Spinnaker Dumas Owner Review : Admirable, attractive and functional

Today I’ve got the Spinnaker Dumas GMT in front of me – the GMT version of the well-known Dumas model, and this one is the Pepsi version with the red and blue bezel. The watch also comes in other colorways, but this Pepsi setup really stands out. The first thing that catches your eye is the case design – it’s just different. Of course, the Pepsi bezel itself is a design we all recognize from a big brand, but the case shape here is unique. I honestly don’t know another watch with a case quite like this. So, what you get is a piece that borrows a familiar design cue, but mixes it with something completely its own. That gives the Dumas GMT a really independent identity, which I find very positive. Specs and Dimensions The watch has a 44 mm diameter, with a 22 mm lug width, which means it’s easy to swap straps and experiment with different looks. It’s 15 mm thick, but here’s the interesting part: the lug-to-lug is only 48 mm. That’s actually quite compact for a 44 mm case, making the watch wearable even on smaller wrists, like mine at around 17 cm. A lot of microbrands build 44 mm cases with a 52 mm lug-to-lug, which makes them wear huge – but not this one. Thanks to the short lugs, it fits much better. Inside runs the Seiko NH34 GMT automatic movement, with about 41 hours of power reserve. You get sapphire crystal on top and 300 m of water resistance, so the specs are genuinely solid. Price-wise, the Dumas GMT sits around €400, which I think is very fair for what you get here. Build Quality and Finishing The case finishing is really well done – the brushing and overall machining look and feel great. The stainless-steel bracelet is standard for this price range, nothing crazy but solid. What I really like is that Spinnaker includes a rubber strap as well, and it’s actually very nice quality. You can switch easily between steel and rubber, depending on the vibe you want. There’s a display caseback, so you can see the movement inside. Of course, it’s just the standard Seiko NH34, but it has a Spinnaker-branded rotor, which adds a little visual interest. Wrist Feel and Aesthetics On the wrist, the Dumas GMT wears comfortably – despite the 44 mm size, the design makes it sit very well. One of the highlights for me is the glass bezel, which looks amazing in the light. The indices on the dial are beautifully applied, and the color combination works perfectly: black dial, Pepsi bezel, and the contrast between them looks fantastic. It’s a photogenic watch, and no matter how you look at it, it always seems to catch the light in a nice way. The quality of the dial work and markers really surprised me for this price. Small Downsides If I had to point out something, I’d say the hour hand could have been a bit longer or stronger visually – it’s slightly undersized compared to the minute hand. The crown works well and winds smoothly, but proportion-wise it feels a little small. Also, the crown guards are quite thin compared to the rest of the case, which makes that part of the design feel slightly off-balance. But honestly, these are small details. Overall, the watch feels and looks great. Final Thoughts The Spinnaker Dumas GMT Pepsi is a watch with character. It takes a recognizable element – the Pepsi bezel – and combines it with a case design that’s completely its own. You get solid specs, a reliable movement, and a design that stands out from the typical GMT crowd. Especially at this price point, it’s hard to complain. You often even find it discounted, which makes it an even better deal. If you’re looking for a GMT watch that doesn’t follow the usual design formula but still gives you reliability, presence, and personality, the Dumas GMT might be exactly what you’re after. In short: a bold, well-built GMT with its own identity – and honestly, one of the best value pieces out there right now.