The Sumo is the hard-hitting, overly durable and supremely well-made hardcore diver’s watch from Seiko. It embodies the tenets of a do-it-all and handle-pretty-much-everything ethos of a daily wearer that can hold its own against far more expensive and esteemed competition with confidence and poise. It’s as charismatic as it is brash, as supple as it is bold, and is more than enough watch for almost any budding enthusiast and collector out there.
Seiko recently updated its Sumo collection with three distinctly different yet fundamentally similar models, the SPB321J, SPB323J, and SPB325J. These watches are available now on Watch Depot.
Each model has some unique characteristics about it. Be it a different dial colour, strap option or bezel format. But each model does reference its historical roots as being a bona fide Seiko Sumo. And each model is a charming portrayal of the original reference released way back in 2007, albeit upgraded with some contemporary mod cons, as well as a refreshing sprucing up in the looks department.
The first model we’ll look into is the Seiko Prospex SPB321J. This is a true diver’s watch, meaning it has the capabilities of diving down to 200m fairly comfortably. It’s a maritime-inspired watch, with a gorgeous gradient blue dial and navy blue unidirectional rotating bezel. Like the other models, the SPB321J is endowed with a small yet legible date aperture at 3 o’clock and, much like its brothers, features an off-kilter crown placed at the atypical 4 o’clock position (another defining aesthetic characteristic of the Seiko Sumo, and at large many Seiko watches in general).
The iconic turtle-shaped case measures a bulky 45mm in width and 13.30mm in thickness, it displays the passing hours, minutes and seconds, as well as the date. Functional, affordable and as durable as you’d want it to be.
Next up is the Seiko Prospex SPB323J. The SPB323J reference features more earthy tones than the SPB321J. The SPB323J has a gray vignette dial with subtle texturing offset by that lovely bold bezel clad in black. It features the exact same dimensions as the SPB321J, but it does have a look and feel that is completely different from the SPB321J’s.
In fact, I’m going to come right out and say I prefer its colour palette far more than the almost overpowering blue of the SPB321J. It gives the piece a far more luxurious, exotic and inconspicuous look that creates an air of mystique and intrigue.
Last but certainly not least is the SPB325J reference. Aptly named the Prospex P.A.D.I Special Edition, this reference has a blue and black colour scheme with a globe patterned dial of the PADI logo with a matte black finish. The Seiko Prospex watch logo has also been shifted to make way for the PADI text, with the logo now sitting flush underneath the Seiko logo at 12 o’clock.
While the other two references come with a stainless steel bracelet, the Prospex P.A.D.I Special Edition comes with a blue silicon strap. This is an interesting model that, while still looking and feeling like a traditional Seiko Sumo, really comes into its own thanks to the unique colourway and blue silicon strap. I think this would be the model for me. And it’s a touch cheaper because of its strap option, too.
Each model is powered by Seiko’s automatic 6R35 calibre. This is a no-frills, no-nonsense workhorse movement with a power reserve of 70 hours stemming from its barrel. While this is a fairly standard movement in the eyes of many, it’s important to note that from the perspective of chronometrical performance, outright value for money and the assurance of durability, the 6R35 is an absolute no-brainer for the Seiko Sumo.
All three new Seiko Sumo models do justice to the original. Each reference pays just tribute to the tenets that make the Sumo what it is today. And that’s a watch that won’t break the bank, that will outperform, that you can rely on and that you’ll find an abundance of joy from every time you wear it.
