Korean Culture: Giving a wristwatch to someone from Korea

[bondtoys]

Let me say, that my wife is from Hong Kong and has replied me the question from her point of view and I assume, that it will be very similar in Korea.

But I want to make sure not to make a big mistake:

I would like to gift one of my korean suppliers a wristwatch.

Now I am hearing that in korean culture it is not appropriate to gift a wristwatch because it symbolizes the end of our being on earth.
My wife says, that in her culture, this applies only to clocks but not for wristwatches and I tend to assume that it's similar in Korea.

What do the cultural experts say?

[Star Ferry]

Koreans do gift watches to each other, but it isn't a typical "business gift" in Korea. For a business gift, they will feel obligated to give you a gift of similar value. So if you give them a Rolex, they might not be happy...

Btw, I haven't heard about watches being bad luck. I know some Koreans who received watches as graduation gifts from their parents.

A more typical gift would be a bottle of wine/liquor. If the wine is from your home country and can't be bought at a duty free shop, they'll appreciate it more. Also, your gift should be wrapped up (or in a nice bag)

[lain09]

Been living in Seoul for over 3 years now and have never heard of this. I'm sure anyone will appreciate a nice watch as gift.

[andromeda160]

I received a watch from the Blue House that has their emblem on the dial. I wear it fairly often despite it being a quartz watch. They have a pretty good resale value due to their exclusivity as well, not that i'd ever sell it.

[malarky_hk]

Another point to consider but not from a cultural perspective rather a legal one. Just make sure the gift does not contravene any relevant anti-bribery and corruption rules. Depending on the watch, the value can certainly be questioned in the ABC context.

Both the person giving and receiving can be charged if the motive is in anyway dubious.

[rr-nyc]

Two of my friends have Korean wives. Both grooms were gifted watches before the wedding. One a DJ and the other a Speedmaster

I have heard that gifting a clock is bad in sole cultures but never heard that watches have the same bad luck

[rozyd]

Yes. Giving a clock in Cantonese sounds like paying your respect to someone who is deceased....

That being said, gifting Rolexes is pretty normal... wedding gifts. Birthday gifts. Graduation gifts. But we aren't Koreans.

[kultschar]

I was gifted a watch last year by my Korean business friends.

It was a G-Shock so guess slightly diff then a Rolex :)

[bondtoys]

I never said, that it's gonna be a Rolex ;)