Fat boy font, banana case, £500: four fifths of a Marinemaster for a sixth of the money
Before they took the font away
Tonight it's a blue dial review, and it's the Seiko Sumo. The SBDC033 J1, the Gen 2 blue, JDM, 500 pounds. This is the one from before they took away the fat boy font. The newer ones, 740 pounds I believe, upgraded everything, sapphire, ceramic, the lot. But the font was gone on the Sumo. Essence was lost. This one is absolutely proper. The bezel font is what makes the Sumo, and if you can't get a Gen 1, this Gen 2 is the choice selection.
The banana case is a thing
44.5 or 45 mm, 13.5 mm thick, so quite thin considering its heft, on narrow 20 mm lugs. A lot of people say those lugs don't befit a watch of his size, and I'm inclined to agree. But Seiko knew exactly what they were doing. It's like a circus freak watch: the font and the bracelet size all come together in the most wonderful way.
And the case. The banana case is a thing. It's a masterpiece. Some of the most pleasing lugs you'll ever see. Is it six angles? I don't know how they've done it. Thing of beauty, a true masterpiece, this case. I love it.
Buttery clicks and cathedral swords
Matte blue dial, applied markers, insane Lumibrite. Aluminium insert on a 120-click, buttery smooth bezel. A pleasure to turn, and this one lines up, I want to say, perfectly. The shroud means you can only grip it top and bottom, bros. That's what's up. Cathedral swords, a plunger-tip seconds hand that reaches almost into the rehaut, and a framed, white-backed date. No sliver at three.
The crown has deep slotting and excellent engraving, better than the crown on my Marinemaster, and it winds with pure pleasure. Domed Hardlex, 6R15, 23 jewels, 50 hours, hacking and hand winding. Stated tolerances of -15 to +25. Not very good, but we know about that.
The bracelet has to go
As we all know, the Sumo comes on a bracelet that is subpar and needs upgrading. This one's on a Strapcode Endmill, the ultimate upgrade in my amateur opinion. Look at that clasp. Thick. I've also had him on a Crafter Blue CB02, and the ends fit the Sumo perfectly.
Six of these or one of those
He's a monolith. A true behemoth on the spaghetti. Seven inches minimum to carry this watch. Little Mr SKX is lovely, but nothing close. Next to my Marinemaster? You can buy six of these or one of those. That's diminishing returns. The Marinemaster is way better, but it's not six times better, and its lume wins: brighter than a quasar. This one will suffice. For 500 pounds you can have four fifths of a three thousand pound watch. Expensive watches rule, but they're just not that much better than the much cheaper competition.
Verdict
One of my favourites. Probably my favourite Seiko, or at least my favourite one I can afford. A masterpiece for under 500 pounds. Sumo is king. Stay freaky, and never give up.
