The SARB059, also nicknamed ”Alpinist”, is a discontinued member of the
Prospex family. At first glance you might mistake it for a SKX-diver because of
the similar case design but it has a couple of own details, like the dial,
handset, chapter ring, bezel, crown and movement, that makes it unique. I loved
the quality. It felt solid and the bracelet was really comfortable. I hate all
the heavy aftermarket steel bracelets. They’re not even close to Seiko’s own
quality. Just chunky, thick and uncomfortable. I especially liked the bezel on
the SARB059 which had a much nicer design than the SKX’s. But the chapter ring
is what makes this watch stand out. It is filled with ground to air emergency
codes; hence the connection to the Alpinist nickname. The dial had a sunburst dark
petroleum green tone to it (even though it looks black in all my pictures)
which looked very nice in the sun. The 6r15-movement ran great as they always
do. A great survival/adventure beater!
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| #164 - The Seiko SARB059 a.k.a. Alpinist. |
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| I wasn't able to catch that green dial. |
Back in early 2013 when I bought mine, and when you could buy these new,
the used price was around $300 but nowadays you got to be prepared to pay up
somewhere between $600-800. I would easily say it is $300-400-fun but not
$600-800-fun. It is a great Seiko, don’t get me wrong, I just think you can get
more watch for that kind of money.
© All pictures by a Watch
Flipper's Diary unless noted.
