I have a 6105-8119 that I bought at the Base Exchange at Barksdale AFB in 1976. I wore it every day for 15 years until the crystal was so scratched you couldn’t tell what time it was. It. Spent the rest of its life in the back of my jewelry box until I saw a video on RUclips where 6105 was being restored. At that point I pulled by old beater out and wow,it was the same watch. My $90 dollar watch was now worth $1500 to 2500! I sent my 6105 out to be restored and while I was waiting for it to come back I browsed E Bay and came upon the 237 and ordered it from Japan. Now I have 2 Willard’s and am really pleased with both.
@@dustycups there was a pretty good selection. There were upscale watches like Rolex Submariners but they were too far out of reach of us poor enlisted folk.
I like your comments on patina and totally agree. When I first started collecting I wanted my watches to stay pristine but now I love the idea of them accumulating signs of wear to the point I’m turned off by ceramic bezels.
I picked up the spb237 in February and quickly fell in love with it.. I wear mine daily on a green SWC Velcro strap and it is extremely comfortable! So comfortable that a few months later, l also acquired a used sla061 black/black.. talk about luxurious, the watch exudes everything a luxury tool watch should, it is solid, legible and has a warm, luxurious, feeling on the wrist.. even the rubber strap feels different than all my other straps.. and now 2 of my four Seiko are Willards… go figure 🤔!
I love the 6105, so I have one of each (love those gray dials). They come across differently, though. The 051 is stunning, with a slight texture that breaks up the sunburst with those indices that kinda glow blue even in daylight (this video just doesn't do it justice) and love the deep polished bezel. On the other hand, the 237 comes across differently but equally cool, which is why I have both. It has more of a matte bezel, I'm a big fan of tanned indices, the size is more wearable for my wrist, and it has a properly beveled crystal, a detail that the Uemara edition missed the boat on. My Uemara is on the modernized waffle strap from my Marinemaster 300, and the 237 is on a chocolate bar strap from Uncle Seiko. But if I had to keep just one mechanical watch, I think it would be the 237, even over my Omega Aqua Terra GMT.
Another thorough and excellent review. I own an SPB151 and SLA051 and think there is room in a collection for both. The SPB has a more rugged tool watch vibe, whereas the polished finishes on the SLA make it appear more dressed up. The SLA is gorgeously finished though and you won't regret spending the extra coin. I love the black date window on the SLA but prefer the crown position of the SPB (it is much easier to adjust). One minor visual difference is that the indices on the SLA do not slightly taper as the ones on the SPB do, making them truer to the original design.
I picked up the 237 about a month ago and really enjoying it. It comes with a second nato in grey which I chose to wear over the green but have been wearing it on an Uncle Seiko waffle rubber strap for the past week or so.
I did the same thing...the waffle strap looks perfect on this watch. I went with Luff straps FKM rubber instead of Uncle Seiko though. The NATO straps look great but the thickness is a bit much.
@@Angry_Gnome agreed on the oem nato straps, will probably reserve them for summer time. Will check out Luff straps! Either way the willard is a strap killer.
I have my 237 on black silicone. I love it. I’d do an 033 over a 051 though. The 033 is nearly a faithful 6105-8110 reproduction…if only they’d got the glass right! Part of the Willard look is the reflected minute markers which the 237 gets right and the 033 doesn’t.
An excellent video. I happen to be wearing my SPB237 this morning. If I had a one or two watch collection, I might go for the SLA052 or even the SLA033 reference which comes with a Grand Seiko movement. I have a Grand Seiko spring drive diver (SBGA229) and a Great White Shark Save the Ocean Samurai with the SPB237 coming in the middle. Aesthetically I love the dial finish, the contrasting cream colored indices, the discrete date window at three o’clock and the sensuous curves of the case which contrast with the coin edge of the bezel. I love the Seichu fabric straps aesthetically but swap them off with a gray suede Veblenist NATO which has a bit less bulk (although it is unsuited for diving). As a value proposition, I find the SPB237 hard to beat. As I am a desk diver, I might even pop for a gray alligator NATO strap for my SPB237 and treat this reference in much the way that people treat their Panerais by changing up a multitude of straps. Like PAMs, the SPB237 works well as a sport watch with diving antecedents.
I was planning to get the SPB237, but than I found the Hamilton PanEuro that were similar price. There are some similarity in both watches like both are reinterpretation of the originals from the 70s, cushion case and beautiful dial, comes with 2 straps. However, the Hamilton has the edge with a better movement. It not only has 80 hr pwr reserve, but also more accurate than the 6R35. Also, the Hamilton has no alignment issues. Only negative on the Hamilton is the 50m water resistance.
Seiko ? I own TWO ... a Quartz Dress Watch gifted to me by a Family member and a SARB 017 Alpinist (GREEN) . But, as it stands. Seiko's QC continues to be Doggy. I'm NOT ready to go down the ALI Express "rabbit hole". But I'd be content to buy a Comparable 'ISLANDER' Watch from Long Island Watch. SORRY. but It had to be said.
there are no misallignments 🤦♂. The bezel sits above the minute track on the dial so unless you view it perfectly from above it will always look like it is misalligned.
![Average Bros [Mark Alamares]](http://yt3.ggpht.com/AMTyfBoS_HGUS5NeMIdml3FQHYPLCvE10yYPfvjGSZRfNEkgmgSJlVqPFEQ4yky_fTnRrnqQ=s48-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj)
I have a 6105-8119 that I bought at the Base Exchange at Barksdale AFB in 1976. I wore it every day for 15 years until the crystal was so scratched you couldn’t tell what time it was. It. Spent the rest of its life in the back of my jewelry box until I saw a video on RUclips where 6105 was being restored. At that point I pulled by old beater out and wow,it was the same watch. My $90 dollar watch was now worth $1500 to 2500! I sent my 6105 out to be restored and while I was waiting for it to come back I browsed E Bay and came upon the 237 and ordered it from Japan. Now I have 2 Willard’s and am really pleased with both.
Outstanding!
At these base exchanges back in those days, was there much range of watches to choose from or was this pretty much all there was?
@@dustycups there was a pretty good selection. There were upscale watches like Rolex Submariners but they were too far out of reach of us poor enlisted folk.
@@fw1421 Good to know, thanks!
Great story!
I keep rewatching your Seiko vids. They are great.
I like your comments on patina and totally agree. When I first started collecting I wanted my watches to stay pristine but now I love the idea of them accumulating signs of wear to the point I’m turned off by ceramic bezels.
I picked up the spb237 in February and quickly fell in love with it.. I wear mine daily on a green SWC Velcro strap and it is extremely comfortable! So comfortable that a few months later, l also acquired a used sla061 black/black.. talk about luxurious, the watch exudes everything a luxury tool watch should, it is solid, legible and has a warm, luxurious, feeling on the wrist.. even the rubber strap feels different than all my other straps.. and now 2 of my four Seiko are Willards… go figure 🤔!
The hard coating has held up well. For the amount of times I have banged that thing on dive gear with no marks is crazy.
Great comparison! Both are awesome pieces. There's something special about that SLA
I have the 237 and absolutely adore that watch...I'm sure the 051 is incredible in person.
Me too! Just got it! Love the natos, they’re 🔥…However, I wear it on the Willard silicone strap because it gives me that true Willard vibe.
I love the 6105, so I have one of each (love those gray dials). They come across differently, though. The 051 is stunning, with a slight texture that breaks up the sunburst with those indices that kinda glow blue even in daylight (this video just doesn't do it justice) and love the deep polished bezel. On the other hand, the 237 comes across differently but equally cool, which is why I have both. It has more of a matte bezel, I'm a big fan of tanned indices, the size is more wearable for my wrist, and it has a properly beveled crystal, a detail that the Uemara edition missed the boat on. My Uemara is on the modernized waffle strap from my Marinemaster 300, and the 237 is on a chocolate bar strap from Uncle Seiko. But if I had to keep just one mechanical watch, I think it would be the 237, even over my Omega Aqua Terra GMT.
237,it's just great all round .
Another thorough and excellent review. I own an SPB151 and SLA051 and think there is room in a collection for both. The SPB has a more rugged tool watch vibe, whereas the polished finishes on the SLA make it appear more dressed up. The SLA is gorgeously finished though and you won't regret spending the extra coin. I love the black date window on the SLA but prefer the crown position of the SPB (it is much easier to adjust). One minor visual difference is that the indices on the SLA do not slightly taper as the ones on the SPB do, making them truer to the original design.
237 Best Willard out there!
Love my spb237. It’s my daily at the moment
I picked up the 237 about a month ago and really enjoying it. It comes with a second nato in grey which I chose to wear over the green but have been wearing it on an Uncle Seiko waffle rubber strap for the past week or so.
I did the same thing...the waffle strap looks perfect on this watch. I went with Luff straps FKM rubber instead of Uncle Seiko though. The NATO straps look great but the thickness is a bit much.
@@Angry_Gnome agreed on the oem nato straps, will probably reserve them for summer time. Will check out Luff straps! Either way the willard is a strap killer.
I have my 237 on black silicone. I love it. I’d do an 033 over a 051 though. The 033 is nearly a faithful 6105-8110 reproduction…if only they’d got the glass right! Part of the Willard look is the reflected minute markers which the 237 gets right and the 033 doesn’t.
An excellent video. I happen to be wearing my SPB237 this morning. If I had a one or two watch collection, I might go for the SLA052
or even the SLA033 reference which comes with a Grand Seiko movement. I have a Grand Seiko spring drive diver (SBGA229) and a Great White Shark Save the Ocean Samurai with the SPB237 coming in the middle. Aesthetically I love the dial finish, the contrasting cream colored indices, the discrete date window at three o’clock and the sensuous curves of the case which contrast with the coin edge of the bezel. I love the Seichu fabric straps aesthetically but swap them off with a gray suede Veblenist NATO which has a bit less bulk (although it is unsuited for diving). As a value proposition, I find the SPB237 hard to beat. As I am a desk diver, I might even pop for a gray alligator NATO strap for my SPB237 and treat this reference in much the way that people treat their Panerais by changing up a multitude of straps. Like PAMs, the SPB237 works well as a sport watch with diving antecedents.
The SLA033 also has an 8L35, similar to the GS 9S65 automatics but with lower power reserve and unregulated
SLA051 (sbdx047) Put mine on Tropic NATO Green strap. Looks awesome.
Much needed review. Torn between 051 and 033. Apparently 033 has better polishing? Is that true?
I nearly bought the sla051 but it was too much of a departure from the 6105 for me, so in the end I picked up a real 6105. A really minty example too
Willard wins except for the movement, turtle case and unclear crystal
Waiting on a new to me SLA051 to arrive - big step up from the first gen Orange Monster that’s been my daily for 15 years.
SLA051 (SBDX047) Got mine at 1350gbp. Chrono24 seller.
I wish Seiko produced solar versions of all there latest automatic offerings especially the SPB147 range.
Miss the silver date window framing ........think that was a "miss"....Minor quibble...
I was planning to get the SPB237, but than I found the Hamilton PanEuro that were similar price. There are some similarity in both watches like both are reinterpretation of the originals from the 70s, cushion case and beautiful dial, comes with 2 straps. However, the Hamilton has the edge with a better movement. It not only has 80 hr pwr reserve, but also more accurate than the 6R35. Also, the Hamilton has no alignment issues. Only negative on the Hamilton is the 50m water resistance.
SLA033 is the closest to the original 6105 Willard while that SPB looks like an SKX conversion cases..hehe
Word
$1600??? I hope it's gone already. I need another watch like a fish needs a bicycle.
I hate the 3:45 crown on this case. It should always be 4 o'clock crown like on the SLA, which is where the original was.
Totally! It is a deal breaker for me and the only reason I have not bought a new Willard. Why is no-one else commenting on this?
I'm of the opinion that whenever there are fauxtina indices, the date wheel should be black as opposed to pure white. Great design otherwise though.
it pronounce “Yi-u Mura”
Never have been a big fan of the 4:30 date window.
Seiko ? I own TWO ... a Quartz Dress Watch gifted to me by a Family member and a SARB 017 Alpinist (GREEN) . But, as it stands. Seiko's QC continues to be Doggy. I'm NOT ready to go down the ALI Express "rabbit hole". But I'd be content to buy a Comparable 'ISLANDER' Watch from Long Island Watch. SORRY. but It had to be said.
Nothing to apologize for, not every model, brand, or price point is for everyone
I wish seiko will produce a solar version of the Willard 🙏
I wish Seiko produced solar versions of all there latest automatic offerings especially the SPB147 range.
No thanks
I'm watching your video with my blue Steeldive on the wrist... and I'm happy with this choice. 😇
Were the mis-alignments deliberate or down to crap Seiko QC ?
there are no misallignments 🤦♂. The bezel sits above the minute track on the dial so unless you view it perfectly from above it will always look like it is misalligned.
Nice try.