Seiko Prospex Alpinist GMT "110th Anniversary" automatic white dial steel bracelet 39,5 mm

The story

The Seiko story begins in 1881 when Kintaro Hattori opens a workshop in Ginza to repair and sell clocks. In 1913, his company produced Japan's first wristwatch, then continued to innovate to advance the art of watchmaking, including the first quartz wristwatch in 1969 and the revolutionary Spring Drive technology in 1999.

In 2023, Seiko celebrates the 110th anniversary of its first wristwatch with the launch of a series of commemorative timepieces, including this new Prospex watch which, like all the timepieces in the series, draws inspiration from Seiko's rich technical and design heritage.

The Pitch

In 2020, Seiko's Bestseller Alpinist joins the Prospex collection. Not wanting to change a winning team, only the X logo now affixed to the Alpinist dial marks this evolution. In 2023, Seiko revolutionizes its model by adding a GMT complication! Its "Alpinist" design is still inspired by the model first launched in 1959 for Japanese mountaineers "Yama-otoko", easily recognizable thanks to its iconic double-crown look. It's a sporty model, designed for both outdoor and everyday use. Indeed, this watch aims to be an example of durability and reliability, and offers 200-meter water resistance, making it perfect for all activities.

But one major change is noticeable: a 24-hour GMT bezel, giving it a little "Explorer" look... With its 39.5 mm diameter and 13.55 mm thickness, its proportions are pleasing. The dial has a grainy texture, with applied hour-markers, and as on the 1913 Laurel model, the bluish hands stand out against a light-colored dial. A red marker on the compass ring reinforces the link with the Laurel, while indicating the cardinal direction of north. The whole is protected by an anti-reflective domed sapphire crystal.

Finally, this watch is adorned with a fully brushed 3-link steel bracelet giving it a sporty edge that we really appreciate.

Technical side: a new GMT caliber

This Prospex Alpinist GMT embeds the brand-new self-winding Manufacture caliber 6R54. It is based on one of the Japanese firm's must-have movements, which is notably used in most of the brand's watches: the 6R35. It beats at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour and offers a comfortable 72-hour power reserve, enabling you to alternate with your other watches without having to wind it systematically. But this new caliber also brings a new function: GMT!

Its GMT hand can be set independently in one-hour increments without interrupting the local time hands, and allows the wearer to read, at a glance, the time in a second time zone.

The package

This watch dressed in its steel bracelet comes in a special case with a second brown leather strap equipped with a folding clasp. Attention this beauty is rare, only 3,000 examples will be marketed!

In brief

• A limited edition of 3,000
• An internal compass and 24-hour bezel on the outside
• A GMT complication