First Gen Seiko Sumo SBDC001: Worth Servicing?

[@M3LTUP]

Of course you should service it. The new version of the Sumo is around $1k. Also , i believe these will be collectible in time. The model is very unique. I have a Gen-1 that came from Japan as well.

[@TOKKANTE]

Yes, many viewers' comments have convinced me to keep it indeed. Gen 1 JDM are special enough (without the awful Prospex logo!) so I'm keeping it!

[@clontstable1]

@@TOKKANTE I couldn’t agree more!

[@clontstable1]

Update….my 1st Gen is still running strong & is accurate @ 1-2 seconds a day!

[@canadianwatchmonkey3992]

Service it and give it love, it is a great watch!!!

[@clontstable1]

I’ve had a long storied history with my SBDC001. I’ve thrown a lot of money for repair and regulations into this watch. I was about to throw the thing to the back of my closet and forget about it. Finally I thought, I’ll just buy a new 6r15 movement and replace the old one. I paid $175.00 for it (I’m sure I could have spent less). I have the knowledge of how to replace it, but a friend of mine offered to do it for me, he’s done several. With the new movement, my Sumo now runs less than 5 seconds a day fast & is in top form. In hindsight, before sinking a ton of money into a Sumo, or any Seiko watch repair, buy a new movement and replace the old one. Incidentally, the 4r36 (Nh35) movements are much less expensive.

[@clontstable1]

NE15 = 6r15

[@TOKKANTE]

Wow, I know nothing about Seiko mods or self repairs, did you get a new movement direct from Seiko?

[@zouki42]

@@TOKKANTE you can buy it on ebay or aliexpress

[@clontstable1]

@@TOKKANTE I got it off of eBay. It’s obviously a Seiko movement, but I don’t believe I got it directly from the company itself.

[@911_dan2]

I recently serviced a planet ocean I've had for 13 years. It was my only watch for 12 years. Now that i have many more watches I rarely wear it. I would keep the sumo unserviced as long as it's not wildy inaccurate.

[@TOKKANTE]

Yeah that's also what I've decided to do for now. Won't sell it but will wait to service it I guess until one day i feel the urge to!

[@911_dan2]

Never sell it. You will regret selling your first

[@A7XHellBlaze]

Doesn’t matter what watch it is. If it is important to you, you’ll keep it , but it’s up to you if you want to service it.

[@robertlock6041]

Hi Ben, Happy New Year to you too. Watches are emotional purchases, so for me, the question is whether or not you love this rather special watch enough to service it. It definitely needs a service... the seals and gaskets will all need replacing, in addition to servicing the movement. Another point is that you don't know the state of the used example you mentioned. Perhaps that watch needs a service too... Overall though, having just bought a gorgeous IWC, I'm surprised that you're not frustrated by the inferior quality of the cheaper watches you mention. I'm not saying that they're bad watches, but that your new IWC is really special. Go with your heart Ben, if you love it, care for it.... 😀

[@TOKKANTE]

Haha you're right, I don't actually NEED another watch right now so soon after the IWC but you know how we are... always looking for something else! I think I may email Seiko service to get a quote but am not super keen on spending money on it. The 3 alternatives would just be for fun since I'm not buying an AP Royal Oak or a Calatrava any time soon!

[@matthieujphblondeau]

Hello, My opinion os that this watch is worth it for its wonderful design. I bought a blue one In 2012 sold it out and still regret it. It was the pure and genuine version of this watch. I have the latest green version that doesn’t equal it it In spite of sapphire glass and nez movement. If you don’t want to spend that money, I would offer you to buy it for 350… I’m your man!

[@TOKKANTE]

Yes, I've come to that conclusion too that being the first generation and without that awful Prospex logo, it is worth keeping it!

[@flatearthbear4077]

Hello Ben , by your video i see that you have given this watch much consideration but honestly to spend $350 on your watch to service it when the movement is notorious for being out of time, couple that with your stated discomfort with the strap, i feel its time to let this one go. I am currently saving for an omega and recently have had my Breitling fully serviced so i understand the concept of cost to value. I wish for you the correct decision and i appreciate the time you take to make these videos for us to enjoy. Cheers 🍻

[@TOKKANTE]

Especially when money doesn't grow on trees yes need to think twice. It's only Jan 10 today and there are already so many watches I'm lusting after, so maybe I should just save for a better piece like you are doing!

[@miked5789]

Yes, absolutely.

[@ivanfrangugic8355]

Every seiko worth service eaven if it cost more then when you Bought it or you do not wear it eny more. I have my nautica that i got from my dad i do not wear it enymore but i kept it. How meny watches do you have?

[@TOKKANTE]

Only 6 so far so I keep it. I think one day I'll be in the mood and send it out for service and stop thinking about it!

[@RafaelHupfeld]

At first, in my opinion the watch looks really good on you. When you service the watch it is technically in a "new" condition. So you can't compare it to the used one for the same price as the service. If you seriously want to wear the watch in the water and as a beater etc. let it be serviced. If it's just the sentimental thing, wear it from time to time for 1 or 2 days at home or in the office and get a new watch.

[@TOKKANTE]

Yes I think it's mostly the sentimental aspect of it... if I had to buy it again, would I? No, I wouldn't , if I bought a Seiko now I'd buy a SPB143 or something smaller than the Sumo.

[@theshadowman1398]

If you like the watch and plan to keep it in your collection then of-course you should let it be serviced.

[@MrRca1987]

Look mate. 1.30 into you video and you are telling us why its so important. Then you tell us you want to upgrade it. You complain also about a cheap strap that makes it uncomfortable. For me I have watches from cheap basic casino’s to Rolex’s. If you like it you like it that’s it. Value means nothing as I assume it’s not an investment it’s just a watch you love. Spend money and get a decent strap like an isofrane and spend money to get the watch serviced and upgraded. That’s it. If you don’t want to and feel like it’s a waste just bin it as it doesn’t mean that much to you and you say you don’t wear it. And the other watches you talk about save and get them. What does the sumo have to do with them. You seem too analytical! It’s just a watch. FYI I have spent about £500 getting my SKX serviced (I payed £265) because it means allot to me and its value (to me sentimentally) is equal to my hulk. So why that it like cheap shit when it is so important? You need to ask yourself what this some means to you and not worry about the detail.

[@TOKKANTE]

You're definitely right that I'm very/too analytical but that's just my personality type, I'm definitely not the impulsive type... I guess at some point the right decision wil come to me and until then it stays unserviced. The strap by the way is a Crafter Blue from Strap Code which was USD65 so not that cheap and I expected a better comfort level from the reviews I read. Maybe a quotation from the Seiko service centre will help me decide.

[@tubeniwes]

If service, where do you plan to send it in for service? Been reading bad reviews that Seiko themselves have very poor customer service when it comes to servicing these “cheap” models.

[@TOKKANTE]

That's also one of my concerns!! There's a Seiko official service centre in Hong Kong and that's where I would send it to get genuine parts and sapphire crystal but I wonder how much "care" they really put into those models realistically... Who knows, the bezel might come back misaligned!

[@WorldTravelerCA]

If it worth so much to you sentimental value like u said then 300 dollars is small amount to pay to give another 10 years to this Sumo which by the way awesome watch. If you want to sell them then PRX is great upgrade but my choice would be quartz PRX because of it better looks and practicality. I own 2 Rolex 5 Tissot and 6 Seiko in my collection and I do upgrade my watches often so do as you pleased and remember it’s what works for you and not for others.

[@TOKKANTE]

You know you're right about the PRX, I've been thinking about getting a quartz again (everyone needs a quartz in the collection, right?) and the PRX quartz version makes sense since it was originally a quartz watch anyway.

[@jh-il5sb]

newer prospex seikos are selling for well over $1000 usd. so to replace this watch with something newer might cost quite a bit more than what you paid. it sounds like you are still attached to this watch. the sentimental value plus no prospex "x" and it's discontinued, adding value. get it serviced and start a second honeymoon with the updated crystal.

[@TOKKANTE]

Just like old married couples who renew their vows after 20 years!

[@LaFritePerreGoat]

If you want to keep it for sentimental value without wearing it dont service it just keep it. The accuracy doesn't matter at all. Other option you can ask somebody to put a brand new nh35 will feet and cost probably less than 100 usd with mouvement included.

[@TOKKANTE]

If only there could suddenly be a hype about the 1st gen Sumos and then I could sell it lol!

[@donenrique883]

It is too big for your wrist, looks uncomfortable. The Timex looks nice just be patient. Thank you for the content and happy new year to you.

[@TOKKANTE]

Yeah it is quite big (45mm, 53mm lug-to-lug I think) but you know back then in 2012 I thought that looked cool! Times change and I prefer smaller pieces now, you live and learn...

[@peterzabilka3664]

What's the point of buying a mechanical watch if it won't be serviced? Might as well buy a quartz. At least it's more accurate.

[@al-knows-nothing]

If it’s too big, uncomfortable, needs servicing which isn’t cost effective and you don’t love it now, just sell it. The sentimental value of it is the only thing keeping the watch with you. Move along is my vote! If I’d kept my first ever mechanical watch, bought by me and not connected to anything except me having £800 to spend and liking the look of the thing back then, I’d have a watch in a drawer which occasionally reminded me of the first time I bought a mechanical watch, but which I don’t wear or enjoy compared to my latest watches. It’s just…not worth it imo 🙂

[@al-knows-nothing]

NB I serviced a Sarb033 because I was enjoying it (£100; less than the £300 I paid for it) then sold it a year later; no big deal! Go with your gut, not what anyone or anything says you ‘should’ do with your first watch (which, to me, is an experiment more than a relic to be preserved)

[@TOKKANTE]

Yeah... I don't think I can sell it now in the state it is (10 years without service and a scratched crystal), kinda like me after all these years lol.

[@al-knows-nothing]

@@TOKKANTE £100 to service and a further £50 for a crystal, if you need it :D I'd say you could sell it. But...sounds like you don't want to :D

[@al-knows-nothing]

Or sell it as-is and probably make more overall! Someone would absolutely buy it...

[@TOKKANTE]

@@al-knows-nothing I wonder... those seem to go for cheap these days and with the scratched crystal it could end up never selling. Maybe I'll put an ad just to test that idea!

[@desire68frogman98]

Just stumbled across this post Ben so I’m just going to say this. This is all completely subjective. You should be asking yourself these questions. I understand that other peoples opinions can assist in your decision making but this one is on you. If the watch means as much as you infer, then spend the money, get it serviced, change the crystal and keep it. You have moved on to a different calibre of watch and even if you don’t realize it, you will be subconsciously comparing your first love to the more expensive pieces that you now have. It’s unfair but a reality nonetheless. Now, if you are truly done with the Sumo then park it, and don’t even give it a second thought. Something tells me that you’re far from done with it though, otherwise, why even make a post like this about it? Oh and I would “tool up” and check out just how affordable and attainable it is to change sapphire crystals, I did and I’ll never send a watch to a store/repair centre for that again. I’d send it in to get it tested afterwards and the movement serviced, but that’s all. At the end of the day, the Choice is ultimately yours, so, if it’s worth keeping to you, then you do you.

[@TOKKANTE]

Thanks for taking the time to type such a detailed reply! Yes, I'm not giving up on it yet and I'll probably just check around for the service and crystal. If it's not much, then of course I'd do it no problem.

[@desire68frogman98]

@@TOKKANTE Good choice, all the best with it.

[@altbinhax]

Put it away for ten more years, then see, it could have some new appeal.

[@TOKKANTE]

There could be some hype then about 1st gen Sumo models who knows hahaha

[@karlstaengle8612]

I would not throw money on something I will not use anymore.

[@Dr_LK]

Don’t service it. Just keep it for sentimental reasons.

[@TOKKANTE]

That seems to be the general consensus indeed!

[@nathandietrich1004]

If you’re not going to wear it, then sell it. If you keep it, then of course service it. Easy

[@TOKKANTE]

Maybe I'll try to see if it sells.