Bought this very watch a couple of months ago. It’s superb. I did toy with the idea of spending the big bucks for the Seiko re-issue but as you’ve pointed out, this is more to the original than what Seiko is offering and a tenth of the price. Great in depth review. Thanks.
Some of the 6105-style dials on aliexpress have minute markers a little further in from the edge of the dial than others. The dials that have the minute markers not right at the edge of the dial refract nicely in the feiyashi 6105 case. Looking at the video it looks like the crystal in the new r2x shows the hour markers in refraction, but the minute markers are too close to the edge of the dial to show up in the refraction. (The feiyashi case appears to come from same factory as the r2x case, but has crown at 4.1 instead of 4.0).
The only change I see in the crown is that the arrow direction is reversed. While it may not be historically accurate, like the Rdunae I bought two years ago, it is now accurate in that this crown has to be turned clockwise in order to actually “lock” it. Happy to hear it has clear AR coating, maybe I have to buy another one…kinda wish they had 20mm lug width just for added strap and bracelet options. Do you think a 19mm uncle bracelet intended for an original 8110 would work on this?
Hello, Spencer! I would like to know if you have any info regarding future releases for this model from Rdunae, do they have any plans to further improve this model or maybe an upgrade (sapphire bezel, better movement)? Thank you! Btw: Great watch, I own one for about a month now and it’s easily my favorite (and I own a Tudor BB58 😅)
well for the money this has to be an option if you're looking at cost and want that look. +6 seconds with no beat error for a NH35.... you have to think about this.
I have this watch, and I absolutely LOVE it. I wish the applied-logo was a brushed (rather than polished) finish, but other than that I have complaints whatsoever.
I had one of these and sold it a little while back. It was the earlier variant which had a blue tint anti-reflective crystal. The newer version looks a lot nicer. I will say on the timing machine it was more accurate than the 6R35 in my Seiko reissue. Not sure if I got a good movt or it was adjusted by Rdunae in assembly.
Wonder if that spacer under the dial is to fit a date wheel insert over the standard 3.8/4.1 thing? I'll have a look when I get to opening mine - arrived this morning: very pleased! Also wonder whether they've changed crystals as mine refracts the markers nicely. Also wonder about fitting a higher type but need to measure first...
Many thanks for another fantastic review - your enthusiasm and love for the 6105 is infectious. I wonder about the crystal size in these (and if that's a factor in the lack of refraction?) - I remember their 6105-8000 you reviewed had a 31.5mm whereas the original has a 32mm... In an ideal world I'd like to fit a replacement crystal that had better angles in this, as agree that the refraction is a big part of the original... the angle is too - I love how it almost glows on the originals at certain angles. I have one coming this week so when I start playing Ill try to uodate here with the crystal size - I'm hoping its 32mm as I love the VTA crystal I have in my original.
the dotted lines of the internal dial are longer on the Seiko it is prettier when it comes to water resistance I do not recommend good level divers to dive with the hommage because it will automatically take on water
As a fan of the 6105 and the homages i enjoyed this review of yours as well as the points you made about the homage being more faithful to the original. While it also has problems being faithful to the original are you familiar with the SLA033J? I'd like to hear your thoughts on that watch too.
For what it's worth - I bought the previous r2x version. Strap was great until broke completely. I left the watch on bedside table for a month while waiting for a replacement strap and when I picked it up again, strap had split on the *other* side as well. I don't know if I my strap came from bad batch or if they all fail after a year or so.... The top crown guard on the new version is a lot bigger and looks much nicer than in the previous version where the top of the crown guard was too thin.
Seiko could sell a lot of these, but they want to charge 2-3k nowadays. I'd be really interested to see if there's a crystal out there that could replicate the original but you're probably right in the dial being a little larger or the bevel on the crystal being slightly different. I've made a couple of upgrades to mine but the bevel is the one that eludes me at the moment.
Could not get the OG nor the SLA033. The new re-issues are not for me as Im not a fan of the prospex logo on the dial. SLA051 would have been awesome but the PS logo just isn't for me. Just modded one of these. Splendid watch base for the 6105-wannabe build. @Zikan guided me through.
You're right about the crystal profile being the issue with the doubling effect of the hash marks. I've been messing around with trying to make my Rdunae more accurate to the 6105 and the shallower crystal profile and lack of double dome makes the dial not look as accurate to a real Willard. While Rdunae makes some very nice watches, I don't recommend looking into the Rdunae R1 Tuna, mine has a weird issue where the bezel gasket rubs on the click spring causing it to break and jamming up the rotating bezel. The allen head screws that hold the shroud on are such a soft metal that they've rounded over and I really can't take the watch apart anymore to work on it. It's a shame because it's a super interesting design but just has a few flaws that really kill it for me.
Spencer! I have not been able to message in a while because I could not log into RUclips. hahaha. I have a problem/question!!! I just received an early 1960's Seiko with power reserve with the 11A movement . Automatic and hand winding. The problem is the snap caseback will not stay closed. When I received the watch it fell off right away. I have snapped it back on a hundred times and in different positions. There is no groove for the stem. It's the same all the way around. It will snap closed very lightly, then just pop off again on it's own. Assuming this is because it's old or cannot work properly, is there a solution for this? Super glue? Some other watchmaker trick?
are you sure it's snapped on all the way? I've never really worked with those 11A ladies watches. I do own a few but haven't touched them for years. Sorry, that's sort of a useless answer. I'd look at both halves and attempt to mentally put them together to see where the issue might be. Not a great answer.
Jesus that insert looks original, with the triangle tip printed inside and the numbers look also Seiko even though maybe a little too thick. Maybe in person is easier to spot it but on video looks scary original.
I have owned Addiesdive and it’s a completely different watch. Everything is off, dimensions, insert, lug size etc. Rdunae is the closest to the real thing.
I need the doubling effect of a correctly angled crystal. If I purchased a Klein crystal for a 6105 would it fit in this watch? I used to own a very nice 6105 from Larry over at Uncle Straps. I foolishly sold it and they have since become too valuable for one in sublime condition. Again, I'm an absolute moron for selling it.
My friend, I have sold so many sublime watches over the years - you can get another one if you're determined and focused. Prices have come down recently - the whole watch market is depressed - so now is a great time to start looking.
It'll pass. I'm using one for over a year and it passed WR testing at the watchmaker as well as swimming in the Indian ocean and several swimming pools. And a second one succeeded as well.
One thing I've noticed is that the NH35s in microbrand watches always seem to run well. (Jody of Just One More Watch reviews a lot of these.) Coincidence or is there something to this? I wish more microbrands would use the Seiko 3-hand Mechaquartz movement to get a nice sweep second hand and grab and go practicality. I'm only awaw of one manufacturer, HGP, who does.
Somebody has been looking at alternate crystals for the r2x that improve refraction of the minute markers. The crystal he found has better refraction, but not I'm not sure it's better overall because it has a pretty pronounced external dome. Would be good if somebody could find a replacement crystal that refracts the minute markers properly without the pronounced dome. The other guy's video is here: ruclips.net/video/ZEF7nr6GlIg/видео.html
Think Seiko has to move things around to comply with various dive standards on newer watches, so they cannot just recreate it exactly, unlike rdunea..who don't have to comply with anything...Seiko cannot now put the date window where it used to be for example, and delete a marker.
I got this and it runs slow it loses an hour or more every 24 hours. it's a shame because it looks great but doesn't function as a watch unfortunately.
Swing and a miss. Not saying it wouldn't satisfy many but having had a 6105-8110 lo these many years all I can see are the flaws. Not that it matters, I'm no purist, wear what you like and like what you wear. I LOVE my Rdunae RA03 and RA01 field watches. The RA03 is what Hamilton should make if they had the balls to produce a modern KFM in 34.5mm. The RA01 has been a good placeholder for a CWC G10 but is a damn good interpretation for under $50! EDIT: I'm not knocking Rduane on this effort. Compared to where the 6105 clomage market was 10 years ago this is phenomenal. Kudos to them for the 19mm lugs. Every 20mm version of this case just has screwy proportions.
The Rdunae case is strangely familiar. I have a Steel Dive watch that follows the same case lines. Scuttlebutt is that Addies Dive used Steel Dive as the same (leading) case manufacturer. I suspect that it's the same "friendly" case as all three have the same NH35 movement. The case finish and smooth rounded bodied polished curves leads all others (in house?) I do like the case back logo of the Rdunae. I fail to see the charm of the rubber watch band. First time you rip thru till a hole to the next adjacent hole the band is trash.
Fun fact:
RDUNAE stands for
"Roma Die Uno Non Aedificata Est" latin for "Rome was not built in one day"
which i think is very cool
Bought this very watch a couple of months ago. It’s superb. I did toy with the idea of spending the big bucks for the Seiko re-issue but as you’ve pointed out, this is more to the original than what Seiko is offering and a tenth of the price. Great in depth review. Thanks.
One MAJOR thing that’s missing that I love about the original is the crystal shape. The bevel multiplies the minute markers giving such a cool look.
Can you mod it?
Some of the 6105-style dials on aliexpress have minute markers a little further in from the edge of the dial than others. The dials that have the minute markers not right at the edge of the dial refract nicely in the feiyashi 6105 case. Looking at the video it looks like the crystal in the new r2x shows the hour markers in refraction, but the minute markers are too close to the edge of the dial to show up in the refraction. (The feiyashi case appears to come from same factory as the r2x case, but has crown at 4.1 instead of 4.0).
@@BigT71 Don’t think so. Spencer measured the crystals a while ago and they weren’t the same as the originals.
The only change I see in the crown is that the arrow direction is reversed. While it may not be historically accurate, like the Rdunae I bought two years ago, it is now accurate in that this crown has to be turned clockwise in order to actually “lock” it. Happy to hear it has clear AR coating, maybe I have to buy another one…kinda wish they had 20mm lug width just for added strap and bracelet options. Do you think a 19mm uncle bracelet intended for an original 8110 would work on this?
Hello, Spencer! I would like to know if you have any info regarding future releases for this model from Rdunae, do they have any plans to further improve this model or maybe an upgrade (sapphire bezel, better movement)? Thank you!
Btw: Great watch, I own one for about a month now and it’s easily my favorite (and I own a Tudor BB58 😅)
Nice bit of kit they have done a great job
well for the money this has to be an option if you're looking at cost and want that look. +6 seconds with no beat error for a NH35.... you have to think about this.
I have this watch, and I absolutely LOVE it. I wish the applied-logo was a brushed (rather than polished) finish, but other than that I have complaints whatsoever.
I had one of these and sold it a little while back. It was the earlier variant which had a blue tint anti-reflective crystal. The newer version looks a lot nicer. I will say on the timing machine it was more accurate than the 6R35 in my Seiko reissue. Not sure if I got a good movt or it was adjusted by Rdunae in assembly.
Wonder if that spacer under the dial is to fit a date wheel insert over the standard 3.8/4.1 thing? I'll have a look when I get to opening mine - arrived this morning: very pleased! Also wonder whether they've changed crystals as mine refracts the markers nicely. Also wonder about fitting a higher type but need to measure first...
Little update since I've finally got around to opening - my Rdunae doesn't have a dial spacer, so perhaps something has been changed there.
Many thanks for another fantastic review - your enthusiasm and love for the 6105 is infectious. I wonder about the crystal size in these (and if that's a factor in the lack of refraction?) - I remember their 6105-8000 you reviewed had a 31.5mm whereas the original has a 32mm... In an ideal world I'd like to fit a replacement crystal that had better angles in this, as agree that the refraction is a big part of the original... the angle is too - I love how it almost glows on the originals at certain angles.
I have one coming this week so when I start playing Ill try to uodate here with the crystal size - I'm hoping its 32mm as I love the VTA crystal I have in my original.
Update: it is a 31.5mm. I've installed a crystal that stands further proud of the bezel and refracts beautifully - huge improvement imho.
the dotted lines of the internal dial are longer on the Seiko it is prettier when it comes to water resistance I do not recommend good level divers to dive with the hommage because it will automatically take on water
I'd be interested in seeing you autopsy the movement. Is it clean inside? Fingerprints? Oiled correctly?
Thank you!
You're welcome!
As a fan of the 6105 and the homages i enjoyed this review of yours as well as the points you made about the homage being more faithful to the original. While it also has problems being faithful to the original are you familiar with the SLA033J? I'd like to hear your thoughts on that watch too.
I'd need to have one in hand to really have an opinion.
For what it's worth - I bought the previous r2x version. Strap was great until broke completely. I left the watch on bedside table for a month while waiting for a replacement strap and when I picked it up again, strap had split on the *other* side as well. I don't know if I my strap came from bad batch or if they all fail after a year or so.... The top crown guard on the new version is a lot bigger and looks much nicer than in the previous version where the top of the crown guard was too thin.
thank you, great information!
Out of curiosity, what’s the best way to frost the markers? I can’t stand the look of the polished ones and because of that I rarely wear my R2X
Seiko could sell a lot of these, but they want to charge 2-3k nowadays. I'd be really interested to see if there's a crystal out there that could replicate the original but you're probably right in the dial being a little larger or the bevel on the crystal being slightly different. I've made a couple of upgrades to mine but the bevel is the one that eludes me at the moment.
Could not get the OG nor the SLA033. The new re-issues are not for me as Im not a fan of the prospex logo on the dial. SLA051 would have been awesome but the PS logo just isn't for me.
Just modded one of these. Splendid watch base for the 6105-wannabe build. @Zikan guided me through.
I have the black and sandblasted on order. To what degree did you mod?
I sold my sla033, the Rdunae is more like the real thing.
@@seanm3226 Very straightforward Dial swap. Might brush the handset as well but that may be down the road once the polish handset really bug me.
@23:43 is that row of holes under the bezel a *spring-the clicky spring* ? (between the bezel and the case). I can't remember seeing that on a seiko
You're right about the crystal profile being the issue with the doubling effect of the hash marks. I've been messing around with trying to make my Rdunae more accurate to the 6105 and the shallower crystal profile and lack of double dome makes the dial not look as accurate to a real Willard.
While Rdunae makes some very nice watches, I don't recommend looking into the Rdunae R1 Tuna, mine has a weird issue where the bezel gasket rubs on the click spring causing it to break and jamming up the rotating bezel. The allen head screws that hold the shroud on are such a soft metal that they've rounded over and I really can't take the watch apart anymore to work on it. It's a shame because it's a super interesting design but just has a few flaws that really kill it for me.
That's good information, Mr. Saltycrabs, thank you.
Spencer! I have not been able to message in a while because I could not log into RUclips. hahaha. I have a problem/question!!! I just received an early 1960's Seiko with power reserve with the 11A movement . Automatic and hand winding. The problem is the snap caseback will not stay closed. When I received the watch it fell off right away. I have snapped it back on a hundred times and in different positions. There is no groove for the stem. It's the same all the way around. It will snap closed very lightly, then just pop off again on it's own. Assuming this is because it's old or cannot work properly, is there a solution for this? Super glue? Some other watchmaker trick?
are you sure it's snapped on all the way? I've never really worked with those 11A ladies watches. I do own a few but haven't touched them for years. Sorry, that's sort of a useless answer. I'd look at both halves and attempt to mentally put them together to see where the issue might be. Not a great answer.
@@SpencerKleinVintageWatch ladies watch? How dare you ! Haha It's like 36 mm bro
Looked at getting one of these last year during the sale but they sold out.
I just picked up their feild watches the other day, they make awesome stuff
Jesus that insert looks original, with the triangle tip printed inside and the numbers look also Seiko even though maybe a little too thick. Maybe in person is easier to spot it but on video looks scary original.
@spencer Curious if the other 6105 lookalikes-e.g., Heimdallr or Addiesdive-differ in quality or are rebranded Rdunaes
I have owned Addiesdive and it’s a completely different watch. Everything is off, dimensions, insert, lug size etc. Rdunae is the closest to the real thing.
They are all different from the RDUNAE.
Just look at the crown position and the lug width.
When do they do a VH31 version?
I need the doubling effect of a correctly angled crystal. If I purchased a Klein crystal for a 6105 would it fit in this watch? I used to own a very nice 6105 from Larry over at Uncle Straps. I foolishly sold it and they have since become too valuable for one in sublime condition. Again, I'm an absolute moron for selling it.
My friend, I have sold so many sublime watches over the years - you can get another one if you're determined and focused. Prices have come down recently - the whole watch market is depressed - so now is a great time to start looking.
I am still going to patiently wait for an original 6105
is the 8l35 and 55 movements just based on 7s ? I thought it was different
I'm glad for the ammonites. And you deserve an unforgivable microphone.
This question confuses me.
@@SpencerKleinVintageWatch yes, the ammonites can be unsettling... Rhodes directional mics should re-establish our inner peace
Would be interesting to see a water resistance test.
It'll pass. I'm using one for over a year and it passed WR testing at the watchmaker as well as swimming in the Indian ocean and several swimming pools.
And a second one succeeded as well.
One thing I've noticed is that the NH35s in microbrand watches always seem to run well. (Jody of Just One More Watch reviews a lot of these.) Coincidence or is there something to this?
I wish more microbrands would use the Seiko 3-hand Mechaquartz movement to get a nice sweep second hand and grab and go practicality. I'm only awaw of one manufacturer, HGP, who does.
SPB151 replicates the crystal look 100%. It’s only missing the framed date window and the crown.
Thanks Brad - good information
i have one, i also had the sla033, its more of a copy of the 033 than 491, which i also own
4 pips either side of the 0 marker on the bezel
Somebody has been looking at alternate crystals for the r2x that improve refraction of the minute markers. The crystal he found has better refraction, but not I'm not sure it's better overall because it has a pretty pronounced external dome. Would be good if somebody could find a replacement crystal that refracts the minute markers properly without the pronounced dome. The other guy's video is here: ruclips.net/video/ZEF7nr6GlIg/видео.html
Nice :)
Think Seiko has to move things around to comply with various dive standards on newer watches, so they cannot just recreate it exactly, unlike rdunea..who don't have to comply with anything...Seiko cannot now put the date window where it used to be for example, and delete a marker.
They did in the SLA033.
Seiko has better reissue called SLA033 , BUT it sold out immediately and they command premium. Prices hovering around 6000-7000$ 🤯
There were plenty for sale on the 2nd hand market 6 months ago closer to $3000, even when I sold my one I got abit below $3500
I got this and it runs slow it loses an hour or more every 24 hours. it's a shame because it looks great but doesn't function as a watch unfortunately.
Swing and a miss. Not saying it wouldn't satisfy many but having had a 6105-8110 lo these many years all I can see are the flaws. Not that it matters, I'm no purist, wear what you like and like what you wear. I LOVE my Rdunae RA03 and RA01 field watches. The RA03 is what Hamilton should make if they had the balls to produce a modern KFM in 34.5mm. The RA01 has been a good placeholder for a CWC G10 but is a damn good interpretation for under $50!
EDIT: I'm not knocking Rduane on this effort. Compared to where the 6105 clomage market was 10 years ago this is phenomenal. Kudos to them for the 19mm lugs. Every 20mm version of this case just has screwy proportions.
I have this watch… my lume melted n disintegrated ….
Oh damn. Just like that?
Have you reached them out for this?
These are wonderful watches and for a fraction of the overpriced Seiko reissues.
Seiko is lazy and greedy.
Nice seiko
The Addiesdive is comparable to this Rdunea, and you can get it for under $75 . It has the same NH35 in it as well
Nope. There are differences, The R2X is fairly good homage to it.
@@ronin7106 I believe you. Could you describe some of the differences?
The Rdunae case is strangely familiar. I have a Steel Dive watch that follows the same case lines. Scuttlebutt is that Addies Dive used Steel Dive as the same (leading) case manufacturer. I suspect that it's the same "friendly" case as all three have the same NH35 movement. The case finish and smooth rounded bodied polished curves leads all others (in house?) I do like the case back logo of the Rdunae. I fail to see the charm of the rubber watch band. First time you rip thru till a hole to the next adjacent hole the band is trash.
Not at all, two completely different things.
Nh 35 is nh 35 my main point is that the2 watches were comparable and the addiesdive or steeldive 1970 are under a hundred by far.