An Iconic Watch: The Seiko Prospex "Alpinist" Watch

Every once in awhile, it's fun to search for iconic watches that you read about in watch articles and see posted about in watch communities. I like to see if they are watches that I can aspire to own or that would be appealing to me. One such watch is the Seiko Prospex "Alpinist." I've seen it mentioned as a more affordable alternative to watches like the Rolex Explorer. While it shares tool watch or field watch mission of great watches like the Explorer, the Seiko Alpinist does it in its own style and with its own heritage. This is the first Alpinist that I found on Amazon. It is the SPB121J1 and it has the green dial, sapphire crystal, date cyclops, and a very cool internal rotating compass bezel that can be used in combination with the hour hand for navigation. You can find this great watch here on Amazon. As of this writing, it comes in around $600. For me, it's certainly a high price, but not unattainable.

Seiko Alpinist SBJ121J1 (Amazon Photo)

There is a second Seiko Alpinist list on  Amazon.  It comes with a stainless steel band and a deep blue dial. The look is a bit more contemporary that the classic green and gold combo of our first example. The model for this one is SPB117J1. It's a tough choice between the two, but the SPB117J1 is about $100 to $150 more than the leather strap model. This watch also has an exhibition caseback.

Seiko SPB117J1 (Amazon photo)

It's hard to believe that the Seiko Prospex Alpinist has evolved from the 1959 Laurel Alpinist--a watch that was aimed at Japan's own mountain men. Like the Explorer, this watch line has evolved with the times. If you'd like to take a look at this version of the Alpinist, bang it here to visit the Amazon listing. 

The eXtract: COSC Standards for Watch Accuracy

[This article is based on my X posts exploring COSC-certified watches.]

There are standards bodies for timepiece accuracy and I've been looking into them. The Swiss watch certification body, Contrôle officiel suisse des Chronomètres (COSC) certifies the accuracy of mechanical and quartz chronometers by testing each individual watch that is submitted to them by manufacturers.

COSC Mechanical Chronometer Standards

For example, to earn the Swiss COSC Chronometer certification, a mechanical (usually automatic) watch must have precision of -4/+6 seconds per day.  Rolex, Omega, Mido,Tudor, and Tissot submit the most watches for COSC certification. 

Here is a COSC-certified Mido Commander Chronometer on Amazon. At around $1300, the Mido Commander isn't cheap.  But, it's also not out of the realm of a possibility for someone determined to save and get a really accurate watch.

A Mido Commander COSC-certified chronometer (Amazon photo)

COSC Quartz Chronometer Standards

To earn a COSC certification, a quartz watch has to be accurate to + or - 0.07 seconds per day. It also has to meet standards for accuracy under various temperature and humidity conditions as outlined here on the COSC website. 

A good example of a COSC certified quartz watch is the Certina DS Podium. It's an attractive, accurate watch and it's available for less than $500! If you'd like to check this one out, here it is on Amazon.

Certina DS Podium Quartz COSC-certified Chronometer (Amazon Photo)

Finally, men aren't the only ones with watch bragging rights. This Certina DS Action Lady Diamonds women's watch has the COSC-certified performance brawn of a Precidrive quartz movement to back up its beauty. You can find it here on Amazon.

Certina DS Lady Diamonds

Other watch certifying bodies include the Geneva Seal, the Besançon Observatory, METAS, and the Fleurier Quality Foundation. Chopard and Vacheron Constantin certify watches via the Geneva Seal. For affordable COSC-certified chronometers, check out my post--

TGIF: Three Attainable COSC-certified chronometers.

Watch Wearing Wednesday: Nautica N/83 Signal Flag Watch with Yellow Strap

Spring is almost sprung here in the Southeastern United States. The cherry trees and dogwoods are beginning to bloom and maple trees are beginning to bud. It might be too early to wear a watch with a bright yellow silicone strap, but I'm going for it.

Nautica N/83 Strap Watch with Silicone strap

This is usually my summer and beach watch as you can see from my last posting on it back in July of 24. Since fashion watches change quickly, this one is long gone from Amazon warehouses. However, if it inspires a quest, the model number is NAPGCS004. I like the Nautica brand because it creates consistently styled watches that are fun and go well with casual attire. You can see Nautica watches for men here on Amazon.

TGIF: Three Attainable COSC Certified Chronometers

What is COSC?

Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres(COSC) is one of the main bodies that certifies the accuracy of Swiss watches. For an automatic watch to be certified as a chronometer, it has to be accurate to losing up to 4 seconds or gaining up to 6 seconds per day (-4 to +6 seconds). That's just a 10 second spread for a mechanical device. Watches are individually tested and certified on behalf of the manufacturers. You can find some of these COSC certified watches on Amazon at somewhat attainable price points. Here are some of the COSC certified watches that I found on Amazon at prices between $600 and $1700.

Certina Action DS

Certina has been making watches since 1888. In 1959, they came up with the DS concept for extreme shock resistance. That tradition continues with the current DS line.

The Certina Action DS Chronometer (Amazon photo)

The Certina Action DS is a diver-style watch with 300 meters of water resistance. However, the manufacturer cautions that while it is  suitable for swimming, but not diving or snorkeling. The watch has a 43mm diameter case that is 13.67mm thick. As of this writing, it is regularly priced at just less than $650. You can find it here on Amazon. 

Tissot Heritage Automatic 1938 COSC

If you are looking for a classic vintage watch style with a very price automatic movement, the Tissot Heritage Automatic 1938 COSC might be the choice for you. It has all the style of an old school field watch and comes in several dial colors. This one is pink, but I prefer the black or white dial options.

Tissot Heritage Automatic 1938 COSC

This Tissot has a 39mm case that is 11.1mm thick. This watch retails for less than $850.  You can find it here on Amazon.

Mido Ocean Star Diver 600

If you want a real dive watch with 600 meters of water resistance and an 80 hour power reserve, the Mido Ocean Star Diver might be a good choice. 

This watch has a 43.5mm diameter case that is 14.55mm thick. As of this writing, it's 30% off bringing it down to below $1300. You can find it here on Amazon.

None of these watches are cheap, but they are all tested to the highest standards of mechanical accuracy. While you do pay a premium for these watches, they are all considerably more affordable than a Rolex. To read more about the certification process, here is the COSC website.

Watch Wearing Wednesday: A Geoffrey Beene Quartz Watch with Decorative Subdials.

Here's a Geoffrey Beene Quartz watch that I've been wearing lately. We recently found it in some stuff we had packed away. It was just $22 at Burlington. The subdials are non-functional decorations, but it does have a working date and a stainless steel caseback.

Geoffrey Beene Quartz Watch

The thing about a watch like this is that it shows that you don't need to spend a whole bunch of money on a watch for daily wear. There are plenty of bang around watches for $50 or even less.

The eXtract: Affordable Modern Watches with Small Seconds

[This article is based on my X posts exploring affordable Small Seconds watches. I found a new watch and added to the three I posted on X.]

Today, we're all used to a long second hand but, back in the days of yore, watches often had a small subdial with a second hand. The Elgin pocket watches that helped keep the trains running on time are a great example of watches with small seconds.

A Mounted Elgin Pocket Watch

You can still find the small seconds subdial on a variety of fine watches.  For example, the Rolex 1908 has a small seconds dial. But, let's take a look at some current small hands seconds watches that we can actually afford.

Tactical Frog Militado D12 36mm

Tactical Frog Miltado D12 (Amazon Photo)

The Tactical Frog Militado D12 (left) has the vintage military look with a 36mm case diameter. The watch offers 100 meters of water resistance and is powered by a Japanese VD78 quartz movement. Priced at well under $100, it's a great deal.

Some reviewers have said that this watch is for smaller wrists so don't be surprised if you need to get a longer watch strap.

You can find the Tactical Frog Militado D12 watch here on Amazon.

Baltany WW2 Field Watch

Baltany WW2 Field Watch

If you are looking for a larger case size, the Baltany S2081 WW2 Men's Field watch with small seconds and a date function features a 39mm diameter stainless steel case, an automatic movement, and a cleverly disguised date window at the 6 o'clock position within the small seconds subdial.

Baltany is well known for high quality Rolex Explorer-inspired homage watches that the watch community raves about and this field watch should be of a similarly high standard. For less than $200, it seems like a great deal for an attractive watch. You can find the Baltany WW2 Field Watch here on Amazon.

Timex 40mm Standard Sub Second Watch

Timex 40mm Standard Sub Second Watch
( Amazon photo)

For another more contemporary small hands watch look, the Timex 40mm Standard Sub Second watch blends new and old for a bold look. Powered by a quartz movement, this Timex is also surprisingly affordable at less than $100! You can find a limited supply of this Timex here on Amazon.

This watch is quite appealing because it renders old new again. I think the smooth case shapes and silver-toned subdial look both to the past and the future.

Orient Bambino, Version 7, Small Hands Watch

Orient Bambino, Version 7,
Small Hands Watch, (Amazon Photo)

Finally, for many, this small hands look cries out for an automatic movement and a truly vintage look. The 38.4mm Orient Bambino, Version 7, delivers both in a beautiful watch from a brand with a long heritage. It also comes in at an affordable price. 

The watch has an in-house Orient F6222 automatic movement that can hack and be hand-wound. It has a stainless steel case and a domed mineral crystal. The watch comes in a few combinations with the white dial shown being the most affordable and the slightly more expensive black dial being a little more dramatic. 

You can find this Orient Bambino, Version 7, Small Hands watch here on Amazon.

Sharp Watch Shout Out: The Venezianico Redentore Bronzo

I found another amazing watch on the Venezianico watches website. This one is the Venezianico Redentore Bronzo or Venetian Redeemer Bronze. Isn't it beautiful?

Venezianico Redentore Bronzo (Venezianico website image)

It's just an amazing looking 40mm watch with a hand-aged antique bronze finish.  It's powered by a Miyota 9039 Automatic movement and it has sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating. The front of this watch is enough to earn it an instant sharp watch shout out! But, wait until you see the etched caseback!

The Horses of St. Mark captured on a
Venezianico Redentore Bronzo Caseback
(Venezianico website image)

Venezianico is taking pre-orders for this watch now.  The price is set at about $750. That's a very attainable price point for a dream watch like this. Unfortunately, I may have to do some plotting, planning, and scheming to get this one. But, if you can afford it, this looks like a very special timepiece. You can visit it here on the Venezianico website.