Capt. Willard Homage Watches: A Definitve Comparison

[@Nachovalenti899]

I bought the Rdunae 6105-8110 homage 2 years ago and in my opinion, it’s the best “Captain Willard” homage on the market. The finishing, measurements, details,etc,etc. it’s my watch when I,m going to the beach, garden works, sometimes when I’m running and two months ago I went for diving with it 38 meters deep, and everything is working perfectly and the condition is perfect. Many thanks for your very informative video.

[@thinredline2795]

It is a lovely watch but it's hit or miss I bought it less than 9 months ago and the time is all over the place on it, it's always 10 mins to 30 mins slow

[@nachovalenti]

@@thinredline2795it’s still under warranty. Send it back.

[@jameswcollett]

13:55 I believe your crown is faithful, with the "LOCK" arrow pointing in a counter-clockwise direction. I think the original 6105 featured a fiddly push-and-twist locking action to close and lock down the crown. Ironically, the counter-clockwise arrow on your watch is fibbing, because to lock your crown you have to twist it clockwise. I have recently - in the last couple of weeks - bought myself a RDUNAE R2X from AliExpress. It resembles your watch in the review video almost exactly - but the crown on mine features the arrow after the "LOCK", in the clockwise direction. So mine is slightly less faithful in appearance but it tells the truth regarding locking the crown. I paid about GBP120 for mine and I adore it. I am so chuffed to be wearing such an earnest homage to the original Captain Willard piece.

[@AstroVanTribe]

Thanks, good to know

[@wheelsdeal]

I got the Steeldive from their official aliexpress store for 60 euro shipped...the Seiko reissue was going for 1400 euro in my country. I mean..unless you want to say Seiko in the dial its a no brainer and honestly i have more fun when wearing something that doesnt cost much instead of babysitting it.

[@TheGrenadier97]

And not only that, the two current models by Seiko aren't that much close to the discontinued 6105.

[@CarJacka]

The Rdunae isn't just the best Willard homage, imo it's the best watch at that price point or any where near it.

[@oktc68]

I've got two that are better, the Heimdallr custom made version with a Swiss made ETA 2824-2 and the Merkur, which unlike other homages has the correct case shape rather than a turtle case with a asymmetric crown guard. Has one of the best bezel actions I've ever had the pleasure of rotating, decent lume though not as good as the Heimdallr, and a part lumed sapphire bezel insert. Both have domed sapphire crystals. I've had other Willards including the Steeldive and San Martin, and I've handled the Rdunae, which was ok but didn't have any outstanding features (IMO only) and I'm not a fan of their straps, they seem to irritate my wrist, had the same issue with the tropical strap on their Seahorse.

[@1stamendmentmedia464]

​@@oktc68 Heimdallr doesn't get the credit it deserves. Some of my favorites.

[@oktc68]

To be fair though, the Heimdallr Custom Made 6105 8110 with the ETA 2824-2 movement was more money, I've had it about 5 years and it was £250. It's a nice watch but granted isn't as authentic as the Rdunae. The Merkur is more like the Prospex maybe? Slightly squarer case, and 22mm lugs, the case is very high quality and the bezel action is to die for, also has a sapphire insert and dome crystal, very nice but again not an authentic piece. It was cheap though £150 and it's every bit as well made as the San Martin dive watches.

[@Area_man115]

I had the Addiesdive, Steeldives, and Heimdallr side by side. Of the three, the Heimdallr was the best, and I returned the A and the S. Both the A and the S have lumed bezels. The H does not. The original Willard did not. The H has the sharpest printing on the bezel and elsewhere of the three. Most importantly, the case undercut on the H on either side of the crown was most accurate, most similar to the original Willard, with the undercut following the conour of the original, allowing for easy setting and winding. The A and S had less undercut than the original and the H, which severely hampered the ease of winding and setting the time. Finally, the diameter of the crown of the H was most like the original and was of greater diameter than those of the A and the S. These critical attributes make the Heimdallr the one Willard homage that is made to look , feel, and operate the most like the original.

[@George_Lewis]

I am a fan of most of the Seiko divers beginning with their 6105-8000 (known as the Slim Willard, introduced in 1968) through the SKX007. However, I'm not willing to pay a lot of money for what could be a beat-up, mismatched frankenwatch, or scalpers prices for a NOS SKX007. Anyway, thanks to your review, I decided on the Rdunae because it seems to be the most accurate homage, right down to the 19mm lugs. The Willard was sold out so I bought the 6105-8000. I've had it a month and couldn't be happier. If or when Rdunae releases more Willards I will buy one of them, too.

[@Ericdagreat]

$1100 for a Seiko Turtle reissue is just insane. I got a Seiko gold Indices, and a Seiko Pepsi turtle for $280 a piece back around 2016. I gifted one to my brother, and sold the other. Now I have the black dial Steeldive Willard, and the Watchdives Willard, and I am happy. I also have a white dial Ratio 007 watch, and WOW… the quality hands down blows the Seiko 007 away! Great channel by the way. Subscribed!

[@AstroVanTribe]

Thanks! A subscriber sent me a different Ratio 500m diver, real nice watch...

[@ricardodiaz6187]

Sweet video - thank you. I have a Heimdallr Willard which I modded into an exact replica. I’ve never liked the unsigned crown and crown at the 4.2ish. I just ordered the Rdunae which I’m going to transfer my hands and dial into. The LOCK arrow on the Rdunae is correct. The original wasn’t a screw down crown; it rotated and locked into place counterclockwise. I picked up four 19mm straps from Uncle Seiko; chocolate bar, waffle, tropic, and the tire track.

[@stauguastine]

The original Seiko 6105-8110 (Willard) had the crown at exactly 4, the new Seiko has it at 19 after and the other homages it is located at 21 after, the Rdunae has it correct at exactly 4. Also, all the other homages have the blue anti-reflective to the sapphire crystals but the Rdunae has clear now. The first runs had the blue but they have since changed it to the clear. Great comparison thanks for uploading it.

[@AstroVanTribe]

I meant to point out the clear AR, thanks for mentioning that

[@stauguastine]

@@AstroVanTribeI was honestly shocked when Seiko didn't place the crown at the proper location, I thought it was a fake with the Seiko name on it at first. I will order my Rdunae here in a couple weeks and after seeing it in your review with all the other ones it has me even more stoked to finally get one.

[@AstroVanTribe]

@@stauguastine It's SO cool... If you waited to get any of these until now you did the right thing - I almost feel stupid but you live, you learn.

[@gabrielM1111]

Heimdallr has changed their design recently. No more stop light second hand. Have any other hommages recently gone the clear ar coating route?

[@gabrielM1111]

Rdunae is gorgeous. Top notch across the board and best of all CLEAR AR COATING not that wierd blue coating the others all have. Im just curious if an 18mm nato is sturdy enough for that watch weight

[@AstroVanTribe]

"sturdy enough" - Yeah, the spring bars would give way long before the strap would fail

[@gabrielM1111]

@@AstroVanTribe cool thanks. Besides the rdunae, do you know which hommages have clear ar instead of blue ?

[@Area_man115]

None of these watches has the proper case undercut on either side of the crown. But Heimdallr does have the proper undercut. Proper meaning similar to that of the Seiko Willard.

[@miguelmendez4718]

Great looking watches, do have link to the close copy of the watch?

[@AstroVanTribe]

www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805201245092.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.33.78c745b2TPTugH&algo_pvid=8e85fb57-56c6-4cc9-a80c-1afc25d0c2f3&algo_exp_id=8e85fb57-56c6-4cc9-a80c-1afc25d0c2f3-16&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%21152.23%21152.23%21%21%21152.23%21152.23%21%40210307c017183327215565656ed909%2112000032849452077%21sea%21US%212760416053%21&curPageLogUid=iobdcLkeynDQ&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A

[@miguelmendez4718]

@@AstroVanTribe thanks for the link 👍

[@michaelsorrentino3346]

Well done! Great close ups! The Seiko 2020 re- issue is my favorite of Seiko diver watches (the only Willard I own) of a collection of lots of Seiko divers.

[@Miclantechupi]

Thank for the comprehensive and very useful review. Whilst it isn't 'original', I like the fully lumed bezel, mainly because I do actually dive, and it makes the thing easier to read in low light when using the timer.

[@notyourtypicalwatchreview2563]

What a great comparison video! Awesome! (I did not know that about the “turtle” view).

[@munklikescheese9507]

Curious where ya found that leather strap set-up for that bronze watch. Looks real nice. Thx

[@AstroVanTribe]

I made it from a cheap green bund strap I purchased off eBay and a oxblood NATO strap I purchased off Amazon that I cut the safety section off of which turned it into a ZULU strap - That was before I taught myself how to make my own straps. I've been meaning to make a better version of that strap....

[@munklikescheese9507]

@@AstroVanTribe well it looks awesome. Good work!

[@tomskimcdouglegaming806]

Does the bronze one have a bronze bezel too? I bought a 62mas bronze case that had an anodized aluminium bezel so it never patina'd.

[@AstroVanTribe]

Yes

[@oktc68]

Great roundup video. The Seikosis Willard replica dials are around £50. I don't know if I would bother but I can see why some folks would. The latest Rdunae Rx2 is a very authentic experience with a good reliable movement. For an authentic homage look no further and for modders definitely a great starting point.

[@eugenesergio]

Hi sir. Thanks for the in depth comparison. Thr dented Seiko willard still available?

[@AstroVanTribe]

You can find it cheaper on eBay

[@Trevorpartington-yc6ri]

Great video I just bought a steeldive, it was cheap and I don't know if I can wear a 44mm case watch, my wrists arn't small but I'm used to 36 and 40mm watches. Love the video and now im wishing id bought the rd. Should be here in 5 days so will find out then :D

[@AvidUTuber]

Tactical Frog makes a nice Willard homage too. All these watches look nice

[@JohanDee]

It's not the imaginary captain Willard but the real existing Japanese explorer captain Naomi Uemura who made that Seiko famous in Japan. The rest of the world know that watch from a movie...🤠

[@australier263]

Bought a Tandorio MOP Willard titan NH 35a for about 55€ on Ali Ex. And this is a blast! Best quality for the paid price! 👍🏼🙏👋👋👋

[@rogerhare7886]

Good sign-que the choppers at the end. Brass Willard looks best. I want the new Addiesdive in brass-it has an all brass bezel. Looking forward to the face mods.

[@youruptownlowdown7745]

Detroit Mint gets my vote today!👍Thx!🥃

[@FiremanFrach]

Great review. Have you gotten the Heimdallr version yet?

[@AstroVanTribe]

No, I think I'm over the Captain Willard's.....

[@FiremanFrach]

@@AstroVanTribe 😂OK. Mine arrives this week, along with a Citizen eco-diver dive watch. I just like dive watches.

[@AstroVanTribe]

@@FiremanFrach ditto

[@ddeusify]

The Detroit Mint, it's a Heimdal'r Shark I think. They change only the logo. Nice review best regards.

[@Michael-us9rq]

Really enjoyed the video. Would love to hear your take on the whole homage thing. It seems to really get people hot under the collar.

[@stenic2]

I have the steeldive and it’s beautiful

[@GunGuy258]

It made me fall in love with that style. I think I like it better than the submariner style watch. I'm torn.

[@bigriceburner]

​@@GunGuy258 get both. They both are different enough to own both. And there are times to wear either.

[@GunGuy258]

@bigriceburner I do have both. I have smurf and Hulk sub homage. And white dial addiesdive and green dial steel dive turtle homage. I really think I like the turtle style better than the submariner style.

[@greifvillum]

Whats the watch on your wrist called?

[@AstroVanTribe]

I tell you what it is in the video - It doesn't have a "name" - Get on Aliexpress and start looking around, you'll find that and many others

[@greifvillum]

@@AstroVanTribe it obviously has a product title or search term to make it possible to find among the 1000s of watches on AliExpress, but you decide how you want to interact with your viewers I guess

[@clc2328]

@@AstroVanTribe why are you being elusive? I didn't hear a name in the video.

[@AstroVanTribe]

@@clc2328 I don't recall it having a name, it's a chinese built watch with a Seiko movement - These are all over aliexpress - I'm not sure I could even find the exact same watch again on there if I tried. I also haven't been on Aliexpress much again in the past 8 months or so since I made this video

[@clc2328]

@@AstroVanTribe they all are, you are useless

[@gregconrad1894]

The Rdunai seems to be a better watch altogether. Just looking at those indices. All others lume appear to be slapped on top while the Rdunai lume appears to be framed. This shows a higher level of detail like the original and better than the reissue. Same with the date window. Rdunai nailed it. Although the hands of the reissue are pretty amazin but that doesn't justify the much higher price. The hands on the Detroit have some nice detail to them. Even though I'm a huge fan of Seiko and have quite a few including my 7002 that I've had since '89, a reissue Pepsi Turtle, a SKX, a titanium JDM Shogun SBDC007, and a few others, I'm seriously considering that Rdunai. Thanks for the video.

[@russellsinkevicius2117]

I've wore one of these for over two years in construction and in or on the sea at least 5 times a week the 1970 is bombproof.

[@gtcih]

For your viewers, It would have been a complete review if you had the Seiko SLA033 Limited Edition Willard to compare to your other Willards.

[@AstroVanTribe]

can't afford it

[@jb678901]

It would be rather difficult for a utilitarian device (tool) like a watch to claim design copyright, which is typically limited to creative artwork. The shape of the coke bottle is part of that brand's trademark protections. However, this would be another difficulty as the Seiko brand is not universally associated with the Cpt Willard design. In fact, there are really limited capabilities to protect this iconic design from these "homage" designs.

[@redastrachan8978]

Very enjoyable and informative

[@oliver1965]

Great vid. Thx. Get going 🚀

[@PapaC-o9b]

they had the "lock" on the crown because they wasn't screw down they push and turn 1/3 to lock i have the first ed with the lock.

[@AstroVanTribe]

Right...

[@seanm3226]

The Detroit Mint watch is on a waffle strap , not a tropic strap.

[@justmeeagainn]

Not sure one needs to be an "anal retentive" to not appreciate a gouge on the bezel of a brand new watch.

[@AstroVanTribe]

it's a dent for sure, definitely not a gouge

[@GusAudibert]

Adiesdive !!! movement fail after 2 weeks !! was running good +1sec/day !!!

[@AstroVanTribe]

Mine is still working great & I bought it used - Seiko movements can be had for under $30, just replace the movement

[@stefpix]

Most of the homages have anemic, thin hands compared to the Seiko, especially the hour hand. I bought and sold the Addiesdive, or was it the Steeldive. the dial and the hands seemed to lack proportion one with the other. The hands much thinner than the hour markers. When you show the Seiko, you see how the hour hand matches the width of the hour marker. I prefer a lume pip than a plain triangle on the bezel insert. The Rdunae seems better than Addies/Steeldive. I wish they would use the Seiko style arrow hands. I liked the Addies/Steeldive homage of the Tuna better. deep black ink dial and nice hands.

[@GunGuy258]

I need that Bronze Willard.

[@AstroVanTribe]

It's a great watch... I haven't wormn it in a while - I keep meaning to make a new bund strap for that one

[@jeffreyalbarandorivera8595]

I like the SEIKO SPB willard because that uses an iconic seiko rotating bezel click spring like the SKX. The rest of Willards in the video has a horrible click spring. Not even worth the cheap price.

[@AstroVanTribe]

Interesting, maybe I'll do a video where I remove all the bezels and inspect them - The action on them, as I recall (I haven't worn any of these is some time), was pretty decent

[@jsytac]

Where’s the Smiths?

[@AstroVanTribe]

please don't tell me there's another one.... :D

[@michaelsorrentino3346]

lol- did Smiths make a homage too? !!! He really got a good bunch of them! That’s a lot of Willard’s with awesome closeups and comparisons. The mention of the limited edition at 23:00 reminded me of the Seiko Prospex 1970 Divers Recreation 6105 Captain Willard Ref SBDX031 Limited Edition only 2500 copies and cost thousands. I think that one had a Grand Seiko quality movement. I think the case size on the limited edition was accurate.

[@oktc68]

I wouldn't touch a Seiko Prospex Willard, that movement isn't the best. Pity because it's a great looking watch.

[@calmain13]

Mine’s definitely not garbage. Had it for four years and it’s stayed -8/+11 seconds a day. Great watch for me.

[@oktc68]

​​@@calmain13That's probably the best I've ever heard from that movement. The 6R35 is based on the other 4R35 family with a bigger mainspring and some other minor tweaks, I have many NH35/36A movements many of which will keep to around +5 SPD I only regulate them if they run slow as they are fiddly and lack a screw for adjustment. Personally +8-11 SPD isn't great for £1000 watch, however that's me, and I withdraw my "garbage" statement. The 6R35 just isn't something I'd buy, which has annoyed me at times because Seiko put it in some beautiful watches including the Prospex Willard.

[@AstroVanTribe]

Yeah, I bout mine lightly used for $750 on a nice jubilee bracelet in the original box with all the paperwork and the rubber Seiko strap. I hang out at a watch shop around the corner and have Mike regulate my movements to about +3 seconds - I also bought a timegrapher to do it myself but Mike just does it so quickly, within a couple minutes, and refuses to take money from me.... There are plenty of reasons to throw shade towards Seiko but at the same time you have to respect where they came from and all the innovation they've come up with - I'm not sure if any of my Seiko's were purchased new, possibly my 3rd gen Monster but I still got a killer deal on that one