Seiko SPB249 Prospex Automatic Blue Dial Stainless Steel Watch

Seiko SPB249: The Alpinist Gets the Treatment It Deserves

Seiko introduced the Alpinist in 1959 for Japanese mountaineers who needed a watch that could handle serious elevation changes. The SPB249 is a modern reinterpretation that keeps the spirit while upgrading the internals—think of it as what the original would be if designed today.

The 6R35 Makes a Difference

The upgrade from the 4R35 to the 6R35 movement gives you 70 hours of power reserve instead of 41. That’s a weekend off the wrist without losing time. Still 21,600 vph and 24 jewels, but the longer reserve is genuinely useful. Accuracy runs +25/-15 seconds per day—reasonable for the price, though not chronometer territory.

Built Like a Tool Watch Should Be

At 38mm, this wears smaller than the big dive watches Prospex is known for. The 12.9mm thickness and 46.2mm lug-to-lug keep it wearable under a cuff. Curved sapphire crystal with AR coating is a welcome upgrade from Hardlex. Screw-down crown and 200m water resistance mean it’ll handle more than most will ever throw at it.

That Blue Dial

The patterned blue dial catches light at different angles. The mountain-shaped markers reference the Alpinist heritage while the LumiBrite hands and indices glow when you need them to. It’s dressy enough for an office but capable enough for the trail—exactly where the Alpinist line positions itself.

The Bottom Line

If you want Seiko’s tool watch credibility in a package that doesn’t dominate your wrist, the SPB249 delivers. The 6R35 upgrade and sapphire crystal justify the step up from the 5 Sports line. For Alpinist fans or anyone wanting a capable everyday automatic under 40mm, this is the one to consider.