Double Unboxing! Double Regret? Seiko 'Willards' SPB151 + SPB153 

Seiko is awesome. Very few companies allow you to buy a thousand dollar lottery ticket.

Battle of the Willards: Seiko vs Chinese Specials homages, you need to make it happen just like the Submariner homage comparison. Thanks Jody.

That price!The Horror..the Horror!😂

5:30 My problem with a 1000$ Seiko is that it looks like any 200$ Seiko. Also a pin and collar bracelet is a shame for this price.

Can`t wait for the Seiko vs STEELDIVE Willard video !!!

Never. Not at half the price. Seiko has balls...

Seiko are the only brand where homage versions of their watches are the sensible and often recommended option. Fanboys only for this one.

I really like Seiko. That said an out of the box citizen diver of 300$ is never a lottery ticket nor off beat and they run flawlessly.

The Willard is one watch that I prefer with rubber straps. The stainless bracelet looks like it came from another, non-dive, watch.

A Seiko where everything lines up?!? Huh, are you sure it's not fake? lol

Seiko, Seiko, Seiko. A thousand bucks and you still can't get it right. 😢

I've bought the blue willard for 1600 usd (such a price in my country) and i'm completely satisfied. I put seiko 5, the turtle and the willard together on a table and saw the noticeable difference. Willard looks like a high quality watch. Even my wife who knows nothing about watches told the willard is probably the most expensive one. In the same time it is the smallest watch. Even in comparing with seiko 5 the bezel of the willard looks a bit smaller. If u buy blue willard u get additional silicon strap, 6r35 caliber with 70 hours of moving, sapphire, diashield (it works), a piece of history and personal number of yours limited edition watch. Does it worth it? I'm sure it does. Thats why i buy watches. But if u want "just a not overpriced watch" u can buy Mi band or something like that. It's also telling the time.

Bought a SteelDive 1970 Willard homage a month ago. Been my daily beater & I cannot endorse it enough. With an NH35 movement, it is essentially a Seiko. Highly recommended!

I’ve been in two minds over this watch. I’ve got the SteelDive version and just love wearing it but it’s always in the back of my mind it isn’t a seiko . Watching both your videos now on this has pretty much convinced me it’s not worth a thousand quid. I’m going to stick with the homage. It’s got a seiko movement in it anyway and the bezel is ceramic where’s the seiko is aluminium. Plus that reading on the Timegrapher is shocking. A thousand pounds? I don’t think so. Thanks for helping me make my mind up. Excellent video.

Extremely happy with mine. Runs perfect (0 +/- spd). Everything lines up. I think the bracelet is decent too but like it on an uncle Seiko rubber best.

I'm wearing the Steel Dive Willard as I'm watching this. Maybe I just lucked out, but it's pretty amazing for $100.

Love the history behind this model and they fit very nicely to wrist, I just dont think I'd ever want to own one myself!

Congratulations for another great unboxing video ! I always appreciate when you put the watch on the timegrapher, one of the aspects that sets you apart from the dozens of youtubers that keeps mumbling their thoughts on the watch with few or any useful information.

The design is absolutely wonderful.. thanks Seiko. I have four of Steeldives homages to the 6105. Black, blue, green and a black/bronze. I've had them for a couple of months. Only problem is from day to day deciding which of them to wear 😃 absolutely wonderful. I don't own a seiko original. Thanks for the video, good as usual. 👍🌟🌟🌟

Not a fan of Seiko’s, but I am a big fan of Citizen dive watches.

Thanks for the honest review- you helped me dodge a thousand dollar bullet!

I had both. Both are beautiful, flawless, the polish of the steel is unlike anything I've seen (I think it's the Dia-shield, which I can vouch works great). I put the bracelet on the green one and kept it, but flipped the black one as I honestly preferred my Merkur because: IMHO, the indices reflect better so that the dial looks more iconically "6105-ish" to me (I think the size difference partially accounts for it, and the heightened polish too) and, for some weird reason, the black on the dial looks faded, and I don't mean very dark gray, it just looks like Seiko tried to make it look aged or something. And they're all like that so it is apparently intentional. Yet, no "faux patina" on the markers. Not sure what they were thinking there. The sunburst olive green on the "hulk" version is beautiful, though, and the indices show up better and the bracelet is possibly the best Seiko has ever made, giving my Marinemaster 300 bracelet a run for its money. Only minor complaint is that the end links aren't solid.

Awesome review! I have the SPB237J1 and Ive been wearing it for almost 2 months straight, witch is unusual for me since i tend to change watches daily. I love the NATO strap's that comes with it. Only issue with it is that it wears a little high on the wrist since the NATO strap is thicker then the straps I am used to. I have been lusting for a SPB153J1, the olive green basel and dial is amazing and the rubber strap make the watch hug the wrist really nice. Keep the Seiko reviews coming!

I’ve had a San Martin homage,with signed crown for a year and a half now that I thoroughly enjoy. Royal blue on a jubilee bracelet. Cheers.

I just got the Steeldive "Willard" recently for £89. It's really good, very happy with it.

I was hoping/waiting for "Heeelllloooo and welcome to Just Two More Willards!" lol

Only have one Seiko in my collection. It was a gift from my girlfriend, awesome little quartz chronograph. For some reason every time I’m thinking about getting a Seiko for myself, something else beats it out!

Thanks Jody for a great review! This review has pointed out and reaffirmed why I have not given Seiko a purchase in well over a year. Of the more than 15 watches that I purchased this year three or more would’ve been Seiko in the past. Less-for-more...That’s what you get now from my once favorite brand. Cheers!

Absolutely fabulous watches I especially like the green rubber strap version 👍😀 thanks Jody good video

Discount: the most romantic word for a Scotchman

Put the Willard on an Uncle Seiko waffle strap. It will wear and look 1000 times better. Cheers.

Glad to see I am not the only one with Bezel OCD. Love the rubber strap. Both are great pieces

As a Tuna owner/fan, I feel that Seiko is increasing prices faster than they are improving quality.

Another great video! Sums up why I can never quite bring myself to spend around the £1k mark on a seiko even though I've often been tempted! We really shouldn't be feeling nervous when opening the watch box at that price for alignment issues etc. The willard does look great though!

Appreciate your honesty , just because it'sa Seiko, doesn't mean it's always a winner.

Another great video brother! I just got the SPB143, and you hit the nail on the head about unboxing a 1K plus watch with fear. I can tell you’re flipping that baby 😂

Black! Yes... Congrats, beautiful watch.

Nice unboxing and sticker peeling. I’ve got the Black Willard on bracelet and love it. Thinking of the Blue Willard. I think they are beautiful watches. Everybody can’t love the same watches otherwise life would be boring. Nice video. 👍

This right here is exactly why I buy homages instead.

Well, here's hoping my unboxing of the Heimdallr 6105 Willard goes a bit better! I've got one on a three-link waiting for me when I get home, and in my experience it is likely to be perfectly aligned, well calibrated and gorgeous.

Both of these watches are real beauties. However from reading the comments here, it seems a real shame that Seiko are losing so many Seiko enthusiast customers, to Chinese made homage watches. Surely it couldn't be so difficult to get it right at this price if the Chinese can more often than not do so at a much lower price. My SPB149J1 has the same issue with the bracelet clasp, slight misalignment of the lume pip on the triangle, movement accuracy is fine but now I would be scared to see what it's like on a timegrapher. All said and done though it is my favourite watch and I love the feeling I get when wearing it. Another very enjoyable video Jody, looking forward to your SOTC video.

Thanks for sharing. I'll look forward to the flipping video for the Willard..cheers mate.

What does snow on the time grapher mean?

It's nice Jody, just don't think I'd spend a grand for it...

The snow is because of the cloth you used. I was having similar issues until I removed the cloth lol

Me: "When I was a kid, the term 'Made in Japan' had serious negative connotations" Seiko: "Hold my Sapporo!"

Is the lug to lug like the skx013 ? I like it a lot, but I am afraid the watch will be too big on me

I don’t regret my Steeldive SD1970 purchase at all, especially after watching this! No misalignments or BS to speak of gratefully. No wonder you were critical of the Seiko at this price point Jody! Something about this homage/re-issue just seems gutless the more I think/see about it.

Yay! I just bought the spb143 62mas reissue and I'm super tempted by this spb151 😁

My seiko Willard was around -18 for 1st few hours,it then quickly went to +5,I’ve had it for 3 weeks now and it’s consistently +5 daily,you cannot expect it to run perfectly straight out of the box.

I don’t own a 6R, but I have had 4R movements that had a disturbing amount of noise on the time grapher when fresh out of the box. Luckily, the noise cleared up. Had a break-in period, I suppose.

Great video! You've convinced me that my US$134 Haimdallr 6105 homage was definitely right choice 😁

I own a 1969 6105. My grandfathers dive watch. The lugs are 19mm and the crown guard doesn't look right. I think the accuracy of the movement is spot on though. Lol

Got a bronze Steel Dive with all bronze bezel. Great watch. No Seiko envy at all.

Enjoy the watch Jody! Maybe it's worth giving it a try and regulating this movement to a better beat error. For some reason I prefer the green version SPB153. It also would spare you the shaky clasp. Cheers!

Jody, what rubber strap do you recomend with a good cost/ benefit ratio for a Seiko turtle ? Almost bought an uncle Seiko, but I’ve heard mixed reviews about it. Thanks !

What I would like to know, the back of the case is finished so nicely, rounded to the caseback. When I see product images of hommages, the back seems flat. Doesn't that make the watch wear less comfortable? Thanks for all the videos!

Got mine on order. I love this watch.

Still the best watch channel on RU-vid

And for those exact reasons... Is why i jumped ship to San Martin.

I like Seikos but can’t see myself getting this one. For the price you would expect the movement to be spot on with minimal beat error. I’ll stick to my Steeldive homage

I’m judging from your tone of voice that you will NOT be keeping this one. GREAT VIDEO JODY!!! 🤐😷🥴

Honest review again, a lot of money for a Seiko that you have pray it's ok when you open the box. A lot of micro brands are better value and build quality.i just ordered a Gruppo Gamma divemaster 2 for $530.00, they have a great reputation for quality ,ETA movement and out standing finish.

Had the sla033 for a few years now and it's build quality is mint

I really want the green bezel Willard, but I have put off buying because of the QC issues. Perhaps if it comes down enough in price I may still pick one up.

I love the dark green dial! I know it is not worth the money, however the design is gorgeous. Would love to see a Unimatic watch review if you can get your hands on one. Best regards!

Does it beat a homnage though Jody? My Steeldive for £100 looks to me just as good? I totally get the Seiko thing.... but a grand?

I reviewed the blue willard and A BIG DRAW FOR ME WAS THE ALUMINIUM BEZEL INSERT. Not a fan of BLING ceramic and sapphire inserts. My willard is doing 0s/day in 2 main positions. Sometimes Jody a watch is more then just a spec list.

I bought myself a king turtle manta ray a few months ago. 650€ 4r36 movement and misaligned chapter ring and bezel. Hard to reason why i paid so much when my dad paid 99 for his pagani with better quality control and same specs

if only my wrist could wear one. love that green one.

Ahh Seiko! Ive spent quite some time justifying the price of my new Alpinist SPD123J (the cream and gilt dial variant) lately. The movement in it and the SPB Willard are the same and the RRP is the same ballpark. I picked up my Alpinist BNIB for $700AUD, including delivery & full warranty. I love it and I believe it's well worth the $ - in fact I reckon it's well worth the $900AUD that you can easily buy it for online now. Reason being, whenever I ask someone who's critical of the price of the Alpinist for an alternative that offers everything it offers for less $ (respected heritage brand, fully in-house ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴛʜɪɴɢ, Japanese made, proven reliability & after sales support, easy & inexpensive servicing etc., etc.) they just look at me blankly. 🤷‍♂️ The Seiko SPB Willard does not pass that particular test IMO. I don't agree that the mm & a 1/2 missing from the case diameter is not noticeable. Put the original 6105-8110 next to the SPB and SPB looks,... all wrong. When I can pick up a San Martin Willard from AliX for $300AUD incl. express shipping, the usual shit-house buying experience is improved, but even considering that you are pretty much fucked if you have a QC issue, I didn't have any of the legitimate concerns that Jody had with his Seiko when opening my San Martin Willard. I'd much prefer to have Seiko on the dial of my Willard but I'm not going to spend over $750AUD for the privilege, especially when I think - all things considered - both watches offer about the same. Cheers mate and good vid. A.

My Addiesdive SD 1970(basically a Steeldive)which I bought for £72 in the Aliexpress 11.11 sale arrived yesterday.On the time grapher it shows nil beat error,nice high amplitude(301)and plus 3 seconds a day.Apart from a slightly stiff bezel,which aligns perfectly all round and which will loosen in time,there are no other QC issues,so I am very well pleased.Maybe Seiko should buy from these Chinese companies and stick their name in the dial!. Great video as usual Jody,thanks.

Lovely looking watch. Do you think the wobbly clasp and bracelet was just a characteristic of that one particular watch or could it be common in the 151 range ? I am thinking seriously about purchasing a Willard, if I can get hold of one for sub 900 quid / euros: Jody, is the accuracy that bad ? Cheers, guv.

Jody at his best. Thank you very much! I'll skip those and my guess is so will you. Cheers!

I am debating about me getting this or the SPB143 or I could just get a SRPH17 OR SRPE93. All of them looks good.

My Seiko Willard is perfect. Very happy with the Seiko divers at this price point. Bought a couple online. No issues at all.

I prefer aluminium and pin and collar over ceramic and screws but at 1k the movement should really be flawless. so much competition at that price point.

Jody where is the best place to sell mid range watches such as $1k seikos?

my favourite seiko diver ..........smells like victory

I've got the Seiko Willard and also a steeldive homage and yep you got it the steeldive was better than the Seiko and a lot less money lol 😆

This video put me off the Willard for a good while. Then I saw the blue version and had to have it! Zero regret. Mounted alternately on an Uncle Straps Z199 and a blue isofrane.

So basically I did good with getting a chinese special 6105. Thanks for the affirmation!

I have the black Willard X. It’s a beautiful watch. A step up in quality over my Turtles. It’s a nice homage to my original 6105-8110 but just doesn’t have the wrist presence in shape or weight to the legend. I prefer my Turtles on the wrist over the Willard X. It’s such a shame as it could have been an incredible model. I suppose they didn’t want to go near the hugely expensive limited SLA version. They all need a rubber strap as well!

Nice stuff Jody. Keep up the good work. I have bought and held off buying a couple watches based on your ‘without fear or favour’ reviews. I’ve been looking at a couple of Aussie brands like Melbourne Watch Co., Bausele, and Panzera. Could we see a couple of reviews on Aussie brands like these maybe?

As a silver stacker I got a belated idea today. Could a watch be made of high grade silver rather than stainless steel? Some 92.5% coins stay pretty OK over the years. It we ould add some heft and make the watch more of an investment. 5 troy ounces is $125 right now, so not too bad but could make it a bit of a baller later on. Imagine a $200 high grade Pagani silver sports watch?

Videos like this are the reason I bought the steel dive. Still looking into one of the new turtles if I can get a sale tho

Watch out for the Head Dips. Had a bit of glare of that spot at the back of your head on thr "wheel of fortune" moovie. Personally I have blinded people with my LED/HEAD combo. Nice video

How about the blue one?:)

If you put the steel dive next to the Willard you can see the size difference and also the dial size is smaller. I bought a Steeldive 6105 - good watch, for the money, I then bought a San Martin 6105 also a good watch for the money (slight alignment issues with indices at 6), then I bought a Willard as did like the other 2, but something off a little. The Willard does have better detailing and finishing on the case, the size is 2mm smaller and fits better, the box sapphire glass just pops that bit more - it all lines up correctly. So despite trying the cheaper ones - and nothing wrong with them, for me the original Willard, both fits me better (and I think) just looks that bit better. Is it worth 10 x as much? Probably not & not arguing Seiko variable quality control as seen it on other Seikos. The steel bracelet on my €390 Steinhart, is as good, probably a touch better than the one on the €1000+ Willard. Put my Willard on the San Martin rubber waffle strap (softest one out there) and very happy. Timekeeping after 1 month +2 or so a day.

Great video. I really wish someone would wake up over there at Seiko QC.

I got the blue limited edition of the Seiko x-Willard (SPB183) last week. I came with a perfectly aligned bezel and it's a great watch. But it does not get a lot of wrist time, i actually prefer my NoLogo Steeldive Willard-Hommage. To me the Seiko Willard Re-Issues are like Angelina Jolie: Nice to look at, but that's it.

These are gorgeous, as are the 62MAS reissues. I wish the movements weren't rubbish. My $75 vostok has a better movement. My $500 Steinhart has a MUCH better movement. Smiths makes a lovely mini Williard with regulated Seiko movement and zero quality control issues. I am never selling mine.

I was looking into this watch but for the price I will just upgrade my srp777 for 150 and still have cash leftover.

Possibly not well lubricated?

yes! we are due for a new seiko review.

Jody's Seiko Willard...GONE!!!! Or it would have been going on vacation!

For the movement in the watch I think the amplitude is too high. 6Rs are usually quite low. Jody is trying to steer me towards the Uemura.

For $700-800 it would be a great buy, or at $1000 if it had the brushed ceramic bezel that Seiko used on other divers..... Amusingly, the King Turtle kinda has it beat spec for spec excepting the power reserve.

Great review, I’ll stick with my $300 mini Turtle Padi. The ‘upgrade’ doesn’t seem worth it.

Waiting for the Seiko SPD15x VS Steeldive SD1970 comparison soon...