Seiko K or J models?

[ZesPak]

So, I'm looking to order one of these:

http://www.creationwatches.com/products/search/res...

But one has the SNZH53J designation, while the other goes by SNZH53K.
As far as I see there's nearly no difference in price, from what I can find it's just a location they are produced? J is for Japan?

Any inputs on this? Will there be any difference? Which should I go for?

[TheGroover]

This should probably be in the watches section
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?h=0&...

[ZesPak]

Wow, completely the wrong section indeed. Sorry for that, was by accident.
Can a mod move this?

[grumbledoak]

Japan or Korea.

Some purists would say "get the J", and if I was to take a trip to Japan and buy a Grand Seiko as part of a factory tour I might feel that way about it. But as an internet purchase I really cannot see any difference.

[ZesPak]

Just read up a bit more. Apparently it's not even where the watch was made, the only real difference is the "made in japan" on the dial?

[CooperS]

I thought that Japan market watches were built to a different specification.

Be that bezal size, finish or movement?

[Jobbo]

As far as I'm aware, they're not made differently at all but they're just aimed at different markets so have different characters on the day/date wheel etc. Traditionally the K model has been cheaper so, due to the slightly ill-informed prejudice on watch forums that J models are somehow better, I'd go for the J when it's cheaper; otherwise I'd go for K.

I have an SNZH53 K version myself and the blue of the face was darker in the flesh than I was expecting (still lovely in the light); I don't know whether there may be a slight difference in the colour of the dial from the J version.

[catso]

Would the secondary language on the day indicator be different?

I have a Seiko 5 with day/date and the day is in both English and (I think) Arabic? Whereas I have an older Seiko (ca. 40 yrs old) that has the day in English and Spanish.

[ZesPak]

catso said:

Would the secondary language on the day indicator be different?

I have a Seiko 5 with day/date and the day is in both English and (I think) Arabic? Whereas I have an older Seiko (ca. 40 yrs old) that has the day in English and Spanish.

My SKX007 K is English and French, I've just ordered SNZH53 J, as long as the date goes English I'm not bothered .

[anonymous-user]

ZesPak said:

So, I'm looking to order one of these:

http://www.creationwatches.com/products/search/res...

But one has the SNZH53J designation, while the other goes by SNZH53K.
As far as I see there's nearly no difference in price, from what I can find it's just a location they are produced? J is for Japan?

Any inputs on this? Will there be any difference? Which should I go for?

Remember to add the import duty
Nearly everyone says it’s pretty unlikely
But..
All 3 people I know who used Creation were charged ( including me!)
Which would have made it about the same price as Amazon Uk..

[ZesPak]

True, but I'm not from the UK and would have it shipped.

I've got 3 watches so far from them and no import duty (fingers crossed), so even if I have to pay them every three shipments that's still a big win .

[texaxile]

Jimboka said:

Remember to add the import duty
Nearly everyone says it’s pretty unlikely
But..
All 3 people I know who used Creation were charged ( including me!)
Which would have made it about the same price as Amazon Uk..

Yep, I was stung for £24 on a G shock I bought from them, however that was when DHL delivered it, previously another G was delivered by Royal Mail with no duty, so I guess it's hit and miss.

Regarding the watches, I've read elsewhere that there is no difference between the two mechanically, visually or internally and the suffix merely designates the factory in which it was made (Korea or Japan) but the standards and QC are exactly the same, but some purists are of the opinion that the J models are "better" and seem to retail for more.

My SKX007K has served me well for 17+ years and has been repaired once (by Variomatic) after falling 17 foot onto ceramic tiles. Wouldn't change it for the world, I prefer it over anything else tbh.