Model: Seiko Laurel “First Alpinist” 14041
Year: 1959
Features:
The History. The inspiration for Seiko’s most famous modern series, the Alpinist, has always been debated - but I’ll try my best. In 1956, the Japanese Alpine Club were the first to summit Manaslu - a Himalayan mountain and the eighth highest peak in the world. The climbing scene had been dominated by Europe for decades, so this was a prestigious win for Japan on the global stage. And that same year, Chiharu Igaya made history by being the first Asian to win a Winter Olympic medal - Silver in the Alpine Skiing event.
The Inspiration. Shortly after both events, Seiko began work on a rugged, adventure-ready watch for the Japanese Alps. In recent history, Seiko sits on the fence, and simply describes the Alpinist as having been created for Winter Sports and Mountaineering, but I haven’t been able to find any original literature from the time that confirms it either way.
The Theory. I personally suspect Chiharu Igaya should get the credit. The Ski Association of Japan reported an “inexorable rise” in new ski clubs in the late ’50s, and they were even required to start officially certifying Ski Instructors in 1959 - clear evidence of a surging demand. Mountaineering, by contrast, didn’t see mass appeal until the ’80s and ’90s.
The Design. While it won’t look out of place when compared to modern Alpinists, the white dial is unusual for a 14041. To be clear, Seiko made both black and white variants of this watch, but the white version appears to have been discontinued within a year (if the catalogues can be trusted), resulting in the black variant making up the lion’s share of the vintage market. I suspect the higher level of contrast offered by the black dial made it easier to read and therefore a more popular choice at the time.
The Recreations. Seiko “re-created” the design with the 2021 release of the SJE085, and they also “re-imagined” it with the SPB243. Both have issues. The re-creation isn’t particularly faithful to the original, thanks to the inclusion of a very out-of-place date window - and it’s also wildly expensive with a MRSP of $2,900. The re-imagining, while more affordable, looks disappointingly modern.
Specifications:
Condition: In very good condition overall. Just serviced. All original, even the lume. Aftermarket strap and buckle. The watch shows signs of aging and wear, but nothing unusual or unpleasant for a watch this old. On aftermarket bracelet.
Scope: No box or papers
Movement: Seiko 17-Jewel Manual Wind
Dimensions:
- Case Width: 36.8mm
- Lug to Lug: 43.4mm
- Case Thickness: 11.7mm
- Lug Width: 18mm
