I met a Seiko rep at a watch store in Los Angeles, and he said this watch is Seiko's attempt to create an "aged" look for a willard x. The dial is meant to resemble what an early 1970s Willard would look like after decades of sun exposure. Together with the feautina lume, it's like buying an early 1970s watch in brand new condition!
I bought this a few months ago for £900 and I love it. I was looking at the previous Willard re-issuses but when this got released I chose it in an instant. It is easily my favourite on the new "Willards". It is vintage inspired done well. The only thing I had to do was cut the Nato strap down to a single pass. Otherwise it sat too high on my wrist. Now it is perfect.
Please note that you do not tuck in the end of the strap as usual with these thicker straps from Seiko. The second keeper is a floater. You just go over the first keeper, and move the second keeper up close enough that you can tuck the end in under this one. It's actually in the instruction manual.
Hey thanks there Chief!! I never would've figured that out for myself! Please note that the second keeper goes over my balls, and the first keeper goes over my shaft.. It's in the instruction manual..
The green Willard is the best in my opinion. Such a nice shade of green and different to any other diver. The other variants are nice but this one edges it for sure.
This came out about the time I found out my old 6105-8119 was now collectable. It had sat in my jewelry box since the mid 90’s. I bought it in 1976 when I was in the USAF. I wore it for about 15 years as my daily watch. I sent it to be serviced and discovered the SPB 237 on Google and was taken by its looking so much like my 6105. Unfortunately it cost a lot more than the $65 I paid for my 6105 at the Base Exchange. I do like it a lot and wear it more than my 6105 because I don’t want to take any chances of damaging my old friend.
I’ve watched maybe 100 videos on this model but after overpaying for it lol had to have it but it’s smaller than I expected. Not a fan of how the band works on it. Sets higher with the factory band. Finish is amazing, perfect centering. Ordered a black rubber strap and I think it will be perfect. Slightly smaller than my G shock. Case never hits the back of my wrist, sooo comfortable!
I purchased the same SPB237 Capt Willard, i find the faded black dial a stunning colour, it is just supurb looking dial in the sunlight.. Unfortunatly not a good time keeper, it is now with Seiko Sydney to be adjusted under its 5 yr warranty 👍
It has a nice fauxtina and it looks really military, especially on the military green strap. I’ve been contemplating a Willard for a while…but the SPB237 pushed me over the edge. Sold.
Have the 1st release WIllard Black, I do like the grew you just shown, but not enough to take a hit and swap, happy with what I have. It's on bracelet and better than. the usual mediocre Seiko offerings. What I would like is that NATO strap for a change up. Wonder if they just sell that green NATO, heard good things about it's comfort and quality. Wearing a Muele Germania for Saturday,
People buy a $50,000 truck or car and pretty much EVERY ONE of them goes back for some kind of warranty service, but everyone freaks out if your $400 watch doesn’t line up perfectly! They will fix it if it bothers you enough to go through sending it to them.
Not a good anology, and the these watches are pushing past $1000. In 2021 the only need for a mechanical watch is to have something a little special on your wrist. If some have bezels are aligned perfectly (all of my seikos do) and some don't then it's a manufacturing /QC issue, why in the heck would you even defend it ?
I got mine for £945 brand new from a jewellers so it’s worth asking for a discount mate. Good luck, you’re going to love it - it’s just so bloody comfortable.
A bezel not aligning on $1k+ watch is not endering but rather crappy QC, and should be sent back for a refund if ordered online. Not hating on Seiko I have plenty and all the bezels are spot on. But seriously what are we paying for here ? Poor QC and the potential for the Movt to be out by upto 25 seconds a day for over $1k, These are becoming harder and harder to recommend unfortunately 😕
Hello Rob 🙂 Im thinking to get a Willard. Which Willard do you like the most? I think you saw all of them in person (Including new releases) Thank you. 🙂
love this colourway, but I can't get over paying that much for a nato option, no matter how nice the nato strap. If it had been on bracelet or a cheaper iteration with a dive strap I would definitely bite.
there are two kinds of people in this world; those who lie awake at night worrying about fractions of degrees of alignment, and those of us who fu.......
I hate that Seiko makes such good looking watches. It makes me forget about their poor QC for a moment. This looks like a black version of a snowflake.
I need to take issue with your statement to just let Seiko's QC failures go. Would you settle for this kind of shoddy production for your car, or your computer or your refrigerator? Absolutely not. But Seiko gets a pass for their shoddy products? No way. Seiko's failures should be the headline in these reviews. That way maybe they will treat them seriously and stop treating watch consumers like suckers.
+1. I never thought we consumers who complain on the infamous alignment issues were asking for the moon. To be fair I have also run into fewer issues with an Eco-drive and an Oceanus. However with our brand name here there is something inherently amiss when an owner first checks how bad the alignment is right out of the box. We may as well kick in $1000 + pieces with mediocre timing accuracy and beat error. I know the final verdict on continuing with a brand is on me, but what a shame when you know the watchmaker with awesome designs should do better. All IMHO of course.
God I'm so torn between this and the Khaki Field Mechanical. I know the price difference is pretty big but i can only get one. Looking for a do it all everyday watch but just cant make my mind up :(
Rob your kinda like mixed up about this watch, you've been on the fence quite some time now. I would say your not going to pull the trigger on a Willard.
Is the bezel ceramic or steel? AD dealer web page says ceramic but when I called they said steel. Said their women web site was incorrect. I saw it another website as ceramic. SeikoUSA web sight doesn’t say. ???
Like the channel but there is a distinct lack of critique on almost every watch shown. Makes it difficult to appreciate which ones are actually worth the money. 🤔
@@RandomRobReviews as a reviewer I would welcome feedback on the items you review. I cannot determine value as I don't have access to them, unlike you.
@@jodysilvia2 but for my seiko flight master I got a Barton silicone strap that’s black on the outside and yellow on the inside it’s so sharp like that lol
This colorway is nicer than the green in my opinion. Those straps are from another planet! 😍
Those straps cost $300 each!🙀🙀🙀
The best colour combination Seiko has ever done. Really nailed that vintage look.
Have the green one, love it. Bezel slightly off, don't care. Just bought a Tudor BB54 and struggle to decide which to wear, that says something.
I met a Seiko rep at a watch store in Los Angeles, and he said this watch is Seiko's attempt to create an "aged" look for a willard x. The dial is meant to resemble what an early 1970s Willard would look like after decades of sun exposure. Together with the feautina lume, it's like buying an early 1970s watch in brand new condition!
I wish I could afford one. Fantastic looking watch.
I bought this a few months ago for £900 and I love it. I was looking at the previous Willard re-issuses but when this got released I chose it in an instant. It is easily my favourite on the new "Willards". It is vintage inspired done well.
The only thing I had to do was cut the Nato strap down to a single pass. Otherwise it sat too high on my wrist. Now it is perfect.
Absolutely gorgeous colour combination there, perfection.
Please note that you do not tuck in the end of the strap as usual with these thicker straps from Seiko. The second keeper is a floater. You just go over the first keeper, and move the second keeper up close enough that you can tuck the end in under this one. It's actually in the instruction manual.
Many thanks👌
Hey thanks there Chief!! I never would've figured that out for myself! Please note that the second keeper goes over my balls, and the first keeper goes over my shaft.. It's in the instruction manual..
The green Willard is the best in my opinion. Such a nice shade of green and different to any other diver. The other variants are nice but this one edges it for sure.
Great video again. I still can’t decide between this or the green
i have this watch ,great piece ,my only niggle is the date window should have been chrome framed.
This came out about the time I found out my old 6105-8119 was now collectable. It had sat in my jewelry box since the mid 90’s. I bought it in 1976 when I was in the USAF. I wore it for about 15 years as my daily watch. I sent it to be serviced and discovered the SPB 237 on Google and was taken by its looking so much like my 6105. Unfortunately it cost a lot more than the $65 I paid for my 6105 at the Base Exchange. I do like it a lot and wear it more than my 6105 because I don’t want to take any chances of damaging my old friend.
I like the smell of Napalm in the morning ... It smells like victory ... Don't you agree Rob ?
Love it! And the strap!
I’ve watched maybe 100 videos on this model but after overpaying for it lol had to have it but it’s smaller than I expected. Not a fan of how the band works on it. Sets higher with the factory band. Finish is amazing, perfect centering. Ordered a black rubber strap and I think it will be perfect. Slightly smaller than my G shock. Case never hits the back of my wrist, sooo comfortable!
That SPB239 hits hard, very nice Willard but absolutely incredible 62mas reissue.
Great review, Rob. This is next on my list. Bruce and I used to buy and sell to each other a lot back in the day.
I purchased the same SPB237 Capt Willard, i find the faded black dial a stunning colour, it is just supurb looking dial in the sunlight.. Unfortunatly not a good time keeper, it is now with Seiko Sydney to be adjusted under its 5 yr warranty 👍
Looks like it can appear greenish, gray, blue or faded black. I love that cushion case.
It has a nice fauxtina and it looks really military, especially on the military green strap. I’ve been contemplating a Willard for a while…but the SPB237 pushed me over the edge. Sold.
I love this piece but with the included (really nice) straps another reviewer said the thickness goes to at least 17mm.
The SPB 237 is on my short list
I'm gonna buy this one. The dial has sold me. Thanks
Have the 1st release WIllard Black, I do like the grew you just shown, but not enough to take a hit and swap, happy with what I have. It's on bracelet and better than. the usual mediocre Seiko offerings. What I would like is that NATO strap for a change up. Wonder if they just sell that green NATO, heard good things about it's comfort and quality. Wearing a Muele Germania for Saturday,
If they did the 62 with this dial and handset it would be an instabuy for me👌
cool ...Wish they would have put the metal edge around the date window like the original 6105
So want one of these...trying to swap my Aquis for one, in green 🤞🏻
Cheers Mate 👍🏻👍🏻
I just got one for a hair under a Grand. Going to sell the two Seichu straps to try and net out around $500.
The new Willard has a lume at 3 also? My black one doesnt have one 🤔
People buy a $50,000 truck or car and pretty much EVERY ONE of them goes back for some kind of warranty service, but everyone freaks out if your $400 watch doesn’t line up perfectly! They will fix it if it bothers you enough to go through sending it to them.
but we need comments section therapy. and what about those who don't even own any prospex but are still soooo mad!!
Better yet, buy it in person from an AD so you know what you're getting. No surprises.
Actually Seiko won't fix a misaligned bezel. They will just say it's within tolerances and tell you to get lost. Nice attempt to deflect the QC issue.
Not a good anology, and the these watches are pushing past $1000.
In 2021 the only need for a mechanical watch is to have something a little special on your wrist.
If some have bezels are aligned perfectly (all of my seikos do) and some don't then it's a manufacturing /QC issue, why in the heck would you even defend it ?
@@Johnny641 that’s a absolutely perfect analogy !!
I’ll be adding one of these to my other Willards. 👌
Really want this in Scotland you can get this for around £1200 definitely gonna get one
Cheers Rob
Mate you can pick one up on Chrono 24 for nearly half that price.
@@nomad9519 cheers mate ill have a look the now
I got mine for £945 brand new from a jewellers so it’s worth asking for a discount mate. Good luck, you’re going to love it - it’s just so bloody comfortable.
I got mine for £820 from Gnomon, collected in Singapore. Great piece for the money. Always discounts to be had.
This thick strap looks actually pretty comfortable.
It really, really is. Every other NATO feels bad in comparison. I'm listing after this green one.
I think it looks more a Slate Grey colour.
In person it has brown tint to the dial.
Oh right, that would make it look interesting, thanks mate.👍😁
nice one
A bezel not aligning on $1k+ watch is not endering but rather crappy QC, and should be sent back for a refund if ordered online.
Not hating on Seiko I have plenty and all the bezels are spot on.
But seriously what are we paying for here ? Poor QC and the potential for the Movt to be out by upto 25 seconds a day for over $1k, These are becoming harder and harder to recommend unfortunately 😕
I have a blacpain with a worse aligned bezel than this. You either like it or you don’t. Nobody spends £40,000 on a TVR and uses it as a daily
Hello Rob 🙂 Im thinking to get a Willard. Which Willard do you like the most? I think you saw all of them in person (Including new releases) Thank you. 🙂
I am so getting one straight from Japan.
"half a click off" shouldn't be within tolerances. Steeldive can do it for a $100.
Great watch have last years version
Great video
What a dial👍😁
love this colourway, but I can't get over paying that much for a nato option, no matter how nice the nato strap. If it had been on bracelet or a cheaper iteration with a dive strap I would definitely bite.
That's the one.
there are two kinds of people in this world; those who lie awake at night worrying about fractions of degrees of alignment, and those of us who fu.......
I hate that Seiko makes such good looking watches. It makes me forget about their poor QC for a moment. This looks like a black version of a snowflake.
I need to take issue with your statement to just let Seiko's QC failures go. Would you settle for this kind of shoddy production for your car, or your computer or your refrigerator? Absolutely not. But Seiko gets a pass for their shoddy products? No way. Seiko's failures should be the headline in these reviews. That way maybe they will treat them seriously and stop treating watch consumers like suckers.
+1. I never thought we consumers who complain on the infamous alignment issues were asking for the moon. To be fair I have also run into fewer issues with an Eco-drive and an Oceanus. However with our brand name here there is something inherently amiss when an owner first checks how bad the alignment is right out of the box. We may as well kick in $1000 + pieces with mediocre timing accuracy and beat error. I know the final verdict on continuing with a brand is on me, but what a shame when you know the watchmaker with awesome designs should do better. All IMHO of course.
Top! :-)
The shape of this watch is same as turtle with crown guards that's all it is.
God I'm so torn between this and the Khaki Field Mechanical. I know the price difference is pretty big but i can only get one. Looking for a do it all everyday watch but just cant make my mind up :(
I hope you bought this, it's the perfect blend of a field/dive watch.
Rob your kinda like mixed up about this watch, you've been on the fence quite some time now. I would say your not going to pull the trigger on a Willard.
This or the new blue one with bronze bezel?
Is the bezel ceramic or steel? AD dealer web page says ceramic but when I called they said steel. Said their women web site was incorrect. I saw it another website as ceramic. SeikoUSA web sight doesn’t say. ???
Aluminum
Excelente revisión.
i believe those straps are $200+
Is the bezel blue???
Like the channel but there is a distinct lack of critique on almost every watch shown. Makes it difficult to appreciate which ones are actually worth the money. 🤔
Thanks for watching. Channel is about watches, not what I think the value of them is. That is to be determined by the viewers
@@RandomRobReviews as a reviewer I would welcome feedback on the items you review. I cannot determine value as I don't have access to them, unlike you.
This watch should be 5/6 hundred dollars.
Yeah wish my Jeep was 20k and my house 100k too
@@RandomRobReviews 🤣🤣🤣
Im in the camp that wants perfection for 1k. Us poors who struggle for more than one watch a year, gotta have something for the money. 😂
This watch vs sinn 104?
💟
gimme one of these plz.
I dig the willard but can't stand nato straps.
I agree, but if a nato is trimmed properly and you don’t need to do that fold over and tuck back in behind the buckle thing, they feel way better
@@Mark-sd7fc I've cut up nato straps to try and find the most comfortable wearing points but I'd rather just wear a bracelet or rubber
@@jodysilvia2 yup me too, I don’t buy anything that doesn’t come with a bracelet
@@Mark-sd7fc yeah I have a bracelet for every watch too
@@jodysilvia2 but for my seiko flight master I got a Barton silicone strap that’s black on the outside and yellow on the inside it’s so sharp like that lol
Seiko its Seiko 😎
Okay it's time to cul the the Seiko herd sans the tuna to justify this purchase.
CLBK...Cuma Lihat Beli Kagak...
me too, don't like fabric straps and I really don't like nato, but that is just me.
Came here looking for a Jeff McMahon comment 🤔
Haha.
Anther great vid by Random rob.
Love the dial and the hands. The case shape just isn’t pleasing to my eye. Nice watch though.
I used to think the same but it totally grew on me and thinks it's cool now.
$1000 on a NATO strap? How about a black tropic strap.
Pick up the uncle Seiko tropic, they are very good
Slate dial
If they did this watch in 40mm> take my money.
Dont wory IT whers smal. Bay IT.
The new Seiko land models wear and are little smaller but look same.
@@RandomRobReviews so cheap too, in the UK they're $1600
Misaligned I bet
Once again fauxtina ruins everything.
Is “ruin” the new word for cool? I agree
39mm and i'm in
Mate its already tiny try one