My Next & Final Seiko Dive Watch. But Is It Their Best So Far? - My New SPB237 Willard Review
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- Опубліковано 10 чер 2024
- Today we take a look at a reissue of one of the most iconic and influential Seiko dive watches ever made-known by watch enthusiasts as the “Captain Willard.” In this video I review the Seiko SPB237 watch, including its positives and negatives, history, style, and design. I also compare it to a variety of other watches including the Panerai Luminor, Universal Geneve White Shadow, and Casio DW290, which I once disliked but now own and love. But is the Seiko SPB237 the brand's best automatic dive watch so far? And is it compelling enough to add to my collection? Join me for another free and independent watch review to find out. What do you think of the watches featured in this video? Please share in the comments.
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Comment just to thank you for the production value of the intro. Sometimes when excellence becomes the expectation, it can feel like the work is under appreciated. I assure you it is not. Thank you for caring about the quality of your work.
Thank you so much my friend. Knowing there are viewers out there that appreciate the effort is what keeps me striving to improve and keep going. I deeply deeply appreciate the sentiment, onwards, upwards and the very best of regards!
TGV
@@theurbangentry The combination of your passion and intentional work to share it builds community. It's been so fun watching your success.... because it has been the fruit of something that's the opposite of everything else going on... Positive. Collaborative. Respecting history as well as creativity. Not divisive. Your influence is positive, and you're genuinely appreciated. More than watches are on display here.
That intro is a work of art
@@theurbangentry All you intros are amazing and incredible. As I was watching I was wondering if you still do everything yourselves, and I couldn't believe it when it came up on the screen.
Hear, hear!
If the perfect Seiko diver doesn't exist then I think we all know what the next TGV and L.I.W. collaboration needs to be.
Ahh..Captain Willard. For me, the most precious Seiko diver. I always demand personality from the watches in my collection, not just that they be "one more"...some contribution, something different...own personality. The Willard definitely gets it.
Due to updates in the ISO 6425 standard to mandate lumed markers every five minutes, Seiko had to add that marker at 3:00. It doesn't look great, but they had to do it if they wanted to keep the date at 3:00.
Very interesting, I wonder how they came to that decision. Yeh I would deffo prefer a date moved, what they did such an annoying solution.
Thank you,
Best regards,
TGV
this is exactly right, same for my 2023 turtle
The lumed 3 o'clock marker actually "grew" on me after I bought my SPB153 (green model) and I barely notice it now.
Correct, Seiko takes the ISO rating seriously enough to add the extra marker to all of their dive watches updated after 2020
@@theurbangentrySeiko has put the date at the 4:30 position in some divers but I think they wanted this watch to look as close to the original as possible
In early 1999, I bought a Seiko SKX173 from AAFES on Hickam AFB. I was in the navy at the time and was a recreational scuba diver. A dive buddy of mine, who was also a SEAL, recommended that I buy a Seiko diver to replace the G-Shock I was diving with. His rationale was that, should water penetrate the case at depth, the automatic Seiko would continue to run during the dive. He wore a Seiko diver from the 80s (I believe it was a turtle) and said that he had worn nothing else in the field since making it as a SEAL in 1983.
I still have that SKX173 and it still runs beautifully. In the 24 years I've owned it, it's only been serviced twice. I've worn it scuba diving, on boardings as a VBSS team member, and on countless bicycle tours. The lume is still the best in my collection. The watch is an absolute tank.
That’s awesome. Glad to hear these watches can handle the cycling, watch people seem to be split on that. I’m with you, they will be fine.
I just wanted to take a moment to say how amazing your video was! I was really impressed with the quality of the footage, the editing, and the overall presentation. You did a great job of explaining the topic in a clear and concise way, and I learned a lot from watching your video.
I also really appreciated the way you made the video engaging and entertaining. You kept my attention throughout the entire video, and I never felt bored or lost. I would definitely recommend your video to anyone who is interested in learning more about the video.
I still have the Seiko 7002-7009 diver when I joined the US Army in 1991. It still works and I still wear it. I wanted a Willard, but bought a King Turtle instead. Great video.
I appreciate how much efforts you put into the making of this video. It shows just how much you love your collection and how much you love watch history. Inspiring indeed!
Excellent... but no way is it your final one brother 😊..never say never with watches 👍
Damn right, you never know what they may release
I'm just holding out hope he does another run of the Squale Sand Shark!!
Indeed....especially with Seikos !
I’ve never heard a truer statement
I just barely found your channel and the production value is Hollywood level. So is your knowledge. Thank you so much
Such an iconic watch, and great to see your love of Seiko on the channel once again. My personal favorite is the 6309 divers as you can see the slow transition from Willard case shape and markers through the slim-turtle, towards what eventually became the SKX. I just love the Seiko diver design language.
It's interesting how finding a big watch you like changes our perspective on what's "too big". A Panerai 44mm 1950s case on my 7" wrist changed everything; so many more watches are now reasonable after wearing the 233. It seems like your Panerai has done the same for you. Your faces after mentioning Seiko's lack of alignment was pricelesss
Great video TGV, love it when you review a Seiko, your love for the brand really comes out. That Willard is a great watch.
Can’t go wrong with a Willard. And that gray color is very unique. Definitely not a bad Seiko Diver to retire with. Thanks for the great review and the history lesson as always.
There is so much to talk about a Seiko watch, their shapes, the dial, the stories behind each one. And placing one on the wrist makes you smile... I have 4 of them and I will probably add more in the near future
Thanks for the presentation. This is a special watch. While it's similar to my Uemura, it's significantly different in its more squat shape and I do love this gray dial.
Recently tried one for the first time and was very pleasantly surprised. Didn’t wear at all how I thought it would. Once again a brilliantly delivered piece, thank you. Gave me great pleasure again today to recommend your channel to a good friend. Onwards and upwards.
Own it. Love it. Great vid TGV. Congrats again to you and Marc on the collab!
Great video!! They just keep getting better! I do love the dial on that one. I've been wanting one for a while. Cheers!
I would've thought the SPB317 (Slim-Turtle) would be more your cup of tea. Reminiscent of the Willard, and a reissue from around the same period, but with the slightly more sized down specs?
Love the especially chill vibe of this edition...great to relax to on a Wednesday. Of course, it helps that it's about a variant of my new favorite watch, the SPB153 Willard. (The grey dial was my 2nd choice but just had to have that green.) Congrats on the purchase and a stellar job with the sample clips and editing as usual. Coming from a filmmaker, you consistently do an excellent job with editing and the clip references/thematic ties are always very clever. Keep up the good work...and enjoy the Seiko, "the underdog" of the watch world.
Great. Loved the connection of the end with the beginning of the video watches. Great story telling.
Not seen one of your videos for a good while , you got me into collecting seikos lol , this was a fantastic video ..keep up the good work 👏🏻
Oh man, I had an eureka moment!! I have realized why I was drone to Seiko from the get go- in my mind they are the underdog , the little (not quite) more unknown guy sticking it to the big guys, the snobby Swiss and Rolex in particular. That’s probably why my dad liked them too.
Many thanks Tristano, this actually means a lot to me🙏🏻😊
Hey Tristano,
Great video as always! Great production value!
I was looking at some other channels that have a fraction of your current subscriber count and I amuse myself realizing that most of them must pay for views... Almost 100.000 views in less than 1 day of releasing the video ... I think not...
O&U amico!
I just picked up a Seiko King Turtle dark manta ray for the same resasons you articulated. Feels so good. Great video, as always. Cheers.
Lovely watch, thank you for making and sharing your videos and amazing knowledge of Seiko, along with the other brands you share on this channel.
I’m currently wearing a Seiko Tuna Solar SNE533, which wears well on a smaller wrist. Contemplating a Sea Monster next!
I absolutely adore this watch....as soon as I laid eyes on it I KNEW I was going one. It's probably never going to leave my collection. IMO it's the nicest of all the variations recently released (although the SPB265 is close 2nd). Congrats on the new pickup TGV and thanks for the great video.
Told ya so! I wish I hadn't sold mine. I replaced it with the Uemara edition gray dial with the Grand Seiko movement, which is stunning, but I don't like it as much as I did the SPB237. Gotta get me another.
Fantastic Black Edition;)! Thanks for the great content, as always! Have a great rest of the week ahead, Sir TGV!
Wonderful video, love the clips/editing.
Thank God I bought this watch last month before the hype that this video brings 🙏🏽😂 great video TGV, the “Vintage Willard” is a fantastic watch!
One of the funniest intros you have done 😂 more please! And great discussion as always.
Steeldives 1970 homage for 79 quid is astounding. Haven't taken it off for 5 weeks, sleep with it on and everything..it even has a comfy steel bracelet. I have a bunch of seikos..but why pay more for less? Plus the bezel is aligned.
Excellent video as always! SPB151 is my daily - I love the legend of Uemura and Apocalypse Now. Now my favorite UA-camr creates this ode to it. I picked the right watch for me.
Being a slightly smaller UA-cam creator I know how much work you're putting into these. Astounding effort. The content isn't too bad either 😀
I thought of getting this but got the 6105-8000 inspired SPB317 instead. I agree with your sentiment of that warm feeling that Seiko divers convey. Great video!
I love your videos so much keep up with the good work I adore your contact it keeps me calm and happy
lol, just purchased one the other day, and then you drop this gold! I got the sbp151, matt black. cant wait to flex it. Thanks for all you do man. Cheers
I still have yet to see this Watch in person but I love my Seiko Turtle SRPC91 Save the Ocean so much. Still this one you reviewed is stunning with that grey/anthracite dial. Amazing video as always my friend!
I bought the SPB237 just over a year ago. It's such an odd looking watch but gets more compliments than my Tudor. The natos that come with it are really cool, especially the grey one but sadly the keeper situation doesn't work for me and find them a little too thick. I have aftermarket natos, a bracelet from Uncle Seiko but mostly enjoying it on a black waffle. Oddly enough I took this watch around Vietnam for three weeks at the end of last year. Great video as always, nice to see this diver getting some more love - enjoy the watch.
As always another great video.
I am a fan of Seiko, and have been thinking about a Willard for some time. I currently have a Samurai and really love it, I wear it on a black tropic strap and honestly can't find a reason to get anything else. The looks and the cushion case of the Willard are intriguing and the dial of the SPB 237 is nothing short of fantastic. The imperfections and misalignments are just part of the Seiko world.
Strolling onto a yacht with fine linen clothes, or unloading from a Land Cruiser dusty and exhausted from the latest adventure, the Capt' Willard is always pure class.
One of my favorite reviews from you. Thank you.
Another great effort Sir. Thank you and keep up the good work.
Just picked up the SPB 317 and I'm completely in love. It has that classic 4 o'clock crown but with more symmetry than the Willard, it's smaller and thinner, and contrary to popular opinion I love the hidden away circular date window at 4.30 which enables it to avoid that little extra lume block, keeping the symmetry and the ISO rating.
Same here!
And here. Completely agree about the date window, perfection!
Me three! I love this reference! I actually prefer it over my 2 liner pelagos!
And here! What a wonderful watch it is!
The transition at 3:23 is excellent, visuals and tune 👌 keep up the good work mate! Would you mind letting me know what track that is? Thanks in advance!
Thank you this excellent video, as always enjoy watching it.Very cool watch indeed! Stunning dial! Any chance in the future there will be a video about official NATO strapcolor combinations used in the military/navy?
Good evening TGV! Wonderful video as always, reminds me of the older reviews, my skx007 still ticking since your recommendation back in 2016!
Best regards from Europe!
Thank you so much, so pleased to hear that. It was the vibe I was going for but mixed with the new.
Onwards and upwards!
Best regards,
TGV
Your videos are so well crafted many thanks
TGV, hello from Bulgaria! OG gentry here ever since I stumbled on your video about making the perfect espresso coffee! I love your content not just because of watches but because of the atmosphere you create! So many years later I have still not seen a review from you of my favourite Seiko Diver - SRP777 Prospex Turtle... Who knows maybe one day... Anyways I personally prefer it to other Seiko divers and I have small wrists. Onwards and upwards! ( :
Great review. You are one of the few honest watch UA-camrs. Great production quality! I love my Willard 033
🙌🙌🙌🙌 Very much appreciated, thank you.
Best regards,
TGV
Great video as always TGV! I have a healthy or if you are my wife, unhealthy obsession with the Willard. I’ve five of them, but this particular one, whilst not being the most expensive of Willard’s is without doubt my favourite. Glad to see it reach your collection and enjoy!!
My Seiko diver grail is no doubt Marine Master 300, but it will have to wait for some better financial times to be on my wrist. That said, I really enjoy the SKX and SPB077 in my collection
Awesome video as always!
Love it. Fell hard for Willard, bought two SLA versions, and love them!
Good evening TGV! Great to have that Seiko on the channel! Would love to see when a Willard comes to your collection! This special model looks terrific in my opinion. I'm still wearing my SKX009, but I was thinking about upgrading, but still on the hunt for my perfect Seiko diver. Best regards!
Thank you Heiko, what can I say? It just feels right. Enjoy your SKX, I only wish I still had mine, then again, I would not of tried the Willard. O&U!
Best regards,
TGV
Hi TGV
I think your collection is taking a very interesting turn - and this gem will probably be the next addition...
It’s quite interesting, when you’ve been “up there”, owning a lot of the very expensive and prestigious pieces, you know exactly what to look for in the more modest price layers. Something that talks to your heart as well as your knowledge. Watch collecting surely is an education too.
Keep up the good work👍
Your videos are so well made 😮
Hi TGV, and thanks for another great video! May I ask, what are your opinions on one of Seiko's latest re-creation, the SPB411 "Land Mechanical GMT"?
Congrats TGV on the new Seiko - a great looking watch for sure!
I absolutely love the Willard also.I had the green one and sold it.. I then missed it a lot, so I upgraded to the 8l SLA051. It is a keeper!!! Never leaving. Love your channel and keep up the great work!!
🙌🙌🙌 Thank you, very much appreciated. Cracking choice btw, enjoy🥂😎
Best regards,
TGV
Thoroughly enjoyed the review and history lesson. Coincidentally I nearly bought this exact model as a birthday gift to myself 😅 Ended up with the spdc101 "62mas reissue ". Really happy with the choice and I have a King Turtle for a cushion case companion for now. Undoubtably will look into a Willard model in the future. Cheers
Excellent video, I love the Willard especially after watching “Apocalypse Now “. My favorite Seiko diver is the one I’m wearing now, the King Turtle.
Always great content, the flighty and the Willard are both great. Did you purge your beloved SARB033. This was my first watch I picked up after finding the interest
Excellent piece TGV!
Great review mate!
I absolutely love the Willard due to my grandpas service in Vietnam. One day I’ll own one but I own it’s grandson the Turtle and love it. Thanks for another fantastic video
I bought my first Seiko, a Seiko 5, more than 20 years ago, but my first proper diver was the v1 Save the Ocean Samurai. It is a big chonky watch, but the blue dial makes me smile every time.
Thank you Mr TGV for yet another very informative and entertaining review. One thing that sets you apart from others in your business (in my opinion) is your extreme passion, research and attention to detail in said reviews.
I also love the effort you put into the editing with your videos when including such classic and timeless movies such as Apocalypse now used here to show the relevance and history in your reviews.
Great review. I’m waiting for the Rangemaster mechanical to arrive. Hopefully by Friday. I’m going to have to wait on the Willard until my watch budget grows considerably. Thanks TGV.
Your macro shots are stunning!
I have this too, I bought mine from Gnomon watches Singapore when I went there. It's flawless with no QC issues, keeps excellent time (+3spd) and pairs great with a black isofrane strap. It's like a perfect hybrid between a dive/field watch in my opinion. Wear it with love!
Thanks for that correlation of the prospex symbol to the cesspool social media symbol. I can’t unsee it when i look at my wrist now 😂. Felice anno nuovo e buono salute Paisano!
Great vid as always TGV!!
I own the same Willard on a black waffle and love it!! I also have the same not perfectly aligned bezel! 😖 But I still love the look and fit!! My 3rd Seiko diver!!! 😂😂😂
Very nice, definitely on my list to add to my Seiko collection 🔥
Mate you could do a video talking about anything and I would still watch it. Style is more than on point good sir. I am impressed that you are into some great gems of video game history such as command and conquer. Keep the videos coming I want to see more!
You are very kind, thank you! If you enjoyed this one, I feel you would appreciate this for something a little different if you have not already:
ua-cam.com/video/pc6xUj8myko/v-deo.html
Best regards,
TGV
Very nice, TGV. Just ordered a King Samurai ‘Great Blue’ PADI edition…let’s hope the alignment is acceptable when it arrives!
Taking in pros and cons. The Willard is simply iconic and is a must for any watch collector intent on collecting classics from all price ranges. Out of my current budget - sadly..
The Steeldive SD1970 may well scratch your itch for a fraction of the price. 👍
@@Laz_ArusGreat watches for the price, and addiesdive does one too , about £120ish .
@@Laz_Arus and the bezel won't be misaligned.
That lume marker at 3 beside the date is required for ISO certification, they HAD to include it to get it rated.
Have to say I was always a watch guy, but being a military guy serving my time in the Irish ☘️ navy/ air corps & fire & rescue I always tend to go for a Gshock or diver watch ⌚️, back in the early 90s was on a diver’s course & treated my self to a citizen aqualand , savage bit of kit. Had that 20 year was devastating when it give up the life to live , But wanted something special, got a Seiko turtle 🐢 love ❤️ it but my hart wants a Willard , BUT … found another savage watch MWC500 submariner GMT…. With tritium loom …. Seriously other than changing strap & better push pins it’s one class bit of kit , but some day I’ll muster the money get me a Willard
Last Seiko diver - “the horror, the horror” indeed! 😂. This is such a cool watch because it is different, like Panerai - I wholeheartedly agree. Another enjoyable video TGV. Thank you! Best, David
Not to have " buyers remorse " is the best way to be a true watch collector. Enjoy your purchase. Wear the watch. Savor the memories. The end game of watch collecting.
Hi
Many thanks for your contents. I’m learning a lot and I started my collection in part thanks to you.
1 question : Gnomonwatches is it a serious dealer? Currently they have this model SEIKO but they talk about re-interpretation black - Seichu Fabric SBDC143. What do you recommend? Many thanks in advance and Hello to the community
I like the look a lot. I REALLY like the "Night Vision "Samurai, but I cannot reconcile paying a chunk of money for this level of QC. Compelling content as usual, well done.
Hello from Norwich, England. Yet again a fabulous video. I have the same watch, but came to love the Willard so much that I sought out the SLA033- faithful recreation of the even more gorgeous original case shape and size but with modern 'Grand Seiko' quality finish on the case, dial indices and hand set (and a high beat movement). Limited edition of 2500 numbered watches in 2019, but can be bought below original retail on the secondary market. If you can, borrow one to try out on the wrist. You may well be happy with what you have, but I'm sure that you will appreciate it's beauty!
I like that you’re already adding the new Rangemaster Mechanical into the into sequence. Mine is on the way, can’t wait to get it.
Quality watch, quality presentation, quality video, quality moment...
Thank you.
Love those drilled lugs!
The Willard is priced unrealistically so I bought the Steeldive SD1970 to allow me to at least enjoy the original design, and the quality is great value. Actual Seiko divers in my collection are currently the SRPC61J1 "Bottle Cap", SRPD21K Prospex "Turtle" & SRPE09K Prospex "Monster", though with Seiko's pricing creeping up well beyond what inflation would have you expect, they may well be the last.
Beautiful work man
I normally don't comment before watching, but this got me so excited. I just picked this reference up in July from your boy Derek, and it hasn't left my wrist since. I didn't realize it when I bought it, but it's as close to the perfect dive watch for me that I've come across.
So glad to hear that. I will be sure to tell him. Thank you for sharing that, he is a true gent. Enjoy your Willard.
Best regards,
TGV
Excellent video and excellent choice. I agree the seconds hand is brilliant.
love it, picked up that exact model on a trip to tokyo earlier in the year!
Great presentation, as always. I'm trying to decide between this, and the SPB317, the Mini Turtle.
Nice Channel. Love it. Greetings from Germany🙂
Love your content always
Great video, sir! I really do like this reinterpretation the best. I got mine from Japan last year and it gets lots of wrist time. It’s quite the strap monster too. I love it on an Uncle Seiko tropic or chocolate bar rubber strap. Lately I’ve been wearing it on the Seiko OEM bracelet from the SPB151 I managed to find on eBay for a decent price. The nato straps are quite amazing as well. Did I mention I’m addicted to straps? 😜
Excellent review
Amazing watch. That reference is part of my collection, along with what I call its sibling watch, the SPB237 (a modern reinterpretation of the 62MAS). Both have excellent finishes, and at least in my case, they have very good accuracy. Now I'm looking for the SPB255 and SPB317.
When Seiko put out the SPB143 it didn’t have the tiny lume marker on 3 but later added and became pretty standard and that is due to meeting whatever ISO standard spec they’re after.
Love the intro music!