BLUMO! Seiko Prospex SBDC033 "Sumo" Diver's 200m Automatic Watch Review - Perth WAtch

[@eriklind5174]

I have wanted a Sumo and chose the Green Sumo, the dial face is amazing. I like the way the bezel is undercut. The bezel font is my favorite. Bezel and chapter ring alignment is fine on mine. All in all it is one of my favorites

[@PerthWAtch]

Awesome man, thanks for sharing that, good to hear you have a great piece there! :)

[@lonewolf30531]

Wearing mine now. I love it. Thanks for content.

[@PerthWAtch]

Haha great to hear that - what a popular design!

[@MrBacchus18]

I have a Blumo, really nice watch it spends more time on nato or crafter blue fitted rubber. I'm surprised it hasn't been discontinued yet since all other 6r15 watches under $500 have been.

[@PerthWAtch]

Thanks for that - I think there are quite a number of Presage models still available with this movement, and under $500, but you're right in that this is the only diver model like that which is still in production. Cheers, Ivan.

[@meekacumen]

Awesome watch. I bought a endmill bracelet for mine and it really hits the spot.

[@PerthWAtch]

Thanks - endmill bracelet, that's a good idea!

[@1968jpy]

Meek Acumen I also added an endmill to my Sumo as well 👍🏻

[@steveholaday3551]

I love the cases on the Sumo and Turtles. Very comfortable to wear. I’ve switched to strapcode bracelets on them, endmill strapcode to be exact. Great review Ivan.

[@PerthWAtch]

Awesome - I think the Strapcode would be great on the Sumo case! Thanks for the positive feedback :)

[@garyk8285]

It's quite a nice watch, seen them for US$420 on eBay, which is very affordable for the finish. But it's what I would call an 80% watch, it's case design is great and unique, but just falls short without sapphire and the press metal clasp and it's slightly oversized. I think the case would be fine on a NATO, and may make the watch look smaller, but it could be problematic with a two piece leather strap due to the larger than normal distance between lug hole and the case edge (could be a big gap there). With the smaller watch trend happening, I would love to see it as a 42mm diameter and 48mm lug height.

[@PerthWAtch]

Good thoughts Gary... it's indeed too big for many, including myself, and Seiko divers as a whole don't offer me the desired sapphire short of the higher end above $1000. And yep, cranky bracelets as a rule too. I like the idea of an "80% watch"... I think I would go with that too! :)

[@1968jpy]

Awesome review on a fantastic watch . I added an endmill bracelet and takes an already awesome watch to another level 😀👍🏻

[@PerthWAtch]

Cool, glad to hear that. I did an overview of this same one after it was modded with domed sapphire, batman bezel, and a beads or rice bracelet - do check it out if you haven't already :)

[@1968jpy]

Perth WAtch ok thanks will do 👍🏻

[@1968jpy]

@@PerthWAtch I actually put the stock bracelet back on but added a Marine Master clasp and it’s Seiko perfection 👍🏻💯

[@chrisg-gg2iu]

Hi Ivan. I also have the blumo. I bought it on SeiyaJapan a few years ago. It’s very comfortable to wear on the stock bracelet and it’s been really accurate. Drill lugs, solid end links, signed crown are all a bonus. Curious why Seiko doesn’t provide a signed crown on their new divers (sbdc051, 061, etc,,,).

[@PerthWAtch]

Thanks for sharing that, glad to hear you've enjoyed that, and yes I agree the bracelet is comfy despite my complaints! The plain crowns on some of their divers I think may be due to the homage nature to an older model...

[@marcvanheugten9472]

Hi again. Very nice review altough I missed the comparison with the orient bravo mforce you reviewed earlier. Any chance you can get them in one vid as I would think the are in the same league. Marc

[@samuelball8775]

I have the black variant Ivan. Nice watch. I actually really like the bracelet. I bought a Strapcode one for it but went back to the original. More comfortable. I still wonder whether i should have got the blumo though haha.

[@PerthWAtch]

Thanks for that Sam - yeah it's tough toss up between the black and blue for this model I think... overall the blue seems slightly more popular.

[@1968jpy]

Hey Samuel I have the Blumo and like you I also bought a strap code bracelet for the Sumo initially but swapped back to the original bracelet. To me the stock bracelet is amazing 😉 and is definitely the best bracelet for this watch . I don’t understand why so many people hate the stock Seiko bracelet?

[@pukenanginang]

Always thinking of getting a seiko divers and system51 swatch. Great review!

[@PerthWAtch]

Thanks for that Foams, appreciate the ongoing support! :)

[@mocha8232]

Thanks for the detailed review and also for telling how to open the small buckle on the strap. This is the only video I can so far which mentions about that. Have been thinking about getting this but chose sbdc069 over this in the end. This matte navy dial of this 033 is a killer. My purchase decision took some time because at this price points these watches only come with hardlex and metal bezel with minimal lume application. Though Steinhart (the ocean titanium GMT reviewed by you as well) is a homage and not well accepted by many, I think it beats Seiko in almost every aspect except the brand and dial colour. I was looking for some kind of user reviews of the watches mentioned and happened to find the nice reviews from you. Thank you.

[@PerthWAtch]

Thanks for that - interesting to hear about the diver extension operation, I have reviewed quite a few Seiko's with that and almost always demonstrate it. Very interesting to see the subtly different SBDC069 model, so it's mainly the dial reflectiveness and the orange highlights that are different? Curious to hear that you say Seiko comes with minimal lume here... in my experience Seiko diver's come with some of the best lume I have seen. They pretty much beat or equal anything, including expensive Swiss diver's, and the only convincingly superior are Tritium gas tubes. I think the Steinhart GMT Titanium is awesome piece... Seiko objectively has the Diver's ISO standard, and also better lume I would say.

[@mocha8232]

Thanks for your reply. Sorry to say but only when I searched for specific models then I managed to see some of your nice videos. The difference between 069 and 033 is only in the colours of the bezel, dial and 3/6/9/12 markers of chapter ring I believe. About the lume, I refer more to how extensive the application of lume for bezel. Seiko definitely has the brightest lume, but it is kind of stingy in applying lume in bezel for entry to mid range models (same for the hardlex-sapphire crystal, pressed bracelet and etc problems every Seiko fan knows and make them hesitate). Even for sbdx021 and other similar range which priced at USD4-5k, the lume is only applied to 1/4 of bezel. Correct me if I am wrong, I only see certain Grand Seiko models with fully lumed numbered bezels. Sometimes, I wonder how Steinhart does it at its price range. Seiko can do much better if it offers more value, or it may follow the path of many other failed Jap companies in times to come (which I hope not).

[@PerthWAtch]

Ah I see what you mean, sorry my misunderstanding about reference to bezel lume. And yes I agree about that, they could do better with that. I think Steinhart being a smaller brand needs to put forth the best value proposition to stand out and attract fans (which they are). Seiko is a worldwide household name and can ride a lot more on their brand name, and therefore push the margins. In the end, they are a company and decisions have to factor in profit I guess.

[@mocha8232]

Thanks for the enlightenment! Hope to see more of your good video!!

[@jamessmith6402]

That watch is a winner 👍 thanks Ivan 😁

[@PerthWAtch]

Thanks for that James - most welcome :)

[@trackpackgt877]

I can't tell you how much I'm loving the new Seiko fives I bought 2 of them the 4r36 movement I think Seiko is regulating them now 1 runs at -2 sec and the other at +4 sec a day in comparison my old 7s36 ran at -30 sec lol love all your videos brother I'm on a perth video spree!!

[@PerthWAtch]

Haha very nice man, glad you’re enjoying them! Do check out my review of the SRPD55 if you haven’t already :)

[@edteach3r]

I own a Blumo, SBDC033J, and unfortunately it has a slight misalignment on the chapter ring. I really wish Seiko would address this issue on its divers as it has been lingering for years now. Nonetheless, I adore this watch. Typically I prefer bracelets, but the Sumo bracelet was an odd fit for me. I now have it on a Crafter Blue rubber strap from Marc at Long Island Watch, and the fit is amazing... it is a curved strap and fits the watch like a glove. It improves the look of the already-handsome watch, imo. On paper, it is a big watch, but the beauty of the Sumo is that it hugs the wrist so well due to that ergonomic case design, and therefore wears so much smaller than seems possible. I own 20 Seikos, and this has to be my favourite diver.

[@PerthWAtch]

Thanks for taking the time to share those thoughts Eddie. The misalignment problems have been there since the beginning of time it would seem! That rubber strap sounds sweet!

[@edteach3r]

Perth WAtch : I agree that misalignments have been around since the 70s (at least), as evidenced by my classic Seikos. For some reason, those misalignments are deemed ‘quaint’, whereas the newer misaligned watches are just downright frustrating. As Jody indicated in his JOMW episode, Rolex is not immune from the QC bug either. Thanks for the great watch channel!

[@surfitli]

I really like this watch, I do not like the pin and collar system for sizing. Very tedious to size. Great review

[@PerthWAtch]

Thanks - glad you enjoyed the review! :)

[@garyk8285]

Good review. This watch looks a bit more traditional and classic looking in comparison to the Samurai. I quite like the Sumo. The Sumo looks the better watch between the two, especially with the case finish. However, does it wear smaller than the Samurai? I think it might look slightly smaller with the 4 O'clock crown, and smaller glass area, and those curved lugs. Its a shame the Sumo hasn't got sapphire. Press metal clasp is average, but I can normally forgive that. The big question is, if you have an SKX, and want a dressier diver watch, do you go a Sumo or save those pennies for either the SBDC051 or SBDC061 (to get Sapphire, proper clasp)? I think I prefer the SBDC061 the best looking and perhaps the better investment, but the Sumo is almost half the price.

[@PerthWAtch]

Thanks for that! Oh I think this definitely wears smaller than the rather angular Samurai, no question in my mind about that (I've reviewed the Samurai too - do check it out if you haven't already). As for sapphire, as far as I'm aware there is no Seiko auto diver under $1000 which has that... Personally if I was looking for a "dressier" diver, I wouldn't go for the Sumo... my dressy Seiko diver is the Shogun after all :) Cheers for the interesting thoughts!

[@1968jpy]

The Sumo would definitely do for a dressier diver watch . I own the Blumo and I’d save your pennies and buy a Sumo over the 061 . To me the Sumo other than the Marine Master is Seiko best diver watch.

[@marcvanheugten9472]

Hi again. Very nice review although I missed the comparison with the orient bravo mforce with the black and orange bezel you reviewed earlier. Any chance getting them together in the same vid? I would think they are in the same league. Thanks

[@PerthWAtch]

Thanks for that Marc... good point about comparing with the M-Force, that'd be an interesting one to do. Alas I have returned both watches at different times to their different owners!

[@1968jpy]

Hi Marc I can personally testify to you because I own both the Mforce Bravo and this Blumo watch . Both are outstanding and exceptional watches but I would give the nod to the Blumo. As nice as the Mforce Bravo Watch is the Sumo/Blumo is a nicer better watch .

[@garyk8285]

Do the Sumo's feel more premium in hand and on wrist compared to say the Steiny OVM? Not talking so much the components, like the movement, crystal (on earlier versions) and clasp, but more so how the watch looks on the wrist with the case design/finish and beveling ? I'm revisiting the old Sumo/Blumo decision for the collection... lol I do like my OVM 42mm, fits fine, just the no date can be a bit annoying sometimes. I have swayed form no date to date watches as a preference these days.

[@PerthWAtch]

I think it is quite similar although with a slight edge to the Steinhart I would say. I did do a Turtle vs OVM comparison quite a while ago, but not Sumo vs Steinhart...

[@kevinc1001]

If they did a DLC model with an Orange dial I'd buy it.

[@PerthWAtch]

I'm a sucker for black orange scheme although curiously not so much in my watches. What do you think of the SRP311? DLC would be awesome but alas I suspect there may be no watch at this price range with that... most likely just standard PVD...

[@kevinc1001]

I always tend to forget about the Monster series. Not bad though even though the dial isn't that classic Doxa orange I'd still buy and wear one.

[@PerthWAtch]

For only $240 you can't really go far wrong :)

[@blakestar1743]

They did an orange dial sumo, very hard to get now tho

[@PerthWAtch]

Yeah I have seen pics of that, very interesting looking and yes now only obtainable via inflated aftermarket prices!

[@paulcb4504]

Well done!

[@PerthWAtch]

Thanks man :)

[@vinaynagdev3774]

Is it worth buying this seiko prospex?? What’s the daily accuracy of the watch?can this watch fit in small size wrist??

[@PerthWAtch]

As I explained the rated accuracy is stated as -15/+25 spd, so you can expect that typical will be well within this. It's a large watch, but you have to explain what you mean by "small", otherwise it's impossible to give any comment!

[@frankthetank5128]

Is it me or both seiko sumo or blumo and seiko turtle have the same tin can garbage bracelet and buckle ? Love the sumo case and dial but the bracelet is rattle tin can tuna material sumo and turtle ?

[@PerthWAtch]

It's not just you, and it's not just these watches... lousy bracelets are found throughout almost all of Seiko range. Checkout my Why Seiko Sucks video if you haven't already :)

[@nightraker]

A quintessential Seiko diver! The blue face and 6R15 movement are especially appealing. The Ocean wave dial Samurai is calling too but with the Kinetic and a Mohawk here in hand, the temptation is resistible... I think. Thanks a lot. :-/ :P

[@PerthWAtch]

Haha great to hear... I didn't know about the wave dial Samurai, gonna have to check that out now! :)

[@MD-go9vu]

Hi not sute if you can help me. I am looking at purchasing the gs sgbx 036. I have contacted the ebay sellers but their english isn't great and i cant find any info. Does this watch have solid 18k centrelinks and solid 18k bezel? I am thinking of sending an email to the seiko service centre? I thought maybe you mighy know where i could find thie answer. Keep up the good work.

[@PerthWAtch]

Hmm... interesting model. I guess if the official sources don't list any info online then I would try posting your question in a good forum, I recommend WUS.

[@MD-go9vu]

Sure will try

[@vinaynagdev3774]

Is it sapphire crystal watch?

[@PerthWAtch]

No, it's Seiko Hardlex crystal, which is a type of hardened mineral glass.

[@aqlakhshaikh4954]

Make a video on NAUTICA watches

[@PerthWAtch]

Working on it :)

[@aqlakhshaikh4954]

Ok

[@PerthWAtch]

Any particular model you like?

[@aqlakhshaikh4954]

Puerto Rico

[@PerthWAtch]

I shall ask...