Allow Me to Mansplain You on the Meaning of Willard-Adjacent

Today I introduce a new section on my channel, "Nagging Watch Crushes." Then I pivot to a contrast of my Seiko SPB151 and its more expensive cousin the Seiko SLA051.
Degenerate Watch Addict KZbin Channel:
/ @degeneratewa

[@dimitriusaureliusmaximus7697]

I’m here for the wordsmithery, Jeff…..the watches are ok. Your lexicon is vast and scintillating

[@woodentulike2no]

Jeff your videos should quite possibly be added to the Seiko website as required listening before delving into the world of these fine watches.

[@snacklofter]

This channel should have well over 100k subscribers!! 👍👍

[@theurbangentry]

Hear hear!

[@macguyverson9370]

I have had the same experience with my 6r35. Defintaly slow and worse when I’m not wearing. I had to get over it but at first it was worrisome as it is my most expensive watch. I still love it though. It’s just a quirk and not too bad of I’m constantly wearing it for the week. There are too many watches I have resisted that do come back to my mind. Often seasonally.

[@FercEater]

the white dial SPB313 "slim turtle" is my daily driver at home, but I wear a "beater" of a Seiko Samurai to work. Half the day, it sits on my desk, gaining more than a minute a day. Everything else about the watch I ADORE. The smooth bezel action, the black polished hands, the stark matte-white dial, the way it kinda looks like a beetle off braclet, the braclet itself! It has my favorite braclet I've owned. Such is the life of a Seiko lover.

[@edteach3r]

The bezel on my SLA051 has that typical Seiko sponginess and is not tight at all. I once picked up the tip on some watch channel that tight bezels can be resolved by holding the watch sideways under a stream of warm water while moving the bezel. It really worked for me on my Tuna when the bezel became very tight over time. Thanks for all your awesome content.

[@edteach3r]

@@flamabl1 I am glad it was useful. I couldn’t believe it either, until I tried it😀. That blue Uemura is a STUNNING watch, by the way… firmly at the top of my bucket list. Enjoy!

[@garyshepherd9226]

Spot on with the comparison of the 6R35 and 8L35 movements.

[@jessegebryel]

Funny you made this video since I actually have a watch crush on the SLA051 and 049. Already own an SPB153 in green, which I love, but I just can't seem to get enough of these cushion-style watches.

[@jtpalooki7757]

Coincidentally my last 2 watch purchases were Willards.. I bought the special SPB37 and it changed me! Quickly became my everyday watch on a SWC Velcro strap.. and just recently, wanting a black/black watch I bought a used limited SLA061 for half of retail…. And they are quite different and very comfortable and never leaving my side! Btw my 6r35 runs fast and I is annoying 😖… but it is what it is! I agree with your turtle assessment, since I am giving mine to my nephew! I also have a King Samurai on a U.S. bracelet and I also love that one also.. it wears well on my 8 1/2 in wrist and I usually wear it at night since it is extremely easy to read for my aging eyes!.. as for an itch watch, next January I’ll be looking to add Tudor Pelagos in blue to complete my 10 watch arsenal.. and that will probably be bought second hand also. And no more watches after that 🤞🙏🤥!🖖

[@lachlanrutherford8833]

jesus mate you really need to get a job in the theatre and save the deadpan sarcasim and flat humour for it

[@tolgai.altunova5858]

The SLA051 it's a watch in it's own category. A mindblowing piece of watchmaking. The only issue with it is that when used with an ordinary (rubber) strap, the lugs look weird. Either you have to use an original seiko rubber strap for uemuras or a nato. But the best is you use it with its stunning steel bracelet.

[@samwoodfin]

The Alpinist is great. I have big wrists and the smaller form factor has a classic formality to it. Usually wear a tuna.

[@m2pozad]

I had no interest in the non-hand winding 7S26, SKX007 until it was discontinued. When the prices started climbing I wanted the icon, and it had to be the J model, not the K. It has since grown on me. And on a jubilee, the 007 rocks, in its primal way.

[@simonwright6882]

I have the j model 009. Great watch. I swaped out the 7s26 for the nh36, it makes it easier to use and set.

[@michaeldavison1648]

My srp585 is my lone Seiko diver and only hardlex but is about -10s per day. Thanks for reminding me what is deeper in the Seiko diver abyss.

[@scottkasper6378]

I’ve missed your prose McMahon. This was masterful, and now I want an alpinist gmt I didn’t know existed before

[@JeffreyMcMahon]

My friend warned me that the compass is made of plastic. That turned me off, so I'm off it now.

[@alexcarter66]

Hi Jeff I have the green and grey willards and also a SLA 033 I have just got the blue gmt alpinist , it fits in the collection perfectly, great watch !

[@seikojapan1725]

Wow a while week of McSeiko content! What is this? Shark week?! 🫨 keep em coming sir!

[@SeikoLeaks]

The MM200 GMT (spb381) keeps coming back to haunt me. Almost picked one up three times and still holding off 😅Love the commentary Jeffrey 👍

[@marcuslieberman3577]

Bulova Mil-Ship! I'm Jonesing for Spring Drive!

[@Hectorrecto117]

Marathon GSAR… I don’t know how long I can resist…

[@timjones5354]

Sinn with dark mother of pearl dial. Causing me many a headache 😂✌️

[@BLR653]

You had me at Lizard eyes!

[@Dadication3]

Isochronism is the reason I haven’t gone for a 6R reference, as I obsess over accuracy a bit, but I have that green Alpinist GMT on my short list since it came out, and have determined Sakura has the best price on it, so it’s been nagging, but the Navi timer has been my nemesis for a few months, and has kept me from making any other purchases. My SARB017 is keeping the need for the new green GMT at bay, for now. I’ve got over 50 summits on Mt. Shasta, and my obsession won’t allow me to even consider taking the 017 up on the mountain, which seems a bit silly. I appreciate seeing the 151 and Uemura side by side, I thought they were more similar. I can see the larger Uemura being handy while mountaineering, wearing it over layers, and needing to read it with goggles on.

[@mickhotpoint]

Jeff, resist,resist the Alpinist ! next you’ll have a collection of field watches , and down rabbit hole of a vast array of nato and leather straps, been there, done that, stick with the divers !

[@KinkellaTeachesArchaeology]

I’m curious how your SKX depression would fare against the SKX173. It’s Willard Adjacent, yet in SKX form. Hopefully the mere mention of it doesn’t drive you deeper into the darkness. (I love/hate mine, as any good SKX owner should).

[@phillipstewartsr.7625]

I have a green dial Alpinist ordered. It should be here on Monday! I can’t wait. I ordered the pure original Alpinist.

[@Daniel-bv2wc]

Jeff I purchased the original sarb017 in the original youtuber hype on that model. It was one of the worst ugliest carbuncles of a watch I ever owned and I couldn't sell it on quickly enough, from the mismatched gold numerals to the gimmicky compass internal bezel and the dimensions of the case (which is a scratch magnet) I learned my lesson that universal youtuber approval does not necessarily add up to a good watch! We all have to find out for ourselves though.. will be interesting to know your thoughts if you do get one.

[@JeffreyMcMahon]

Thanks. I decided not to get one. I will wait and see how my friend enjoys his Tudor Black Bay Monochrome 2024 model.

[@Daniel-bv2wc]

@@JeffreyMcMahon good idea! on talking of watch temptations, I have been hovering over a $1600 sla051 all week but by the time I pulled the trigger it had sold.. so the hunt goes on..

[@SamuraiJackson]

I am afraid to make a public pronouncement of because I live in perpetual fear that the bat signal will alert the watch infected to snatch it up like the Pythia at Delphi summoning the Greek Gods to punish me for my miscreant ways.

[@JamesandRibble]

Hi Jeff, i know it's asking a lot to sync the seconds hands when you have two watches in shot for a good length of time, but you could at least have them showing the same date. Thanks.

[@timothyfoley3000]

That is me with the Islander Abalone Monster. I want it! It's affordable too.

[@Paul_Whaley]

Good on you to avoid the impulse buy of the Alpinist, McMahon. It's a neat watch, but knowing you, I don't think you'd love it like a standard diver. For my NWC, I don't really know if I have one right now. I'm looking at downsizing (from 10 to 5 watches), and as such, don't have a strong, "new watch calling" right now. I think that I want a mid 2000s/early 2010s Omega Planet Ocean down the line, but I'm not itching too hard for it.

[@silverpharm0280]

6r35 accuracy is definitely all over the place. But with a little self regulating it can come right back into +\- 5ish seconds of your regulated point. It takes some patience (and in my case 2-3 attempts).

[@dosprompt5418]

I picked up the Ginza Alpinist yesterday and it was running -19 seconds per day. I regulated it myself for the first time and the smallest possible adjustment pushed it to +55 seconds. A little back and forth landed at +3. Very easy to do and makes me reconsider some 6r35 watches I had written off.

[@telegraphkid]

Jeff did you ever buy a proper vintage Willard?

[@JeffreyMcMahon]

I never did. I'm happy with my SLA051.

[@fboness368]

Have you ever thought about publishing a collection of your watch essays? Do they read good as they sound?

[@JeffreyMcMahon]

I published 2 such books

[@resjon7981]

Tudor BB36 is nagging me lol. I Have one on my watch list on ebay, offered a low ball price and they have agreed. What do I do? The watch crush is a real phenomenon.

[@JeffreyMcMahon]

I hear doubts in your voice. Should we not buy our grails in confidence?

[@A_Dude_And_His_Watch78]

If they agree to the low-ball then pay them.

[@paulbugoni2846]

Nice video Jeff. I have the SARB017 and I wish it was a wee bit bigger and I have smaller wrists than you. The newer Alpinists are thicker but not wider as is commonly thought. Also not a fan of the 6r35 movement.

[@JeffreyMcMahon]

You may have saved me a grand

[@vezquex]

Shouldn't Uemura be pronounced "Wemura"?

[@rickzamora1]

I’ve looked at the Damasko Dsub1 / Dsub 10 everyday now for about six months now. I’ve owned the watch two times before and sold it twice. It just doesn’t make any sense McMahon.

[@JeffreyMcMahon]

From my own experience, usually such a rebuy will result in another re-sell. Be careful.

[@catsteeth]

I'm desperately trying not to buy the SPB143. I'm currently very happy with my 10 watch bunch. For possibly the first time in nine years of collecting, there's nothing I want to sell. However, if I extend to 11 watches. I'll lose my watch equanimity. Yet, I have spent hours daily looking at SPB143's. I think I'm insane-adjacent. Perhaps even centripetal. Entertaining YT's 👍

[@Anton-oy3vm]

my watches with the 4r35 are more accurate than the ones with 6r35.

[@JeffreyMcMahon]

Same for me.

[@bluein2red423]

My 051 bezel isn’t tight.

[@JeffreyMcMahon]

Quality control?

[@bluein2red423]

@@JeffreyMcMahon Yep. Although have you tried turning the bezel on yours while running it under flowing water? I know you’ve had it from new, and as such it shouldn’t be dirty, but I have had a new Seiko in the past that had a sticky bezel that went away after a good wash.

[@JeffreyMcMahon]

@@bluein2red423 I followed your instructions and now it spins like a charm. Thank you.

[@bluein2red423]

@@JeffreyMcMahon Nice one. As it dries it may stiffen up again though - repeat the process if necessary and it should hopefully improve for good.

[@Stanjara]

I must say, having these side by side, that Willard is a better looking watch due to the edge on the crystal and a better date execution. Also, buying something, while having saliva on your face is never good... true true. Great wordsmithery McMAn. Alpinist second crown is loose, not screwdown and the whole compass works is made out of plastic. Not a fan of polished case and green color too.

[@JeffreyMcMahon]

Good to know about the plastic. Thanks

[@camarocarl7130]

6R movement = crap. Opened my 151 to attempt regulation and adjust beat error and found "Made in China" on the inside case back. Way overpriced for a watch thrown together in a chinese Seiko factory IMHO.

[@JeffreyMcMahon]

Scary to contemplate

[@degenerateWA]

For the record, I live perpetually in blissful ignorance when it comes to Seikos so listen to me at your own risk!