STEELDIVE 1970C. 2023 Version. Can this AliExpress icon finally win me over? Plus Poll analysis.
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- Опубліковано 16 вер 2024
- The Steeldive 1970 (Steeldive Willard) is an iconic homage watch. It pays homage to the legendary Seiko 6105 worn by Capt Willard in Apocalypse Now.
it is therefore better known as a Captain Willard Homage...and there have been many.
This is the 2023 version with Tri-Coloured Lume. The STEELDIVE SD1970C
The Steeldive Willard has had a resurgence of late with reviewers new and old looking to capitalise on its popularity.
I had left it alone, having had bought it twice prior to my reviewing days. I was not impressed then.
I then bought another from AliExpress in Feb 2023 which I reviewed...it was a disaster!
This is the Steeldive sd 1970c's last chance to impress.
Can it convince me? Can it convince you?
You can buy the Steeldive SD1970C from AliExpress via my affiliate link below.
s.click.aliexp...
Of course you will pay no extra but you will be supporting the channel going forward.
Thank you for your support :)
It’s a Seiko homage. Misaligned chapter rings and bezels are intentional as they copied those features from the originals. 🤣
...but they do it too well haha 🤣
I missed the poll sadly but my SD 1970 is fine. Tri coloured lume is all well and good, but they should upgrade this to a double domed crystal, this would take the watch to another level. And while they're at it, the need to supply better straps than these hideous ones!
Just got my original 1970 with the updated clasp and it is perfect QC and the bezel perfectly aligned - so happy with it for the price.
I own the Addiesdive version and it pretty nice. It’s my 1st diver watch and certainly won’t be my last! Great stuff!
Good choice!
I'm really happy you got a good one!! This keeps my hopes up for mine which should be here in the next 2 days. Great video mate! Congratulations again on finally getting a winner 🏆😁
..long time coming! :)
@@johnswatchjoint well.... Shite. Remember I told you that I was expecting my first 1970 In any day? Well today's the day! Now... Considering this is my first go round with this watch and you're on like your 30th or 40th or something ridiculous like that... I feel just horrible telling you that my first is... Well.... In a word.... PERFECT!! It is spot on. None of the issues you've had mate. Man I feel both relieved and kinda bad that you've had such shite luck my friend. Well at least you've finally got a good one. Now that I've got one and it's almost perfect... I'm gonna rip it apart and mod it! 🤣 LMAO. Looking forward to your next vid mate!! Peace, love and happiness from across the pond!
@@WILLNOTCOMPLY72 You bugger! First time too!!! Seriously well done. Wear it in health my friend ;)
Mine just arrived and happy to say on mine they've fixed all the issues on yours! Seems like they are pulling quality together a little higher!
Glad you got a good one. I got another Steeldive in from the recent sales and sent it back. Same old for me 😞
What a great colour combo, hard to knock these for their prices. An improvement on your last experience for sure
You got that right. Insult to injury when the watch won the competition...but now I can see why if you get a good one :)
Fine review. Generally i avoid homages of existing originals, but Seiko' game of limited releases and overpricing is stupid and tiresome. More importantly, they don't do a such a nice lumed bezel and such a nice color combination. I particularly like the loud minutes hand amongst the black. Cheers.
To my eyes there’s nothing worse than a big chunky case paired with a 20mm strap. I’d much prefer a 22mm strap on anything over a 42mm case. Interesting poll. Cheers!
That's another question for a poll haha. I really don't like 22mm. Take the Orient divers for example...really doesn't suit the watch. Think it would be a 50/ 50 split but each to their own. Thanks for watching.
Agreed, I even prefer 24mm. Improves the appearance and comfort in my opinion.
@@johnswatchjoint I definitely prefer 20mm lug width at the maximum- anything bigger generally signals a “dinner-plate” type watch on wrist. Then again, I’m not the target market for Panerai and the like- my heart lies with classic, timeless dimensions like 34-36mm case size with 18mm lug width.
The trend of making watches larger overtime seems to be partly correlated with their archaism. In the modern age, watches have been mostly replaced by checking the time on your phone or wearing smart watches. In the eyes of watch manufacturers- particularly those brands not catering to the hardcore enthusiasts- they recognize that most consumers in the market for a watch want something that others will be able to notice. Hence, we get “reissues” like the Bulova Lunar Pilot in 45mm even though the original was far smaller in dimensions.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with enjoying larger watches, but I feel that most modern watches trade elegance for status.
I hate 22 my preferred is 18 but 19 and 20 has merites but any thing larger is just excessive
I agree, I own this watch and think the bracelet looks too thin. 22mm would have looked more proportionate.
I really appreciate your watch reviews and especially your honesty and integrity. In your experience, is there another ali express brand with similar specs and price, but better QC?
Are you looking for a diver specifically?
Seestern 62 mas is the best quality diver for the price on Ali. You pay a bit more but it is awesome. Their 600t is a cracker too and it is on deals just now. Thorn BB58 might be another option too :)
Glad you a got a good one this time. I’m surprised by the poll results also. You’re right though. You can only review the watches you get. 🤷🏻♂️ Thanks for the great review!
Thanks Albert. ;)
I got mine from Steeldive UK & had no problems
That's exactly the same answer I got in the comments from everyone but the poll says otherwise and so do my results. Great you got one first time !
I bought two no logo versions some time ago before everyone and his dog were buying these. They cost a little more back then, though not much, and I suspect they had better QC in consequence. Continual paring on price is bound to cause problems. I've always thought their Marine Master clomage is a better watch.
You are probably right there. I have nothing against Steeldive. I've just had three really bad 1970's ;)
Thanks you, excelent
Glad you liked it!
looks sporty. love the colours. ordered today
Good choice!
I bought the blue with a bracelet that went off straight away. I ordered it with this strap, also blue, but i can not use it with eater of them.
Another quality review John 👍. Not a fan of these personally, so no temptation for a change 😄
Haha ..maybe that's a good thing!
Having bought and worn the 1970 and the 1980, I can say from personal experience is that I love to wear these watches, and isn't that the only standard that matters to an individual..do you like and prefer to wear a particular watch over any other in your collection ?. I LOVE THE SD 1970 AMD THE SD 1980
No obligation but I would be happy to take a look at your problem Watch and see if we can sort most of the problems out.
No charge, great vid as usual.
Hi Jon. Thanks for the kind offer. I may remove it from the case and look at a mod. Could just be that the whole movement is skewed and the crown is running against one side but I also see a huge difference in the gap where the crown meets the case. Nice and uniformly wide on the new one but very narrow and poorly finished on the first one...at least it didn't cost me anything so I have a free movement and crystal haha
...and thanks for your message re Thorn . Just viewed it just now. I will contact Thorn if it is ok to use your images? May help in future production runs.
@@johnswatchjoint Yes no problem.
Hope you don't mind me asking you both, I've got a Thorn on the way and was wondering if you've encountered issues? Many thanks.
Hi Rich. Apart from the speck of dust on my dial which is easily remedied I haven't but Jon sent me info on issues he had with his link pins. They are two pieces...one long and one short which screws on tight. Some of Jon's were rotating freely but he used some loctite to fix. If you do encounter this, just raise a dispute and show them a vid with the issue. Pretty sure they would send new bracelet if that was the case. Mine was fine so hopefully it's is an isolated case. :)
I love mine. Not sure what the issue is? I love love love mine.
I don't have your watch!
A good watch, but this colour combo just not doing it for me. I must have been lucky with my watch as I had no issues.
Like Alex I missed the previous review but I own the original too. When it comes to the Cupboard of doom there really is nowhere to go but the Understairs of doom. Good stuff mate.
Haha. Cheers Alex. You"ll have to back to the beginning of the channel to find out why it's called the cupboard of doom. It is our pantry under the stairs and when we moved in many years ago...there were some creepy goings-on 👻
I’ve had 1 steeldive was ok crown was very gritty wouldn’t buy another one I’m getting more picky about my watches now
Nice piece. You'll probably pick up a chick wearing that one at the bar ;)
...the wife would definitely not be happy 😁!!
That strap has got to be one of the worst design rubber straps ever made .Do like the orange details 👍
They really increased the price of those.
They have but already starting to see prices fluctuate. Mirroring what Seiko are doing with their specials. Never miss a trick when potential profits are involved 😆
@@johnswatchjoint yeah I spent more than I thought I would during the last sale since I got four watches.
My Steeldive 1970R arrived 4 days after order, perfect condition, pure white dial, male end links, milled clasp. no issues. Very Happy with quality for the price. I have 6 inch wrist and was worried it be too big but it wears well.
I bought the original variant of this watch from Steeldive UK. The first watch had a wonky indices at the 12 so complained and was sent a replacement with a wonky 9 instead. Never again.
Aye....:(
An fkm rubber strap from AliExpress looks fantastic on the sd1970
Yeah...just put this one on my waffle which is the same as the Seestern 62mas. Very comfy indeed and helps balance the watch :)
The bezel insert's thickness perfectly fits to the bezel? Isn't slightly thicker(higher) than the bezel? Please let me know.
The insert sits half a mm higher than the bezel itself and the crystal sits another 1mm proud of that :)
@@johnswatchjoint Thanks for the info!
No probs my friend 🤠
I prefer original 1970, not fan of orange paint on hands/bezel.
You did get a bad one. Mine is perfect. Right out of the box.
...three bad ones...right out of the box!
Your problem is the movement and the dial is not straight to the Shoff is rubbing on the case the basil is perfect
I take it you are talking about my original review? If so it was a lot more than just the movement. On taking it apart we found a lot of awful things...
Oh dear.
The crown part is like the anti ASMR for watch enthusiasts.
It is gruesome...but I had to show it because I was being accused of hamming the watches faults up...I think the watch made its flaws pretty obvious haha!
@@johnswatchjoint Oh yea, and it's worth sharing. Flip a coin and see what QC you got on your Steeldive.
Rdunae R2X Captain Willard 6105 Men's Watch NH35 Movement Sapphire C3 Luminous 150m Waterproof Automatic Mechanical Wristwatches check this out maybe it is better. The case is spot on of this or that one because still dive is not spot on with original
You haven't subscribed. If you check out my videos you will see that I have reviewed the R2X and the Skinny Rdunae. I rate them very highly :)
Did I see a second hand skip...... 3 times?
It's called editing :)
@@johnswatchjoint oh, okay. 🙂
Stairwell of hell…
Nice 👍
Measurements off?
!?
Case diameter: 43.8mm ( without crown)
Case length: 46.8mm (lug to lug)
Case thickness: 13.5mm
I do not understand you. Whose measurements are you quoting? The measurements I quote are the measurements of the actual watch I received. They were not the same as specified.
All of you guys are the guinea pigs. People like me come late to the party and everything we buy is perfect because the companies have had time to perfect their items. Not to mention the after these perfected items have been on the market for so long, they also cost less money.
Oh dear...we'll see how long that lasts haha! 😅
So far so good. But think about it, they know how closely we view these... hmm just watch a video. They aren’t going backwards I can bet you. All prejudices aide, they are Chinese, and they will continue to kill the market with honestly better products such as our beloved Willard. Mine is perfect and I know and can feel quality when I hold it. By all means use at lease a 10 power loupe guys. Only that way can you truly appreciate what you have. Look at a San Martin up close.... I dare you.
Latest update...Steeldive still ain't perfect haha 😆
@@johnswatchjoint nothing is perfect in our world. 🙂
I mean if they were like £75 you could probably look past some of these minor issues. Oh... 👀 Pay a grand for a Seiko and still get these problems and you can moan. Pay pennies you might have to lower your expectations.
It's all about perspective. There are plenty of watches that are cheaper than this and do it better. It's a very over hyped watch and if you have followed the series on it and looked at the poll you will see I had a total of 4 of these. Including the first one that died altogether. Still have not got that special SD1970 everyone talks about :(