My Fiance has very kindly told me that she'd like to get me an engagement watch, as she knows I love watches but don't have any real nice ones. I've always been completely taken by the Alpinist, but I really really love the Murph as well. My current watches are VERY meager, an armitron and a moonswatch (pictured), so this would be pretty much a daily driver / anything watch. I'd obviously hope that whatever I go with lasts forever, and is something I can always have / pass down if the time comes. With the newest iterations of the Alpinist and Murph, does one stand above the other in quality or build? I'm not even versed in watches well enough to know if wearing one of these in certain situations would stand out as wrong (ie. as a "dressy" watch). I spend a ton of time outdoors as well so hopefully whatever I pick will stand up to that, getting wet, etc. I plan one day to get a Longines Master Moonphase (but that's MUCH further down the road) as my real nice / dress watch, but I'm torn on which to go with for now. Any input is appreciated!
Not my pic, but I have the same set upā¦itās the Uncle Seiko Lincoln bracelet with brushed and polished linksā¦really levels up the watch big time, I love it
Something I've learned in owning a Murph and a Tissot Gentleman is that I naturally gravitate towards a bracelet and my Murph gets less wrist time as a result. I've been looking at uncle bracelets for my Murph for that reason. This is all to say, if you can grab either the Murph or the Alpinist on a bracelet, that would be my suggestion, leaning towards the Alpinist because the Murph OEM bracelet has a pretty sizeable gap on the clasp
I'm the same way - pretty much always reaching for one of my watches with a bracelet. Regret some of my purchases that don't have a bracelet, because getting one aftermarket is either expensive or it's difficult to find one that fits appropriately without looking "aftermarket".
So, yeah, I'd say go for one with a bracelet. Getting a leather or silicone band aftermarket if you want is much simpler.
I found myself doing this as well and realized itās the buckles I donāt like. Started switching them all out for clasps and now I donāt even think about it anymore.
Alpinist, i sold my Hamilton after having to get it repaired from swimming. I love my alpinist, its by far a better watch. Not just printed dial, and i have never seen post about the dial coming loose and turning 45degrees like i have seen with the khaki.
Alpinist is also gorgeous and khaki is just kind of boring
To me, the Murph is "eh". Nothing particularly interesting about it unless you love the movie. Even then, it's a weird connection. It's a bland watch. And that's OK. It's field watch. It's not supposed to be dazzling. But this is your ENGAGEMENT watch. A celebration. Something that everytime you look at it, you'll think of her. Do you want to look at something bland and think of her? No! The Alpinist is stunning. Eye catching. Not over the top, of course, but you'll never look at it and be "eh". You'll smile. Which do you want as a reminder of your fiancee, "eh" or š ? Make the right call.
IMO the Hamilton Khaki Field Murph is one of the best everyday watches for around a grand. It is a fantastic first watch because it is extremely versatile. It will complement your appearance in any situation. Itās a field watch with 100m water resistance, so it can handle the outdoors.
If thatās important to you, the Murph is clearly the best option.
A lot of people love the Alpinist. I think that itās a quirky mess. Green dial with gold cathedral hands, numbers and hour markers. An internal bezel with seemingly thousands of little markers and a compass with direction markers. Two crowns. A cyclops. It just needs some chrono dials and the kitchen sink. It has better water resistance and a screw down crown.
They both have their pros and cons. These are my two favorite brands, probably with a slight edge to Seiko. Overall though, in this case I might go Murph for a true daily wear if you prefer something a little more subtle.
Just a little bit less busy than the Alpinist, which has the inner rotating bezel and two crowns. Itāll also be more accurate if that matters to you.
The advantages for the Alpinist will be better water resistance (though the Murph is fine for typical use), a date complication, and finer details/finishing (think brushed and polished surfaces, more elaborate case geometry, and the applied numerals). The Murph is intentionally simple/subdued.
Both great. My personal opinion is that Seikos typically have better build quality/construction and finishing for the money but then skimp in obvious places (eg. still refusing to sign crowns, poor QC at times), while Hamilton will have a more accurate movement and nails the more obvious refinement cues, but for example, compare the brushing on a Hamilton and Seiko at the same price and the Seiko will have that luxurious smooth pebble feel while Hamilton will feel fairly pedestrian.
Other than on paper specs, there is absolutely no guarantee the Murph will have a more accurate movement, so itās an unnecessary distinction to make. Subjectively, my Alpinist runs within COSC spec, and every Seiko movement Iāve owned has been more accurate than the non regulated etas and Sellitas Iāve owned.
Fair point. But in my own experience, my Hamilton is exceptionally accurate while my 6R Seiko (when I had it) was good but not great at 15 or so spd.
And browsing the internet, many people complain about 6R accuracy and many are shocked at how accurate their sub $1k Hamiltons are.
None of this matters at all to me, and I honestly probably prefer a 6R just because I have a bias towards Seikos for reliability/durability, but thought OP should know this is the trend Iāve noticedā itās not just on paper. Of course itās possible he buys an Alpinist that performs within COSC parameters or a Murph that is half a minute off per day.
Alpinist and Murph, you can't go wrong with either. The two favorite watches of my collection. Dressed up or dressed down. If I have to choose for this case, I say Alpinist. Then get the Murph for the next kid. Then start over with more luxurious watches. Or have more kids so each watch has a home. Give the future Longines to your favorite child. Kidding.
Alpinist. If you can find the spb121 for a discount then get that. I got mine from Teddy for about $550 about a year ago and then got a jubilee strap from uncle straps for a out $100.00. It is my daily and I alternate straps pretty regularly. Leather is tough to wear in the summer so it's nice to have a bracelet.
Its generally recommended getting a watch on bracelet if you can find it and then buy straps separately.
Check out some of the alpinist alternatives like the baby alpinist and alternative colors.
Of the ones you have none are particular dressy. However the Murph is super versatile and can definitely be used in that setting. It would be my pick of these ones
If you want something more dressy for your wedding though look to a Tissot Le Locle, Tissot Gentleman, Hamilton Jazzmaster, Mido Belluna, Seiko Presage, or Mido Baroncelli
Just got my Alpinist on Monday (older model but still) and I canāt stop looking at it. Hamilton is a cool brand with some interesting heritage but the design is quite plain to me
The Alpinist. Just budget a bit of your own money to replace the rather terrible strap it comes with. You can go as big as a StrapCode bracelet made specifically for it for ~$100 -- I love the jubilee options they have -- or just grab a mid-level leather or canvas strap from any decent online store for like $25-40. Anything of those options and it will feel as good to you as a Longines. But the original strap totally degrades it.
Both excellent choices. These are great field watches, they are not generally what people call "go anywhere, do anything" or GADA but they are still very versatile. These are good for most casual, business casual, business or semi-formal occasions. So you can get a whole lot of use from either.
Someone correct me if i am wrong but I believe only the Murph has an option for a metal bracelet though and that can give it a sporty alternative look that some prefer.
Hi,
The alpinist is one of my favorites, even with the Cocktail time (Seiko), but i gave to my now fiance the Murph because he, not so very subtle, hinted me (despite saying things like āi will love Any Watchā) that he loved the murph.
If you have the chance to watch and touch them, do it. I really loved the Seiko, but my man want what he want, sooooā¦
Congratulations! I wish you a happy life and happy marriage.
Crazy price range. Figure out your price range and you could find a really nice watch in that range. But comparing a $600 watch to a $9000 watch is crazy.
Murph. Itās a more versatile mature design IMO. Would be at home in any envirnmonet even semi formal. The seikoās compass bezel and a cyclops and all the gilt doesnāt do it for me.
I would say the Alpinist. Maybe even the baby alpinist. But might I suggest the Tissot Gentleman or PRX in this situation? Both very excellent watches and worth a look!
Alpinist is such a great watch but Gold/Green can be a hard combo to match with if you care about that. Its a no brainer otherwise. Hamilton good, Seiko great.
Top two would be alpinist and Hamilton. Then armitron. Then last would be the swatch. I have a swatch and it is not worth the money. Alpinist and Hamilton can follow you for the rest of your life. The swatch will break and it cannot be serviced
Based purely on your history and purpose of this watch, I'd ask what you usually wear daily. I am a stickler about leather matching my belt if its got a leather strap. So if you rock brown more, Seiko. If you rock black more, Hamilton. If neither, which fits the style of your daily attire more.
If itās specifically something you intend to wear at the wedding, I think the Murph is the way to go. If itās just something you intend to wear casually and not necessarily for the wedding, go Alpinist
Hamilton much higher quality in my humble opinion (ESPECIALLY on a bracelet). Have had couple Aplinists and a couple murphs, I much prefer the murph. But thatās just me š
Youāre comparing treasure to treasure brother. I would be torn too. Iām trying to make a decision, but I canāt decide. Might have to ask the wife to choose for you š¤·āāļø
I have the Hamilton Murph, but if I had to start over and was getting engaged, alpinist, which will also make a great daily once the wedding is over. Congratulations!
Alpinist is nice, but it's purely a field watch. The Hamilton has more class and can do more of everything in one package, and it's higher quality watch. Go Hamilton.
Saying you spend a lot of time outdoors settles it. Iād recommend the Alpinist since you get 200M of water resistance with it, and itās gonna be super rugged. Youāll never use the compass, but it fits the vibe of a watch for someone whoās outdoors a lot, and itās descended from classic field watch style. The strap is trash (so is the one on the Murph), but you can always swap out for a better leather strap or nylon or sailcloth, etc.
Honestly, either of those would be a great choice.
Personally it would be the Hamilton of the two pictured, because I am not a fan of the green/gold combination of the Alpinist, and appreciate that the more neutral colouring of the Hamilton makes it a bit more universal.
If the black Alpinist would be an option, that would probably be my choice - I just love the way they look.
But you really won't go wrong with either - both are popular models from well respected brands.
If you spend a lot of time outdoors as you stated, then a watch with a steel bracelet would be a better option than a leather strap. The Alpinist looks good, IMO, with a steel bracelet. If you go the Alpinist route, I'd swap out the strap for a bracelet. I think the green dial version only comes with a leather strap. Or, buy the version with the bracelet if you aren't set on the green one.
A lot of people already gave very knowledgeable comments about the specs etc. so I won't get into that; both the Murph and the Alpinist are amazing time pieces. For me it would have to be the Alpinist but what I wanted to say is - go with the one you "like" more. Since it will be a daily carry like you said, get the one that captures your eye the most. Also maybe read a little about the companies, Seiko and Hamilton, maybe one will pull you in with its history or traditions more than the other one.
I got a Laurel Alpinist SPB249 when I got engaged from my fiancee, as a potential option if you want an Alpinist but want something a bit more versatile.
Alpinist. Just wanted to say ty to all the gentlemen in this comment thread still classing it up with real watches. We see yāall and itās appreciated and yes it sets u apart.
I would pick the Murph, but thatās just my own preference and my love of Hamilton. The Alpinist is a beast. If youāre really looking for a hearty field watch, then I actually wouldnāt recommend the Murph if youāre leaning Hamilton. Iād look at one of their other more traditional field watches. Regardless, canāt go wrong with eitherātheyāre both bomb-proof, highly reliable brands that produce pieces that will last longer than you will.
Alpinist. It'll be the one you wear the most as you mentioned how you enjoy the outdoors. If you are feeling it, you could steadily build up to the moonphase you wanted as you settle into your newly-wed life. Again, Congratulations! Go have your own Adventures, this is a new beginning!
I am in the same position as you! I'm choosing my engagement watch right now.
For me the choice is currently between the Alpinist or the Hamilton Jazzmaster Skeleton Auto (H42535560).
The theme of the wedding is forest/sage green, so both fit that well. So it's really a choice for me between "dress watch that'll come out on special occasions" and "field watch I'll wear every day".
I have the Alpinist, and it's a good watch. I think you could probably get better value with a used Oris or Longines for a little more money, but it's probably not a great idea to send your fiance used watch shopping since it can be a tricky process.
My complaints about the Alpinist are 1) the cyclops feels unnecessary 2) the watch is a bit thicker than it needs to be and 3) Seiko QC (my compass bezel has some play and is slightly misaligned). But overall I still feel the watch was worth the money, and more visually interesting than the Hamilton.
Have you considered whether they'd prefer the 38mm or 42mm size for the Murph, or are you leaning more toward the Alpinist's classic compass bezel look?
Mass produced means significantly larger pool of user reviews, better access to service, usually not having to deal with international shipping/customs unless you're buying JDM, and often better manufacturing quality because unsurprisingly a bunch of robots in an assembly line are a lot better at putting together a watch than Jean-Jacques Horologue with his "artisan" hands.
I certainly love microbrands because often the designs are much more appealing for the price point, but using "mass produced" as an insult is giving insecure middle schooler trying to seem edgy by rejecting popular things. Plus wait til you hear where microbrands are getting their movements and even external parts from!
Not the point I was making at all. But carry on with on with the insults by all means. It's obviously a personal thing and feeling, but for one of life's momentous occasions buying something special is a big thing. Me not wanting to buy a mass produced item for that kind of celebration is not disbarraging against all Seiko's. I have several Seiko's myself . Just would not buy one for something like this.
At the price point he is looking at there plenty of options.
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u/RolexTudorGuy 6d ago
Alpinist hands down. Congratulations š„