Seiko Champion 850 Alpinist 1964

In the late 50’s, Seiko introduced its first sports watch : the Alpinist. While most of the swiss manufacturers already had a sports/outdoors range (Omega Seamaster, Longines Conquest, etc.), Seiko was quite late in this segment when it launchend the Laurel Alpinist. This Laurel is very scarce today, and I think, not very well known.
Its successor, the Champion 850 Alpinist is better known.
Belonging the Champion range, it uses the 850/851 hand wound movement. Several versions were available, the case could be made of stainless steel (J13079), chromed brass or gold plated brass (85899). The chromed and steel cases are combined with the two tones dial. That dial was first proposed without any numbers and then with the even numbers.
The gold plated version had a simpler, more sober dial with golden hour markers and hands.
After the Champion era, the Alpinist disappeared from the catalogue and reappeared quite later, in the 90’s, as a digital LCD watch and then with the quartz 8F53 and automatic 4S15 movements. In the 2000’s, Seiko renewed the Alpinist, based this time on the 6R15 calibre. This watch, the SARB017, is very popular with its green dial and golden cathedral hands. Today, the Alpinist terminology is used on many models, with various movements (Solar, Kinetic, quartz, automatic).

Präsentation

The design of this 1964 Alpinist is striking, with its two toned dial and these big dauphine hands. The case is simple, giving even more presence to the dial. With only 35,5 mm, it looks bigger on the wrist.
The watch only displays time.

Das Zifferblatt & Zeiger

Everything on that dial seems perfect to me. The font used to write Alpinist is superb, very modern. It matches well the more classical script font of the Champion range.
I especially like the pattern surrounding the centre of the dial, the grey squares cut out of the black ring, the luminous plots on the minute scale and the PM numbers.
These hands are my preferred type, these luminous dauphine are gorgeous. Finally, did you notice that kind of half circle at the tip of the second hand ? Lovely.

Der Fall

The case of this model is chromed. A better stainless steel version was available but is rarer.
The outer face of the back has the Alpinist logo surrounded by the usual mentions to the case material, the movement and case references and the water resistance. Finally, the unique serial number is engraved below the logo.
The crystal is a traditional acrylic glass, pressed on the case and held by the bezel.
The crown is “SW” signed.

Die Bewegung

The Seikosha 851 movement is inherited from the 50’s. It’s a simple calibre, reliable and cheap to maintain. It’s only weakness might be the mainspring. Generally speaking, many Champions have a broken spring when you acquire it.

Abschließend

This Alpinist has become very sought after during these last years. They are not very common, even in Japan, where they are sold for a serious price.
The thing is that I’m hypnothised by this dial. The more I look at it, the more I like it, despite its relative complexity. This model might be one of my preferred vintage Seiko.