Who is Uncle Seiko? Keeping Vintage Dive Watch Straps Alive... An Interview
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- čas přidán 12. 09. 2024
- In this weeks upload I get a chance to interview Uncle Seiko. For viewers who are not familiar, Uncle seiko recreates vintage watch straps for dive watches, inspired by the original Seiko ones. These original straps are not very hard to come by or in poor condition so having these recreated with modern materials is a great service to horology and seiko history. www.uncleseiko.com
During the interview, we discuss a number of charities that Uncle Seiko supports. These are below if you are looking to help out.
www.hopeministryuganda.org
www.bread4lifeministries.org
www.romania-reborn.org
⌚️ Amazon Watch Store: amzn.to/2Ld4Bzs
🎧 Podcast iTunes: apple.co/2KPBd0B
📷 Instagram: bit.ly/3OKK4za
▶️ Facebook: bit.ly/37Rrjtp
▶️ Discord: / discord
Disclosures:
I use affiliate links when linking products in the video description. Casual Watch Reviews is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
This has convinced me so i have put in an order with Uncle Seiko for a Tropic strap for my 51 year old original 6217 - 8001. I bought the watch back in 1967 when I was with the Australian Army in Malaysia. I stopped wearing it after about 10 years when I 'upgraded' to something with all the bells and whistles and just put the 6217 in a storage crate and forgot all about it. Found it again about 6 months ago. Just put it on my wrist, gave it a bit of a shake and off it went and still performs as good as new and looks very smik.
Hi Brian, that is a great story thanks for that! The straps are really cool I live mine. Hey if you would like I would be honored to stick a picture of it in my ‘Viewers Watches’ section on my news show next week? thecasualwatchreviewer@gmail.com
@@CasualWatchReviews Thanks, I will PM you.
What a great account! Enjoy that watch !
Awesome! Had no idea he was a pastor!
Hi Rob, Yes a very interesting story and background. Glad I got to interview him! I'm going to try and get some more interviews together so stay tuned!
Awesome interview. I just ordered a Razor Wire bracelet this morning. Now this evening I’m saw this interview and thought how cool. I just bought from Uncle Seiko, so glad I am also also supporting him and his ministry. God Bless
That is great to hear, thanks for watching and talking the time to comment. I also have a few other videos on Seiko and uncle Seiko straps on my channel.
Thanks for doing this. Larry seems like a great guy and it's really cool to know that the profits are helping do good in the world.
Hi Tim, thanks for watching. Yes it was a great story and I’m glad I got to film the interview.
Awesome to see a man of faith in Jesus show a passion for Seiko as well as the poor. Terrific story! Amen!
It really was a great story and I'm glad I could film it and put it on my channel. Thanks for watching!
That's the only downside to him.
great interview and such a good story Larry. already 4 straps/bracelets deep and plan to keep on supporting uncle seiko!
Hi Nate, great. Yes I have my eye on a tropic strap now. Also I see seiko released the 1968 without the tire tread strap. So I think only Larry makes them now!
I really enjoyed the interview, Thank you Sam :)
Hi, thanks, really glad you enjoyed it. It was a great story, glad i was able to interview Larry.
The beads of rice is on my vintage ORIS Big Crown. Awesome bracelet!
I don't own one myself but I understand they are very comfortable!
Yes, they are! Awesome that Larry put it on an SKX! :) And would like to support him in his ministry too. God bless his business!
Bought 2 of the uncle Seiko straps. Much love.
Oh great! I gave one away ion a competition and the winner loved his. I kept the tropic all to myself, however! Money well spent!
What an informative interview of Uncle Seiko. It brought out the human compassion side of the businesses. I will definitely continue to support the brand even greater now that I know that part f the proceeds are paying it forward in to the lives of children around the world. You have a wonderful approach , keep up the great work.
Thanks Cedric. It is a great story and I'm lucky to have captured it. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
The Casual Watch Reviewer You are very welcome
Amazing video and very grateful to Larry to decide make straps and bracelets for our Seiko. Thanks a lot. Great video.
Hey Nacho, glad you liked it, it was a very cool interview for me to do actually.
Thanks for putting up this great interview! Larry is a great guy and really appreciated in the community. You rock!
Hi, thanks for commenting. I'm really glad I got the opportunity to interview him, what a great story.
Thanks for sharing that interview! always nice to get to know people with a passion which make quality products!
Hi Daniel, thanks for watching and commenting. Yes I thought it was a great story and glad I was able to interview Larry.
Great interview. And quite a surprise to see an honest, kind and not-money-focused person behind this endeavour... Based on this, just picked up a strap (and possibly will pick up more over time).
Also, I'm somehow glad that UncleSeiko is not an advertised company, nor one that plasters donation messages all over their websites. Just a good person doing their thing, and doing right by their customers and community.
Hi Elijs, thanks for watching and commenting. I agree with you he is really doing it for the love of Seiko and the Seiko community. Very inspiring story.
Great video and interview thanks. I purchased a tapered bracelet for my 6139 months ago. It's lovely. What a great person. Simple yes, great also. Really touched by his efforts and devotion. Knowing about his work will add to the pleasure of purchasing other Uncle Seiko bands and bracelets. Many thanks.
Hi thanks for watching and commenting. Yes I was very lucky to get the chance to interview Larry. I will be uploading some more content about uncle seiko over the newt few weeks!
I got the v2 waffle strap and to be honest, when I first took it out of the bag I said "Hmm, this is too hard." Like many of us, I'm conditioned to softer straps. Silicone, seatbelt nylon, softer rubbers, etc. But after only 5 hours of wearing it, I started to love it. It's the right combination of stiff and supple. You can tell it'll last for years and years. I love the thickness toward the ends of the strap and that it's made for the thicker springbars. It's MADE for Seiko...that's something that all these other microbrands with vanilla-scented straps can't say. And it DOESN'T pick up lint. So I'm an Uncle Seiko convert.
Hi, appreciate you watching and taking the time to comment. I have covered a number of uncle Seiko straps on the channel and can't say enough good things about them. I uploaded one a week ago on his metal straps if your interested czcams.com/video/CDwPMct_MpE/video.html
I found this as I’m sizing an Uncle Seiko beads of rice and this information makes me even happier with my purchase. Keep up the good work!
I have a lot of uncle seiko videos. Just uploaded one a few months back on his metal straps
So cool. I have a tropic strap and a z199 bracelet for my SRP777 from Uncle Seiko and love them both
This is still one of the favourite interviews I have done on the channel... thanks for watching!
Great interview! Uncle Seiko is the place to go if you’re looking for a vintage inspired dive strap for your dive watch be it a Seiko or any other brand of dive watch.
I’m a bit late to the party, but thanks so much for that inspiring interview with Larry. Just purchased a choc strap for my turtle based on this vid. Cheers
Party is still going! Your fashionably late 😂
I also have the Longines Legend Diver. Can't wait to see Uncle Seiko's creation for it! Thanks for the interview, Sam
Hi, thanks for commenting. Yes is was a great and very inspiring interview. I cant wait to see what he comes up with next.
Uncle Seiko rules!
The barbed wire bracelet looks 100% Macho man, I love it.
Great video, please do more like this one.
Hi Oscar, yes I'm really trying to get more people to interview so thanks for the encouragement. Hopefully soon I will have a few more to post!
Awesome interview! Very insightful and good to put a face to a name!
Thanks Shawn, some more interesting interviews to come!
Thank you for this great interview.
Still one of my favourites!!
So glad I found this video. I love Uncle Seiko straps and own quite a few. For some reason I always pictured him being much older, lol. Great Interview, great products, and Great man!😊🙏
Yep he is a great guy!
Thankyou Larry for my 6139 H-link...love it!
I will let him know! Thanks for watching and commenting!
Fantastic interview mate well done! Glad we have someone like Larry in the community doing things the way he believes, great stuff!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Razor wire bracelet will be very popular. Very unique, one of the kind design. It s an art.
Yes, I don't own one myself but a friend does and says exactly that. They are very comfortable according to him. Thanks for watching and commenting
Such a great interview and discussion. A friend linked me to this since he knows I am interested in the Razor Wire. Even more interested now. What a great guy.
Hi Adam, thanks for watching and commenting. Yes he is a great guy and you can see his passion for making watch straps. A friend has the razor wire and just loves it. If you get one you will have to let me know how you get on with it over on the facebook group facebook.com/thecasualwatchreviewer
I am waiting for a 20mm straight end version to be produced.
I left a message on Larry's site and he got back to me very quickly, and answered my newbie questions. So that goes a long way. Excellent interview.
Great interview. Thanks for doing it. Cheers.
Thanks Geary, I was very lucky to have managed to get this on video. If you keep an eye out over the next few weeks i have another interesting interview coming up... Seiko related
Just ordered a z199 for my SKX009j! Can't wait!
Oh cool, you wont be disappointed!
Well.... I've got a fair few Uncle Seiko straps and the Razor Wire. Really happy to see this interview and feel even better about my straps now I feel I know a little more about Larry and what he does for others.
Cool guy.
Cool interview.
👍
Yes I was very lucky to get to interview him. He was very relaxed and a pleasure to interview.
Great products from a great guy. Many thanks to Larry at Uncle Seiko.
Awesome concept! Something different with a personal touch reaching out to Uncle Seiko who's truly a hardcore seiko fanboy. As a seiko fanboy myself, Im a fan of his story and his works. Flow and context was pretty chill. TBH, my first thought was I would just skip to bits and pieces of the interview. However I ended up watching the whole content and was glad I did. It was awesome to learn that he supports pursuits for orphans.
Hi Ronin, glad you enjoyed it. And appreciate the feedback
Superb - thank you. I'm going to buy an oyster from him when my new skx007 arrives next week!
You wont be disappointed, you can see from the video Larry's passion to make great straps and he is a true seiko fan. Thanks so much for watching and commenting!
Thanks - i've just ordered my oyster from Uncle Seiko for my new skx007 - I have my skx009 on it's original jubilee, but maybe not for long! atb. snack.
What a great story and love Larry's story of his love of watches, GOD and generous giving to ministries. Will buy more from Uncle Seiko!
This was my first time viewing your channel and I'm pleased to tell you that you now have one more subscriber...me! Great interview, btw. I only recently acquired my first Seiko, a diver based off of the classic "Tuna" design -- a SNE498 Prospex Solar Seiko. I really like the watch and the stock strap is actually quite comfortable. But I'm always looking for something different. And, that's how I landed on your channel today. I was looking at some Uncle Seiko rubber straps and the next thing I know I watching you interviewing the man behind the brand. So glad I stumbled upon this interview! I'm sure that it will go a long way toward influencing my next strap purchase. Larry seems like someone I would like to have as a friend. A man who stands behind his products and uses a portion of his profits to help those in need of help. So, cheers my friend. I'm looking forward to more content from you and some new straps from "Uncle Seiko."
Yes, I’m a huge fan of Uncle Seiko, you will see a fair few uploads featuring his straps. Thanks for watching and appreciate you subscribing! Welcome to the channel!
Excellent interview! Great Guy! Ordering a waffle strap or two!
Yes he really is a great guy, I have a full review of the waffle strap in my video feed also Robert!
The Casual Watch Reviewer yes thank you I did see it! I just ordered one and it is shipped! Might order that beads of rice bracelet for my Padi Turtle
I just bought a waffle strap for my skx013 from Uncle Seiko. I am so glad he sponsors these orphanages . A truly good and Godly man and I'm glad to do business with him.
Got my razor wire recently for the SKX007; really sets the watch off nicely.
Yes Steve the guy I do a few videos with loves his. I need to get one! Thanks for commenting
Top bloke.. I’m sold on a tropic for my SBP079J 🤙🏼🙏🏻
Hi Hayden, glad you liked the upload and I'm sure you will like the uncle seiko straps!
Great interview.
Thanks Rob and thanks for watching!
At first when I seen the Rice Bracelet. I didn't care for it because of the Polished Center. However after hearing that it is reversible to brushed. Im in.
I took a closer look at the beads of rice in this upload and am about to do another review on a new one for Uncle Seiko czcams.com/video/CDwPMct_MpE/video.html
My first Seiko back in the 70s had H-links :)
Oh Cool, good to see Larry investing so much time in the metal bracelet re-editions also. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Hey Sam
I didn't subscribe to your channel till 2019 didn't realize you went this far back 👍
Do you recommended his straps ? I'm looking for a rubber strap with quick release pins for a dive watch .
Hey Junior. Yes I remember this very well! I have been covering Uncle straps since then. He does a great job. Im not sure f these are quick release. if now watch gecko and zuludiver do good ones. What size re you looking for?
@@CasualWatchReviewsI'm looking to get a 22mm for my Seiko Samurai.
Heard about Uncle Seiko and the grains of rice and razor wire will be headed my way for my original 7002 pepsi. Great product and story. Thank you
The Razor wire is probably one of my favourite metal straps of all time!
Love the tropics strap was going to get one for 007. and was going to get strapcode super Jubilee but now I'm going to have to get the beads of rice from Pastor Seiko awesome....
Yes I’m a big fan of the tropic and waffle strap I have! Thanks for commenting
Wonderful interview for a good and honest businessman, pure heart with charity foundations in Kenya. I just bought two straps for my SKX 007, 009 011. I will be waiting for their arrival and have lots of fun with the installation.
Yes one of my favorite interviews I have ever done on the channel!
I just ordered a Seiko rubber "waffle" strap/ "Captain Willard" strap from Uncle Seiko!
cool!
What a really nice guy.
Yes i was very lucky to have secured this interview, in fact I have been lucky with all my interview subjects!
What an awesome guy! Great interview Sam!
This is one of my favorite interviews I have ever done. Very lucky to have captured this.
Just buy a Uncle Seiko rubber strap for my recent SKX007. Is fantastic, very wearable, and at the same time rock (with my black leather jacket and my black boots) and classy. I've a Stapcode super jubilee too for this watch, but this one is just perfect for everyday wearing. Anbd only three open days from California to France, Bravo !
Yep he does a really good job of these
Great video. Larry is the real deal. I have several of his bracelets.
Yes I was glad to have made this interview, very interesting. Thanks for commenting and watching.
Good Guy , good bracelet and strap
God bless Uncle Seiko....what an awesome story, so glad Seiko did a reissue of the Turtles and now Uncle Seiko's waffle straps! woot!!!
Yep, seiko reissued the waffle as well for the new turtles they made. This is still one of my favorite interviews managed to record!
Just ordered the fitted waffle for my Seiko 5!
Good products and some proceeds go to good cause waiting to buy more straps for my Seikos when watches come in.
Yes its was a great story and one I was lucky to capture!
I have a Prospex 200M Automatic Blue Ref. SBDC053 similar to your watch which I may want to replace it with something from Larry. I ordered it on rubber on purpose and so far so good, have an emerald new model Seiko Monster which I need replacement it's on a stop gap Barton bracelet while I think they're pretty good, doesn't look well on the Monster. What I did order and he helped me with quick email replies for a black waffle which I just bought for my new Orient Mako II USA, he told me in his order to . have him switch to thinner spring bars and all ready it was shipped. Larry also told me not to order till I was sure I liked the waffle band, and then see what I may want next. Seem's I will be a repeat customer,
Thanks for the video, really nice to know the person behind the brand; just ordered their waffle strap ✌️
Thanks Zak, yes very lucky to interview Larry. If you like this kind of think I have a whole host of interviews on my channel.
@@CasualWatchReviews Thanx, I'll check them out!
Awesome dude... namaste. On my second Rubber strap.
I have a few more Uncle Seiko reviews on the channel and also a few in the works!
Long Live Uncle (Larry) Seiko!
I'm just working on another Uncle Seiko video at the moment!
@@CasualWatchReviews - He's done an excellent job in having these straps brought back to life but in an even higher standard than they ever were in the past. One wish I'd have is that some pretty colours were introduced, like a nice turquoise, these original Tropics Straps had colours too. :)
Great! Never heard of him before
Yes a really cool guy. I have reviewed a number of his straps on the channel! thanks for watching and commenting!
amazing #2
We need a bracelet for the SNZH.
This is a wonderful business model and I have been thinking of doing exactly-the-same thing because I have a Bell-Matic (and am very frustrated with my near 40-year old band. This is my first expensive watch ($200 in 1981. Bought in high school. Been around the world with me a number of times.) and I love Oris and Glycine which are both abysmal in providing aftermarket bracelets and straps. Not interested in competing if you’re gonna branch out to the latter two brands. Would love to chat with you some time regarding the Oris and Glycine idea!
Hi Jeffrey, you can contact Larry over at his website, he has all the skills here in band reproduction. I was just lucky enough to interview him!
Hi and thanks for getting back to me so quickly! I apologize for wasting your time as well, realizing it was your site he was on and not his the second after I pressed “enter.” Is he UK-based? Funny his commerce site ends in “.UK.”
@@thermionic1234567 Hi Jeff, I actually have a distributor in the UK and Australia now. I am based in the US. I happen to be wearing an Oris at the moment :)
Larry Bouligny Am wearing my Glycine Combat Sub right now...
A Pastor wow! excellent.
Is this vulcanized rubber? I can't get past the VOC on the Crafter Blue straps.
Bought a curved waffle for my 5kx I cant wait for it to come in
Got it and installed it today, great strap! It really makes the watch feel better than the stock oyster bracelet.
@@quentin1o good to know. Just ordered one today!
Maybe you could reach out to Uncle Seiko and ask him if he would consider making a Bracelet for the Steinhart.? I would like to find a decent Glidelock bracelet.
You could certainly ask if their is a big enough, as for steinhart I'm not their biggest fan, I covered it in this upload czcams.com/video/Z9Wi-R3bFmM/video.html
Let’s see Rolex match his donations dollar for dollar
Hi Steve, Rolex is owned by a charitable foundation but I never really looked in to it that much. But yes Larry is paying out of his own pocket, it's a great story and I'm lucky to have captured it!
Good Christian Guy.
This was a great interview to do, one of my favourites.
Anyone have any experience with his chocolate bar strap?
Ask on the facebook group, Uncle Seiko is actually a member facebook.com/groups/CasualWatchTalk/
Can the Beads of Rice bracelet be reversed? 🧐
Typically they are brush polished flat on the back.
Makes me happier my purchase is going out to a christian who is putting the money to good use. 🙏
All he needs is an EU warehouse. $30 worth of shipping and customs for a $30 strap is stupid.
I'm not gonna lie I really thought the owner of Uncle Seiko was an Asian Dude.
Well I feel like I have unmasked him now! Glad you enjoyed the upload!
I am 1/4 Polynesian at least! ;)
There's a big flaw in his straps, they will not accept Seiko Fat Spring bars.
Hey Ring, All the uncle seiko straps are made for the larger spring bars, thats actually a big part of the reason people love these straps. Are you sure you bought an Uncle Seiko one?
@@CasualWatchReviews I stand to be corrected, "Tropic Straps" will not accept The fat Seiko Spring bars, sorry about that!
@@thriftshop2609 to reply to your comment and for anyone else reading this comment thread, its absolutely untrue that the uncle Seiko tropic straps will NOT hold the larger (2.5mm) spring bars, they absolutely will. They may be the only version of the Tropic strap that actually does as the 'official' syncron group one will not. Its an important part of the Uncle Seiko design. I have reviewed a number on the channel and I can confirm they will 100% hold the larger spring bars. Full details on the uncle Seiko website. bit.ly/3hEpFKs
a pastor with sex appeal! who would've thought ;-)
Hi, thanks for commenting and watching, glad you enjoyed the video!
The Casual Watch Reviewer Are you kidding me? The pleasure is (i mean was) all mine! I'm surprised that nobody has interviewed him before, considering the number of people who go gaga over his bracelets. A real coup for you... however I am sad seeing the number of views it has? Let me not comment on the poor taste of CZcams plebians.... Do keep up the good work, cheers!