Prospex Alpinist GMT Green Ref. SBEJ005

Seiko introduced the Alpinist wristwatch in 1961 with the intention of it becoming a reliable timepiece for Japanese mountain climbers and other sports enthusiasts alike. The production of this watch was vital because it was the first real attempt at making a sports watch by Seiko. Seiko Alpinist watches started being produced in 1961 and inspired by Yama-Otoko, which is Japanese for mountain men. Mountains cover much of the Japanese landscape, and the mountain men that worked or spent time in the mountains during their free time were supposedly the inspiration of this line of Seiko watches. These men required excellent gear that could handle the rugged terrain and that they could depend on for accuracy.

Seiko Prospex Alpinist GMT Green Ref. SBEJ005

Original Alpinist hour markers and hands set

Beautiful case with internal rotating bezel

Since the new generation of professional tool watches in the Prospex line gets the “X” emblem on the dial side, along the new “GMT” wording in red to match with its GM hand. The Alpinist kept all the golden applied hour markers and handset, keeping the original look of the coveted SARB017.

The main traits of what this the “Japanese Explorer” has to be its internal rotating bezel, which doubles up as a compass for the mountain climbers which the watch was intended for and is operated by rotating the second crown at 4 o’clock.

The Alpinist GMT comes paired with the 20mm black calf leather strap with matching stitchings, enhancing a certain vintage touch of yesteryears.

Seiko luminous glows brightly in the dark

Summing things up, the all-new Seiko Alpinist GMT is a first for Seiko but its spirit came a long way since 1961, springing up from the ever modest beginning as an entry-level sporty explorer watch to become a concurring horological marvel in continuation with the livery today. It’s not difficult to know where Seiko took the inspiration from, greenery of the mountain range of Japan, in line with the Alpinist concept with the much-needed upgrades that all of us in agreement terms of its value proposition.

Video is not available