Unbelievable SEIKO Solar GMT Sumo - But You'll HATE These 2 Things!

This watch is a perfect combination of style, functionality, and durability, making it a great choice for divers, travellers, and watch enthusiasts alike. But it has two big issues.
In this video, we take a closer look at the features of the SEIKO PROSPEX Solar GMT SBPK001, including its solar-powered movement, dual-time function, and 200m water resistance. We'll also discuss the watch's design, including its sleek green dial, luminous hands and markers, and bezel.
If you're considering adding the SEIKO PROSPEX Solar GMT SBPK001 to your watch collection, this video will provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the review.
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[@centerman066]

Be careful trying to buy aftermarket bracelets. Sumo end links don't fit.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Learned this the hard way buying a crafterblue for this watch, mentioned it in the livestream buy I will pin this comment!

[@Mellowbiker]

So which SS bracelets do you recommend that fit Sumos? Strapcode?

[@Mellowbiker]

They say that the MiLTAT fits.

[@centerman066]

@@Mellowbiker the strapcode sumo bracelets fit the sumo watches. Just not the solar sumo GMT.

[@centerman066]

@@CasualWatchReviews how poorly was the fit with that Crafter Blue band?

[@jpdemer5]

At this point, I think the misalignment is how you identify a real Seiko: the guys who make knockoffs haven't figured out how to do it.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

I was totally going to make that joke in the upload 😂

[@ElectricShadowsZone]

I like your review of this watch. I agree with your GMT legibility comments. I have a Seiko Sumo Prospex Solar Chronograph Divers 140th Anniversary Limited Edition SBDL083 / SSC807J1. I changed the bracelet (which was quite good) for an FKM tropic strap.

[@mattlewis6837]

I’m currently considering one of these. Saw it in the store and fell in love with it. The green is just stunning in person. The orange GMT hand really pops against the green as well.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Yep, I wear this most days actually!

[@sombuddhoghosh9103]

Gorgeous dial, dubious QC when it comes to alignment, chapter ring vs bezel for GMT, size: you covered everything with sumptuous macro shots ! Wonderful review!

[@patrickarmitageWWW]

Great looking watch. I handled one a week ago. Great case finishing and love the unprotected crown. Shame the gmt hand was 3 minutes ahead of the hour hand. Hour hand was perfect, the chapter ring and bezel as well. I tried to minimize the clocked gmt hand and i found the crown turned so freely with barely any force it felt like a cheap quartz. It was hard to get a precise hack because the hands wandered so easily. It was frustrating. Probably why the gmt hand was installed incorrectly. I bought an SRPD83 pink lume on black everything instead because everything aligned PERFECTLY. How could i not buy it. After timing it for 5 days it kept an average +3.6 daily. I inspected an orange SSK GMT today and the chapter ring was clocked by a little less than 1 minute. The gmt hand lining up was very close to spot on, but, still gave pause to think on purchasing it.

[@sunildaniel1838]

Great review Sam!

[@Z-S-H]

I dont like the 3 o clock date but I do like the way they designed the dial that is sharp!

[@edjack1993]

Agree re having the 24 hour markers on the bezel. Compromises the dive functionality but those tiny 24 hour indications on the rehaut would be illegible to my ageing eyes!

[@Xanduur]

I’m so glad my vision isn’t great for close up work and I am not OCD about a mm difference in alignment. This is my favorite watch in my collection.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

I still have my one!

[@hellodetective4862]

Is the bezel made from aluminium ? I read from alot seller saying the bezel is stainless steel

[@denniskai2331]

What is the bezel size?

[@MichaelAguila]

Good call on the bezel. Seems to me that Seiko prioritized having this watch be a Sumo first and a GMT second. If it wasn't for that, I might've contemplated picking it up when you retire it. 🤪

[@aaandersonmn]

I like/don't mind the gmt/24hrs on the dial, but a ceramic/engraved bezel inssert would have really set this off (although I think they nailed the color!). Thinking of getting one (when price comes down) and getting that type of repalcement for it.

[@marklin3849]

Great review. Could you please do a side by side comparison with the Gen 3 Green Sumo (automatic)? Thanks.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Do you have one I can borrow?

[@marklin3849]

@@CasualWatchReviews I'm afraid not...I'm actually interested in buying one of the two and I can't decide which one I should get.

[@briancollins1078]

I've just purchased the blue dial half a click out on the bezel alignment. Did you notice how loose the crown is when full out Mines is very wobbly😫 On my sumo hulk, everything is brilliant very happy with green hulk not to sure with this sumo still on the fence Great review 👍

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Hey Brian? I just checked my crown doesn’t wobble when out? Maybe a little but nothing outrageous. Hope everything is ok with yours?

[@kevinblack8365]

Nice review. Seiko QC is absurd, but they get away with it so why improve. I agree it is trying to be all things to all men. Having said that, a solar (brilliant), travellers (also brilliant) GMT in a diver format is an excellent idea. It's a pity it has such small 24hr GMT Time markers. I'm unfussed about the bezel, that's easy enough to turn, but putting the 24 hr markers on the bezel would have been a much better idea. The diver's extension is a complete waste, any diver will tell you they don't use watches for diving anymore and haven't for many years. A quick ratchet adjust, as you say, to let the strap out a couple of mm and back again would be ideal. And I think you are right, there is much to like, but the QC and tine 24hr markers (I was giving it some serious consideration) make it a no go for me.

[@basselamjad958]

What is the weight of this watch with and without the bracelet?

[@watchrolling]

1. Talking hands are dope. 2. Sorry about the misalignment. 3. Excellent videography. 4. Love that green. 5. Orange pop is nice too. 6. I'm digging it.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Cheers Jason!!

[@MacSaxe]

Just got one for £500 in Dubai. Green dial, great watch but chapter ring exactly as you described. I actually like the diver bezel, great for timing stuff. Will probably get a new more authentic looking strap as the diver extension digs in a little and the strap it ships with looks like something from the 80s with those shiny lines.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Hey Mac! Well I know your not joking about having one with that feedback! Spot on! Thanks for watching!

[@aaadddr4435]

Hi MY FRIEND,DOES IT HAVE HARD COATING PROTECTION TOO??

[@johnloftus1684]

I’m on my third omega now but the first divers watch that my dad got me was a seiko with a red bezel. Loved it, still have it. That seiko my friend is a beautiful watch

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Cheers John! I’m on omega fan also, just don’t have one in the collection currently

[@johnloftus1684]

@@CasualWatchReviews a really nice green and lovely scale with the bracelet. Nice watch . Lucky guy 👍

[@MrLogistician]

I would absolutely not accept misalignment at this price point. The only watch I have with misalignment, such as yours, is my Citizen BJ7111-86L. And that's because only the bezel doesn't align, not at all like yours. Also that citizen was much more affordable while also packing more features, albeit a totally different dimensions.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Hey! Actually the last citizen I review had a misaligned chapter ring, the Ecozilla. I wanted to get the upload done and honestly it doesn’t bother me that much. But your right it’s not acceptable at any price point. I may have a play with it myself and see if I can align it.

[@chrisgravel7157]

Great Honest review. I keep wanting to buy this and can't. I LOVE the Sumo case and how many divers are as legible or well designed? Very few, so for the GMT version to mess this up is really upsetting. I agree 24hr bezel, less busy dial and Seiko - Kill that damn bracelet and divers extension already!! If any of us plan to dive with a Sumo well put it on a $25-$70 rubber strap. If I ran Seiko it would be a Solar non GMT in a range of cool colours with a new bracelet (no divers extension, better endlinks) and the Gen 4 but with the 6R15 and a lower cost.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Yep I would buy a solar none GMT for sure!

[@kevinblack8365]

@@CasualWatchReviews Yes, but the traveller GMT is really excellent and if they'd have put the 24hr markers on the bezel it would be perfect (notwithstanding the QC issues).

[@ditabahari5295]

Regarding to the bazel, it's a dive watch with gmt function though that's way it's not a 24 hours mark.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Yep it would just benefit massively from having a 24 hour bezel because the numbers are so small it’s almost useless as a GMT. I wear this watch most days so I make those comments from experience.

[@weldmishref]

Great review 👍🏼 bit here are my thoughts: This is a diver GMT. If they put the 24-hour bezel, it wouldn't be a divers watch. Divers use the bezel to calculate elapsed time. Well, that was in the past.. but still, it wouldn't be Divers' tool watch. Alignment issues, yes disappointing QC, but keep in mind that not all of them are like that (same model) still bad QC, I know... Divers extension, required. I always use my watches over wet suites, especially Seikos! 👍🏼

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Hey! I think I was leaning towards the bezel because the numbers are so small it’s almost a useless complication. Plus most actual divers have a dive computer and can take more than 45 - 60 mins of air with them is my understanding. Maybe some sort of hybrid bezel maybe but certainly bigger numbers on the chapter ring

[@weldmishref]

@Casual Watch Reviews Yes, you are right. I'm actually a diver, and I always use my dive computer, but I prefer to have a 60-minute bezel as a dive watch. Regarding the Rolex, the GMT's are not ISO diving watches. But yes I agree the numbers are small.

[@flextime4745]

The Sumo is a diver so such a bezel on a diver’s watch is no surprise to me. The gmt function is what you need in second place so it’s ok for me like it is. I agree with you with this miserable diver’s extension. Misalignment has become a Seiko trademark, so you must do with it. What really schocked me is that the second hand does not hit the markers. I don’t know the price of this piece but I imagine it desserves better QC.

[@govindadiscodancer6652]

That's a beautiful watch lad

[@pushslice]

I agree ! put the 24 hour GMT bezel on there, and I’d be extremely tempted to get one.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Yep totally agree! I hope someone makes an after market besel

[@raymondrichardson6061]

It’s gorgeous. It’s flawed. It’s a Seiko. Do I want one? Hell yes. My Seiko solar’s timekeeping is extraordinary.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Yep l’m all about seiko Quartz at this price range. I am still cautious of their affordable mechanicals

[@jpdemer5]

The GMT numerals ought to have been put on the chapter ring, which is otherwise just taking up space.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Hey! I don’t disagree!

[@scottk8769]

I'm a big fan of the solar GMT movement. I just wish it was 10% smaller and titanium

[@CasualWatchReviews]

That would be a cool upgrade to this!

[@TinBin-Craig]

its a nice watch i really like it ... but £660 ouch .... cheers

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Hey Craig I only paid $480 for this

[@bennytheblade1]

I tried to set this pos for 10 minutes before I stopped. It’s now out in my front yard and will stay there til I mow the lawn.

[@TheAndrewc5120]

this is actually my favorite watch. an exceptionally accurate and dependable daily driver with sapphire, true gmt, +/- 1 or 2 seconds per month. the bracelet is such shite, i warped it immediately out of the box and threw an everest cherry leather strap on it which compliments it perfectly.

[@paulsampson413]

Must be a lot of unlucky people, I've got both the blue and green and both are spot on with alignment as are my 3 other Seiko watches.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Seikos and no misalignment... if you don't play the lottery you need to!

[@Dialandhands]

The misalignment on these is crazy to me. Lately I thought they were doing better at least with the made in Japan prospex watches but damn every single one of these have had very bad misalignment.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Yep maybe the machine is misaligned that stamps these out!

[@Dialandhands]

@@CasualWatchReviews it really frustrates me because I love seiko. I have 4 of them and I bought an orange 5kx GMT and couldn’t take the misalignment so sent it back. My biggest problem is that no other orange watch fits into my collection like that one😅

[@sengo2143]

Garbage! I will rather add $300 and buy MIDO Ocean Star GMT. Compare to the MIDO, seiko looks like toy.

[@eightgeorge]

No price review?

[@CasualWatchReviews]

I realize now I actually cut that bit! Ooops. I bought it for $480 from a Japanese site called Sakura watches. I think they are $495 on there now.

[@markwheeler4417]

If I only had a penny for every Seiko bezel/chapter ring meme I see, I'd have a dollar😁Seriously though, they should fix this

[@salembeeman370]

Wooohoo first comment and like!

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Cheers!!

[@borassictime918]

Looks great, honestly, but…too big, too expensive (stamped clasp at this price?), and too poorly assembled (it’s not a QC problem, it’s a design and assembly problem) - frankly unacceptable, I’m sorry to say.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Totally see your point there on the assembly!

[@9426sunny]

Seiko diver watches never give us Singed crown, I don't know why..

[@CasualWatchReviews]

I totally missed that it wasn’t signed!

[@andresmmedia]

is it my imagination or is the dial kinda blue? i am a bit colored blind so idk if its green or blue.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

This one is green for sure, they do a blue one, like aqua blue

[@andresmmedia]

So it's all green or is it a lil bit blue inside? Because I am look for a green blue ish one.

[@taoistgoth]

These are, what, £660....A Mido Ocean Star GMT is basically the same, but nicer and with a proper mechanical movement and a bracelet you can adjust on the fly, and is just a shade over £1,000. Oh and the QC is actually good.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Yep the RRP is that but you can get them much cheaper, I paid around $500 i think

[@allthingsimportantpolitics3347]

SEIKO cant seem to get alignment issues sorted, WTF is their problem lol

[@claytonberg721]

For $600 it should have a proper GMT bezel.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

I couldn't agree more!

[@shj2000]

Disagree 100% on the bezel. A dive watch needs a 60 minute bezel. GMT or not.

[@mytuberforyou]

Nobody even needs a 24 hour scale on a GMT any more than they need actual numerals on a conventional watch, we all know what it means when the GMT hand is between 10 and 11. If you don't know that means 21 then probably a digitral Casio or Apple watch is your best bet, no tricky having to read analog hands bit. The idea that they should replace the (necessary) dive bezel with a GMT bezel is ludicrous, at that point it's a GMT and not a diver.

[@TheBadGuy1974]

To have Divers on the dial I think its an ISO requirement to have the extension. I like the blue better. We never seem to agree on the colours of Seiko. You might want to do some subtitles for your audience if you are going to say Aluminium like that as it only confuses those Yanks. Some of them might think your talking about an alien world? 😂😂😂

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Oh yep I will add the subtitles. I have been correcting them on the last 5 or so uploads. ‘Loom’ shot needs correcting a lot 😂. I thought the SKX was ISO certified and it didn’t have an extension?

[@TheBadGuy1974]

@@CasualWatchReviews hmmm thats why your the youtuber!

[@Bob.martens]

Not only is it too expensive, but it has no soul:(

[@CasualWatchReviews]

I paid $480 for this from japan so dont think it was too high, if I paid RRP I may feel differently I guess.

[@Bob.martens]

@@CasualWatchReviews Try obtaining it in Europe for anything less than 750. But I guess that's what covers our universal healthcare :)

[@CasualWatchReviews]

I think its National Insurance that covers that....I still have my card!

[@mjf70]

If they put the gmt scale on the bezel then it wouldn’t be a divers watch. 🤦‍♂️ And you don’t like the divers extension. Sounds to me like you just want a straight gmt watch and there are plenty to chose from. This is a divers watch with a gmt incorporated. Criticizing it for what it was designed to be seems odd.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

I’m actually wearing a Bremont dive watch with the 24hr on the bezel. It’s the Bremont Supermarine GMT. I like a ratcheted divers extension, not these ‘one position’ ones, hope that clears it up and thanks for watching.

[@mjf70]

But that’s still not a divers watch. It might be a very water resistant watch, but it’s not a divers watch. The Seiko Prospex line is named for Pro Specs. That means ISO 6425 for divers watches. You can’t put divers on the dial unless it meets those specs. And that requires the unidirectional timing bezel. As far as the divers extension, you want it to be an on the fly micro adjustment for hot days when your wrist swells because you’re never going to wear a wetsuit. But that’s not what it was designed to be. Fine, it’s not the most elegant extension but it’s functionally what it was designed to be. Again, you’re criticizing a professional spec divers watch for being a professional spec divers watch.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

I actually totally disagree with you. But I guess thats the fun thing about this hobby. No diver is going to use this watch vs a dive computer. Aesthetically it may look like a dive watch but I would imagine less than 1% of owners go diving with this watch. Why put a GMT on it if the intention is to have it purely as a dive watch? How many more people would use a ratcheted divers clasp than a one-position stamped clasp like this has? I would argue an actual diver would prefer a ratcheted extension considering the Rolex Submariner has one. It may have a pro specs but it is mostly used by non-divers. Even military divers use citizen watches and not seikos. So no big deal it has dive watch credentials if it is lacking for 99% of people who wear them I would argue… and did here. Do you ever take your car to 120mph as a comparison? People like the idea of having a car that could go that speed but day to day would consider the comfort of the experience over a speed they’re never likely to take the car to? Interested to know what you think… and honestly this may make for a good follow-on upload if you feel passionately enough about it and wouldn’t mind getting on camera!

[@mjf70]

@@CasualWatchReviews You're talking around the point. Your criticism is like criticizing a chronometer for having a tachymeter scale on the bezel. With your reasoning, since only 1% of people will go diving with this watch or any diver for that matter, why even make diver's watches with dive bezels? They should just make very water resistant watches for people who might want to take it the water, right? No diver is going to use any diver over a dive computer, correct. And yet they still make diver's watches. Tons and tons of them. Why? Because people like the look of a diver's watch with a diver's bezel and they like knowing it meets the specs if they do want to dive with it. In some cases, it's part of their persona and tells people they like to dive. Divers will use the dive computer yes, but many also like to wear a dive watch. Some like to have the dive watch on as a backup in case their dive computer fails. Who said the intention was for it to purely be a dive watch? The intention was to make an ISO cert divers watch with a GMT function, not a GMT watch that looks like a diver, so that's why they put a GMT function on it in the way they did. You could criticize that, for sure, maybe saying they could have used a chapter ring withe GMT scale on it. It's a divers watch that meets the ISO cert, hence Diver's is printed on the dial. And there are loads of examples of dive watches from numerous manufacturers with GMT functions where the bezel is a diver's bezel, again, because it's a (ISO) divers watch and therefore has to be, and there are plenty of GMT watches that look like a diver but don’t have diver’s printed in the dial because they don’t meet ISO specs without a diver’s bezel. Your criticism just doesn't make any sense. You can buy a GMT watch with plenty of water resistance and a very tool watch look. I'd point you to the Seiko (Land Collection) SPB411, which has a very nice GMT (scale on the bezel) and has 200M of water resistance. It's not a dive watch so why does it need 200M of water resistance? 99% of people aren't going to need that spec. It's just an add-on that gives the watch additional functionality, like making a diver's watch with a GMT function. If you want a GMT with the GMT scale on the bezel from Seiko, buy one. There are ones in the Prospex, Presage, and 5 Sports collections. You're not correct that military divers use Citizens and not Seiko's. They use both and others as well, including even cheaper watches like Casios. I agree though that Citizen is well thought of in the diving community. But Citizen is often overlooked in the so-called watch community. I like your car analogy because it actually makes my point. Buying a Porsche 911 Turbo and criticizing it because it's not as comfortable a ride as a BMW 7 series would be silly. Why didn't you just buy the 7 series? It goes fast too. They're just different cars built for people who want different things from a car. So again, if your desire is to have a GMT watch with a GMT scale on the bezel, go get one, plenty to choose from. If you want a dive watch and happen to like the fact that it has a GMT built in, there are plenty of those as well, including this one. Criticizing either for not being the other is daft to me. And yes, the clasp is not elegant, but your video describes it as pretty much useless. It's not. It just doesn't do what you want it to do and what other clasps do. Plenty of watch reviewers criticize Seiko clasps, no problem there, but I've not seen one yet use Rolex as a comparator. Functionally, it works for its intended purpose, so the criticism should be that it's not as good as other diver's extensions on watches at this price point like X, Y, and Z, not that I can't use it to micro-adjust when my arms swell in the heat like I can with a Rolex. Seiko's pretty much all have pressed clasps and this diver's extension in this price range, as does my King Turtle, and it does serve its intended purpose, to fit the watch over a wetsuit. That you can use a Rolex Submariner to relieve your sweaty arms is great. Go get one for 12x the price at RRP for the least expensive one, if you're in good with an AD and want to wait and wait and wait, or pay the much higher going rate to the vultures. But that's a whole different topic. FYI, the SPB411 I mentioned earlier is $1,500, and guess what, it has a milled clasp. But only two points of micro-adjustment. There's a legit criticism for your next review. Although I think it probably has half links to mitigate that. But when has that ever stopped anyone in watch world? Cheers.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

I know a lot of seiko fans are blinded by their loyalty to the brand, I assume thats where your coming from and I understand to an extent. This watch would be better with a GMT bezel or both measurement scales on. The clasp would be much better as a ratcheted system, both points I made in the review. If you want to thrash this out on an upload or livestream let me know because I don't agree with you. Maybe the audience can decide or we can run a live poll.

[@sengo2143]

Does anyone know what rubber strap would fit this watch?

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Any 20mm one

[@sengo2143]

@@CasualWatchReviews My bad. I meant to say curved rubber band.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Yep, that’s tricky. I bought a crafter blue one but it didn’t fit… I persuaded it with a dremel but I wouldn’t recommend it. The case is slightly different from a standard sumo!

[@sengo2143]

@@CasualWatchReviews Thank you for the info!

[@sengo2143]

Almost every single Seiko Solar on KZbin has misaligned hour marker at 6 O'clock. What a shame.

[@CasualWatchReviews]

Yep it’s a bit of a poor that of seiko’s QC! I got used to it now and wear this daily but would prefer it if it did line up!