Seiko Prospex SPB245

[Tbonewalk]

just got this and must say... it is nice! My photo doesn't really capture the green dial. This is a recent model in the Alpinist family.

It has a vintage vibe, I believe it is based on the 1959 Alpinist. That means a 38mm case, which I love. I wish it was thinner, but I would say that these days, that is just not gonna happen. 12.9 ain't bad and I think the smaller case may make it appear thicker.

I don't love the case, the shape, I don't know the names of the different types, but the dial is the strong point for me.

The watch and particularly the dial, really exhibit quality. At the price of $725, and I got it for less, it is a seemingly good value. It is noticeably nicer than the cheaper Seikos, and in the world of watches, $725 is kind of modest (and I don't mean to judge anyone on how to spend their hard earned money).

The hands and indices are just really nice, the dial is a subtle green. Seiko really knows what they're doing, the seconds hand is gold and somehow or other, combined with the green dial, there is a subtle golden hue to the steel indices as well.

In a way, the watch seems a little undecided about where it belongs. I imagine the Alpinist means outdoorsy, active stuff like camping, fishing, mountain climbing, etc... but it has some bling, though not really dressy- I guess it is a modernized interpretation that is a little bit of everything and probably can be a good fit for any situation.

Real cool to me is the retro script "Automatic" on the dial. Yet, I think that along with the date, this is viewed as a negative by purists who prefer a more faithful replica and the no frills ruggedness of a sport watch.

Along with what I call the watch's defiance of categorization is the locking crown. I don't know that it is necessary on this model and certainly not needed by me. I don't know if any owner of this will be exposing it to serous interaction with water, ie, diving or hiking by rolling springs... but you will be covered if you do!

Same story with the band. It is a shiny, cordovan type (I am not sure of the watch band leather lingo types). It is dressy, but the little bit of stitching by the lug end gives it the rugged, sports watch touch to help distinguish it as an Alpinist.

I arrived at this purchase in an odd way. After all the watches I have owned, I was basically down to one watch, a 37mm Quartz Grand Seiko... which I love. And the seconds hand started jumping, meaning time for a battery change. And I was going to attend an event last night and I could not be without a watch. I knew I should always have a backup, especially if my main watch is a quartz!!!

I called a Seiko dealer I have dealt with, he carries Grand Seiko too and coincidentally lives in my neighborhood. I felt funny taking up too much of his time, and on the phone he ran off a few models. I sometimes move fast, sometimes regret it too, but made the move on this and he brought it by on his way home and I handed off the GS to him for a battery change.

Overall I am impressed and happy with the watch.

[1William]

Congratulations.

[Tbonewalk]

Originally Posted by 1william

congratulations.

thank you!

[111forza]

Cool looking watch as you say pics don’t do it justice I’d love to see it on a few different straps. Enjoy

[jswing]

Congrats. I really like these versions of the Alpinist. I've had previous versions, and am looking at the current gray/dial bracelet version. As you alluded to, it's kind of an odd duck in a way, being sort of dressy but intended as Seiko's Explorer, more or less.

[Locust]

Nice. Congrats

[Tbonewalk]

Originally Posted by 111forza

Cool looking watch as you say pics don’t do it justice I’d love to see it on a few different straps. Enjoy

Thank you, it's going good on the stock strap, it has really grown on me, and I don't do changes myself, it's kind of a hassle for me to get watches to my guy for changes.

[Tbonewalk]

Originally Posted by Locust

Nice. Congrats

thanks Mike!

[Tbonewalk]

Originally Posted by jswing

Congrats. I really like these versions of the Alpinist. I've had previous versions, and am looking at the current gray/dial bracelet version. As you alluded to, it's kind of an odd duck in a way, being sort of dressy but intended as Seiko's Explorer, more or less.

It has really grown on me! Yes, some Explorer and I think Railmaster in the watch, and that's not a bad thing lol The Gray looks really nice, I think that comes on a bracelet, but for me, I am kind of real picky about weight. I had one of the earlier versions, green with the compass and I didn't like it. I didn't like the green, this is more subtle; I'll never use or need a compass and it seemed to activate and turn with very ordinary use. This is however, more expensive as I recall. I like this one much more and also feel it is pretty good for the price. Good luck and thanks for responding!

[jswing]

Originally Posted by Tbonewalk

It has really grown on me! Yes, some Explorer and I think Railmaster in the watch, and that's not a bad thing lol The Gray looks really nice, I think that comes on a bracelet, but for me, I am kind of real picky about weight. I had one of the earlier versions, green with the compass and I didn't like it. I didn't like the green, this is more subtle; I'll never use or need a compass and it seemed to activate and turn with very ordinary use. This is however, more expensive as I recall. I like this one much more and also feel it is pretty good for the price. Good luck and thanks for responding!

Yes, I had the old green and gold one, but sold it pretty fast. To me it wasn't a great (or even good) shade of green, and the gold hardware was over the top. I also didn't care for the radial flipped #s, and the shiny strap was awful. I tried to like it but couldn't. The new gray model does come on a bracelet, and while it looks ok to me, the first thing I do with pretty much any Seiko is to take off the bracelet and pack it away in the box.

[Tbonewalk]

Originally Posted by jswing

Yes, I had the old green and gold one, but sold it pretty fast. To me it wasn't a great (or even good) shade of green, and the gold hardware was over the top. I also didn't care for the radial flipped #s, and the shiny strap was awful. I tried to like it but couldn't. The new gray model does come on a bracelet, and while it looks ok to me, the first thing I do with pretty much any Seiko is to take off the bracelet and pack it away in the box.

Wow, glad we agree on this! I was immediately disappointed with that one, the SARB017 and couldn't understand all the hoopla about it. I bought it on Amazon and immediately sent it back- can't believe it has been 5 years ago already. I recall the strap was really stiff and the watch sat like a half inch off my wrist (I guess it would have eventually broke in). I like this one much much more. Again, that one was $366, this one is almost double. But I felt the SARB017 looked kind of cheap.

[Tom5518]

Congratulations! I love the green on leather strap.

I got this one from my local AD a couple of days ago

[Tbonewalk]

Originally Posted by Tom5518

Congratulations! I love the green on leather strap.

I got this one from my local AD a couple of days ago

real nice, wow! Congratulations!!!