Seiko’s adventurer’s watch is finally equipped with a mechanically wound, time zone hopping GMT complication with the launch of the Seiko Prospex Alpinist Mechanical GMT SPB377 and SPB379 watches.
SPB377J1 - Credit Seiko
While Seiko is predominantly known for its vast range of diving watches, the field-inspired Alpinist has its own dedicated set of followers. The design dates back to the 1950’s when Seiko created a watch for Japanese mountaineers, also known as Yama-Otoko. It was released well before the brand’s first dive watch and was in fact their first interpretation of a sports watch. It was designed to be robust and resistant in both design and technology, helping Japanese explorers tackle the harsh environments of mountains.
The Seiko Alpinist has changed a lot over the years and there’s plenty of important references we could talk about, but one that seems obvious here is the Alpinist GMT that launched in 2003. Yes, the new Seiko Prospex Alpinist Mechanical GMT SPB377 and SPB379 watches aren’t the first GMT variants of the Alpinist. Twenty years ago, the Japanese watchmaker launched a rather legendary GMT model with a quartz movement. It also had a perpetual calendar and a titanium case. Checking the pre-owned market tells us these watches are still in high demand – especially the rarer 500-piece limited edition.
SPB377J1 - Credit Seiko
So that suggests the new Seiko Prospex Alpinist Mechanical GMT watches should do rather well, especially since these are the first automatic Alpinist models with dual-time complication. References SPB377 and SPB379 are a little different aesthetically to their 2003 counterpart, but that’s not to say they’re inferior. In fact, they’re handsome-looking watches and have a pleasantly more retro-inspired appearance this time round.
Let’s start with the case. The Seiko Prospex Alpinist Mechanical GMT SPB377 and SPB379 watches are engineered from stainless steel and measure to a nice size of 39.5mm wide and 13.6mm tall. They have a 200 metre water resistance thanks to a screw down crown and case back and domed sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective treatment. One feature of the case I can’t quite make my mind up on is the steel 24-hour bezel. One minute I think it would look better without it. The next, I’m reasoning it’s one of the details that lets these models stand out against those done before it. What do you think?
SPB379J1 - Credit Seiko
Reference SPB377 has a blue sunburst dial and a matching blue leather strap while reference SPB379 nominates a black dial and black leather band. Both integrate the GMT complication beautifully, pairing the large red-coloured, arrow-tipped hand alongside classic cathedral-style hour and minute hands and a needle-tipped seconds hand. All four hands are luminous to match with the luminous applied markers and numerals. The dials also present the Alpinist’s well-known compass scale on the rehaut which is controlled using the crown at 4 o’clock while the date is moved from its usual spot at 3 o’clock between the 4 and 5 o’clock marker.
The movement responsible for powering the Seiko Prospex Alpinist Mechanical GMT SPB377 and SPB379 watches isn’t anything out of the ordinary. They are powered by the Calibre 6R54 automatic winding movement, one of the brand’s newest GMT calibres to enter the Prospex collection. It has a 72 hour power reserve, frequency of 21,600vph, 24 jewels and an accuracy of -15/+25 seconds per day. The Seiko Prospex Alpinist Mechanical GMT SPB377 and SPB379 watches are reasonably priced at £990 each and are non-limited editions expected to launch in October.
SPB379J1 - Credit Seiko
The Seiko Alpinist is a watch all about exploration and travel, so why has it taken until now for that Japanese watchmaker to launch the design with a mechanical GMT movement? Honestly, I can’t say. But I’m glad they have. I think these watches are going to be widely popular in the Seiko community for a number of reasons.
They are wonderfully executed with nice case dimensions and neatly finished dials. I particularly like the blue-dialled SPB377 reference for its sunburst finish. If I could, I’d remove the modern ‘X’ shaped Prospex logo from the dial as I think this would enhance the retro aesthetic and I also wouldn’t mind seeing the date window removed or repositioned to 3 o’clock. But other than that, these are beautiful watches and the integrated of the GMT function feels natural to the Alpinist design. As always, I’d love to know what you all think so leave us your opinions in the comments below.
SPB379J1 - Credit Seiko
Specifications:
- Case Diameter: 39.5mm
- Case Thickness: 13.6mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Bezel: Steel with 24 hour scale
- Glass: Curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
- Crown: Screw in
- Case Back: Screw down, exhibition
- Water Resistance: 200 metres
- Dial: Blue sunray or black with luminous hands and numerals, compass scale
- Strap: Leather with three-fold clasp
- Movement: Calibre 6R54, in-house, automatic winding
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, GMT, date
- Power Reserve: 72 hours
- Jewels: 24
- Frequency: 21,600vph
- Accuracy: -15/+25 seconds per day
- £990
