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.