Which Alpinist?

Stripey · May 13, 2022

desertwanderer
Do you mean the compass? Which is supposed to move. Its weak point i find is that its a little too free moving. Would have liked to see a slight ratchet introduced really so once you had set it against the sun it stayed where it is unless you chose to move it using the 2nd crown. i find i catch it currently when i wind or move the watch around. Its a weak point but then again im not sure when i will really use the compass in anger given the fact we all have mobile phones and normally know where we are going.

It's not that it moves. It's that if, say, you line up North with 12, the other main points of the compass don't necessarily line up perfectly with 3, 6 and 9. I see this in nearly every photograph I see of this watch. Looking online, it seems that quite a few people are dissatisfied with it for that reason. I don't get this issue on my Seiko Flightmaster. But the QC for what may not be a luxury watch, but definitely isn't "cheap" is not great.

desertwanderer · May 13, 2022

Stripey
It's not that it moves. It's that if, say, you line up North with 12, the other main points of the compass don't necessarily line up perfectly with 3, 6 and 9. I see this in nearly every photograph I see of this watch. Looking online, it seems that quite a few people are dissatisfied with it for that reason. I don't get this issue on my Seiko Flightmaster. But the QC for what may not be a luxury watch, but definitely isn't "cheap" is not great.

Ahhh ok i get you now.

Well i just checked mine and for sure with the naked eye i can see no discernable alignment issues. Now if i look at some photos i have taken and blow them up to like 10X the size of the watch then yes i may be able to see that some of the compass points or maybe 0.5 to 1 degree off.... still difficult to tell for sure as the pointers at N,S,E,W,NE,NW.... etc arent exactly the same size themselves.

Im ok that my eyes arent ever going to pick that up or worry about it.

grokas · May 13, 2022

Definitely the Laurel

Mouse_at_Large · May 15, 2022

My choice. The strap is dirt cheap ZuluDiver 😎

mrchen · May 16, 2022

Laurel alpinist is my choice but I was a little surprised to find in person that the seconds hand is gilt while the hour/minute were silver. Kind of a weird decision and would have much preferred matching hands.

desertwanderer · May 17, 2022

mrchen
Laurel alpinist is my choice but I was a little surprised to find in person that the seconds hand is gilt while the hour/minute were silver. Kind of a weird decision and would have much preferred matching hands.

I never noticed that amongst all the glitz and the shine from the dial. Interesting choice as you say although im not sure it stands out to me even if i go back and look at the pictures i took of the watch.

desertwanderer · May 17, 2022

So i ordered two replacement straps from Uncle Seiko. A rubber waffle strap which is perhaps a bit more in line with its explorer watch vibe and a president bracelet. Haven't got round to tackling the president yet as the rubber strap is just so damn comfy.