UPDATE: 9FEB23 - I've been enjoying this watch in my collection for about 2 years now. It remains, to my eye, strikingly attractive, though, I wear it much less than other watches I own. I had a trip to the Caribbean for work and knew I'd have some beach time, so this was the watch I wore. I spent about an hour in the ocean, not diving, but just jumping waves. I made certain the crown was tightly screeed to insure it's integrity. Later that day on my way to the airport I was baffled to see the cloud inside the crystal! Water had seeped in. By the following day that cloudiness had dissipated. But still, how can a watch claiming to have water tolerance of 300 feet and being ocean themed to the max, not be waterproof just being lightly submerged? Based on this experience, I'm lowering my rating from the 5 stars I had before to just 2. It's still very attractive, and stands up to splashes and shower exposure. But it has proven very disappointing verses how it is marketed and rated. I can no longer recommend it. Below is the original review. I need to express my philosophy regarding watches before i begin. There're only a few personal items we carry every day of our lives. If chosen wisely they become almost part of us and heirlooms to pass on. I have a signet ring I bought 40 years ago, worn every day. My Mont Blanc Pen has been carried for 33 years. And for 26 years my Rolex Explorer 2 has been on my wrist almost every day, eating sleeping, swimming and traveling. I just believe buying quality enhances your existence and you don't need to drain your attention and resources replacing them every few years. I'll add that I have just an average income but believe in quality over quantity. Ok, back to the Alpina. I have been looking to purchase one additional watch lately. When I travel, I'm conscious that wearing an expensive watch can make you a target for thieves and violence. My watch is about due for a servicing also and that can mean sending it away for weeks. I wanted something bulletproof and durable, that I can shower and swim with without worry. A tool watch that can be worn with almost anything. Something elegant and simple and powerful lume was important to me. I'd decided on a Seiko Alpinist, which, checked most of those boxes. They retail around $750 and I believe will hold much of their value over time. Then I was given the opportunity to receive this Alpina. Frankly, I'd never heard of this brand so had to do a little research. It was founded in 1883 so has a long heritage. In 2002 it was acquired by Frederique Constant Co. and later in 2016 bought by the Japanese watchmaker Citizen Holdings of Tokyo. They seem to produce watches geared toward outdoor activities both in Alpine adventures as well as water activities. This watch was evidently just released on June 8th of this year. The first thing that impressed me was the depth rating to 300 meters! That's an amazing feat and would indicate quality construction. The second unavoidable thing you notice is the striking appearance. Its large and bold in size but the blue gradation of the face is very striking and to my eye extremely attractive. Frankly, I have always preferred more conventional and staid watch faces in black or white. But the look of this is undeniably arresting. Blue, of course, is reflective of its use in water. But the gradation and hue have a very calming effect I really liked. There are no frills and nonfunctional markings that I always find distracting and cluttery. The hour markings are raised and applied and circular except for the 3, 6 and 9 hours which are rectangles with the 12 being the company's triangular symbol. It's enough contrast and texture to have eye appeal. The lume is Super luminova. A quick charge and they display very strong lume in the dark. The hands are skeletonized and the rear end tip of the sweeping seconds hand has a blue triangle, I think gives just enough character and eye appeal. One repeating theme I noted in many online review of other variations of Alpina watches is that they lack a Wow factor but seem overly staid. To my eye, at least, which tends to be conservative, I think this face has loads of Wow and is extremely appealing. The bezel rotates in one direction only but strangely is blackened out completely. In reality, most people who have dive themed watches with rotating bezels probably have never used them and often have no idea how they even function. So I actually prefer that this bezel is blacked out, but question why it rotates at all. The base of the watch has a flat black matte finish I also find very attractive. The crown is protected by shoulders so you don't accidentally catch it on something which would compromise its seal against water and dust. It comes with two watch bands, and frankly I imagined I would be switching to the solid colored black that was in the box. But I like the Nato two tone strap that's attached so much I'll be keeping it on. It admittedly makes the watch much more sporty. This watch can perhaps be worn with almost anything casual, but might be less appropriate in a business setting wearing a suit. It has a very small but visible date function and thankfully it isn't covered by a cyclops feature to magnify it, that many watches including Rolex has but I think is unnecessary and makes watches look dated. (No pun intended) The movement is an AL-525 movement, based on Sellita's workhorse, the SW-200. It vibrates at frequency: 28,800 vph, so has a 38 hour power reserve. It can, of course be hand wound. The Seiko Alpinist, by contrast, has adjusted their movements to 21,600 vph which give it a power reserve of an astounding 70 hours, so you can have it off your wrist 3 full days and still be running without needing to reset the time. My reading says that this Al-525 movement, though, is a proven and reliable workhorse. My ownership has just begun, owning it less than a week. But so far, my impression is that I really love everything about this watch. It's eyecatching and unique without looking garnish or brash in any way. It has a bright, clean, simple presentation, to my eye, and the lume is fantastic. The face is large but although I don't have a huge wrist, it still looks appropriate and is both light and comfortable to wear. It might not be as versatile as the Seiko Alpinist which is more of a tool watch and less of a dive watch like this design, so that watch can be dressed up or down according to the band you swap. This has a definite casual and sporty vibe. I noticed that for every Seastrong sold, $100 is donated to the National Park Foundation. One source stated they have contributed about a million dollars thus far. I will now address my honest opinion about much of the marketing related to this Alpina model. The marketing boasts that much of the materials are made from recycled ocean plastics, both the case and the band. While that's appreciated, I'm not sure everyone wants to spend almost $1500 on a watch that's made largely of recycled plastic. The infinitesimal amount of ocean waste used here is obviously inconsequential, without sounding flippant. If this was a car body or something with substantial bulk, that might make a difference. As it is, it seems more like a conversation piece in case someone notices and asks about your watch. I don't care for hype that is insubstantial though do appreciate their contributions to the NPF. I think that rotating bezel also is unnecessary since you can barely make out the numbers on the glossy blackened bezel, so form here does not follow function. It maybe should have been stationary, though not anything to fixate about. Now for value. Is this watch worth $1450? I honestly don't know. Will it be an heirloom like my decades old Rolex? That remains to be seen, though the recycled plastic features make me hopeful but doubtful. Will it hold its value? I honestly see used Alpina watches already for sale on the internet for about a third less than their
