If you’re interested in purchasing an Orient watch, this guide aims to provide you with an overview of the best Orient Watches on the market today.
Orient got their start in Tokyo, Japan back in 1950, and for a time were considered to be one of Japan’s ‘Big Three’ watchmakers, alongside Seiko and Citizen. As quartz watches increased in popularity during the 70s, Orient faded somewhat into obscurity as their competition jumped on the battery operated band wagon, whilst Orient continued to concentrate on building quality mechanical watches.
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Jump forward to the watch market of today; consumers are once again excited about mechanical watches, both automatic and hand wound, hence the resurgence of the Orient Watch Company.
Best Orient Dress Watches
Orient Bambino
The Orient Bambino is the quintessential dress watch, and as such has to be featured on the list of the best Orient watches. Completely timeless, the Bambino can be had in gold or silver tones, and measures in at 40 – 41 mm. This watch is available in an almost endless array of dial color and strap color combinations, with varying shades of leather, as well as croc stamped. It benefits from a domed crystal.
Depending on which version you choose, the dial design of the Bambino varies; ‘Version 1’ features raised triangular hour markers and hands, ‘Version 2’ features train tracks around the outer perimeter and Roman numeral hour markers, ‘Version 3’ is in the Bauhaus style, with very simple, narrow lines marking the hours and minutes, and rectangular hands, making it an excellent Nomos alternative. Finally, ‘Version 4’ features raised hour markers and pointed hands.
Each version has a date window at 3 o’clock, and is water resistant to 30 meters.
The Bambino is now in its second generation, the biggest difference is the movement; both are automatic, but generation 1 was non-hacking and could not be hand wound, unlike generation two, with its upgraded movement, which can be.
Orient Bambino Small Seconds
The Orient Bambino Small Seconds similar in style to the original Bambino, but with a couple of key differences. The Small Seconds version features a seconds sub dial, sitting just about the 6 o’clock position. Additionally, the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock hours are marked by Arabic numerals, whilst the intermediary hours are noted by straight markers.
The case is 40.5 mm and is available in gold or silver tone stainless steel, it sits on a leather band, available in brown and black, plain or with croc stamped. The Bambino Small Seconds is driven by an automatic movement. The case is stamped as water resistant, but no rating is given, so it would be best kept dry if possible. There is a date window at the 3 o’clock position, and the dial is available in a wide range of hues; white, silver, black, blue, and more. The second hand being featured in a sub dial certainly adds to the unique factor, and justifies this watch featuring on the list of the best Orient watches.
Orient Polaris GMT
The Orient Polaris GMT is a sophisticated timepiece. Made from stainless steel with a crocodile stamped leather strap, it wears well for day to day use, right through to black tie. The stand out feature of this watch is the second hour hand, allowing the wearer to track two time zones. The automatic movement features an impressive 40 hour power reserve, as shown by the power indicator just beneath 12 o’clock.
The dial is available in three color combinations; all white (with blue hands), black (with silver tone hands), or black/white (with black hands), it features guilloche and concentric grained textures, making the watch incredibly visually appealing. This beautiful watch is water resistant to 50 meters, it features a date window at 3 o’clock, and the case measures in at a substantial 42 mm.
Orient Open Heart
The Orient Open Heart series is perfect for those who find themselves intrigued by the internal workings of an automatic watch. Thanks to the ‘open heart’ cutaway in the dial, the movement itself can be seen every time you glance at the watch.
The dial is available with raised silver tone hour markers, Roman numerals, or Arabic numerals. The case is made from stainless steel, measures in at 41 mm and is available in silver or gold tones. This beautiful dress watch sits on a crocodile stamped leather band, and is water resistant to 50 meters. The Open heart truly deserves its place on the list of the best Orient watches.
Orient President
The Orient President is a timeless dress watch, and is ideally suited to those who prefer a steel bracelet over a leather band, as it sits upon a jubilee style bracelet. This watch features a day window between 11 and 1 o’clock, as well as a date window at 3 o’clock, magnified by a ‘Cyclops’ window. The Orient President is considered one of the best Rolex Day Date homages.
The hours are marked by beautiful white sapphires, and the non rotating bezel is fluted. The stainless steel case measures 36 mm across, and is available in silver, gold or silver/gold tones. It is powered by a quality Japanese automatic movement, and is water resistant to 100 meters. The fact that this style has remained a classic for several decades has firmly put the President on the list of the best Orient watches.
Orient Symphony
To the untrained eye, the Orient Symphony appears to be close to identical to the Bambino; however on closer inspection you’ll notice that the Symphony has much more contemporary lines, largely down to the fact that it does not have a domed crystal.
The case is presented in stainless steel, measures 41 mm, and is available in silver and gold tones. The hour indices are marked by raised lines, and the hands are pointed. The Symphony features a 3 o’clock date window, and sits on a crocodile stamped leather band.
Best Orient Dive Watches
Orient Mako II
The Orient Mako II is widely known as one of the best value dive watches on the market today. Thanks to its 200 meter water resistance rating and its unidirectional ratcheted bezel, it is a true tool watch. As well as being functional as a diver, its handsome appearance also makes a perfect daily wear watch! The Mako II is presented in stainless steel, its case measures in at 41.5 mm, and it sits on an Oyster style bracelet.
The Mako II is powered by a quality Japanese automatic movement, and features a screw down crown. It is available with a blue dial/bezel, black dial/bezel, or blue dial/’Pepsi’ bezel. The dial on each example features an abbreviated day and date window at the 3 o’clock position.
Orient Mako XL
If you’re a fan of big watches, then the Orient Mako XL might just be the timepiece for you. Measuring in at an impressive 44.5 mm, the Mako XL was designed and produced as a response to high demand for a bigger Mako. Featuring a screw down crown, and second pusher at the 2 o’clock position for adjusting the day/date wheel.
The Mako XL is water resistant to 200 meters, is powered by an automatic movement, and features spear style hands, and large trapezoid hour indices. It boasts a unidirectional bezel with bar/hour indicators. It is available in black/black, blue/blue, cream/black, black/green, black/orange, and orange/black dial/bezel color combinations.
Orient Ray II
The Orient Ray II is another of the best Orient watches available today. As much a tool watch as it is a fashion statement, this automatic timepiece is water resistant to 200 meters, and features a unidirectional bezel with dive time remaining markers. The dial features circular and trapezoidal indices, and baton style hands. The Orient Ray II is also one of the best Rolex Submariner alternatives, due to the similar design features.
The Ray II is presented in brushed stainless steel, the case measures in at 41.5 mm, and it sits on a bracelet clearly inspired by the famous ‘Oyster’ style. Its dial features a day/date window at 3 o’clock, and is available in blue or black, with matching bezels, or blue with a ‘Pepsi’ bezel.
Orient Nami
The Orient Nami has a style all of its own. It is available with rubber or leather straps, and has large, rectangular lumed hour indices. When worn on rubber, as with all of Orient’s dive watches, it is a perfectly functional diver, with a unidirectional bezel and a water resistance of 20 meters.
The Orient Nami is powered by a Japanese automatic movement, the case is very large, measuring in at a whopping 46 mm. The case is stainless steel, and is presented as bare steel or with a black coating. The dial is available as a blue sunburst, or with a very contemporary carbon fiber effect.
Best Orient Casual Watches
Orient Sun and Moon
The Orient Sun and Moon is a classic looking timepiece, it is very elegant, but retains the ability to be worn as a daily watch. The most striking features are the sun and moon AM/PM sub dial, and the circular day sub dial. Another unique property is the day window between 7 and 8 o’clock.
The Sun and Moon features Roman number hour indices, and guilloche and concentric texturing on the dial. It is presented in Stainless steel in either silver or gold tones. This watch sits on a crocodile stamped leather strap for a timeless look.
Orient Scout
The Orient Scout is an excellent casual watch that “bridges the gap between sport and classic”. The Scout features bold, contrasting hour markings and a variety of dial colors. The most striking feature is the open heart, which gives a glimpse into the caliber 46A40 mechanical movement.
The stainless steel case of the Orient Scout is 42mm and features curved lugs for more comfort. It is water resistant to 50m (165ft).
Orient Adventurer
The Orient Adventurer is an obvious choice for this list of the Best Orient watches. It lives up to its name as a watch for explorers with its world time function. The quality automatic movement has an impressive 40 hour power reserve, indicated on the uppermost sub dial. The unique looking date indicator is housed in a sub dial located just above 6 o’clock.
This beautiful watch is presented in stainless steel and is available in gold or silver tones. It sits upon a croc stamped leather strap. The Adventurer’s case measures 44 mm and it is water resistant to 50 meters.
Orient Defender
As a casual watch, there was no doubt that the Orient Defender would make the list of the best Orient watches. It features a 100 meter water resistance, making this watch more practical than many of the other leather strapped options. The Defender has a 24 hour sub dial, a day of the week sub dial, and a date window at the 6 o’clock position.
The Orient Defender is constructed from stainless steel. It is available with a calfskin leather strap or on an Oyster style bracelet. A unique feature of the Defender is the crown, which is situated at the 3:30 position.
Last Updated on November 11, 2021 by The Upgreater