Sumo Chronograph 1970's

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Vinz Clortho

·Apr 20, 2026

Been trying to track down information on this. Thinking it came out around early 70s in Japan when the quartz crisis was luming. Movement looks like a generic one.

Can't find any information on the Sumo company so figure it was either a money laundering front or something of what we would consider a microbrand of the day pumping out small batches or licensed from another company.

Any info is appreciated.

 

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Felix_La_PuBelle

·Apr 20, 2026

Well it definitely looks a lot like a Valjoux 7733 so theoretically period correct for late 60s to 70s even if for a ripoff.

it also follows basic design language that a lot of watchmakers were following at the time for sportier, more youthful/younger adult oriented products.

Otherwise, never heard of them, but kinda fun as a curiosity.

 

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Dan S

·Apr 20, 2026

Are you sure it's Japanese? Aside from the SUMO, everything about it looks European, maybe French.

Edited: Apr 20, 2026

 

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MRC

·Apr 20, 2026

It's a 7733, you can read 33 in Valjoux' usual place under the balance wheel

Mikrolisk has three registrations of the Sumo name:
Robert Triebol in Mumpf, Switzerland 1957
R. Schmid & Cie, Neuchâtel,Switzerland 1910
La Diffusion Horlogere SA, Miserey-Selines, France 1977

So, La Diffusion seems a likely candidate if it is French, although that design would probably seem a bit old-fashioned by 1977 but that date could still fit and the design is rather Yema "Andretti"-ish. The name suggests a marketing/distribution operation rather than a manufacturer and in eastern France / Switzerland there would many manufacturers/assemblers very happy to make "other branded" watches.

I wonder what the significance of highlighting 5 minutes might be.


BTW, I like it, can I call dibs?

 

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Vinz Clortho

·Apr 20, 2026

Not at all sure it's Japanese, it's what the seller listed it as. Didn't have a picture of the movement posted. Asked for it and he sent me a pic. Really liked the interesting dial so made an offer and it was accepted. It's a 37 mm size.

 

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Walrus

·Apr 20, 2026

Very interesting. I’m no expert but I don’t think it’s Japanese I’ve never seen it on wrist sushi or any Japanese watch forum but who knows.

Cool as hec anyway.

 

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Vinz Clortho

·Apr 20, 2026

Think the consensus is the seller had no idea where the watch was produced when listing it. When I did a search on 1970s chronographs, it popped up a lot of the Swiss movements but didn't see any Japanese ones.

Appreciate all the info and points me in correct direction for another round of searching. And even if I don't find the exact information, confirming the movement and likely origin is a lot better than where I was before.

Thanks again to the forum for coming through. And think it has that cool, funky racing dial for a fun summer watch.

 

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Felix_La_PuBelle

·Sat. 11:42am

Looks like the watch arrived. First impressions?

 

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Vinz Clortho

·Sat. 12:37pm

Felix_La_PuBelle

Looks like the watch arrived. First impressions?

Surprised actually. It's one of the more interesting dials where the pictures really don't do it justice. The sunburst dial is more of a pearl white color which is ever changing. The red and blue really works well against the gold case and hour markers. Wears bigger than the 36mm size.

Was definitely a great addition to the collection!

 

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Felix_La_PuBelle

·Sat. 12:38pm

Fun dial for sure.

 

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Vinz Clortho

·11:43am yesterday

At first I thought it was just the sunlight hitting the dial which changed the color, but there's a fun oddity with the dial I've never come across. When the sun's behind you in the last few hours in the sky, the chrono ring around it remains silver, but whole rest of the dial turns a pinkish rose hue. Was memorizing while driving (obviously couldn't get a decent photo of it) But was the same the whole time tailgating before the game yesterday.

Will grab some in next few days. Still trying to figure out if it's a light refraction through the crystal onto the dial, but thinking it's the actual dial since the chrono ring wasn't affected. Coolest effect I've seen in a sunburst dial.

 

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MRC

·1:03pm yesterday

That is really nice!

The case & lugs seem familiar, are there any numbers between the lugs?

 

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Vinz Clortho

·6:28pm yesterday

No numbers or anything stamped between the lugs. There's a small stamp on the side of the case.

FL.OR
CALV.
L❤️ C

Guessing this is a Hallmark stamp or something since I haven't been found it on a quick search.

 

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MRC

·8:02pm yesterday

Vinz Clortho

No numbers or anything stamped between the lugs. There's a small stamp on the side of the case.

FL.OR
CALV.
L❤️ C

Guessing this is a Hallmark stamp or something since I haven't been found it on a quick search.

In there is our clue to country of origin. OR is gold as any fule know, but FL could mean plated, cased, wrapped, dunno. CALV could be five somethings or something else entirely. But the origin is in there....

And we still have no idea where in the world a five minute timer would be important. Intervals of three minutes: yeah 1950s-70s phone charge increments, 10 or 15 minutes yacht race start timing, but just five ?


I did say dibs didn't I?? Just lovely!