The Willard is just a step up in just about every category. It really looks like they took the SLA033 and just changed the printing on the dial a bit and put in a 6r35 instead of the Geand Seiko-esque movement. Things like this move the watches higher up the totem (hence Seikos strategy of moving more upmarket). They still want to hold the value segment of the market (new Seiko 5 releases, Samurai, King Turtle) but the Willard and new 62MAS release are their solid mid tier sports offerings (glad to see the bracelets getting some upgrades, which seems to have started with the 2017 Basel releases). The new limited editions and LX watches are their entry-mid level luxury watches (depending on how you define it). Then you get into Grand Seiko and Credor, which is their version of high end luxury and high-complication watches. I actually think what they're doing by splitting it up a bit more will take some of the confusion out of their lineup (since theyve always gone from affordable to high horology, but the lines got severely blurred and was confusing for Western markets). The 70 hour power reserve movements are a great addition to their mid tier offerings and a good move for the brand. I believe they still need to regulate them tighter from the factory to truly compete with the Swiss and Germans, but this is a good step in the right direction.

That Willard X is sooo nice! When you did the “on the wrist” comparison it wears so much better. Looks more compact, and the asymmetric cushion case is so bad ass!

I love how the Willard wears, but something about the Turtle looks SUPER divey and ready for the ocean or a beach vacation.. idk I just really like that lol both awesome

Have both, the Willard has more of a luxury feel

Great video, loved the wrist shots

Nice review. One thing i think was kinda missed in this review/compare, the build quality and finishing is noticeably better on the Willard (and all the midrange divers from Seiko) vs the mall variety divers like SKXs and Turtles. I don't think this is really captured in videos.

I have a black Dial King Turtle. I freaking love that watch. It gets a lot of looks and compliments. When I heard about the Willard reissue, I was salivating. I couldn't wait to get me hands on it! Then I heard the price.....I was deflated. I just can't justify spending 1k plus for a watch another cushion case style Seiko. I also own a Tuna ( which I also love) and and an Arnie. I feel that Seiko did me dirty at a thousand dollar plus price point. If and when the novelty wears off, I'd consider getting one for the 600 to 700 dollar range. But I already have a few Seiko divers( I am a diver and live in South Florida)....so. 🤦

Thanks for the video

Great comparison, Aron!

Thanks for the comparison, was kind of curious about the differences. Still don't know if I'd be willing to pay twice as much for the Williard, but it sure does look good on the wrist.

Glad to see them side by side. The Willard is definitely speaking to me 😁👍

Excellent comparison video! That Willard is quite a looker. I was't sure about the slight squareness of the oval case, but it contrast with the Turtle, it looks appropriate.

Both great choices 👍🏻👍🏻

Even before you stated the prices, I much preferred the King Turtle for looks. Great review!

I wish the king turtles date wheel was the same color as the dial. It stands out too much in white.

Great comparison Aron😊👍 You inspired me to put my Turtle on...and I just ordered a Willard 👍

Thanks for the comparison that Willard straight away looked sleeker on the wrist both beautiful in there own right👍

Aron awesome 😎 review on two outstanding Seiko watches 👍🏻

As I had pointed out on another video, while this is a beautiful watch, this it is not actually a “Willard” (possibly a ‘Mini Willard’, which someone else then coined the “Millard” 😊). The case is notably different from the actual Willard, which is more closely modeled by the gorgeous SLA033 reissue (which is on my bucket list). In actual fact, the SRP777 Turtle is a closer relation to the original Willard. Peter Kotsa (who owns an original 6105-8110) made an excellent video in this regard. Nonetheless, the SBDC109 is a beautiful watch, but I think the prices will come down once the frenzy of owning a Willard-esque cools down.

Blue lume, You saw me standing alone, Without a dream in my heart, Without a love of my own.

Nice comparison! The Willard is ace but value for money wise, the KT is such a goo pickup!

Thank you for the comparison! The "Willard" is a small watch, but Martin Sheen isn't a very large person being 1.70 meters tall and in the '60's and '70's watches used to be of a more modest size in general. You can purchase a similar watch by Steeldive, San Martin or Heimdallr at some $150 , so why spending 8x the price for a SBDC109, because it's ISO 6425 certified? Being a sailor and constantly in wet conditions I own a Seiko "Turtle" SPRC23 'Silver Surfer' and it's an excellent, slightly larger tool watch for just $375 which will suit me for many years to come.

That Willard is dope.

Nobody will notice the table cover being the Capitulation of Japan Empire after the WWII?

Willard is the watch. But the purchase is a microbrand/chineese specials options. I got myself Steeldive for 100$. What a killer watch. Saves your money and gives you a quality piece with an original Seikos robust 4R movement.

Keep doing what you're doing! I was wearing my Save the Ocean King Turtle today and wondering how does it look side by side with the Willard.....

I was saving for a mini Turtle but I bought silver coins instead. I always loved Turtles, the last chance I bought the Sumo 😒

I'm a sucker for Seiko dive watches. I know a lot of micros offer more bang for buck but there is something about a Seiko diver am I right?

I have the green Willard, spb153j1 with strap and a king turtle, srpe07k1. The Willard seem expensive at MSRP. I bought it for $830. The one with bracelet is $140 more. The srpe07k1 is going for $342. You can view it at Shopee. The k models are made in seiko factory located in my country. That's why, we get them cheap. The are different grade of ceramic. Same as anodized aluminium. The anodizing of the Willard bezel is much deeper than the std ones. As a builder, myself, this kind of anodizing is seldom seen. You can know by the texture. The pip has protection whereas, the king turtle does not. You already covered the rest. When things cool down, and, you get better deals, like the prices l paid, the assessment would be different. For me, both are keepers.

Both great watches Aron . Unfortunately here in the uk the price of the Willard is around 1700 dollars and the turtle around 720 dollars . Importing isnt a viable option either as I will be hit with 25 % in taxes and fees .. We never seem to get great prices on seiko for some reason and this is perhaps why as a brand they are probably not nearly as popular as they are in the USA .

I prefer captain Willard

Please ignore my #leftandright comment during the lume shot!🤣👍🤙

I just purchased a Willard from eBay. Who do you recommend for the watch to be verified as authentic upon delivery as it’s coming from Jordan seller with 100% positive feedback. But I still want to be sure about its authenticity. Nice video comparison !

I see something in common. Neither bezel is aligned

OK first off the model numbers are either Japanese or Global model numbers. USA is not so special that it gets its own model numbers. Second, the 6R15 has 4 variants, A-D, 6R15D being the newest variant. The 4R35/46 are up to “B” (4R35B) as the latest revision. Thirdly, human eyes are more sensitive to green light than blue light. So watches with green lume appear brighter even if the blue lume emits the same brightness. It’s a trick of the mind because of the way our eyes pick up light.

👍👍👍👍👍👍

The king Turtle is just the handsome son of the Willard. But thanks for making the vid and convincing me to save my money and not get the Willard

The Willard is awesome looking... But how do they not have a bracelet with screws at that price?

El Capitan all day long x

With very few exceptions, Seiko is pricing themselves out of the affordable market, imo........Orient is gaining ground fast.

I would have to burn that cyclops off the king turtle, but other than that I really like it

Very expensive for what they offer...

Dog on unimpressive 👎

Seiko is so confusing! they stop making skx and start making those awful awful seiko 5 divers! They stop making the titanium shogun! but then make this shit? i mean wtf?