Seiko introduced the Laurel Alpinist wristwatch in 1961 with the intention of it becoming a reliable timepiece for Japanese mountain climbers and other sports enthusiasts alike. The production of this watch was important because it was the first real attempt at making a sports watch by Seiko. Seiko Alpinist watches started being produced in 1961 and were inspired by Yama-otoko which is Japanese for mountain men. Mountains cover much of the Japanese landscape and the mountain men that worked or spent time in the mountains during their free time were supposedly the inspiration of this line of Seiko watches. These men required excellent gear that could handle the rugged terrain and that they could depend on for accuracy. 
 
The Seiko Laurel Alpinist is not only the first Alpinist but the only within the line to ever carry the Laurel name. Seiko must have considered this as a trial because the watch sat within the dressier Laurel line. Known as reference J14041, the watch featured a three-piece stainless steel case with a 17 jewel Seikosha manual movement. Offered with either a black or white dial, these are now amongst the rarest and most desirable of the Alpinist watches among Japanese collectors but also internationally after the reissue model Seiko released in 2021.
 
The watch we have on offer here is the Black dial variation.