Seiko Alpinist SPB121

“Seiko has become pretty notorious for QC issues. And yet, they get a pass from many people because they're Seiko. Those same QC issues in any other brand would be greeted with derision, while Seiko's QC issues are greeted with a shrug of the shoulders. I own three Seiko watches. My SARB017 Alpinist has the same compass bezel issue. It also has such a loose bezel crown that if you breathe on it the compass moves. It really makes the complication pretty useless. Fortunately, my version did not come with a cyclops, so I don't have that problem. The leather strap that came with the watch is so awful that I've never used it. I replaced it immediately. My SKX019 has the standard issue misaligned Seiko dive bezel. The jubilee bracelet that came with it was the worst bracelet on any watch I've ever bought, and that includes the Invicta Pro Diver I use as a beater. As with the Alpinist, I removed the poor quality bracelet and replaced it with the Seiko rubber strap for the SKX, that I bought in addition. That too was a big mistake, as the Seiko rubber strap is very stiff and poor quality. It is also now on a third party strap. My third Seiko is a 1990ish quartz world timer with alarm. No real issues with that watch, made back in the day when Seiko was actually Seiko. I too won't be buying any more Seiko watches, as is really nothing in their product line that doesn't come with a huge potential for QC issues. I like some of their Presage line for the dials, but their prices overall have increased well beyond the value that they represent. Microbrands and some lower end Swiss brands, such as Glycine and Tissot, provide far better value. And when you start to look at the more expensive divers in their collection, you can easily get better value and quality from Christopher Ward and others. I think that at the higher price point of Seiko, there are more compelling quality and value watches out of Switzerland. At the low end price point, there's pressure from Chinese brands and other micro brands. I'm not really sure where the value proposition is for Seiko. Seiko has been resting on its laurels, producing watches with obvious QC issues while raising prices over the past several years. Regardless of whatever legacy they supposedly have, when I buy a watch I'm buying aesthetics, quality and value, not legacy, and it's just not there with Seiko.”