For the first installment in the model introduction series, there was no other choice than the SSK005 Japan Orange.
If you’re particular about MADE IN JAPAN, I think the SSK005 is one of the hardest models to find.
That said, SEIKO has not made any official announcement about this.
Please keep in mind that this is simply my personal impression from searching for MADE IN JAPAN models.
Information from SEIKO’s Official Website
Now, let’s take a look at the official information.
Release Date of the SSK005
The SKX Style GMT made its international debut in July 2022, with the following three models launching together worldwide.
At launch, pre-orders poured in, and it seems that stock was nearly gone before the watches even had a chance to reach physical stores.
The model featured in this article is the SSK005.
In Japan, the model number was changed to SSK005KC, and it was launched as a shop-exclusive model.
It was a limited-distribution model, available only through selected physical stores and designated online retailers.
Is the SSK005 from SEIKO Japan MADE IN JAPAN?
This photo is from the SSK005KC product listing on SEIKO’s Japanese Online Store.
As you can see, there is no visible “MADE IN JAPAN” marking.
For models that were first released overseas and later introduced in Japan, the following model numbers exist.
- Overseas: SSK017 → Japan: SSK017JT (I rarely see anything other than MADE IN JAPAN versions.)
- Overseas: SSK019 → Japan: SSK019JT (I rarely see anything other than MADE IN JAPAN versions.)
- Overseas: SSK021 → Japan: SSK021JT (I rarely see anything other than MADE IN JAPAN versions.)
- Overseas: SSK005 → Japan: SSK005KC (I rarely come across MADE IN JAPAN versions.)
The SSK005KC is a shop-exclusive model for the Japanese market, yet even the official product photos show no “MADE IN JAPAN” marking.
That makes the SSK005KC a rather unusual model.
Overseas: SSK005 → Japan: SSK005KC
Unlike the other Japan-market versions that use a JT suffix, this model uses the unusual KC designation.
In addition, the official SEIKO product photos for the SSK005KC do not show a “MADE IN JAPAN” marking on the dial.
However, some retailers do sell the SSK005KC as a MADE IN JAPAN model.
This confusing situation is exactly what makes the SSK005KC so unusual.
Checking Before Buying the SSK005KC
Before buying the SSK005KC, I contacted a retailer that carried the model and asked the following question.
I am considering purchasing this item and would like to confirm one detail before placing my order.
The product description states:
Country of Manufacture / Assembly: Japan
Model Number: SSK005KC
Could you please confirm whether the actual watch I would receive has a “MADE IN JAPAN” marking in the following locations?
・At the 6 o’clock position on the dial
・On the case back
I am specifically looking for a Japan-made model, rather than an overseas version such as the SSK005K1 with markings such as “MOV’T JAPAN.”
Since I could not confirm a “MADE IN JAPAN” marking in the product photos, I would appreciate it if you could check the actual item before replying.
The response I received was as follows.
We apologize for the time it took to confirm this.
After checking the item, we found that there was an error in our product listing.
Country of Manufacture: China
We sincerely apologize that we are unable to provide the item you were hoping for.
Thank you for your understanding.
As you can see, the SSK005KC is a little different from the other models.
Although it is a shop-exclusive model for the Japanese market, I contacted a retailer directly and discovered that an item originally listed as “Country of Manufacture / Assembly: Japan” was actually made in China.
The retailer also formally confirmed that the listing had been incorrect and that the country of manufacture was China.
In other words, you cannot assume that an SSK005KC is a MADE IN JAPAN model based on the model number alone.
Even though the model is sold in Japan, I think it is quite difficult to find a MADE IN JAPAN version.
In the end, I couldn’t find a MADE IN JAPAN version at any Japanese retailer, so I ended up buying an imported SSK005 instead.
Orange Always Seems to Be a Little Unusual
The predecessors were the SKX007 Black Boy, SKX009 Navy Boy, and SKX011 Orange Boy.
In terms of production numbers, the Orange Boy should be the rarest of the three, but it never became as popular as the Black Boy.
Perhaps orange is simply too bold a color for many Japanese buyers.
Interestingly, though, among the older SKX models, many of the SKX011 Orange Boys I come across are MADE IN JAPAN versions.
And yet, with the current SKX Style GMT lineup, the situation is reversed:
the orange SSK005KC is the one that is surprisingly difficult to find in a MADE IN JAPAN version.
Orange used to be relatively easy to find in a MADE IN JAPAN version, but now it has become one of the hardest to find.
Somehow, orange always seems to be a little unusual. Haha.
About the “Japan Orange” Name
By the way, “Japan Orange” is not an official nickname used by SEIKO.
While searching for a MADE IN JAPAN SSK005KC,
I simply started calling it that myself. Haha.
The SSK005 is commonly known as the “Orange Boy.”
I’m the “Japan Orange.”
My Personal Rating of the SSK005
Rarity (Japan Orange): ★★★★☆
It’s still available on Rakuten, and when I checked Amazon, there were only two left in stock.
Rarity (Non-Japan Orange): ★☆☆☆☆
Even while many of the other colors are often out of stock, it is relatively easy to find the orange model available for immediate purchase.
I think orange is a color that is less likely to be chosen as someone’s first watch.
Popularity: ★★☆☆☆
It will definitely appeal to some people, but orange isn’t as universally popular as black or blue.
In all my years, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone wearing an orange watch.
It seems to be more popular overseas, but I rarely see it in Japan.
Satisfaction: ★★★★☆
I’ve never seen anyone else wearing an orange watch, so it definitely stands out and doesn’t feel like something everyone has.
I’m especially happy with my MADE IN JAPAN “Japan Orange,” which I consider to be quite rare.
That said, I don’t think I have the style to pull it off all year round.
It’ll probably be a September-only watch for me, so −☆1.
Overall, I’m quite satisfied with it.
If I Had to Pair It with Another Watch
It’s a beautiful combination. How about yellow for August and orange for September?
SSK005 Photos
Front View
It looks more like copper than orange to me.
Unlike yellow, it has a more subdued, refined tone.
Wrist Shot
I’ve changed the bezel insert.
Final Thoughts
Although the SSK005KC is sold in Japan, finding a MADE IN JAPAN version is surprisingly complicated.
The regular SSK005KC itself is not especially rare.
But when you narrow it down to a MADE IN JAPAN “Japan Orange,” it becomes a different story.
A bold orange color.
A distinctive look you’re unlikely to see on someone else.
And, for some reason, a MADE IN JAPAN version that is unusually difficult to find.
That slightly unusual position is part of what makes the SSK005 one of my favorite watches.
I’m not sure I could pull it off all year round, but as a watch for early autumn, it’s perfect. Haha.
