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TweetEmailThe Seiko SBDC line, dubbed the “Sumo” or “Shogun” by online collectors communities, have been out for a couple of years. Nevertheless, they are worth a detailed review. Today we will be takeing a closer look at the SBDC005, which is the orange version of the Sumo. This particular example was purchased with the bracelet that is normally only available on the black or blue dialed models. The Sumo represents Seikos response to the modern dive watch, the SKX series and their 7S26 movements have been staples of the dive watch world for years, but movements and manufacturing processes have improved. Seiko responded by making a Prospex dive watch with the venerable 6R15 movement from the Alpinist line. How does it stack up against the competition or even its cheaper SKX siblings?Automatic 6R1550hr Power Reserve44×13.3mm20mm lugsHardlex CrystalScrewdown Crown200m WR The head on the Sumo is very nice, it is a definite step forward compared to my trusty SKX007 (see photos – black dial). The Sumo has some very nice finishing on the sides of the case, mixing vectored lines, brushed and polished surfaces and even lug holes (!). The bezel action is smooth and clicky but the notched edge of the bezel is useless. Water or sweat will make using this bezel difficult without gloves. So much about the Sumo seemed to be designed with the intention of owners using it for diving that the bezel is a definite disappointment. While I think calling the SBDC a “tool” watch might be a stretch, it has the calling cards of a tool diver. Big hands and markers, an excellent screw down crown, and lug holes. I know many Seiko fans didn’t like seeing lug holes on such a dressy looking diver, but it makes strap changes a blast and I love lug holes on any watch. Many divers have used the SKX (007 or 779) as dive watches and I believe the Sumo would easily be up to this task. The orange dial on the SBDC005 really pops, it is bright and rich and really makes this watch feel like a dive watch. I generally prefer black dials on my dive watches but have very much enjoyed the orange dial, especially on a black rubber strap. The hands are sword style, like those seen on the SBDA005, and have a black border. This last point brings us to my biggest problem with the watch – the hour markers are outlined in a shiny chrome but the hands are outlined in black. This is a small inconsistency that I am reminded of every time I look at the watch. While we don’t know why they made it like this, I think the markers would have looked awesome outlined in black. My guess is the chrome accents are to remind buyers of the upmarket Seiko SBDX001 Marine Master. All other marks, writing and even the border of the date window (at three o’clock) are black. On the SBDC001 and 003 (black dial, blue dial respectively) the hands are outlined in chrome, so this issue is only present on the orange dialed model. The lume on the Sumo is excellent and lives up to the repoutation set by its siblings. The bracelet is very nice, the 20mm width that the lugs is odd at first as 22mm would be more standard for both Seiko and the size of the watch. That said, the bracelet is of standard Seiko quality: it’s quiet, doesn’t pull hair, and has solid end-links. The clasp is a push button fold over style with four micro adjustments and a safety. These links are secured by standard push-pins and there is a simple wetsuit extension hidden under the clasp. In the end, the SBDC005 is a classic Seiko dive watch and there is very little to complain about. The movement is an upgrade from the more commonly seen 7s26, and the build quality is great. The Sumo will cost you quite a bit more than a SKX series watch – on bracelet the SBDC001 retails around $600. For your money you get a classy but dive-capable watch that will keep up with most styles, and may just make a perfect daily wearer. By James Stacey

Audemars Piguet has created a new Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph, it is a titanium limited edition developed for a highly popular Paris-based retailer named Chronopassion located on the well known Rue St. Honor��. The beautiful titanium case has a microbille bead-blasted - or sand blasted as we call it here in the states - finish, which creates a look of frosted metal. The surface of the octagonal Royal Oak bezel has a microbille bead-blasted finish as well, though the beveled edge is a high polish which is matched nicely by the polishing on the eight hexagonal bezel screws. The standard Royal Oak "Grand Tapisserie" waffle pattern dial features white gold Arabic markers and hands with a luminous treatment for easy readability, and a large magnified date window at 3 o'clock. Each timepiece has a black rubber strap and a microbille bead-blasted titanium folding clasp. The case back is engraved with the limited edition number of the watch, as well as the words "Limited Edition Chronopassion". The Chronopassion Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph will be produced in a limited edition of 50 pieces.The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph Chronopassion Limited Edition uses the 3126/3840 caliber movement, a movement used in several of AP's limited Edition creations as of late - such as the Survivor and the Grand Prix models. Comprised of 365 carefully finished parts, the 3126/3840 has a rapid-adjust date display, stop seconds, and a chronograph complication with 30-minute and 12-hour totalizers and a power reserve of approximately 60 hours. It has a variable-inertia balance with eight masselotte weights, a fast date correction and a highly stable balance cock, as well as the massive 22-karat gold rotor that winds the mainspring in both of its directions of rotation. An anti-magnetic strongbox cage protects the caliber's precision against the negative effects of magnetic fields. It also has finely polished screw and jewel settings, a perlage on the plate and undersides of the bridges, and Cotes de Geneve finishing on the bridges.