9 times out of 10 I much prefer this set up, with GMT markings on the dial or chapter ring, and a timing scale on the bezel. I get kind of annoyed when brands to a GMT watch with a rotating bezel but no GMT markings on the dial or chapter ring. With modern GMT movements where the GMT hand can be set independently, there's no reason to have a rotating bezel other than to track a third time zone, which you can't effectively do without a GMT scale on the dial or chapter ring. /rant
Bought this after losing my PADI Kinetic GMT some time ago. Don’t know how I managed to do that, but the Kinetic checked all the blocks: hands hit the markers, everything lined up, sapphire, dead accurate, etc. And this watch does just as well. Definitely my go-to when I’m on the road.
With so many GMT options available right now, maybe this one is just different enough and, with the solar, just practical enough to find a place at the table (or in a collection). Or maybe it is too niche. Either way, I like the looks and thanks for the review.
You nailed the obvious: it's a big watch. You missed on the solar quartz. The movement's solar element is fantastic and combined with GMT function Seiko has knocked it out of the park. The utility of this movement is on a different level from all other GMT watches.
I have this as my daily. Great for traveling, since it’s easy to adjust the hour hand. Quartz accuracy and solar convenience. Only if there is an aftermarket bezel insert with countdown minutes, it would be perfect for my use.
Interesting you mention a true GMT Arnie. The Arnie doesn't have a GMT hand, but it can display a second time zone in the digital display. Also, it does have a jumping hour hand like a true GMT.
I got this watch for my brother and it’s perfect. He works in film and is a new city every week and only wears it for work a few days a week so an automatic is a headache. It’s bullet proof and you can wear it in a raging river or at diner. Couldn’t say enough good things about it.
Great video. Mine is the green version, with the misaligned six o'clock marker. It's like a miss print more than alignment issue. The Strapcode bracelet doesn't fit btw.
Good review. I’ve had this same one for a few months and really like it. Nice colors, size is big but not cumbersome, and the movement is just what I wanted. Also not sure if you mentioned but this has a sapphire crystal which helps set it apart from similarly priced Seikos.
Yep. Had my eye on the auto Sumo for some time but didn't want to pay the price. When this came out I was able to order grey market for under 400 bux with coupon. YMMV. It's a steal at that price especially with traveler's GMT complication. Got the supplied Seiko bracelet adjusted and it wears really well on my 7.25" wrist. Typically just trash Seiko bracelets at this price. Great solar quartz. If you ain't into quartz then so be it. Mine all lines up well enough. I love this one and it is a keeper.
Thanks for the review Shane. This is an interesting one. Traveller's GMT is a big plus. It offers the practicality (when travelling with a number of watches) of a solar movement vs a mechanical movement. But then again, why not take a Casio AE1200 with you for that purpose? This Sumo looks good but that case is just a little too big on the lug to lug. I still think I'll wait for a microbrand with a Miyota 9075 around the USD 500 mark (I love that Jack Mason Dr Pepper - it's just a bit too expensive for me). Apparently Long Island Watch are releasing at 9075 based GMT early 2024(ish...) and when travelling, I think I'll still pack an upgraded AE1200...
Thanks Shane. Nice looking watch and great how they disguised the solar cell. Coincidentally I have a solar Pulsar Chronograph with a racing theme, the black dial has a racing flag pattern on it, also completely disguising the solar cell. Of course Pulsar is a Seiko company so maybe the idea came from that. In reality, as a frequent traveler across time zones, there's no real difference between the two GMT types. You set it and it's done and in fact moving the GMT hand is hardly an inconvenience.
Thanks for the review. You are rhe first person to enunciate clearly enough that i finally understood that its a "Caller" GMT. I always thought its was "Collar" GMT that was (i assumed) in reference to some aspect of how they constructed the GMT function 😆
I really like it, I will definitely get it at some point! But at around 700€, (500€ would be my limit) here, it’s just too expensive! Man, I had this blue one on my wrist just recently, it’s just lovely! I like the sumo in general, just one of those classic Seiko cases… Perhaps, someone brings an automatic version with the NH34, would by that!
I love the dial. It's too big for me. I like my GMTs with the 24 on the dial or chapter ring. I agree with the timing bezel is better than a 3rd time zone for a diver.
I know you came down on the side of liking the timing bezel but I had this debate with someone else. Since this is in the Prospex (Pro Specs) line, it is designed to meet ISO specs for a diver’s watch, hence Diver’s printed on the dial, which you can only do if it meets ISO specs. Those specs include a unidirectional timing bezel. So they had to put the GMT scale on the dial. The person I spoke with criticized it for not having a GMT scale on the bezel, but for me, he was criticizing what the watch was designed to be, a cert spec Diver’s with a GMT function. There are plenty of GMT’s with a GMT bezel that have a dive watch aesthetic so just buy one if that’s what you want. But it seems daft to criticize a watch designed to be what it is for being what it is. What are your thoughts?
I didn't think about that, good point. Also, agree with you on needing to take into account what something was designed for when reviewing. As a viewer, it's something that bugs me too. Like you can't be mad at a Prius for not being as fast as a Porsche. It's not supposed to be, it's supposed to be efficient. There is one review I watched that still annoyed me, which was on a brand of Nato Straps. The thing is the reviewer didn't like natos to begin with and trashed them. Criticized things like the extra hardware and extra strap... which is inherent in the design of a NATO. Yet at the same time, I think it's important for a reviewer to voice their own opinions on things, as that's what people tune in for. So generally I try to take a balanced approach. Where I'll mention that personally, I don't like something, but at the same time stress that it's supposed to be that way. So while it's not my cup of tea, I can't fault the watch (take points off) for that.
Yep. I wish this watch designed to be what it is was something else seems silly to me, especially when there are a ton of watches designed to be what you want the watch your criticizing to be.
I used to think a GMT bezel is useless, too, but then I had the realisation that there are more than one billion people living in teritories where time zones are not offset by full hours, but by 15, 30 or 45 minutes increments to the GMT. So 48 clicks bi-directional bezels are the only rotative bezels that make sense on a GMT watch.
Almost bought one of these but then I stumbled on a 2nd hand Citizen Nighthawk under 50USD. I found it because the seller listed it as a “GTM” watch instead of “GMT” lol
Yeah it's kind of strange. You think this would be a big hit. I even expected this video to do better, but evidently the RUclips algorithm doesn't think it's interesting either
I decided I want this watch the moment I saw it leaked. I've had a couple of chances to get this at a pretty nice price. Somehow I am still without one :/
I never look down on quartz watches but with the new automatic gmt movements available this watch is somewhat out of time and place. Dive bezel is no problem for dual use timing. The size is a bit big though even though Seikos can wear small.
Nice review! Nice watch but not at that price. Personally Id rather get a Citizen Promaster GMT BJ7100. Ive seen them for about $300. Just my two cents. Thanks again
I've recently got the kinetic version and it is a great watch but very big. I would love if they had made a solar version of that but the same size as the turtle.
@@waynesellers4078 I can't remember the name, but its in the video briefly. It's sort of the landshark one with a compass bezel. Sold that one a while ago, but also have the movement in a microbrand prototype... The ill fated crestic.
@@RelativeTime I think the tuna is the biggest of the kinetics but I still love it, although that may be because it makes me feel like a kid wearing their dad's watch.
I has distaste about quartz but not because of the movement, but the facts you gonna need frequent battery change and one wrong step during that process you screw the watch waterproofing and done you lost the watch, but Solar movement is the game changer, good rechargeable battery will make battery change from 1-3 years now has gone to 10 to 20 years, jyst like automatic watch need servicing for the same timeframe.
It's a pretty watch, but as always with Seiko one wonders what makes it at least twice as expensive as its Citizen EcoDrive GMT BJ7100-82e counterpart that costs around £250 brand new. Seiko would have an impossible task of convincing me to buy their product here. 🤔
I haven't seen that one in person, so hard to say. Although a lot of it is also timing. The Seiko is brand new this year, and prices may drop even further. Especially since there isn't a ton of demand. While the citizen has been out for a while now. The citizen may even be discontinued. Hard to say, but a lot of places don't seem to have it in stock now.
@@RelativeTime Indeed so. You can still pick them up brand new on Amazon UK, but it's a real shame they've been discontinued it seems. I'm tired of endless diving styled watches when the nearest diving experience of at least 90% of population would be their bathtub. Miss watches looking like that Citizen GMT, too few in between.
@@RelativeTime Alpinist GMT sells for almost £1000 here. I like it a lot indeed, but for that price they could have added a date/day window which I think is a must. Otherwise it's a great looking watch. ⌚🤔 Vario is a rather classy looking timepiece. I think it would ride along with your personality.
@@RelativeTime Ended up buying Hamilton Khaki X-Wind H7776554 for £1038. Ticks pretty much all boxes and is something I'd be proud to wear for many years to come. But I guess this is only as far as I'm prepared to go in terms of price, I'd say going anything beyond £1200 for a watch makes me wonder what exactly I'd be getting in return to justify that expense. Never say never but hopefully not, maybe I found The One after all. ⌚ 🤔
Yes, not bad. Relatively (🙂) nice looking. I prefer my kinetic PADI true GMT that I managed to pick up new for less than a 5KX GMT though. Nice to see they still make some large watches too. As usual a nicely described and photographed review. Thanks.
@@RelativeTime thanks Gary. I wasn’t being pedantic, but I have a watch with a similar layout, and I really wanted to know if I could track a fourth time!
the bracelet is unfortunately total garbage. i took mine off and threw on an everest leather strap in cherry. this is my favorite watch. extremely affordable and practical. I just wish they had sold it without a bracelet for a hundred bucks or so cheaper.
Really? You didn't see that the markers on your sumo are dramatically uneven? Is this a paid opinion? I can't understand why you omit this enormous quality fail
See the section in the video marked "Seiko shenanigans" . Along with a few other things the chapter ring looks like it's slightly off. Not necessarily the dial. Maybe a few degrees. Which don't get me wrong... It's annoying. But at this point it's par for the course with Seiko... And as I said in the video, I've gone on on about this in others and let's just leave it at that. At this point everybody knows about it. There's no point going off on a rant in every single video on seiko's crappy quality control. Honestly it gets exhausting to do.
While I agree that the "true" name is nonsensical and probably created by Rolex Fanboys to disparage anything else, it is still the most commonly used term to refer to that type of movement. This is why I use it at the beginning and then use it interchangeably with "travelers" later on.
Solar quartz is probably a good fit for a true gmt. For anyone rotating their collection the lack of a quick set date on a mechanical is a ball ache.
9 times out of 10 I much prefer this set up, with GMT markings on the dial or chapter ring, and a timing scale on the bezel. I get kind of annoyed when brands to a GMT watch with a rotating bezel but no GMT markings on the dial or chapter ring. With modern GMT movements where the GMT hand can be set independently, there's no reason to have a rotating bezel other than to track a third time zone, which you can't effectively do without a GMT scale on the dial or chapter ring. /rant
Bought this after losing my PADI Kinetic GMT some time ago. Don’t know how I managed to do that, but the Kinetic checked all the blocks: hands hit the markers, everything lined up, sapphire, dead accurate, etc. And this watch does just as well. Definitely my go-to when I’m on the road.
With so many GMT options available right now, maybe this one is just different enough and, with the solar, just practical enough
to find a place at the table (or in a collection). Or maybe it is too niche. Either way, I like the looks and thanks for the review.
You nailed the obvious: it's a big watch. You missed on the solar quartz. The movement's solar element is fantastic and combined with GMT function Seiko has knocked it out of the park. The utility of this movement is on a different level from all other GMT watches.
I have this as my daily. Great for traveling, since it’s easy to adjust the hour hand. Quartz accuracy and solar convenience. Only if there is an aftermarket bezel insert with countdown minutes, it would be perfect for my use.
Interesting you mention a true GMT Arnie. The Arnie doesn't have a GMT hand, but it can display a second time zone in the digital display. Also, it does have a jumping hour hand like a true GMT.
I got this watch for my brother and it’s perfect. He works in film and is a new city every week and only wears it for work a few days a week so an automatic is a headache. It’s bullet proof and you can wear it in a raging river or at diner. Couldn’t say enough good things about it.
Gmt with diver bezel is the perfect vacation watch. I got a bremont descent 2 for that purpose
I got the SUN 057 years ago and I love it.$125 new on Amazon
This would be my perfect, one-watch collection. Checks all of my personal boxes. But 45mm on my 6.75 wrist isn't happening. Too bad, I really like it.
Im om 6.5inch and it works prefectly fine for me
Great video. Mine is the green version, with the misaligned six o'clock marker. It's like a miss print more than alignment issue. The Strapcode bracelet doesn't fit btw.
Wow I have been debating this…I’ll plan to get this around summer time next year …it’s at Macys too
Shane have you considered reviewing seikos recraft line
It's been a while, but I remember looking at some of them a while ago. I remember there was a square model with a green dial I really liked.
Good review. I’ve had this same one for a few months and really like it. Nice colors, size is big but not cumbersome, and the movement is just what I wanted. Also not sure if you mentioned but this has a sapphire crystal which helps set it apart from similarly priced Seikos.
Yep. Had my eye on the auto Sumo for some time but didn't want to pay the price. When this came out I was able to order grey market for under 400 bux with coupon. YMMV. It's a steal at that price especially with traveler's GMT complication. Got the supplied Seiko bracelet adjusted and it wears really well on my 7.25" wrist. Typically just trash Seiko bracelets at this price. Great solar quartz. If you ain't into quartz then so be it. Mine all lines up well enough. I love this one and it is a keeper.
Thanks for the review Shane. This is an interesting one. Traveller's GMT is a big plus. It offers the practicality (when travelling with a number of watches) of a solar movement vs a mechanical movement. But then again, why not take a Casio AE1200 with you for that purpose? This Sumo looks good but that case is just a little too big on the lug to lug. I still think I'll wait for a microbrand with a Miyota 9075 around the USD 500 mark (I love that Jack Mason Dr Pepper - it's just a bit too expensive for me). Apparently Long Island Watch are releasing at 9075 based GMT early 2024(ish...) and when travelling, I think I'll still pack an upgraded AE1200...
I have the kinetic Tuna gmt diver sun045 50 years anniversary since 2016. Also a true gmt and has sapphire glass. Works l8ke a dream...
Thanks Shane. Nice looking watch and great how they disguised the solar cell. Coincidentally I have a solar Pulsar Chronograph with a racing theme, the black dial has a racing flag pattern on it, also completely disguising the solar cell. Of course Pulsar is a Seiko company so maybe the idea came from that. In reality, as a frequent traveler across time zones, there's no real difference between the two GMT types. You set it and it's done and in fact moving the GMT hand is hardly an inconvenience.
Thanks for the review. You are rhe first person to enunciate clearly enough that i finally understood that its a "Caller" GMT.
I always thought its was "Collar" GMT that was (i assumed) in reference to some aspect of how they constructed the GMT function 😆
Glad I could make that clear. Now that you say it, I could see how that could get confusing.
I really like it, I will definitely get it at some point! But at around 700€, (500€ would be my limit) here, it’s just too expensive!
Man, I had this blue one on my wrist just recently, it’s just lovely!
I like the sumo in general, just one of those classic Seiko cases…
Perhaps, someone brings an automatic version with the NH34, would by that!
I would love this watch wothout the gmt function!
This channel is great for videos on lesser-spotted watches. The selection is always interesting.
Thanks. Takes a bit of time putting them together, so I apprecate it.
I love the solar quartz true GMT idea, I just wish it was smaller.
You’re absolutely right. It’s a great watch, but I don’t think it will be very popular. I would actually consider it if it was just a little smaller.
I love the dial. It's too big for me.
I like my GMTs with the 24 on the dial or chapter ring.
I agree with the timing bezel is better than a 3rd time zone for a diver.
I know you came down on the side of liking the timing bezel but I had this debate with someone else. Since this is in the Prospex (Pro Specs) line, it is designed to meet ISO specs for a diver’s watch, hence Diver’s printed on the dial, which you can only do if it meets ISO specs. Those specs include a unidirectional timing bezel. So they had to put the GMT scale on the dial. The person I spoke with criticized it for not having a GMT scale on the bezel, but for me, he was criticizing what the watch was designed to be, a cert spec Diver’s with a GMT function. There are plenty of GMT’s with a GMT bezel that have a dive watch aesthetic so just buy one if that’s what you want. But it seems daft to criticize a watch designed to be what it is for being what it is. What are your thoughts?
I didn't think about that, good point. Also, agree with you on needing to take into account what something was designed for when reviewing. As a viewer, it's something that bugs me too. Like you can't be mad at a Prius for not being as fast as a Porsche. It's not supposed to be, it's supposed to be efficient.
There is one review I watched that still annoyed me, which was on a brand of Nato Straps. The thing is the reviewer didn't like natos to begin with and trashed them. Criticized things like the extra hardware and extra strap... which is inherent in the design of a NATO.
Yet at the same time, I think it's important for a reviewer to voice their own opinions on things, as that's what people tune in for. So generally I try to take a balanced approach. Where I'll mention that personally, I don't like something, but at the same time stress that it's supposed to be that way. So while it's not my cup of tea, I can't fault the watch (take points off) for that.
Yep. I wish this watch designed to be what it is was something else seems silly to me, especially when there are a ton of watches designed to be what you want the watch your criticizing to be.
Great review, do you know if the strapcode sumo angus jubilee bracelet will fit this model ?
I don't think so, but you can always try emailing and asking Strapcode. They usually know what works with what.
@@RelativeTime 👍
I hope they put this movement into a field watch.
That would be cool.
Nice watch Shane, love the colours just like the Blueberry
I used to think a GMT bezel is useless, too, but then I had the realisation that there are more than one billion people living in teritories where time zones are not offset by full hours, but by 15, 30 or 45 minutes increments to the GMT. So 48 clicks bi-directional bezels are the only rotative bezels that make sense on a GMT watch.
This is true. I forgot about that. Are there really that many people in those territories?
India, Iran, Sri Lanka, Afganistan. Plus the middle of Australia, but there are more lizards there than people :)
Almost bought one of these but then I stumbled on a 2nd hand Citizen Nighthawk under 50USD. I found it because the seller listed it as a “GTM” watch instead of “GMT” lol
Well done. $300 would be my limit for a solar watch.
I saw that, and I wondered if it was a leak because I never saw any press about it 😮
Yeah it's kind of strange. You think this would be a big hit. I even expected this video to do better, but evidently the RUclips algorithm doesn't think it's interesting either
I have always wished for a GMT Seiko Samurai
I decided I want this watch the moment I saw it leaked. I've had a couple of chances to get this at a pretty nice price. Somehow I am still without one :/
If it leaked i would give it a miss if i were you especially as it's supposed to be 200m water resistant 😂
😂
I never look down on quartz watches but with the new automatic gmt movements available this watch is somewhat out of time and place. Dive bezel is no problem for dual use timing. The size is a bit big though even though Seikos can wear small.
Solar Quartz > automatic
I would love to know if a strapcode SS bracelet would fit this one.. great review
It does not unfortunately.
If I had one I'd try it, but I don't have anything for the Sumo.
Doesn't fit anything from strapcode.
Love it. So glad I decided to buy one
Nice review! Nice watch but not at that price. Personally Id rather get a Citizen Promaster GMT BJ7100. Ive seen them for about $300. Just my two cents. Thanks again
I've recently got the kinetic version and it is a great watch but very big. I would love if they had made a solar version of that but the same size as the turtle.
The kinetic one was cool, but it was way to big for me. Sold it a bit ago.
@@RelativeTime which kinetic did you have? I have the Kinetic tuna and it is definitely a big boy.
@@waynesellers4078 I can't remember the name, but its in the video briefly. It's sort of the landshark one with a compass bezel.
Sold that one a while ago, but also have the movement in a microbrand prototype... The ill fated crestic.
@@RelativeTime I think the tuna is the biggest of the kinetics but I still love it, although that may be because it makes me feel like a kid wearing their dad's watch.
@@waynesellers4078 kinetics were a cool interesting idea. I wore one for years. but they are hard to keep charged if your swapping watches a lot.
It’s good looking if you have a massive hand. It’s crazy big
Nice review, very nice watch.
The Miyota 9075 has really messed up Seiko's GMTs
Yeah, it was quite the counter punch.
I has distaste about quartz but not because of the movement, but the facts you gonna need frequent battery change and one wrong step during that process you screw the watch waterproofing and done you lost the watch, but Solar movement is the game changer, good rechargeable battery will make battery change from 1-3 years now has gone to 10 to 20 years, jyst like automatic watch need servicing for the same timeframe.
Oh, boy.. That green Hulk/Kermit..
Wife will be mad (again) for having another "target" watch..
Great video
I love my Somo
Thanks!
Welcome and thanks!
This watch looks like omega planet ocean with little bit of Rolex deep sea .
It's a pretty watch, but as always with Seiko one wonders what makes it at least twice as expensive as its Citizen EcoDrive GMT BJ7100-82e counterpart that costs around £250 brand new. Seiko would have an impossible task of convincing me to buy their product here. 🤔
I haven't seen that one in person, so hard to say. Although a lot of it is also timing. The Seiko is brand new this year, and prices may drop even further. Especially since there isn't a ton of demand. While the citizen has been out for a while now. The citizen may even be discontinued. Hard to say, but a lot of places don't seem to have it in stock now.
@@RelativeTime
Indeed so. You can still pick them up brand new on Amazon UK, but it's a real shame they've been discontinued it seems. I'm tired of endless diving styled watches when the nearest diving experience of at least 90% of population would be their bathtub. Miss watches looking like that Citizen GMT, too few in between.
@@An_inquisitive_thinker there is the new alpinist GMT, but it's pretty pricey for what it is.
Have you seen the Vario empire GMT?
@@RelativeTime Alpinist GMT sells for almost £1000 here. I like it a lot indeed, but for that price they could have added a date/day window which I think is a must. Otherwise it's a great looking watch. ⌚🤔
Vario is a rather classy looking timepiece. I think it would ride along with your personality.
@@RelativeTime
Ended up buying Hamilton Khaki X-Wind H7776554 for £1038. Ticks pretty much all boxes and is something I'd be proud to wear for many years to come. But I guess this is only as far as I'm prepared to go in terms of price, I'd say going anything beyond £1200 for a watch makes me wonder what exactly I'd be getting in return to justify that expense. Never say never but hopefully not, maybe I found The One after all.
⌚ 🤔
Yes, not bad. Relatively (🙂) nice looking. I prefer my kinetic PADI true GMT that I managed to pick up new for less than a 5KX GMT though. Nice to see they still make some large watches too. As usual a nicely described and photographed review. Thanks.
Too big for me. But, I like the movement.
@4:37 fourth?
Sorry. Meant Third. No idea why I said 4th.
@@RelativeTime thanks Gary. I wasn’t being pedantic, but I have a watch with a similar layout, and I really wanted to know if I could track a fourth time!
It's a great looking watch , and I'd buy one if it weren't for that ugly looking lumed pip on the second hand which has always be a no go for me.
“lumed”
@@e28forever30 better now?
the bracelet is unfortunately total garbage. i took mine off and threw on an everest leather strap in cherry. this is my favorite watch. extremely affordable and practical. I just wish they had sold it without a bracelet for a hundred bucks or so cheaper.
Too big, hope they do it in 42 mm and less than 50mm lug to lug
Nope.
Would be great except for Seiko's horrible QC. That chapter ring looks awful. It's tough to justify buying a Seiko at any price these days.
Agreed. Hopefully they realize this and start getting their act together.
Too big Seiko. Again, repeat after me, 'too big'.
Tough break.
Really? You didn't see that the markers on your sumo are dramatically uneven? Is this a paid opinion? I can't understand why you omit this enormous quality fail
See the section in the video marked "Seiko shenanigans" . Along with a few other things the chapter ring looks like it's slightly off. Not necessarily the dial. Maybe a few degrees.
Which don't get me wrong... It's annoying. But at this point it's par for the course with Seiko... And as I said in the video, I've gone on on about this in others and let's just leave it at that. At this point everybody knows about it. There's no point going off on a rant in every single video on seiko's crappy quality control.
Honestly it gets exhausting to do.
I'm aware this watch. However, Sumo is too big for me.
So, skip on this.
Can it do half-hour GMT offsets? No? Then it’s not a “true GMT”. I think you mean “traveller GMT”. Please drop the nonsensical “true” nomenclature.
While I agree that the "true" name is nonsensical and probably created by Rolex Fanboys to disparage anything else, it is still the most commonly used term to refer to that type of movement. This is why I use it at the beginning and then use it interchangeably with "travelers" later on.