FAQ
Japanese watch questions, answered
Short, plain answers about choosing a Japanese watch, JDM releases, buying from Japan, and how this site handles prices and trust.
FAQ
About TOKI
What is TOKI?
A reference site for Japanese watches — Seiko, Grand Seiko, Citizen, Casio, Orient and the independents — written from inside Japan. Model-code references, JDM-exclusive coverage, and buying guides with every affiliate relationship disclosed.
Do you sell watches?
No. We link to retailers (some links are affiliate links, always disclosed above the buy buttons), but we hold no stock and process no orders. Our product pages are reference pages with places to buy.
What is My Box?
A device-local watchlist (/box). Save a watch and it keeps the price as of the day you saved it plus a release countdown. It lives in your browser — no account needed.
Choosing a watch
What size watch fits my wrist?
Start from your wrist circumference: the /fit tool turns it into a comfortable case-diameter and lug-to-lug guideline range. It's a guideline — lug-to-lug, case shape and personal taste matter more than any single number.
Mechanical, quartz or solar — which should I pick?
Quartz and solar are the accurate, low-maintenance choices; mechanical is the craft choice you wind and service; Spring Drive is Seiko's hybrid with a gliding seconds hand. There's no wrong answer — our guides explain the trade-offs so you can pick by temperament and budget.
What does a reference number like SKX007 mean?
It's the maker's exact model code. One watch "name" can span many references with different dials, sizes and market regions, so references are how enthusiasts (and this site) talk precisely about watches.
JDM & buying from Japan
What does JDM mean for watches?
Japan-domestic-market: models or editions sold officially only in Japan — limited dials, boutique editions, Japan-first launches. Tracking them systematically in English is TOKI's core beat.
How do I buy a Japan-only watch from abroad?
Three routes: retailers that ship internationally, a proxy/forwarding service for domestic-only listings, or buying in person in Japan. Each adds different fees and warranty implications — our buying guides walk through them step by step.
Is the grey market safe?
Grey-market watches are genuine but sold outside the brand's authorized network, so manufacturer warranty terms usually differ from an authorized-dealer purchase. We explain the structural differences neutrally; always read the specific seller's warranty and return terms before buying.
Prices & trust
Are the prices on this site current?
Every price is a dated snapshot — you'll see an "as of" date next to it. Prices and stock change constantly, so treat the retailer's page as the live truth and our figure as the verified reference point.
Do you tell me if a watch is a good investment?
No — ever. We write about watches as things to wear and enjoy, not as assets, and we never predict prices. If you want valuation or investment advice, this is the wrong site, on purpose.
Can you check if my watch is authentic?
No. We may explain publicly documented characteristics of a model, but authenticity verdicts belong with the manufacturer or a professional authentication service — see /how-we-review for where we draw our lines.