Seikos, Japan or China?

Danbo

Danbo

Joined
Nov 28, 1999
Messages
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I picked up a nice Seiko a while ago from a forumite; and ever since, my Son has been bugging me for the watch. This Seiko has a blue face and the silver and gold band. Nice watch, but I have been trying to find another one for my Son, without any luck. I finally found one at a local jewely store, and bought it. I got it home and started looking at the differences. Mine has the SQ at the bottom, but the new one does not. Mine says Japan on the inside of the band, the new one says China. ??? Does anybody know much about these watches?
 
Danbo, I've never heard of a Seiko coming out of China, and if one did, I'd guess that it should have all the proper markings if it was a legally licensed article.

There are a number of forged or illegally copied products coming out of China, from CDs and DVDs, to sunglasses, to "designer" clothes, and to, unfortunately, watches. Most bad watches are high end pieces like Rolexes and the like. Others, I would suspect, are some of the watches made in higher quantities, like Seikos, Pulsars, etc. that move at a volume at which they're considered a commodity. Often, people are much more likely to carefully scrutinize something that has a very large pricetag, so some of the other products priced less tend to slip under people's radar.

Myself, I'd try to return the watch, and let the store know exactly why. If they can't prove that it's an honestly licensed Seiko, then either they may be involved in the collusion, or ignorant to that fact as well.

Good luck to ya.
 
It does have all the papers and box. The back of the watch is also marked China. What got me thinking is that I didnt see any mention in the owner's manual except maybe as a distribution center.
 
Wow, that is strange, then. You may want to call Seiko's customer service number and ask them about it. They'd probably be able to fill you in. There may be some exclusive Chinese distribution that makes these particular watches "grey market" like some of the direct Japanese imports. Drop a dime on Seiko and see what they say.
 
Well, its really too late to take the watch back, as my Son loves it and is wearing it as we speak. I am still very curious and am glad I kept the older one with the Japan markings though.
 
It's much cheaper to manufacture in China, period.

Heck my IBM is made in China, so is my Nikon, my Gregory's, my Polo and my Air Presto. Have to say I miss the days when a brand actually reflected the workmanship of the country it came from....
 
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