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No. 508 / Seiko Champion Alpinist - 1961
No. 508 / Seiko Champion Alpinist - 1961
Item information ↓
Seiko
Champion Alpinist
Rare Model / Sector Dial / 1961
Intro
This Seiko Champion Alpinist from 1961 is an extremely attractive watch with its stunning silver sunburst sector dial.
Story
Seiko introduced the Alpinist line in 1961 with the extremely rare Laurel Alpinist. The Alpinist was inspired by the Japanese concept of “yama-otoko,” or “mountain man.” The Japanese countryside is mountainous, and amateur mountain climbing was a popular hobby. These watches were ostensibly marketed toward these adventurers.
What really makes this watch stand out from the pack is the dial. The Alpinist collection went through several different dial designs, but this model in particular is quite stunning and unique with its two-tone sector design. It is champagne/silver toned with a brown outer ring and a radial brushed finish. There are thin, printed radial lines coming from the center of the dial to each of the small, lumed hour dots. The brown outer ring is broken by a series of small rectangles, champagne silver in color, at each of the hour markers. The only exception is at twelve, where there’s a large triangle. The base end of the triangle is champagne, while the pointed end is brown and extends toward the center section of the dial.
The dial is signed “Seiko Champion” in script below the twelve, and “Diashock 17J” in blocky, italicized letters just below that. Above the six, it is signed “Alpinist” in the distinctive logo font, and “Water Proof” below that in yet another typeface. The hour and minute hands are a dauphine style with large lume-filled centers. The second hand is unique in that it has a half-moon shaped tip that tracks through the brown outer ring for contrast and easy viewing.
Detail
MODEL
Champion Alpinist
REFERENCE
CHJI3N342E
YEAR
1961
SERIAL
J13049
CASE
35mm (excl. crown), Stainless Steel
MOVEMENT
Manual
LUG
18mm
COMES WITH
Watch with new leather strap
Condition
OVERALL A Rank
CASE Great Condition
CRYSTAL Great Condition
DIAL Little Patina
HANDS Little Patina
MOVEMENT Great Condition
ACCURACY 10 Sec. / day (12 Hr. Timegrapher Test)