Seiko Automatic Diver's 200m Made in Japan SKX009 SKX009J1 SKX009J Men's Watch

Seiko Automatic Diver's 200m Made in Japan SKX009 SKX009J1 SKX009J Men's WatchA WATCH FROM THE HORO HEAVEN Seiko watches always look and feel a piece of precision and sturdy engineering and nothing perhaps other than the Grand Seiko demonstrates that better than the SKX009J1. Its an excellent 7S26, 21 jewel automatic movement that drives it and the big, unidirectional timer bezel makes the watch a terrific deal! The very bright, long lasting lume is an added advantage (eight to ten hours glow). It makes the Seiko SKX009J truly

A WATCH FROM THE HORO-HEAVEN
Seiko watches always look and feel a piece of precision and sturdy engineering and nothing perhaps – other than the Grand Seiko – demonstrates that better than the SKX009J1. It’s an excellent 7S26, 21-jewel automatic movement that drives it and the big, unidirectional timer bezel makes the watch a terrific deal! The very bright, long-lasting lume is an added advantage (eight to ten hours glow). It makes the Seiko SKX009J truly a Diver’s watch and not just a beater with an over-inflated ‘Dive Watch’ image.

TWO SIDES TO THE SKX STORY
Both Seiko SKXK and the Seiko SKXJ models look identical at a quick glance. The differences they bear are extremely subtle; you really need to give yourself a few days to find them out. But if you want to find them right away the following lines are for you.

The first difference you’ve already noticed (the K and the J), else you wouldn’t be reading this. Urban myths say the J is a reference to the fact that it is entirely designed, made and assembled in Japan, whereas the K is a reference to its assembling done either in Singapore, or at South Korea or in Malaysia. There’s also another school of thought that says the J and the K denotes the market the watch was intended for and not where it was manufactured.

What does Seiko has to say about it?  According to them, the letter J indicates the watch is ‘Made/Assembled in Japan’. You’ll also find it mentioned on the case back. The K watches are usually made in Malaysia, without a mention of ‘Movement Japan’ or ‘Japan Movement’ like the SKXJ.

QUICK FACTS

J model, if you find one with Kanji, it will denote a JDM.

All J models are sold in Eastern Europe or Middle-east countries(indicated by the alternate Day language);

Models for US or European markets are K models or non-suffix models.

BREAK DOWN ON EACH FEATURE 
Different dials: Not exactly but the additional text indeed strike a difference. The K version of the SKX009 doesn’t have the jewel count mentioned on the dial, neither ‘Made in Japan’.

The Case: The SKXJ case feels better in its make and the finishing is slightly sharper and better in terms of quality, as found through the loupe 

The case back: The Seiko SKXJ has JAPAN WP mentioned at the bottom of the case back, at the left of the model number. The K variation has just WP (factory code) mentioned.

THE SEIKO SKXJ VS. SKXK - WHICH ONE WOULD YOU PREFER?
Looking at the above points, you can be sure that SKXJ is a slightly better choice if you care about aesthetics. But also know that the SKXK is more obtainable than the SKXJ.