Recently, the watch market has witnessed some controversy and questions about counterfeit watch businesses because the same model has different design points, suspected Chinese watches but stamped with Japanese labels, suspected international watches but advertised as domestic versions. Some customers even asked Hoang Hai directly whether the store really sells genuine Orient watches or not? Why are the watch codes different? Why is the selling price so different? Let's find out more in this article with Hoang Hai Watch.
First, we need to distinguish between the two concepts of Japanese domestic goods and made in Japan. Although they sound like the same thing, in reality, these are two completely different concepts and are often confused as one.
Japanese Domestic Products (JDM - Japanese Domestic Market) refers to goods produced exclusively for the Japanese market, for Japanese consumers, so the designs will be purely Japanese. Big brands like Orient, even when officially present in 80 countries, still produce products exclusively for the domestic market. However, with later watch models, the manufacturer almost does not refine the design or language, making the international and domestic versions basically identical.
Made in Japan : means the origin of the product is in Japan and is not related to the consumer market. The product can be sold in the Japanese market or internationally without any restrictions.
Back to how to distinguish the international and domestic versions of Orient or Orient Star watches? Let's find out with Hoang Hai Watch in this article.
I. Distinguishing between international and domestic versions of Orient watches
1. Product code and tag
This is the most obvious difference. New, genuine Orient watches always come with a small tag with the product code printed on it. The international and domestic versions will always differ in some characters. Specifically:
The product code consists of 10-12 characters, of which the first 2 characters will show the origin of the watch. For example:
*Orient Sun Moon Bambino watch
- Domestic product code: RN -AS0101S (Printed on paper tag)
- International product code: RA - AS0101S (Stick on plastic tag)
*Orient King Diver watch
- Domestic product code: RN -AA0D01B (Printed on paper tag)
- International product code: RA -AA0D01B (Stick on plastic tag)
Domestic watch models are coded RN on the official Orient website in Japan.
2. Information on the watch
For the regular Orient line, on the back of the watch, or at the 6 o'clock - 7 o'clock position on the front, there will be information related to the product's place of manufacture.
- Japan / Made in Japan : Only domestic version watches, produced entirely in Japan
- Japan Movt / Movt Japan (Abbreviation of Japan Movement): Refers to international version watches. These watches can be assembled in many different countries, but possess movements made in Japan, according to strict Japanese standards.
II. Distinguishing between international and domestic versions of Orient Star watches
1. Product code and tag
Similar to the regular Orient, the Orient Star watch line also has a code consisting of 10-12 characters, in which the first 2 characters will show the origin of the watch. For example:
*Orient Star Mechanical Moon Phase Watch
- Domestic product code: RK -AY0103L (Printed on paper tag)
Orient Star watches cannot be differentiated based on the Made in Japan cluster because both domestic and international models are made in Japan, both have Made in Japan information on the back of the watch.
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So you know how to distinguish domestic watches and international watches. It should be noted that whether it is Orient or Orient Star international or domestic, the quality of the watches is the same, meeting the highest standards of the company. However, due to market demand, customers often prefer Japanese domestic watch models, so the prices of these models are often higher.
Customers who are interested can refer to the watch models at Hoang Hai, Hoang Hai staff will advise clearly and transparently. Refer to the following link:
https://hoanghaimobile.jp/collections/genuine-watches
