My Seiko SPB153 VERSUS SLA049 - Worth The Price Tag? 

Ahhh Russell!! I loved this! You’re so zaney and fabulous. You’re making me wanna buy a Seiko!

No thanks,I’m happy with the 6105 I bought in 1976 when I was in the USAF. I think it cost me maybe $95.00 at the Base Exchange. I recently had it serviced for the first time and replaced the crystal. It’s not pristine but I wore it for 15 years before I put it away and bought another Seiko. Now it’s one of my prized possessions.

Man, you're mad. Really. And I love it! Thank you for that! Your video was the last straw to buy my SLA049 one year ago as my new daily rocker. It's a great watch and worth the money. You're right! Great Channel!

"Make you charge more." :-D - I'm totally on your side with your green beauty. It's a tool watch.

Alas, I prefer the SPB153. It's the definitive Willard reissue in my eyes.

Another great review 👏 Gotta say, I'm loving this new membership only early content malarkey 👍🏻

Thanks MWC, I bought the SLA049 for my big five zero birthday last year. I wanted something special(for me), it’s by far the most expensive watch I’ve ever bought. I love it, the way the bezel changes shades of blue in different lights, every now and again you catch a flash light across the inky dial, the watch seems to have a mind of its own. Some might say why not spend a couple more 100 quid and get a Tudor Black Bay (which I nearly did) or spend the tenth of the price and get a Turtle (I have already for 200 quid from the local pawn shop), but I love the shape of the SLA049 so much it just had to be. Thanks for helping my make my mind up MWC, I haven’t regretted it for a second. You are like a watch buying wing man!

you've gotten really good at editing the videos, the lighting/background, the little details. happy to see your channel grow, you definitely put in the work,

Seiko is a very special manufacturer.

I really love your videos, so entertaining. Your style of editing is so cool and I especially love the “What the wife thinks” segment.

You manage to get a lot of information in this video, and yet it remains delightfully daft. Well done Russell.

Any of these movements have the plastic part? What are your thoughts on it ?

I bought this watch new , a little over half of retail from a jeweler. Think at retail is is still a great watch. Fits so well on my 7.25 in wrist. Seiko divers just fit. The split case, over all design is spectacular. Best of all. Tribute to Noemi Umuera.

Another great video! Never disappointed look forward to the next :)

Personnaly I prefer your green Willard. The blue one looks great but it's a bit dressy looking for me.

What's the name of the stainless steel bracelet on the green SPB153?

Big Seiko fan here 👋 I just love the green Willard SPB153, what a nice watch it is.

They're often on sale for about 2k , in person they're very impressive , the movement runs about chronometer grade a real step up smooth sweep worth the money on sale I feel .

Great review! I just bought one, now waiting for it to arrive. I have a number of turtles, and a nice Willard on the woven straps. Bought the sla049 at a very good price. Not a bunch more than my Willard. You are right. The green Willard is a great tool watch. The SLA 049 is eye candy that still has muscle. Is it worth the money at retail? If you want something different. The case, 8l movement, history of Naomi Uemura. For me, having a watch with reference to him is special. I have a sla043. Grand Seiko price for a Seiko. Needs to be compared to Tudor, Rolex, omega. Worth every penny to me. Stunning watch that is super tough. I wear it to work on a farm. Not a mark on it. The SLA series of seikos are a mixed bag. Some are average.....maybe over priced. Others are great watches for the money.

I really want the Green Seiko.

Something all of us Seiko fanboys (myself included) always ignore, is the appalling fit of the end links on bracelet furnished Seikos. To me they always look like the bracelet is for a completely different watch! I've got the SPB237J1, which is one of my absolute favourite watches, and it's saving grace is that it DOESN'T come with a bracelet. When will Seiko get their act together on this front?!

I think you have to handle the SLA’s to truly appreciate them. I personally think they are phenomenal.

Two seiko’s in one show you are spoiling us MWC 🤙🏻

Stunning watch. Brilliant video.

Great video! I love my SPB153 as well, I have it on an Artem strap actually, so we have two things in common! Seiko's black silicone is very nice and comfortable, but something about it just looks too plain... Artem's black sailcloth has that stitching on the sides, a small visual difference which just makes it so much more interesting to the eye IMO

Great review, great channel, thanks Russ, a pleasure to watch 🤦🏻‍♂️🤣😂

Great comparison and review Russ! It's a lot of money but it is a lovely looking watch. 👌 Got to love those textured Seiko dials!

I can’t afford either. 🙄 I’ll stick with my Heimdallr Captain Willard homage. It’s pretty rugged.

This is a tough one. I daily wear an SPB153 green Willard as you have. I think this SLA is worth what they are asking for it, but I’d prefer an upmarket version of the SPB153 with an 8L and some additional refinements for that price. The 153 just wears better, and I still think it rivals many other icons out there. I also have a SBBN045 (S23529j1) that I don’t wear as much. That’s more a grab and go for the beach, and an Alpinist which is my suit and tie watch. If I had to give up all my watches and keep only one, the 153 is the one. I’m a Seiko guy since 2003. My first was a kinetic my wife got me before deploying to Iraq. These watches just take a beating with grace. Love your reviews. Keep it up.

This dude just kills it great reviews very informative funny you're own personal touch and a genuine watch nerd like all of us doing what he is passionate about anyway I just dropped in to say this hope you see it 😁

I really like the 4:00 date. Keeps the symmetry of the dial and also the functionality of having a date 👍

I love the look of both of them but you’re right that green is great!

Another stellar vid! 👌😎👌

I do really like these , however my Steeldive homage with same movement (I think ) will have to suffice - I’ve just bought a Grand seiko SBGN029 - so need to let my watch funds recover. Great review MWC & really enjoyed the insight into Naomi umeura.

what about the spb237?

Love your review and insight. This model was never my cup of tea but I can appreciate any watch for what it is and I'm glad I got to know this watch a little better here. I am put off by the seemingly constant limited edition trend from the industry as a whole.

Love your videos👍

I have a sla 043 and it's just beautiful. I didn't get the same quality vibe with this one. They did an earlier model in black and that looked great. And the date was at 3. Yes the sla models are expensive , but on the whole they are beautifully made. I just wish they would regulate the movement from the factory. Great vid as always russ !!!

Love my Willard, probably the favourite in my collection despite not being the poshest by quite a bit. Not handled a SLA in person, was pretty tempted TBH, but agree with you & think I'll get a green "standard" Willard like yours instead. Just adore that case shape. Agree with you about dates - a pointless complication that has no place on a diver. Cheers 👍🏻👍🏻

I really like this blue, but the price and this comparo makes me appreciate your green baby much more. 💪

Beautiful watches. Wife likes the green one (she’s a good lady). I am gravitating towards a Special Edition Seiko but I would like to see that case and finish work in something non-limited or at least a price drop that will make it under $2000usd.

I own this watch and wear it more than I do my Rolex and my Snowflake - put on a woven nato-strap, it's just plain beautiful and the 8L35 is a workhorse.

Ill have to see the SLA in person, but i think ultimately, its not worth the extra. I would like to know how much extra effort needs to go into the 'upgrades'.

Prefer 153. Could you review SRPK03K1 please

Great video! I prefer the SPB153 too.

Good review!

I like Seiko, own a few and even bought the 62mas reissue, but I still think Seiko is milking the cow to an unreasonable extent. Misaligned dials, bezels and unregulated 6r movements on 1500$+ watches? Wtf?

More sponginess than SpongeBobs nuts! Man you got me cracking up 😆 Fun video brother!

Great job my friend 👏. Your so funny !!!!

May I know where you get your bracelet for your green willard?

I own its black dial sister the SLA051. They dont have Zaratsu polishing but nonetheless its an extremely high quality piece.

Always loved the Willard shape and look, but this one is a tad out of my price league. Again Seiko brings out a stunner of a dial face. Another good Seiko watch review. ☮💜💪🏾

Great review Russ! I'm a fan of Seiko but I'm not a fan of the SLA049 case but I prefer the overall look of the SPB153. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

It's a banger! LOVE IT

Awesome show as always MWC! This is an absolute beauty of a limited edition Willard that’s almost like a dressy Yacht-Master compared to the SPB153’s more tool watch Submariner, if that makes sense? It’s a lot of money for sure when compared to the SPB153 but the price is in line with the rest of the SLA range and it is a great looking watch if you’re looking for a more dressy Willard or if you’re a big fan of Naomi Uemur. Plus the case finishing and that 8L35 movement are a real step up 💪 Shame the endlinks are a bit rattly but otherwise it’s a real stunner!

Hi Russ, Again a Splendid show as always. If i was given the Choice, the SPB153 Wins hands down every time. SLA049 Still a Beauty mind u. THANK U.

I've had the green one, a black one I got just to put the bracelet on the green one (traded it off), the gray dial one with tanned indices and NATO, and I have an Uemara edition, not the limited one but the gray dial/black bezel because I'm usually not a fan of blue watches. The green one was beautiful but, unfortunately, the hour hand was misaligned, so I traded it off. The Uemara edition is stunning, the polishing is superior to anything, the indices almost glow blue against the textured gray dial that has a slight sun-burst effect in daylight. I kinda like the size of the cheaper one better, and one thing it has over the Uemara is a properly beveled crystal, which, too me, is an iconic feature of the design. But, truth be told, I like my San Martin 6105 homage best for its true-to-the-source-material looks and perfect size for me, LOL! It's the "Goldilocks" size between the 3 of them.

Is dioshock not a movement feature ?

Both STUNNERS! I agree with the wife.

Is that bezel misaligned to the right on the blue LE?

I have the grey dial version and it is the most comfortable watch in my collection. Definitely not Ever-Brilliant Steel though.

Nice conclusion. Thanks for the fantastic job! I like the style of the sla especially the settled dark blue colour but the slightly more refined finish would't be woth the price tag for me. Would take the sla colour on a spb. But nice to see more variants of this iconic willard.

Great content as always, gota go with your the green one I'm affraid, definitely better and more legible, as nice as the limited edition seiko is its just shy of Tudors price range and for some that's a grail watch.

I was laughing out loud quite a bit from this video 😂

Green wins. A hard thing to say for a Rangers supporter😳😳😳 Great show as always.

great review..

I have the Grey dial version (SLA051) and can't disagree with your assessment in any way. That being said my no nonsense tool diver Seiko is either my SBBN031 Tuna or the lowly SKX007 which I dearly love and in truth is all I really need in a toolish diver :)

I really do like these watch... I still think they are a £800 watch. I know the limited edition has a much better movement, but at a glance they are the same watch. I think has its GS movement they should make it a Grand Seiko. (I've done mock-up on my Instagram account, I'm also putting it on the MWC facebook page)

Love my SPB151. I got it £200 off list price from H Samuel, so £1000 on three years interest free credit. I like H Samuel 😎

I like the color, love the 4:30 date, but i could never swing that kind of money for a watch

Where was Mr Pagani!? Love hearing the wife's opinion though.

I work 12 hour days on a rotating schedule so I don't work the same days every week. I absolutely need a DAY/DATE complication or I will never know what day it is. I wish Seiko would make a higher end watch with a higher end movement than the 4R36 that provides a day/date in a better package.

I have owned both the green 6R35 willard and the SLA051, the quality difference if noticible. With the SLA you are very close to GS quality, and the 8L35 is made in the same factory as GS movements. the sweep and smoothness of the calibre lets you know immediately that you have a very good watch on your wrist. I paid $1780 for my SLA, and about $900 for the green willard. Retail would have been a different story.. but in Japan the prices are very resaonable. You definately get double + the quality with the SLA over the other models. The SLA is a keeper for me.

I'm loving my Seiko PADI Pepsi bezel special edition

How many winding boxes do you have?

BIFF! lol brilliant! another classic episode Russ! great content as ever and no i wouldnt buy the watch for just under 3k , i would possibly look to Grand Seiko for the price.

nice comparison

My predicament is that a. I love everything about the SLA049, b. my surname is 'Willard' and c. I was in the armed forces (just not as a Captain). Should I buy this watch?

your green is a better looking watch for sure!

I love the Willard, however i currently have a dilemma, i'm trying to decide between the SPB153 and the Nivada Grenchen Depthmaster as they're around the same price point, right now i have my heart set on the custardey goodness of the Nivada, however the inner robin williams in me keeps shouting GGGOOODDDD MMMOORRNNNIINNNGGG VVVIIIEEETTTNNNAAAMMMM !!!!!!!!!! and draws my eye back to the trance inducing apocalyptic green of the Willard, If you could decide between the two which one would you buy, ?

How many of you went on Ebay after this great video?!

I have to agree with you ( even though i would have gone for the black one )

Still like the green one better( its very much like the green Harrods use)

Okay I have a 7.75 inch wrist but I think we are going to be twinsies soon on this watch. I always wanted a turtle, but the willard is so much more refined. I like the green willard It’ll go well with my Hamilton coup and khaki king, also have a blue manta samurai

What were they thinking?

Tool watch should be affordable. I am perfectly fine if Seiko equip basic movt that’s on SKX007/ Turtle and price them down.

If you have a 7 & 3/4" wrist or above then the 42mm Willard is too small unfortunately.

Beautiful watch and I see the Grand Seiko engine is mostly responsible for the bulk of the price. Gorgeous dial and agree the date should match the dial and possibly a surround marker might have been a nice touch. Or just leave it out. A few niggles for me are the push pins (ewwww) and the bracelet lug fit is off and in time as the pins give a little will be wobblyer. 7/10 for me. Would I buy it? Sadly no

The Willard is my favourite seiko. (I only own a steeldive at the moment. Waiting for a bargain sale to buy the real deal) I have to say I prefer the SPB153. The date window on the SLA049 looks like an after thought and I just prefer the more tool look of the 153.

For a similar price, I’d pick the Tudor BB58 blue over this Seiko without doubt! I’m a Seiko fan as much as the next guy (own 2) but a 4 figure price tag is one digit too many imho.

They never caught my eye because I'm such a sticker for symmetry. But who knows. If I ever had one on wrist my mind could change. Both beautiful dials.

I wish all watch companies offered date or no date options.

Good show m8

Great comparison! But Seiko is hugely overpriced nowadays. My favourite brand ☹️

Excellent review…I’ll stick with my SPB153. It’s probably worth the added cost but not to me.

"Spongier than Sponge Bob's nuts" lololol brilliant! Great looking Willard but not worth the difference imho. Willards are a bit big for me- I'll stick with my 63mas for my higher-end Seiko diver. If they ever came out with something more upscale more in the baby turtle vein, I'd be all over it ;)

If I already owned the SPB153 I see no real reason to buy the SLA049 unless you're mad keen on collecting limited additions. With regards to Zaratsu polishing, it's a bit like a really really sharp knife. It's only sharp until you actually use it.

Coated with diashield not diashock Russ! Great video mate👍

Don't know about this one mate, don't think it's worth the retail, especially seen as it doesn't have screw links and the end link wobbles. Definitely needs a fair whack knocking off the price point. Great work with the review mate

My Willard-X has developed scratches on the case just a month after purchase. Nooooo! I think the watch is too heavy on the bracelet so I changed it out for a NATO. Waiting for my new Bund strap for it, though!