The Seiko Prospex SPB237J1 Captain Willard Re-Interpretation - Why Does It Cost So Much?

[@wintermute8315]

For anyone considering this watch, just note that he's not wearing the strap correctly. It absolutely can (and should) be tucked back through the top keeper, and the excess tucks away very neatly. It's a phenomenal strap, truly. I wear the second included strap on a different watch, and it elevates the looks of it immensely.

[@andrewbarnes5802]

I agree with you on the strap, other than buying this watch, any idea where I might buy one?

[@Seffsqautch]

Same. I want to know where we can buy this strap. And how to spell the type of braiding technique so I can search it

[@BennyTriad]

I have Tudor, Omega, Rolex and still absolutely love my seikos

[@richardhoulton4016]

It’s a great looking watch. I’ve always wanted a 6105 and, in my opinion, the 237 is the best looking Willard reissue. I’m wearing mine on the SPB153’s black silicone strap (more 6105 like) because I find the NATOs a bit bulky (although they are high quality items). I think they could have, and should have, framed the date window. With respect to accuracy, mine’s running about +3 to +5 seconds a day which is totally acceptable.

[@12and60]

Sounds like a great strap combo. I bet it looks great on rubber. And yeah, I think a framed date window would look fantastic

[@ChrisJones-ki2bx]

Excatly Seiko always underestimate their accuracy, I've a samarai and monster and both run between 5-10 seconds a day

[@karlgustav5490]

i have 3 Steeldive SD1970 and got the original SPB151J1 seiko for my birthday. The steeldive is definitively cheaper than it should be and the seiko is more expensive than it should be, lol. the steeldive is a real replica of the original 6105 Willard, more than the SPB. And it has everything we can ask : sapphire, NH35, 316L steel, perfect finish, historically accurate, engraved crown, huge better lume than the seiko, etc.. i love it !! but now i have the SPB, it's very difficult for me to wear the steeldive! the seiko is a wonderful watch with a great real and cinematographic story; there is tons of small details who makes the difference with other replicas ( i hate the "hommage" word). it's by far my favorite watch! i think it worth its price if you are considering all aspects, even if you can find similar features and quality on 500eu watches.

[@malikknows3510]

Nice video and good points. Folks just need to change their pre-conceived notions of how much a Seiko costs, and where they now sit in the market. You are absolutely correct about microbrands (esp. Chinese manufactured) making it difficult for Seiko to compete at those price points. But Seiko is selling quite a few movements to them so they are profiting from this trend also.

[@deucecaddy]

The instructions actually shows you how the keepers work, which I think I think works better than doubling the strap through the top keeper. You tuck the excess through the bottom keeper which slides up towards the top keeper and does a great job of locking it in place.

[@NicolaElia-ng9pb]

Good review!! I just bought a mint one off marketplace today and am so pumped! I have wanted a Willard for a while now and am excited to finally have one!!

[@hunterluxton5976]

One important rationale for this watche's appearance which you have omitted to discuss is what Seiko was ultimately trying to achieve. The face is a mildly discordant grey, the aim was to mimic a sun bleached appearance. The lume colours attempt the same trick. I have an SP 151 with an " Uncle Seiko divers " waffle" watch strap. It looks stunning

[@WatchesAndPhotography]

That blue Lumibright is awesome.

[@NCTraveller]

This is my daily watch. I love it.

[@tunokies]

Fantastic review James, with wonderful videography. The dial texture is lovely and I agree that it would look more of a 'premium' watch if Seiko could have metal framed the date (the new ISO rules having to show lume at every 5 minutes on the dial restricts this I guess). What a treat to see my 1976 Seiko 'Willard' 6105-8110 at 20 seconds in to the video. See you at the next Redbar and I've already put the 'Watch-it' watch fair date in my diary. All the best, Jason.

[@12and60]

Thanks Jason! And thank you for lending me your Willard. I know it's only in there for a few seconds, but it's very helpful being able to show the original!

[@joeygreen77]

Fabulous review mate 👌

[@tunokies]

Hey Joe 🤛🏻

[@joeygreen77]

@@tunokies 👊😊

[@12and60]

Thanks Joe! 🙏🏻

[@1malikalik]

Am American and I immediately noticed the LEATHERMAN Multitool in the background. It's a subtle yet beautiful touch that enhances your rendition of the Willard, an icon watch in American folklore and wore by American G.I in Vietnam. Thanks bro. Greetings from USA 🇺🇸

[@kenamaro3942]

My friend got one of these last week. He thought it was counterfeit, the bezel and chapter ring markers all lined up..

[@Erick925]

Just picked one up from Gnomon for $920! Can’t wait to receive it!!! 😁

[@karlgustav5490]

forgot to say: the sapphire is a double dome sapphire, wich is nicer and more expensive than a regular sapphire.

[@timothywillis8883]

Good review! Got the watch. Love it!

[@SoCalWatchReviews]

Another great video brother 👏

[@12and60]

Thanks mate! Much appreciated 🙏🏻

[@grumpygrumpygrump]

I can’t decide what Seiko to buy???

[@A_Dude_And_His_Watch78]

Simple answer. All of them.

[@maxpaws3977]

Simple. None. Seiko is grossly overrated. Terrible QC and general poor quality made.

[@andrewbarnes5802]

Not sure I'd want to pay the full asking price for this Seiko, nice though it is, I'd love to get myself one of the Seichu polyester straps it's on. Tried one on from the Black series from my local AD and apart from it being very long (wasn't wearing my wetsuit) I think they're great. Anyone on here know where I might get one?

[@varanid9]

Nobody pays full asking price. Not for this, or for Tudors or Omegas, for that matter.

[@mauriceclemens3286]

Seiko charges $160 for those NATO bands. Obscenely expensive price for cloth bands.

[@BuckNaked2k]

I heard they go for $211.

[@Slim-Diesel]

Tbh I’ve had a omega nato 1957 and I have a seiko seichu the seiko blows it away in quality

[@perspxtif1284]

that dial...ohmen cost me sleepless night, keep thinking of it

[@jeffreyalbarandorivera9750]

LOL The closest resemblance to 6105 Captain Willard look was the SLA033 not that one or even other releases.

[@richardhoulton4016]

But the SLA033 got the beveled glass wrong and you don’t get the reflected minute markers which is a signature part of the 6105 look. The 237 gets that right.

[@ej8688]

Why does it cost so much? That caught my eye! Now I want to know. 👍

[@TheZanshen]

Seiko king turtle blows this away. In my opinion

[@rayray..3349]

THANK U, & SUBSCRIBED as im a SEIKO Lover.

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

This would look a lot fancier and classy wearing a Watch Gecko Octopod strap and buckle.

[@kimpark3956]

I can't really justify $1300 for this Captain Willard. Not enough value here for me. What is a good alternative? I already have the Steeldive Captain Willard and like that too. I'm thinking a Seiko Prospex Turtle watch is good, which is anywhere from $300-$400 is a better buy for those that want a Seiko instead of an homage watch like the Steeldive.

[@varanid9]

The SRP turtle is good. I'm a big 6105 fan so I paid full price for the Uemara edition with the Grand Seiko movement, but, if you're just as satisfied with the Turtle ( I also have one of them ), it's pointless to pay for the watch in this video as the 6R15 is just a 4R35 with, supposedly, better parts. But the 4R35 is a proven, long life and bomb-proof movement. When the time comes for service, it's cheaper just to replace the whole movement. If the aesthetics of the 6105 isn't an issue, just stick to the Turtle.

[@kimpark3956]

@@varanid9 Makes sense.

[@williammcnamara5190]

Great review 👏

[@enriqueparedespinel1694]

It should be chronometer rated and 4Hrtz at least to charged that amount, I'm a Seiko lover nonetheless.

[@TerenceHughes4501]

I wouldn't put too much faith in the diashield coating. I put a scratch on mine just wiping the kitchen sink hitting the tap. It was an incredibly light knock. The other disadvantage is you can't polish out or brush over scratches. You'll make a real mess if you try. I'd happily do without it. That said I absolutely adore my Willard. It feels special. Mine was losing 10 seconds a day which I wasn't happy with so self regulated it, and its now running at +2 per day. I leave the watch crown down overnight and it loses about a second, making a net gain of + 7 per week. This is a good movement.

[@tomk8729]

Good video but would be even better without the cheesey music.

[@AlbertKel]

6r35 is a horrible movement. Mine is 25 s to fast every day. It was regulated and did 5s for a While before it gradually drifted back to 25 s.

[@TerenceHughes4501]

Mines Been running +2 per day for over a year. If I leave it crown down overnight it loses a second, giving me a net gain of +7.

[@AlbertKel]

@@TerenceHughes4501 lucky you. The movement has like a sdev of 20 sec and is so crude machinated with grease all over the place. It’s impossible to regulate for long term performance.

[@TerenceHughes4501]

@@AlbertKel You are a liar. After reading that I don't believe you have had any experience. Idiot. Go troll somewhere else you lying pos

[@AlbertKel]

The accuracy numbers are from Seikos own documentation. You may have been lucky with your watch, but this movement is mass produced with poor fit and finish and you need to disassemble and clean the entire movement before you regulate it if you want any form of reliability. I understand that you are defensive about a watch you are proud of, but this movement belong in a sub 100 dollar watch.

[@stevehenrytagami4709]

It's a 700 dollar watch . You may as well go Watch dives or Steel dive and save 1130 USD

[@skyemoviesF89]

It’s way too expensive James. Until Seiko make a better effort with their movement’s accuracy this is just too high a price to ask. Plus those NATO’s are way too chunky and if you can’t tuck the excess into the keeper then that’s bad design. The Willard should come on a waffle or tropic rubber strap. For a fraction of the price you can get the Steeldive Willard which is almost absurdly good value in comparison.

[@flow2tech]

@Skye Movies thought the same until i got one on the gnomon seiko sale.. running plus 2 in all posistions ...Hell of a watch in person and on wrist. I can't be wearing homage versions.. But thats just me.

[@TheZanshen]

Definitely mate on the steel dive .Great value and is the seiko £1100 better I think not in my opinion.

[@justmeeagainn]

You have no idea what you’re talking about. The Steeldive isn’t even close. You’ve obviously never compared the two in person. The price may be too high for you, but that’s just you. You’re clearly a cheapskate that will settle for a rip-off instead of buying the real thing. Enjoy your Chinese knock-off. Let the adults have fun with the genuine article.

[@TheZanshen]

@@justmeeagainn Who are you talking about ?

[@karlgustav5490]

read my post above about the steeldive and this seiko. ;)

[@stauguastine]

The actual production costs don't warranty that price point, nevertheless, the willingness for Seiko fanboys to continue to pay overinflated prices for the name does. That is the explanation for the reason it costs so much in a nutshell. The same phenomena is happening in tools too, the production of high quality tools and the related costs have come down dramatically over the past 50 years so they are able to go head to head with tool truck brands on quality at a much more affordable price. The same is happening in the watch market, Seiko's cost of production for the same watches with improved movements have plummeted over the past 50 years as well as other watch manufacturers. Nevertheless, like the tool trucks Seiko is continuing to charge much more for sometimes no so much more quality or the same quality offered by other manufacturers of watches. Don't get me wrong, I love Seiko watches and have owned a few over the years, but just like I won't darken the doors of a Snap-On truck I doubt I will be buying a Seiko anytime soon and for the same reason.

[@LesterLovesWatches]

Great video. You’re right. It’s basically a cash-grab based on the heritage aspect. I doubt there’s any hand-finishing to justify the price, and as we know rather poor quality control in general at Seiko at the moment. It’s true that it is no more expensive than the equivalent Tudor or Oris but I don’t think that justifies the very large profit that they must be making on each unit, especially considering similar spec and quality watches can be hard for a fifth of the price from Mr Ali.

[@TerenceHughes4501]

So buy from Ali express. Don't hang around on seiko reviews whining. Simple

[@robd8577]

I love watching watch videos but gee if I feel shallow and empty afterwards. So many superlatives and yet so meaningless and unimportant.

[@T.Q.]

And still no ceramic bezel unlike the King Turtle which costs half the price but with th 4R36B movement with 41 hour power reserve instead of 70. This watch makes no sense and is marketed towards people who buy the whole Hollywood nonsense with the Apocalypse Now movie as a marketing tool.

[@NexDim.]

We don’t all want ceramic. I prefer it this way. I want to see some scratches, it’s a tool watch.

[@T.Q.]

@@NexDim. Scratches don't make a tool watch. That's backwards thinking.

[@NexDim.]

@@T.Q. that’s not what I said/ intended. I would prefer to not have ceramic as I don’t think it fits a tool watch. Scratches should be acceptable on a tool watch.

[@valebliz]

@@T.Q. to be fair it’s a historical reissue, if there’s a type of watch where you don’t want ceramic, it’s this one.

[@karlgustav5490]

ceramic bezel is more glossy than the alu one. my steeldive have a ceramic bezel, and i prefer BY FAR the alu one on my seiko. this mat and deep black look is way more gorgeous!!