Seiko Mens Sumo Prospex Diver 200m Watch SPB101J1

Product Information

The Prospex in the name stands for ”Professional specifications” and simply means that the watch is built according to the needs and wants of professionals. These watches are made to handle seriously harsh conditions, including those that professionals subject them too. The watch is presented with the now-iconic ”Sumo” case which is, as mentioned, large, bulky, and sturdy. The bracelet is very beautifully finished and feels solid. Generally, affordable watches tend to compromise on the bracelet the most and have things like folded links and hollow end links which results in the impression of poor finish, but with this bracelet, Seiko shows that you actually get your money’s worth. The watch is presented on a three-link satin-brushed bracelet with polished edges on the middle links. The bracelet has a diver’s extension and safety clasp.

At this price point, we expect a well-finished case, and that is exactly what Seiko delivers. The lugs have a really nice ”curved” design, and is satin-brushed on the top, which, depending on how you see it, could be considered bevels. The inside of the lugs, however, also have bevels, but this time, it is polished. As a nice contrast, the sides of the case are polished. The case material of the Seiko Prospex Sumo SPB101J1 is stainless steel. This makes it durable and resistant to corrosion.The bracelet goes very well with the sporty design of the watch, but some may be surprised to see a 20mm bracelet for a case of this size. In our opinion, it works very well. Today, we sat down to take a look at the new Seiko Sumo Prospex Diver at Baselworld 2019: an update to a fan favorite.

The Sumo case is a piece of art with all its mix of brushed and polished surfaces. The detail of the rotating bezel entering the case is stunning. As I was expecting, being a Seiko long-time lover, the overall quality of this piece is outstanding. The quality-to-price ratio is pretty high and it seems like this Seiko belongs to an upper category. The dial of the Seiko SPB101J1 is slightly matte which gives it a textured and rich finish and also prevents glare and distracting reflections. The dial has not changed very much from the predecessor as the text is the same, the date window still has the white squared line around it and the Prospex logo still is present. The dial is however richly filled with luminova, or as Seiko calls it “LumiBrite”, which really does glow brightly in the dark.

The Seiko Prospex Sumo SPB101J1 has a power reserve of approximately 70 hours. This means that it can run for up to 70 hours after being fully wound. The Seiko Prospex Sumo is powered by Seiko’s 6R35 automatic movement, which provides a power reserve of up to 70 hours. The movement is accurate and reliable, and has been tested to meet Seiko’s high standards for precision and durability. Leather strap watches tend to fit without a problem for most wearers. However, watches fitted with metal bracelets often need adjusting to get the perfect fit.

The good news is that if you want to change to a different strap or bracelet, you can easily do so thanks to the drilled lugs which makes changing the bracelet a breeze. If you are looking for a professional dive watch that can do all of that, and have a seriously sporty presence on the wrist, the SPB103j1 ”Sumo” may just be the watch for you. The Seiko SPB101J1 (SBDC083 ), also known as the Seiko Sumo, is perhaps one of the greatest entry-level sports watches and one of the better built-in Seikos line-up for the money. In 2019 Seiko finally updated their Sumo models giving them a slightly different and refined look, but perhaps most important an in-house improved movement Caliber 6R35. Some other updates are here for the Seiko Sumo Prospex Diver and that includes a sapphire crystal – something that Seiko seems to be phasing in for divers above the Turtle level. Plus, and maybe this will serve as controversial, the Sumo contains a bezel with conservative font for its numbers instead of the wide, stretched numerals used in versions such as the current SBDC031. To my eyes, the indices change slightly too. They appear smaller and the 12:00 marker looks a lot classier. Regarding the hands, the minutes hand is thinner and the hour hand loses its chevron and gains a bisecting line through part of the lumed surface.

Key Features

Amongst watch enthusiasts, Seiko’s sports and dive watches have proven to be the most popular. Seiko has a long history of making professional dive watches, and these vintage watches today have a large devoted following of collectors. The SPB103j1 was released in 2019 and is the successor of the previous model SBDC031 which it replaced. Lastly, the Orient Kamasu (RA-AA0004E19A) is another comparable watch to the Seiko Prospex Sumo. It features a similar design with a stainless steel case and a reliable automatic movement. However, the Kamasu has a slightly smaller case size and a more affordable price point, making it a great option for those on a budget.

It is today one of the largest watch manufacturers today if we look at production numbers, and its great popularity has led to the brand releasing countless models in terms of design, purpose, and also price. Seiko’s watches range in price from less than 100 USD up to the thousands. Paying more than a thousand dollars, or even more than five hundred dollars for a Seiko is not something everyone is willing to do, but if we look at some of these watches in detail, it becomes very evident that you really get a lot in return. And in many cases, they still prove to be great value for money. Looking at the case and the overall design, these updated Sumo SPB321J1 and SPB323J1 are typical no-surprise models. It’s all about improving the quality, not the style. As such, the oversized dimensions of the original Sumo are maintained. No downsizing policy here, the Sumo was and still is a large watch with a 45mm diameter, a 12.9mm height and an unmistakable lug-to-lug measurement of over 52mm. Reading this will certainly stop more than one potential customer, however, keep in mind that despite what the specification sheet indicated, the Sumo has always been more comfortable on the wrist than you’ll ever imagine. But don’t expect the comfort of one of the new compact Prospex. The Sumo SPB321J1 here worn on our editor Robin’s 19cm wrist.

There are some updates though, mainly for the bezel and the dial. First, the still bezel retains its coin-edge profile and is still unidirectional with a 60-minute scale. Yet, you’ll notice that the insert has new fonts, without the extended “fat” numerals. It does, however, retain its internal facet. The second evolution regards the crystal. Previously made in mineral “Hardlex” glass, Seiko fits its new Sumo SPB103J1 with a sapphire crystal. The hands are updated with a triangled minute and hour hand which is more suitable for the Sumo and enriches the impression and personality of the Sumo. All hands have plenty of LumiBrite and have a great contrast of the dial making it easy to tell the time. Case The movement is perhaps the biggest difference going from Seiko’s 14-year-old 6R15 to the new in-house caliber 6R35. The movement is automatic with a central rotor and offers a power reserve of 70 hours, which is a huge improvement of 20 hours from the 6R15. This robust and durable movement gives makes this SeikoSPB101J1 a greatwatch in this price class. The movement beats at a 3Hz frequency making 21.600 beats per hour. Seiko – the brand that has become synonymous with affordable and qualitative affordable timepieces.In fact, we would even dare to say that Seiko’s watches are some of the best value money can buy if you factor in finish, quality, and durability.