[kingkempo]

Thanks for the detail write up and comparison photos. I am awaiting for Uncle Seiko Willard LE president if there is one. Do you think once could possible to modify Willard X bracelet for LE?

 

[leong33]

Thanks for the detail write up and comparison photos. I am awaiting for Uncle Seiko Willard LE president if there is one. Do you think once could possible to modify Willard X bracelet for LE?

I think you can but since it is a hard solid endlink you may have to grind longer to fit the gap. But again this requires an experience guy who can grind and file the endlink well. I did mine using the SKX013, a non solid endlink which is easier.

 

[HiDive]

Thank you for the review. They are both nice watches. Your review was very informative and the picture were very good as well.

 

[Grammarofdesign]

My trio:

 

[Deanman]

Really good comparison and well-illustrated with photos. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Roningrad]

Thanks for the outstanding comparative review and pics!

I do honestly think the 033’ is superb apart from its case size. I almost bought one a couple of years back. IMHO those who purchased the 033’ aren’t fools. They got a heck of a watch any time of the day compared to the Willard X.

 

[TagTime]

Thank you for the writeup and comparison. Made certainly a couple things clear.


IG: SeikoDutch

 

[Terras14]

Thanks for the detailed comparison.

 

[Grammarofdesign]

I wore the SLA033 all day long 2 days ago and the Willard SPB151 all day yesterday.

The Willard is clearly smaller and size wise feels more like the original on the wrist, while the SLA033 is a big bigger than both the others.
I happen to like that but I also think the larger size is generally not going to prove popular. The SPB151 size will be right for more guys I think.

The Willard somehow just lacks the magic on the wrist of the 6105-8110 or the SLA033 , don't ask me why, but that's my experience. Yet it is a very nice watch on its own.

Regarding the price point, I am also not sure how a 6R35 powered watch, even with a higher end mid-scale bracelet with diver's extension and sapphire crystal, can turn into a $1,100 price tag.

I quite like the Willard. I give it high marks. If you are on the fence as the OP stated, go for it.

 

[keepiece]

Here you go. Not a Grand Seiko level of artwork. My best using a dremel grinding on SKX013 jubilee.

View attachment 452763

Looks great and I bet feels incredibly comfortable!

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[keepiece]

I wore the SLA033 all day long 2 days ago and the Willard SPB151 all day yesterday.

The Willard is clearly smaller and size wise feels more like the original on the wrist, while the SLA033 is a big bigger than both the others.
I happen to like that but I also think the larger size is generally not going to prove popular. The SPB151 size will be right for more guys I think.

The Willard somehow just lacks the magic on the wrist of the 6105-8110 or the SLA033 , don't ask me why, but that's my experience. Yet it is a very nice watch on its own.

Regarding the price point, I am also not sure how a 6R35 powered watch, even with a higher end mid-scale bracelet with diver's extension and sapphire crystal, can turn into a $1,100 price tag.

I quite like the Willard. I give it high marks. If you are on the fence as the OP stated, go for it.

Thank you for your experience with the two. I'm still on the fence which one to go for as I'm not a fan of the prospex branding.

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[keepiece]

Hi guys,
Just got the Willard X or the 6105 reissue non LE (SPB151/ SBDC109). Its been a while I have not done a review. Used to have 6105-8110, they are beautiful, but I just have no heart to bring them into pool, so I sold them all.

For the benefit of those who are on the fence, I hope this will assist you in your decision. Pardon me for my photo skill.


Size

	SLA033	SPB151
Diameter	45mm	42.7mm
Lug to lug	49.7mm	46.6mm
Thickness	13mm	13.2mm
Lug size	19mm	20mm

Smaller as compare to Willard LE. Close to SKX007 and thinner as compare to SKX007.

View attachment 452505


View attachment 452495

View attachment 452496




Crystal

It is stated dual curve sapphire and anti-reflective coating for Willard LE BUT only curve sapphire and anti-reflective coating for Willard X. Hence I suspect it may be different in quality. The crystal on Willard LE is one of the best I have ever seen, as it gives a vintage vibe. Whereas for the crystal on Willard X, though it may be close to the original 6105 with a high dome or beveled curvature on the edge which may collect dust over time, it distort reading from certain angle. It does not happen to Willard LE. The high dome crystal on Willard X does not bode well with the watch. I wonder why Seiko wants to make the crystal like that for this iconic piece? If you read the date from the 3 O’clock the date is distorted. That is the major setback for this Willard X in my opinion.

Hope one day Harold of Yobokies will produce a flatter dome AR crystal.

View attachment 452498


View attachment 452499


Dial

Major difference between them is the X

I have a few Swiss watches, I find that their hands mostly proportionate to the dial as a whole. The hands of Willard LE , I find it is a little thin and not proportionate to the huge dial. Whereas for the Willard X the hands are a little thicker compared to Willard LE. These hands are more proportionate. The looks of Willard X seems “cheap” compare to Willard LE. I guess is the bezel finishing and the crystal that cause Willard X to look “cheap” as compare to Willard LE.

This piece will be the SKX of the future. Many models with different dial colour will be produced in the future I believe.

View attachment 452500

Case

The Willard X wear smaller. My wrist size is 6.5 in, I love the size. Although its stated 42.7mm, owing to the short lug it wears smaller. I strongly recommend this piece for those with smaller wrist size like me.

The crown is unsigned for Willard X, whereas for the Willard LE is signed with “Lock” with the similar teeth like the original 6105

View attachment 452501


Bracelet vs strap

The original 6105 comes with strap so I prefer the design with the strap. The bracelet design on Willard X is nice with president like bracelet, but I find the tapering to the clasp too wide from 20mm to 18mm. If its 16mm that would be ideal to me. Hence I prefer my modded SKX013 jubilee bracelet . (I use my Dremel to grind the endlink to fit the case).


Movement

	SLA033	SPB151
Movement	8L35	6R35
Power reserve	50 hours	70 hours
Accuracy	-10/+15 sec/day	-15/+25 sec/day
Jewels	26	24

8L35 works consistently hence the price difference. Whereas the 6R35 the beat per second can fluctuate.
Both can be adjusted easily if you have a Timegrapher to a COSC standard. Willard LE has been adjusted to -1spd from a 5+spd. For the Willard X, straight from the box is +6spd, I will let it settle down and have adjusted to +2spd.

View attachment 452502


View attachment 452503


View attachment 452504


Why Willard

Well the design is iconic, a rare design which looks like a leaf to me. An iconic piece from Seiko owing to its popularity after the movie Apocalypse Now. Long ago I requested the members here to petition to Seiko Japan to ask for reissue of the 6105 and 6309 and after many years they heard our voice and it all started with the SRP777. From then as they said its history.

Subsequently Seiko heard about the call for reissue and Seiko issued SLA017 (the 62 Mas reissue), that was a sold out piece. Then later, came SLA025 and SLA033. I believe these 2 pieces were not sold out quickly as the prices had jump up much more than the SLA017 in comparison.

So being a Seiko fan I bought the Willard LE even though it is more expensive than the SLA017. Then came this Willard X which angered a number of those Willard LE owners and of course me too. How could Seiko issue the similar watch after issued a limited edition? That will make the owner of Willard LE looks like a fool, it should not be an LE in the very first place. LE is a supposedly to be limited and no longer should be issued.
That angered me for some time, no more Seiko I told myself. But then after my AD offer me this Willard X for a good price and being a Seiko fan, well I forgive Seiko J.
On the positive note Willard LE has a better finishing and movement. More true to the original 6105. For those who missed the Willard LE this is a must-have piece if you are a Seiko diver collector. For those Willard LE owner stick well with your piece as Willard X is still a level below the Willard LE in terms of movement and finishing. Here I have both, Willard X will be my Beater , Willard LE will be my dress watch J

Thanks for reading, anyone who like to know more about the difference please feel free to post here. I hope I could answer your question .

Great write up and comparison photos! It's very much appreciated!

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[ashbaug2]

Jumping in several months late.... I compared my 6105-8119 (that was my dads) to the SLA033 in store last year and it was strikingly smaller than the SLA. I have been deployed the last year and haven't made it to a Seiko AD since returning home, maybe I need to check out the Willard X.

OP, in terms of aftermarket crystals... if it's the same diameter as an SKX (31.5mm) there should be a plethora of quality double-dome options for you. If it's slightly larger (32mm) then an AM 6105 crystal may work. If so, I would forego sapphire and snag one of Spencer Klein's Type I, II, or III crystals. They are the closest thing you'll get to an original 6105 crystal that I've seen. Sounds like you want a Type II profile. Just a thought. '

 

[Engi]

Thanks a lot for the useful comparison