My Seiko SPB153 VERSUS SLA049 - Worth The Price Tag?
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- Опубликовано: 6 июл 2024
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#seiko #seikodivewatch #seikowillard #seikospb153 #sla049 #seikolimited edition #WILLARD 
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Ahhh Russell!! I loved this! You’re so zaney and fabulous. You’re making me wanna buy a Seiko!
WG appreciate you watching a humble show of mine! There is a Seiko out there for Brittany for sure! When I review a Cocktail time then you’ll get the checque book out!!!!;)
Stop talking about it and do it! 😉
No thanks,I’m happy with the 6105 I bought in 1976 when I was in the USAF. I think it cost me maybe $95.00 at the Base Exchange. I recently had it serviced for the first time and replaced the crystal. It’s not pristine but I wore it for 15 years before I put it away and bought another Seiko. Now it’s one of my prized possessions.
Superb my friend!
Awesome story I’m looking for a ‘77 myself.
Man, you're mad. Really. And I love it! Thank you for that! Your video was the last straw to buy my SLA049 one year ago as my new daily rocker. It's a great watch and worth the money. You're right! Great Channel!
Alas, I prefer the SPB153. It's the definitive Willard reissue in my eyes.
Thanks MWC, I bought the SLA049 for my big five zero birthday last year. I wanted something special(for me), it’s by far the most expensive watch I’ve ever bought. I love it, the way the bezel changes shades of blue in different lights, every now and again you catch a flash light across the inky dial, the watch seems to have a mind of its own. Some might say why not spend a couple more 100 quid and get a Tudor Black Bay (which I nearly did) or spend the tenth of the price and get a Turtle (I have already for 200 quid from the local pawn shop), but I love the shape of the SLA049 so much it just had to be. Thanks for helping my make my mind up MWC, I haven’t regretted it for a second. You are like a watch buying wing man!
I too purchased one. The thing is just gorgeous in person and noticeably set apart from any other Willard. Enjoy friend, I know I will.
"Make you charge more." :-D - I'm totally on your side with your green beauty. It's a tool watch.
hahahahaha thank you my friend!
Another great review 👏
Gotta say, I'm loving this new membership only early content malarkey 👍🏻
you've gotten really good at editing the videos, the lighting/background, the little details. happy to see your channel grow, you definitely put in the work,
Thank you so much my friend!!!!!!!
I really love your videos, so entertaining. Your style of editing is so cool and I especially love the “What the wife thinks” segment.
Cheers Jason! Appreciate that a lot thank you!!
You manage to get a lot of information in this video, and yet it remains delightfully daft. Well done Russell.
Cheers Joe! Thanks for the support! Have a great weekend!
Seiko is a very special manufacturer.
I bought this watch new , a little over half of retail from a jeweler. Think at retail is is still a great watch. Fits so well on my 7.25 in wrist. Seiko divers just fit.
The split case, over all design is spectacular. Best of all. Tribute to Noemi Umuera.
Something all of us Seiko fanboys (myself included) always ignore, is the appalling fit of the end links on bracelet furnished Seikos. To me they always look like the bracelet is for a completely different watch! I've got the SPB237J1, which is one of my absolute favourite watches, and it's saving grace is that it DOESN'T come with a bracelet. When will Seiko get their act together on this front?!
Personnaly I prefer your green Willard. The blue one looks great but it's a bit dressy looking for me.
Thanks Lola!! Yep totally agree!!
Thank you for the super thanks!!! No more now you’ve given enough!!;)
Another great video! Never disappointed look forward to the next :)
Cheers Joe appreciate that a lot!
Great review! I just bought one, now waiting for it to arrive. I have a number of turtles, and a nice Willard on the woven straps. Bought the sla049 at a very good price. Not a bunch more than my Willard.
You are right. The green Willard is a great tool watch. The SLA 049 is eye candy that still has muscle. Is it worth the money at retail? If you want something different. The case, 8l movement, history of Naomi Uemura. For me, having a watch with reference to him is special.
I have a sla043. Grand Seiko price for a Seiko. Needs to be compared to Tudor, Rolex, omega. Worth every penny to me. Stunning watch that is super tough. I wear it to work on a farm. Not a mark on it.
The SLA series of seikos are a mixed bag. Some are average.....maybe over priced. Others are great watches for the money.
They're often on sale for about 2k , in person they're very impressive , the movement runs about chronometer grade a real step up smooth sweep worth the money on sale I feel .
Stunning watch. Brilliant video.
Appreciated thank you Barry!!!
Big Seiko fan here 👋 I just love the green Willard SPB153, what a nice watch it is.
Ransu! Appreciate you watching the show!
This is a tough one. I daily wear an SPB153 green Willard as you have. I think this SLA is worth what they are asking for it, but I’d prefer an upmarket version of the SPB153 with an 8L and some additional refinements for that price. The 153 just wears better, and I still think it rivals many other icons out there. I also have a SBBN045 (S23529j1) that I don’t wear as much. That’s more a grab and go for the beach, and an Alpinist which is my suit and tie watch. If I had to give up all my watches and keep only one, the 153 is the one. I’m a Seiko guy since 2003. My first was a kinetic my wife got me before deploying to Iraq. These watches just take a beating with grace. Love your reviews. Keep it up.
I can’t afford either. 🙄 I’ll stick with my Heimdallr Captain Willard homage. It’s pretty rugged.
Two seiko’s in one show you are spoiling us MWC 🤙🏻
Hahahahaha thank thank you my friend!!
Great review, great channel, thanks Russ, a pleasure to watch 🤦🏻♂️🤣😂
Thank you my friend! It means a lot seeing how many of the shows you’ve seen in so little time! I hope it shows an improvement to the first ones!;)
This dude just kills it great reviews very informative funny you're own personal touch and a genuine watch nerd like all of us doing what he is passionate about anyway I just dropped in to say this hope you see it 😁
You are very kind my friend thank you so much! Hope you are having a great weekend so far!
Great video! I love my SPB153 as well, I have it on an Artem strap actually, so we have two things in common! Seiko's black silicone is very nice and comfortable, but something about it just looks too plain... Artem's black sailcloth has that stitching on the sides, a small visual difference which just makes it so much more interesting to the eye IMO
I think you have to handle the SLA’s to truly appreciate them. I personally think they are phenomenal.
I really like the 4:00 date. Keeps the symmetry of the dial and also the functionality of having a date 👍
I agree Michael about the symmetry totally!
I really want the Green Seiko.
Great comparison and review Russ! It's a lot of money but it is a lovely looking watch. 👌 Got to love those textured Seiko dials!
Thanks James!!! The dials are so good!!
I love the look of both of them but you’re right that green is great!
Cheers Nelson!! Both nice but the tool comes out on top!!
I have a sla 043 and it's just beautiful. I didn't get the same quality vibe with this one. They did an earlier model in black and that looked great. And the date was at 3.
Yes the sla models are expensive , but on the whole they are beautifully made. I just wish they would regulate the movement from the factory. Great vid as always russ !!!
Martin! Congrats on your SLA! This was beautiful for sure! The bracelet let it down however the links we’re so well done despite push pins!;)
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR I actually like the pin and collar system . I've never had one let me down before. Where as screws can come loose . I also like the seiko clasps too, they work well, aren't too bulky and are smooth. Not that I got a bracelet with my sla, although it would of been nice . Are you sure this Willard was made in the ever bright steel , because they haven't used dial shield on the other models ? I know seiko said it was very hard to work with , so I presume a bracelet would add a significant cost . The sla043 costs £4080 , and comes with 2 silicone straps. I'm guessing a bracelet would push the price to 5k maybe ?
Love your review and insight. This model was never my cup of tea but I can appreciate any watch for what it is and I'm glad I got to know this watch a little better here. I am put off by the seemingly constant limited edition trend from the industry as a whole.
That’s a fair point my friend absolutely. I personally have come to the conclusion that I’m not bothered but it anymore, I probably won’t buy it and may potentially prefer another LE of an older popular watch than new watch entirely as the best’ns are the old’ns!;)
I do really like these , however my Steeldive homage with same movement (I think ) will have to suffice - I’ve just bought a Grand seiko SBGN029 - so need to let my watch funds recover.
Great review MWC & really enjoyed the insight into Naomi umeura.
Cool! Well done Scott!
Love my Willard, probably the favourite in my collection despite not being the poshest by quite a bit. Not handled a SLA in person, was pretty tempted TBH, but agree with you & think I'll get a green "standard" Willard like yours instead. Just adore that case shape. Agree with you about dates - a pointless complication that has no place on a diver. Cheers 👍🏻👍🏻
Cheers Steve! You won’t regret the Green beauty!
I have the grey dial version and it is the most comfortable watch in my collection. Definitely not Ever-Brilliant Steel though.
Another stellar vid! 👌😎👌
Thank you my friend!
Love your videos👍
Great aren't they
I've had the green one, a black one I got just to put the bracelet on the green one (traded it off), the gray dial one with tanned indices and NATO, and I have an Uemara edition, not the limited one but the gray dial/black bezel because I'm usually not a fan of blue watches. The green one was beautiful but, unfortunately, the hour hand was misaligned, so I traded it off. The Uemara edition is stunning, the polishing is superior to anything, the indices almost glow blue against the textured gray dial that has a slight sun-burst effect in daylight. I kinda like the size of the cheaper one better, and one thing it has over the Uemara is a properly beveled crystal, which, too me, is an iconic feature of the design. But, truth be told, I like my San Martin 6105 homage best for its true-to-the-source-material looks and perfect size for me, LOL! It's the "Goldilocks" size between the 3 of them.
Also, I'm not a big fan of the 6R15 movement; it's an answer to a question nobody asked. They shoulda just stuck the 4R35 in the 153 and charged a lot less. No way that 6R15 comes anywhere close to the Grand Seiko movement in the Uemara edition, so why bother? The 4r35 has been proven in spades, don't see what you're getting for the way more money of the 6R. Now, if only they'd shrink down the SPR777 to this size.....
I really like this blue, but the price and this comparo makes me appreciate your green baby much more. 💪
Agree Michael ! Thanks for watching!
I own its black dial sister the SLA051. They dont have Zaratsu polishing but nonetheless its an extremely high quality piece.
As I am interested in an SLA049 I wonder how you can tell that they are not Zaratsu polished. Is there a giveaway?
Hi Russ, Again a Splendid show as always. If i was given the Choice, the SPB153 Wins hands down every time. SLA049 Still a Beauty mind u. THANK U.
Cheers Ray!!! Yep I’m with you to!
I like Seiko, own a few and even bought the 62mas reissue, but I still think Seiko is milking the cow to an unreasonable extent. Misaligned dials, bezels and unregulated 6r movements on 1500$+ watches? Wtf?
Great review Russ! I'm a fan of Seiko but I'm not a fan of the SLA049 case but I prefer the overall look of the SPB153. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Absolutely Daniel ! That’s what my wife says!;)
Love my SPB151. I got it £200 off list price from H Samuel, so £1000 on three years interest free credit. I like H Samuel 😎
I own this watch and wear it more than I do my Rolex and my Snowflake - put on a woven nato-strap, it's just plain beautiful and the 8L35 is a workhorse.
No doubt about it my friend! If I had the money I’d own one
Always loved the Willard shape and look, but this one is a tad out of my price league. Again Seiko brings out a stunner of a dial face. Another good Seiko watch review. ☮💜💪🏾
I’m with you man !
I have the Grey dial version (SLA051) and can't disagree with your assessment in any way. That being said my no nonsense tool diver Seiko is either my SBBN031 Tuna or the lowly SKX007 which I dearly love and in truth is all I really need in a toolish diver :)
I really do like these watch... I still think they are a £800 watch. I know the limited edition has a much better movement, but at a glance they are the same watch. I think has its GS movement they should make it a Grand Seiko. (I've done mock-up on my Instagram account, I'm also putting it on the MWC facebook page)
I’m with ya!;)
Great video! I prefer the SPB153 too.
Me to! Thanks Rob!
It's a banger! LOVE IT
Beautiful watches. Wife likes the green one (she’s a good lady).
I am gravitating towards a Special Edition Seiko but I would like to see that case and finish work in something non-limited or at least a price drop that will make it under $2000usd.
Tool watch should be affordable. I am perfectly fine if Seiko equip basic movt that’s on SKX007/ Turtle and price them down.
Nice conclusion. Thanks for the fantastic job! I like the style of the sla especially the settled dark blue colour but the slightly more refined finish would't be woth the price tag for me. Would take the sla colour on a spb. But nice to see more variants of this iconic willard.
Thank you very much for watching my friend!
Good review!
Here’s Jason!
For a similar price, I’d pick the Tudor BB58 blue over this Seiko without doubt! I’m a Seiko fan as much as the next guy (own 2) but a 4 figure price tag is one digit too many imho.
It’s a fair point my friend for sure ! I can’t argue with the BB58!
Any of these movements have the plastic part? What are your thoughts on it ?
Great job my friend 👏. Your so funny !!!!
Ray! Appreciate that my friend thank you
I have owned both the green 6R35 willard and the SLA051, the quality difference if noticible. With the SLA you are very close to GS quality, and the 8L35 is made in the same factory as GS movements. the sweep and smoothness of the calibre lets you know immediately that you have a very good watch on your wrist. I paid $1780 for my SLA, and about $900 for the green willard. Retail would have been a different story.. but in Japan the prices are very resaonable. You definately get double + the quality with the SLA over the other models. The SLA is a keeper for me.
Both
STUNNERS! I agree with the wife.
Okay I have a 7.75 inch wrist but I think we are going to be twinsies soon on this watch.
I always wanted a turtle, but the willard is so much more refined. I like the green willard
It’ll go well with my Hamilton coup and khaki king, also have a blue manta samurai
Buy both 👍🤣
I work 12 hour days on a rotating schedule so I don't work the same days every week. I absolutely need a DAY/DATE complication or I will never know what day it is. I wish Seiko would make a higher end watch with a higher end movement than the 4R36 that provides a day/date in a better package.
I totally see that my friend! If you have many many watches , that double complication is a pain to adjust but for a weekly one watch wearer it’s extremely useful !
Awesome show as always MWC! This is an absolute beauty of a limited edition Willard that’s almost like a dressy Yacht-Master compared to the SPB153’s more tool watch Submariner, if that makes sense?
It’s a lot of money for sure when compared to the SPB153 but the price is in line with the rest of the SLA range and it is a great looking watch if you’re looking for a more dressy Willard or if you’re a big fan of Naomi Uemur. Plus the case finishing and that 8L35 movement are a real step up 💪 Shame the endlinks are a bit rattly but otherwise it’s a real stunner!
Yeah I should’ve moaned about the bracelet a little harder Gareth!
The Willard is my favourite seiko. (I only own a steeldive at the moment. Waiting for a bargain sale to buy the real deal) I have to say I prefer the SPB153. The date window on the SLA049 looks like an after thought and I just prefer the more tool look of the 153.
Just grab it on 0% interest financing at the jewellers. It'll be under 20 quid per month to pay back, and obviously you're not paying interest. It's free money.
Even slapping down a couple hundred quid deposit can get it for about £12 per month or something silly like that. Don't even notice it coming out your account.
Totally with you on the date my friend. I’m not sure why the date position was changed as the 6105 had a 3pm window ?????
Beautiful watch and I see the Grand Seiko engine is mostly responsible for the bulk of the price. Gorgeous dial and agree the date should match the dial and possibly a surround marker might have been a nice touch. Or just leave it out. A few niggles for me are the push pins (ewwww) and the bracelet lug fit is off and in time as the pins give a little will be wobblyer. 7/10 for me. Would I buy it? Sadly no
Think I’m with you my friend. I should’ve complained about that wobbly bracelet and the bracelet itself a bit more. Screw in pins please!
I like the color, love the 4:30 date, but i could never swing that kind of money for a watch
Me to my friend!
Great content as always, gota go with your the green one I'm affraid, definitely better and more legible, as nice as the limited edition seiko is its just shy of Tudors price range and for some that's a grail watch.
Agree Russell, thanks for watching my friend
Still like the green one better( its very much like the green Harrods use)
What's the name of the stainless steel bracelet on the green SPB153?
Ill have to see the SLA in person, but i think ultimately, its not worth the extra.
I would like to know how much extra effort needs to go into the 'upgrades'.
I shit you not everbriliant steel in combo with Zaratsu polishing in live looks like the explosion of supernova.
It looks much more brighter than Rolex 904.
Everything is subjective so there's no wrong answer. I have the SLA049 and I think its totally worth it. The Limited Edition, finishing and movement is worth it for me, but I would buy the SPB any day as well. Both great watches!
Fantastic Jorge! You are in the 1200 club;) if I had the money I’d get a Willard set !!;)
nice comparison
Great comparison! But Seiko is hugely overpriced nowadays. My favourite brand ☹️
Fair comment Maro. Prices have increased!! Maybe we have had it so good for so little for too long;)
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR Maybe but it makes me sad...
@@MaroMarenio my grandad bought a Rolex Explorer for 68 pounds back in the 60’s!;) that would probably be the equivalent to 4/500 pounds today? It’s all crazy man
I'm loving my Seiko PADI Pepsi bezel special edition
Lovely Pepsi!
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR thank you!!😁
great review..
Cheers my friend!
your green is a better looking watch for sure!
Totally agree man! If I had money bags money I'd have it but!!! Its a bit too dressy
Excellent review…I’ll stick with my SPB153. It’s probably worth the added cost but not to me.
I’m with you my friend
I have to agree with you ( even though i would have gone for the black one )
Thanks for watching my friend! Hahaha yes if my seiko collection wasn’t so black dial heavy I may have been swayed!;)
They never caught my eye because I'm such a sticker for symmetry. But who knows. If I ever had one on wrist my mind could change. Both beautiful dials.
That’s a good point my friend! I have tried to embrace the date complication over the years because I would’ve missed out on a lot of fantastic watches!
I was laughing out loud quite a bit from this video 😂
The negative point of this watch is the 6r35 movement, too many complain about the poor precision with changes of +20sd/-70sd, in Italy it is sold for 1200€.. inaccettabile, "bello ma non balla".
SLA Seikos tend to have an 8L, 28800 vph movement.
BIFF! lol brilliant! another classic episode Russ! great content as ever and no i wouldnt buy the watch for just under 3k , i would possibly look to Grand Seiko for the price.
Yeah it’s a good point Mal! My GS GMT!!!!?? It’s a beauty!
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR Exactly!
How many of you went on Ebay after this great video?!
Hahahahaha
Green wins. A hard thing to say for a Rangers supporter😳😳😳 Great show as always.
Agree Jim!!!!
Where was Mr Pagani!? Love hearing the wife's opinion though.
Hahaha! Once you’ve seen 5 Seiko wave caseback you’ve seen them all my friend;)
More sponginess than SpongeBobs nuts! Man you got me cracking up 😆 Fun video brother!
Hahahaha thank you Christopher!!!
i prefer that blue Seiko over your green one, sorry.
The date position on the SLA bothers me. I'd rather have it at 3 o'clock like on the SPB153. I like the dial/blue color on the SLA though, and I think with the movement and limited nature, it's probably worth the price. I think your sale price on the SPB153 is about right. I know the features are a bit better than the 6R15 based divers, but the price jump doesn't seem commensurate with the spec changes. I'd like to see about US$200 knocked off the SPB14x/SPB15x retail prices. At least now it's possible to find them below list. My local Seiko Luxe dealer also said they would take 10% off any of them they had in stock already. Not a big discount, but better than nothing.
Sean I think you are spot on. My advice is to hold out as there is always an AD out there with a discount with SEIKO’s !
I wish all watch companies offered date or no date options.
Don't know about this one mate, don't think it's worth the retail, especially seen as it doesn't have screw links and the end link wobbles. Definitely needs a fair whack knocking off the price point. Great work with the review mate
As always thanks for watching my friend. I guess they have to keep in line with all 8L’s now bud . If you want an 8L I guess that’s the price just like a Subby is 8k! 8k!?;)
Is dioshock not a movement feature ?
Could be!!!
My predicament is that a. I love everything about the SLA049, b. my surname is 'Willard' and c. I was in the armed forces (just not as a Captain). Should I buy this watch?
Did you pull the trigger?
If you can, I most definitely would.
@@jmoney7289 I did indeed. It arrived yesterday and I wore it to work today, on the blue rubber strap. It felt good and looked amazing in an understated way.
Sir, you definitely need at least one Willard! And perhaps even one of the originals, but they are getting pricey now.. You could even get a cheap (but really good) 'SteelDive' Willard as a 'beater'. On sale at Ali Express for 5 more days.. Seiko NH35 movement, and sapphire glass too. $107 AU, so about 60 Pounds Stirling. Take a look.. (SD1970) lots of colour variants too! Great beater watches. Especially if you have the Seiko Willard safe at home! If I had a mate named 'Willard' I'd buy a Steel Dive Willard for him whether he wanted it or not!
Better off getting a Marine Master. The Willard is way overpriced, although it is an awesome watch.
153, for sure; @700 it’s a no brainer. +15s and power reserve sure would rather (for this money) buy a COSC Tudor.
I was a bit taken back when I heard the tolerances ! It’s a good point!
Also doesn’t sound very GS… plus think your green works better Russ. On another point the only colour-way I have seen like that is the BB Harrods edition.
Prefer 153. Could you review SRPK03K1 please
I love 3 o clock crowns, and Crown guards, but somehow that case shape just isn't my thing. Gimmie a nice Alpinist or seiko 5 any day, love them.
Fair points there my friend!
I love the Willard, however i currently have a dilemma, i'm trying to decide between the SPB153 and the Nivada Grenchen Depthmaster as they're around the same price point, right now i have my heart set on the custardey goodness of the Nivada, however the inner robin williams in me keeps shouting GGGOOODDDD MMMOORRNNNIINNNGGG VVVIIIEEETTTNNNAAAMMMM !!!!!!!!!! and draws my eye back to the trance inducing apocalyptic green of the Willard, If you could decide between the two which one would you buy, ?
I'd go for the Nivada, the bracelet does have a stamped clasp though
What a DILEMA !!!! 2 fantastic watches I can see you having both in the future!
For me, go Depthmaster first. The brand is on fire, who knows how long they will make them for? Or whether they will increase prices? The tropic strap is better than any of SEIKO’s silicone or rubber to.
The Willard isn’t going anywhere and will still be there for you for the 2nd purchase!! Plus you can always find superb discounts of SEIKO’s at the start of the year David!!
It’s settled, Depth-master it is then 😃👍
@@davidkahwati6508 Excellent choice! For me it has a better movement & is truer to the original than the Seiko
Good show m8
Thanks for watching Christopher!!
May I know where you get your bracelet for your green willard?
Uncle Straps
Worth the price tag? Really loaded question there haha. At this price range I don't think either are really worth it...However the value is always in what people will pay and I guarantee these sell out.
Well put my friend!
Very nice show. But I'll have to desagree with you about the price. I understand its a limited edition, but I think it is still 12% to 18% overpriced.
Thank you for watching Cláudio!!