Seiko Prospex expands the Alpinist line with four new models

0 0 Saturday, 1 November 2025 Edit this post

Seiko expands its Prospex collection with four new Alpinist models that blend heritage design with improved technical performance.

The new references SPB503J1, SPB505J1, SPB507J1, and SPB531J1 (a blue dial version limited to 2,000 pieces for Europe) celebrate the brand’s long-standing connection to outdoor exploration, a defining theme of the Alpinist line.

The Alpinist was first introduced in 1959 as the Laurel Alpinist, created for mountain climbers and outdoor enthusiasts. It marked Seiko’s debut in sports watches, featuring a screw-down caseback for protection against dust and moisture and a durable leather strap designed to resist wear. Its dial ensured excellent legibility with luminous hands and markers and four large numerals at 3, 6, 9, and 12, recalling mountain peaks and the four cardinal points.

After a short production run in the early 1960s, the Alpinist returned in 1995 with the now-famous “Green Alpinist,” later updated in 2006. The green dial became a defining feature of the collection, representing both refinement and adventure. The model remains one of the most recognisable and appreciated Prospex watches, especially in Europe.

The SPB503J1, SPB505J1, and SPB507J1 are powered by the Calibre 6R55, marking its debut in the Alpinist collection. This automatic movement operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour, offers a 72-hour power reserve, and maintains accuracy between +25 and -15 seconds per day.

Each model includes a sapphire crystal with internal anti-reflective coating and a bi-directional rotating inner compass ring that highlights the Alpinist’s mountaineering origins.

The SPB503J1 features a teal-blue dial, a hue between blue and green, and draws inspiration from a 2003 limited edition developed with SSASS (Seven Summits Actions for Sustainable Society), the environmental organisation founded by mountaineer Ken Noguchi.

The SPB505J1 comes with a black dial, while the SPB507J1 revisits the “Green Alpinist” with a deep forest-green dial paired with a brown leather strap.

All three models feature stainless steel cases measuring 39.45 mm in diameter and are equipped with screw-down crowns and see-through casebacks engraved with a stylised mountain motif, symbolising the spirit of exploration that defines the line.

The dials feature Lumibrite-coated hands and markers for maximum readability, with a date window at 3 o’clock magnified by a lens integrated into the sapphire crystal. The SPB503J1 and SPB505J1 are fitted with stainless steel bracelets with triple folding clasps and push-button releases, while the SPB507J1 comes with a brown leather strap.

The fourth model, SPB531J1, is a limited edition of 2,000 pieces available exclusively in Europe. Its deep blue dial, with a fine vertical texture, evokes the stillness and clarity of the Alpine night sky above the Matterhorn. This version houses the Calibre 6R35, an automatic movement offering a 70-hour power reserve, with the same compass functionality and date magnifier as the other models.

This edition includes two interchangeable straps, one in navy blue leather and one in blue technical nylon, both certified by the Leather Working Group (LWG), underlining Seiko’s commitment to responsible sourcing.

All four models are water-resistant to 20 bar (200 metres / 660 feet).

The retail prices of the new Seiko Prospex Alpinist models are set at €990 for the SPB503J1 and SPB505J1, €950 for the SPB507J1, and €890 for the SPB531J1. seikowatches.com