige spread beyond its original Japanese and Asian markets, forming an unexpected cult following.

Without further ado, here is the summary of the Seiko Alpinist collection that makes it truly exceptional:

• Uncompromising Quality and Durability
• Rare Collector's Pieces at Affordable Prices
• Impeccable Finishing Throughout
• Versatile Tool Watch Suitable for Any Setting
• Compact and Proportionate, Fits Comfortably on Various Wrist Sizes
• Robust Shock-Protected In-House Movement, with Updated Automatic Movements in Re-released Models
• A Vast Selection of Model Variations
• Crown Guard and Screw-Down Movement Crown with Elegant Design
• Date Display Functionality

The Seiko Alpinist's enduring appeal lies in its unwavering pledge to quality. It can offer a timepiece that remains accessible and true to its heritage.

Takeaway

The Seiko Prospex Alpinist SPB121J1 proves to be a watch that lives up to its collection’s legacy. What can be better than all of the classic characteristics but with modern technology baking them?