Have we reached Peak Seiko Diver's Watch? | An In-depth look at the NEW Seiko King Sumo

The Seiko King Sumo is one of the tried and true classic diver's watches with a strong loyal following. Now the SPB321, SPB323 and SPB325 (phew) are the latest successors to the Seiko Sumo, along with it are a whole host of updates that make it a compelling watch. Have we finally reached peak seiko diver's watch? Are they worthy of your consideration? Let's find out
Special thank you to Bezelhouse for lending in the King Sumo for review. If you are interested in the watches or any Seiko feel free to check out Bezelhouse.com
#prospex #seiko #diverwatch
00:00 Set the Mood
00:26 Intro
01:43 What is 'Save the Ocean'
03:05 How do they Wear?
03:56 Case & Ergonomics
06:14 Dial Macro Shots
08:14 Final impressions and Lume
Ocean Waves During Sunset by Peter Fowler via Pexels
Diver Swimming over Coral Reef by Adrien JACTA via Pexels
Save the Ocean Footage by Seikowatches.com

[@bryanryan4504]

That sweater with the grey sumo is a beautiful match.

[@perpetuality]

I should mention that in a hurry to get this video posted ASAP I forgot to mention the lug-to-lug length of 52.6mm however on the rubber strap the lug-to-lug is more manageable at around 50-51mm. Definitely large but as you can see on my 6.5in wrist it is just at the limit of manageable. Also erroneously mentioned in the video the SPB325 rubber strap flares out from 20mm to 22mm but then back to 20mm right down to the buckle/tail. Thanks for watching!

[@wisamal-hakim5531]

For ‘budget’ dive watches, Seiko really are difficult to beat. These are wonderful, especially the PADI version with a great rubber strap and blue highlights. Thanks to one of your previous reviews I own a seiko Shogun which remains one of my favourite and most comfortable watches of all time. Great review as always Many Thanks!

[@iLeetjeeh]

With Seiko increasing their prices it's not really budget anymore. Budget divers to me are watches like the Hamilton Khaki Scuba or Certina DS Action Diver. The latter blows Seiko out of the park in the same price range. 800$ and you have 300m, Ceramic bezel and 80hour power reserve. Add to that the microadjustment bracelet and diver clasp, paying 400$ more for the "equivalent" Seiko (with a movement that is being used in cheaper models) just seems foolish. Especially considering the quality of recent Seiko's. Which isn't great.

[@wisamal-hakim5531]

@@iLeetjeeh just checked out the certina. Wow! Thanks for the tip, amazing watch. Tempted!

[@perpetuality]

Would love to get a certina ds diver in to review- great choice

[@fossilimprint2954]

Great review. Subscribed !

[@OnetoWatch]

Great video David 👍👏 I really like the look of these new King Sumos 👌 Difficult to choose between the three. The PADI version is a special edition and a little different with the PADI globe motif - I like it a lot! The blue and beige versions look great with the guilloche wave pattern. Out of these two the unusually coloured beige is my favourite too. The case has the look of the MM300 which I think is good! I also really like the simple hands that are very distinguishable from each other.

[@perpetuality]

You bring up a good point Dean. I think these are very much like the inbeteeen a MM200 and a MM300 in value and quality. Thanks for watching as always

[@frankbcn2223]

Nice presentation and great looking watches

[@drbobsnightmare2521]

Sumo sumo sumo. I love the Sumo. I wish Seiko would release a high end SLA Sumo with 8L that's not a limited addition. Call it the Yokozuna.

[@perpetuality]

Love the name you picked for it

[@adamski101]

I never fell for the Sumo. No soul.

[@jkldeer]

Damn, the dial texture on these are sick! Would definitely need to try it on with that lug size though...

[@perpetuality]

Definitely a must try in person. I don’t recommend buying this sight unseen as you’ll see best how it’ll work on your wrist

[@dylanparry5712]

Bloody hell! Finally a Seiko bezel that lines up!! 😂😂

[@Tyler-sl6vg]

I hope they add a ceramic bezel to the spb143 / 63mas. Then I will buy it. Glad on this one no cyclops. This is an amazing Sumo rendition. Big improvement with the bracelet but they still gotta ditch their diver extension. The clasps need to be reworked on the entire Seiko diver range.

[@tolgai.altunova5858]

I will wait until it is available in green!!

[@robcameron9351]

That is such a great package. Size seems large but I know would wear nicely

[@perpetuality]

It offers a lot more to like that the size may be not so much of a dealbreaker in my opinion

[@chrisgravel7157]

I like this direction but I think Seiko just upped the Ante again with the Padi Deep blue variants! I picked up a Samuari and it is Georgous on wrist. To me its a step up from all the previous manta and other themed dials. I would buy a Sumo as well but I kinda want Seiko to do a updated King Sumo with a green dial.

[@DavidRon]

Pins > screws. They don't strip or randomly fall out. And they are faster to change.

[@manuel_winde]

100% Once you know what you’re doing with them they’re easy- I tend to do it over a plate/bowl now so it catches the collar (lost a few in the carpet over the early years). People also forget that using cheap or wrong sized screw drivers can mess up links/screw heads.

[@chonghongleong]

Finally the sumo comes with the better milled clasp.

[@Tangylives]

Bit too big and heavy for me, but thankfully the MM200 reduced exists, which is my perfect Seiko diver.

[@martinelliot-tv3zg]

Please could you compare the lovely King sumo to the new MM200 glacier save the ocean. Two superlative divers that I’m struggling to choose between.

[@archievthapa3593]

Heavenly gorgeous !!!

[@bngr_bngr]

Have you seen the US Special Edition? They also call them Ice Divers. They have different dials and a cyclops. But priced lower than the King Sumo.

[@perpetuality]

I have experienced them and they are going to be reviewed soon 😃

[@NotAWatchSnob]

I've never been a fan of their rubber straps but dayyymm

[@perpetuality]

I am with you on that, aside from the rubber strap on the SPB147 (62mas re-interpretation) and the 'new' Captain Willard

[@mollari2261]

Crafter Blue CB02 - custom rubber for Sumo

[@richardjones6234]

Gray dial for the win. Just need a new bracelet

[@timemeasured9137]

Very nice indeed. However I still prefer the 62mas case dimensions and design as being the best Seiko divers.

[@069stylez069]

I have a 6.7 inch wrist (17cm). Can you recommend me to buy it?

[@perpetuality]

You can definitely get away with it

[@denniskai2331]

I love the watch and would be sooo tempted to buy it - were it not for the 45mm size and 52mm lug height. Here me seiko, make a 42 mm for those with 7" and smaller wrists (edit - great video, but I've yet to wear anything 43mm or larger that didn't look like a UFO flying saucer on my wrist)

[@perpetuality]

Would love to see a smaller version but I do feel like it would compete directly against the ''Marinemaster'' 200M

[@adamski101]

Seiko make plenty of 42" and under dive watches so leave some for those with bigger wrists.

[@williamchan8866]

The thing about the sumo is it looks big when display but looks fine on wrist.

[@dvdk6543]

But no "signed" crown like previous Sumo's !!!!

[@ccw5886]

Mmmm! I love Seiko but.....Accuracy on that new movement is not good. Lots of feedback confirming this. The bracelets still wanting with no micro adjust, Alignment issues on the bezel persist across the range. They are over-priced for the spec. budget Diver?? No easy to beat almost anywhere with higher spec better movements and a hugely better price. I really see only Seiko divers as an option if you spend towards the higher end , then you have a very good time piece indeed. these criticisms are fixable but have not been addressed by Seiko and so micro brands for me every time.

[@Panagiotis_Pap]

I think, the crown should be at 3 o’clock

[@e28forever30]

No, it is we’re it should be. Part of the genetics for a Seiko dive watch.

[@Panagiotis_Pap]

@@e28forever30 You are right. It works better, for diving purposes

[@KB-kw8ni]

@@e28forever30 makes no damn bit of difference

[@adamski101]

I love 4 o'clock crowns!

[@kerbdogrule]

The chapter rings on the PADI and Grey dial watches don't look aligned properly. Typical Seiko QC.

[@saf00]

BIGGEST change is the skinny font on the bezel. that's why I stopped buying sumos.

[@perpetuality]

Yep. there is always bound to be one update that one may have gripes with. Just like with the original Sumo and it's handset. Though I do not mind the skinny font in exchange for it being ceramic if I had to nitpick I wished the bezel was lumed. Can't make everyone happy as there is no 'perfect' watch in my opinion

[@saf00]

@@perpetuality well we now have UNLIMITED limited edition Seikos now which is kind of boring too.

[@Alexander196210]

PROspex not PROSpex

[@jamespidgeon5428]

Tha chapter ring alignment on the Padi is the worst I’ve seen, at this mid tier the Sumo now falls in (following the sharp price rise for a ceramic bezel insert and ‘improved’ bracelet) this is unacceptable. Every time I buy a Seiko I ask the dealer to send pictures, I fortunately have a good relationship with a couple of AD’s who are happy to oblige but would I be asking the same of other brands in the £1000 - £1500 bracket…

[@rhonda837]

Still has a camel toe at 12 and the 6r35 is junk.

[@KB-kw8ni]

What junk about it?

[@mockcinoe279]

Différence for sumo spb321j1 vs sumo spb103j1 ????

[@mockcinoe279]

Green sumo 820$ ,blue sumo 1300$ ????

[@sengo2143]

+30 sec daily. Even after the service. GARBAGE!

[@perpetuality]

That’s a huge range. Did yours fall off a truck on its way to you?