Two Seiko BFK Kinetics, differences in cases-why?
Discussion
I bought a Seiko BFK Kinetic pepsi from Creation a couple of weeks ago. Loved it so bought a yellow faced version to go on a rubber strap from a reputable ebay seller, this second watch came with a seiko guarantee card, matching serial numbers etc, all boxed as I would expect.
Comparing the two cases there is a subtle difference in the 'shoulders' on the watch, the pepsi version has more defined edges that separate the brushed side and top surface with a thin highly polished bezel.
But on the yellow version this edge is less pronounced and much more rounded, meaning less definition between brushed and polished surfaces.
I'm now worried one is a fake, Creation have a good reputation as do the ebay seller. Do cases vary slightly from such a large volume manufacturer as Seiko? Are the polished bevels applied by hand? Could this explain the difference.
The photo below is a library photo, not my watch and is just to illustrate the edges I am referring to, my pepsi looks like this with sharper more defined edges but my yellow one would not photograph like this. Any ideas?
Comparing the two cases there is a subtle difference in the 'shoulders' on the watch, the pepsi version has more defined edges that separate the brushed side and top surface with a thin highly polished bezel.
But on the yellow version this edge is less pronounced and much more rounded, meaning less definition between brushed and polished surfaces.
I'm now worried one is a fake, Creation have a good reputation as do the ebay seller. Do cases vary slightly from such a large volume manufacturer as Seiko? Are the polished bevels applied by hand? Could this explain the difference.
The photo below is a library photo, not my watch and is just to illustrate the edges I am referring to, my pepsi looks like this with sharper more defined edges but my yellow one would not photograph like this. Any ideas?
Edited by JAM35F on Thursday 23 February 20:36
I bought a Seiko Mini Monster off Creation, and I'm slightly worried it may not be 100% genuine. It came in a Seiko box, but it's only a cardboard thing and the same as you, no guarantee card but there was tags and manual. The bit that worrys me most though is in the manual it says the crown should screw in when you've set the time/date but it doesn't. It's a lovely quality thing and works perfectly but I'm worried about submerging it underwater.
Eighteeteewhy said:
I bought a Seiko Mini Monster off Creation, and I'm slightly worried it may not be 100% genuine. It came in a Seiko box, but it's only a cardboard thing and the same as you, no guarantee card but there was tags and manual. The bit that worrys me most though is in the manual it says the crown should screw in when you've set the time/date but it doesn't. It's a lovely quality thing and works perfectly but I'm worried about submerging it underwater.
Creation is a "grey" dealer, they sell genuine watches but they won't have guarantee cards and I think I'm right in saying that the packaging may be different as well. As for the crown, I've never owned an MM but I don't think that they have screw in crowns, for a 100m WR they don't necessarily need one.CardShark said:
Is that the only difference? Everything else look and feel the same eg bezel and crown action, typeface, hands etc? If everything else appears to be the same maybe it was just a model update of sorts, but I couldn't be sure. Maybe Seiko UK could help you out.
I can't see any other differences, they weigh the same, bezel actions on both are perfect, all text and markings are identical, even the way protective tape on the bracelets were the same size and positioned the same. Print in manual is same quality. Yellow one is charging well but can takes weeks to fully charge but is keeping good time as is the pepsi.It is only the bevel shapes that differ. I'm hoping they are hand done or there was a revision that can explain it.
I've used creation 3 times before and have never doubted them before. Yes boxes are cheap but I was told it was to keep postage costs down and they buy in bulk without them to cut costs, adding a basic box to sell them.
Hope so, love the watches so don't want to have to return one or look on it as a fake, and they cost far too much!
Plus have just bought a Hirsch Extreme strap for the yellow one, I like it that much to pay silly money for a piece of rubber!
Will speak to seiko, hopefully they should confirm the yellow ones originality using the serial number and guarantee card. The pepsi from creation is less easy to prove as real, all i can go on is that it's case shape is what all photographs seem to show and I've not had reason to doubt Creation before.
Plus have just bought a Hirsch Extreme strap for the yellow one, I like it that much to pay silly money for a piece of rubber!
Will speak to seiko, hopefully they should confirm the yellow ones originality using the serial number and guarantee card. The pepsi from creation is less easy to prove as real, all i can go on is that it's case shape is what all photographs seem to show and I've not had reason to doubt Creation before.
I've seen Pepsi and regular bezelled BFKs in bricks and mortor shops here, possibly some H Samuel stores sell them and I know that my local Ernest Jones has a black/bracelet model in stock. You could just have a scout around and compare, either way all sounds good.
And if I didn't have a Monster I'd get a black/bracelet model myself, looked and felt great when I tried one on!
And if I didn't have a Monster I'd get a black/bracelet model myself, looked and felt great when I tried one on!
Edited by CardShark on Thursday 23 February 22:30
I'm going to contact seiko with the serial number and just check but I'm begining to think all is ok. The ebay seller has been great, offered to look at it and compare with a black one they have in stock or give a full refund. They have 100% positive feedback of over 4000 watch sales so certainly seem legitimate.
My local H samuel has a black one in stock so I may go and browse at the weekend. Even if it is different most things point to the watch being genuine, just slightly different.
I was tempted by a black monster too but have always liked pepsi divers (really want a pepsi GMT rolex) so got that first, loved the weight and presence, big without being over the top so took the plunge on the more casual yellow faced version. This came on the bracelet but that's been taken off and will be a spare for the pepsi while I enjoy playing around with new strap options. This is the first watch I've had that I can easily change straps on, love being able to change the look so easily and cheaply (except the Hirsch strap!).
The kinetic movement is perfect for me as I like to rotate between four watches so in theory they will always be charged and ready to go without the hassle of resetting an automatic. The yellow one is still not fully charged, takes a week or so of wearing and wrist shaking to get it alive! If you are ever tempted again I doubt you will be disapointed with a BFK.
My local H samuel has a black one in stock so I may go and browse at the weekend. Even if it is different most things point to the watch being genuine, just slightly different.
I was tempted by a black monster too but have always liked pepsi divers (really want a pepsi GMT rolex) so got that first, loved the weight and presence, big without being over the top so took the plunge on the more casual yellow faced version. This came on the bracelet but that's been taken off and will be a spare for the pepsi while I enjoy playing around with new strap options. This is the first watch I've had that I can easily change straps on, love being able to change the look so easily and cheaply (except the Hirsch strap!).
The kinetic movement is perfect for me as I like to rotate between four watches so in theory they will always be charged and ready to go without the hassle of resetting an automatic. The yellow one is still not fully charged, takes a week or so of wearing and wrist shaking to get it alive! If you are ever tempted again I doubt you will be disapointed with a BFK.
Eighteeteewhy said:
I bought a Seiko Mini Monster off Creation, and I'm slightly worried it may not be 100% genuine. It came in a Seiko box, but it's only a cardboard thing and the same as you, no guarantee card but there was tags and manual. The bit that worrys me most though is in the manual it says the crown should screw in when you've set the time/date but it doesn't. It's a lovely quality thing and works perfectly but I'm worried about submerging it underwater.
As far as i know mini monsters do not have screw in crowns, that and the display back mean they are only rated to 100m and are therefore not officially divers watches. The monster has a screw in crown and solid back so is rated to 200m.Quite often manuals cover a couple of models, check the bit you are reading refers to your watch. The manual that comes with my seiko BFK lists a few models on the cover, and then inside it has a section for screw in AND non screw in crowns, plus date wheels with and without the day of the week. Makes sense on simple watches with virtually no fancy functions that generic manuals are made.
Gassing Station | Watches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff