Reply With QuoteThat seems like a bargain! Are they available in the uk
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In London recently, I tried the small IWC pilot in blue. Quite nice it was too. I held out though, as back in Tokyo this was waiting for me:
Inside is the memorably named Orient SER2B001D. Orient gets a lot of appreciation for their divers such as the Mako (I tried one and found it too insubstantial) and the equally well-priced but horribly nicknamed Bambino. Outside of these, not so much information. Which is perhaps surprising as Orient has been quietly in operation since 1901 and today is Japan's largest producer of mechanical watches.
What of this one then? Like all Orients, the cal.48749 movement is in-house designed and the watch is made in Japan. The 21-jewel movement beats at 21600bph, no hacking nor hand winding. 3 hands and a date, display back and a flat sapphire crystal on the front covers a dark indigo dial:
The minute hand just reaches to the outer track, as does the very slender and elegant seconds hand. Indices are applied, bevelled, and lumed. The large 6/9/12 are also lumed. The date is at 3 and the aperture is nicely bevelled too.
The case is 11mm thick, 39mm across and has a non screw-down non-signed crown of quite a sturdy size. The bracelet is brushed and polished, uses split-pins and took me 2 minutes to size. The clasp has 3 holes for fine adjustment. End-link fit is perfect.
Orient also offer this one with a plain black dial, and one with simple batons. But the blue is dark enough to wear formally, while also catching light at different angles to go from near-black to vivid indigo. The lume is very good.
I can't really fault this watch. Some might find a non-screw down crown and 50m WR insufficient. Indeed, this is not the watch for you if you spend a lot of time on a dive boat. But it does mean there is no external crown thread to strip, and after all, most watches (including many ISO rated divers) have a crystal that is just push-fitted into the case. There is no engineering compromise given the purpose of this watch. The non-hacking slower beat movement is functionally similar to some more expensive options and is likely to be reliable as well as serviceable when necessary.
It is a simple watch, made to a price but made well. Product shot:
This sapphire-crystalled, in-house movement equipped, made in Japan, quiet masterpiece cost ¥9800. Even in devalued pounds, that is just £70.
Quite the lure of the Orient. I don't think I'll be going back for the IWC.
Paul
Last edited by Tokyo Tokei; 4th September 2016 at 08:33. Reason: pics
That seems like a bargain! Are they available in the uk
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Looks like an update/version of the 'Chicane' with a different dial effect: http://www.orientalwatchsite.com/rea...rient-chicane/
I had the red one for a short while. It was a nice enough watch but I ended up selling it shortly after receiving it (to fund another watch, obviously) so can't comment too much about it.
Excellent classic watch, thanks for sharing.
For £70 it seems to be a very good buy . I have owned a few Orients , and i think they are great value for money .
Surely a typo there Paul, don't you mean £700 ?Originally Posted by Tokyo Tokei
Your post brought a little smirk to my chops this morning - thanks!
At £70 that amounts to 'disruptive technology'!
You would think so, when some watchmakers charge 800 pounds to service a watch, take 3 months doing it and don't even manage to tighten the screws properly.
I had the Mako too and I tend to agree about the lack of presence.
I love the look of this one though - I will be looking into one of these for certain, thanks for posting.
Orient make some lovely pieces. This is the closest I can find for sale. Doesn't have the 2 diamond shapes on the dial.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Orient-Aut...3D142032797336
Sadly no. Brief search, no UK supplier. Out of stock on amazon. Not available at the usual orient culprits!
I almost didn't mention the price. The watch is what it is and can be appreciated regardless for its design and build. But often watches at this level have something that irritates. A generic movement. Cheap crystal. No bracelet. Naff styling. No history. This one gives no cause for complaint.
At £70 it is hard to find something comparable, and you could certainly spend a lot more for less. When a rubber strap can cost £100 or more, and steel 3-handers can fetch five figures, it is sometimes useful to recalibrate.
A similar one with the batons:
If you can forego a sapphire crystal, this one comes in at under £50:
Paul
Both similar but seem not to have the sapphire crystal, which makes a big difference.
If you must have one ask this guy. He deals in all sorts and my son has had stuff from him. Service has been very good. He has an inquiry form. Fill it in and ask him. Plenty of links to check him out.
http://lucky-japan.blogspot.co.uk/
I think the "diamonds" may indicate sapphire crystals
Lovely thing, real VFM.
And a perfect service they have as well, had a really great experience dealing with Oriënt Japan directly.
Daddel.
Got a new watch, divers watch it is, had to drown the bastard to get it!
Thanks, I can't find anything to criticise. Especially for something costing less than the shine on my GS. 20mm lugs too, so you can try this obvious combination:
Other options are available:
Paul
Tried all night and today. Couldn't resist. Have emailed him
Let us know how you get on.Tried all night and today. Couldn't resist. Have emailed him
I could suggest enquiring with Seiya if he might source one for you, but at that price it would seem almost impolite.
Seiya san's was the first website I looked at, tried creation, jomasshop and serious watches. Not available on any of them.
Fingers crossed! Will let you know how it pans out.
Now that I like, what model is it and where can I get one!A similar one with the batons:
Paul
SER2C00BB
Dunno.
the brand is always being underrated..I like this new model...pnm
any Orient models without a date window ?
^^^ I was thinking and looking for this last night! Always been my problem with the brand and Seiko... They like to know what the date is in the Far East it seems no matter what!
Thank you.
Darn!
which model is this and what are the size measurements ?
Can you order this in the UK ?
If ordering from Japan, which dealer ?
If you can forego a sapphire crystal, this one comes in at under £50:
Paul
what is the approx weight of this model on full bracelet ?
It's the SER2D006B0. There is a blue one too. Listed as 42mm with 22mm lugs. Can't help with UK suppliers. In Japan it is available from Amazon and Rakuten. I have no information on sellers that might ship outside Japan.
130g
Paul
I'm sure that one can be had from Creation (not UK obviously but cheap shipping to the UK).
I've had 3 Orients and all have been brilliant in terms of quality v price. They do tend to blow hot and cold with designs as many brands do.
I am enticed. They're not too expensive either. Unfortunately the Bambino isn't for me.
It's possible but if it's the one in the original post, do check the description (and dial) for the sapphire crystal, as some similar models are available without it. It makes a difference to the look.
Another picture:
The bracelet is currently on my Sinn 556 by the way:
Paul
I seem to be documenting these eastern sapphire cheapies now, so another one for your consideration. The imaginatively-named SEM7C007C (also available with a blue dial and a black dial with silver bezel if you hunt around. Replace the 007 with 008 or 009)
Day date on these, no display back (no great loss) and 100m WR. Same price.
Oh, and 150g
Paul
Last edited by Tokyo Tokei; 7th September 2016 at 14:44.
Keep them coming! Love seeing and reading about these. Thanks 👍
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I like the one with the batons too.
Saw plenty of Orient watches while i was in Spain in August if that helps.
This arrived today. I had one previously and sold it followed by sellers remorse, had a tough job tracking another down as model is no longer in production. Fantastic value for money.
click image upload
I saw this one earlier today on Instagram and had a good half hour of wanting it afterwards
This arrived today. I had one previously and sold it followed by sellers remorse, had a tough job tracking another down as model is no longer in production. Fantastic value for money.
click image upload
Very Nice
I have one of those Orient Day-Dates and very nice it is too.I saw this one earlier today on Instagram and had a good half hour of wanting it afterwards
They did two versions (possibly at different times): One with sapphire crystal, Rolex-quality cyclops, and excellent screw down crown (thick stem), and the other with a less impressive spec (non-Sapphire, lower magnification cyclops).
Is that a new model? Have they re-issued it again? If so, I definitely want one.
As far as I'm aware that exact model pictured is discontinued.
Ah, shame. It looks new so I was wondering if they were re-issuing them.
No cyclops but sapphire crystal:
WV0241EV, under £100
127g, fact fans
Paul
^^^ Nicely different dial on that one (although Romans don't do it for me personally).
Not quite the same but sapphire, screw down and available from Creation: http://www.creationwatches.com/produ...&keyword=FEV0J
More than a few differences between those ;)
Thanks! Ordered one yesterday!!
Ah yes. Those are similar to some of the older ones, although they (the ones at Creation) seem to have poorer cyclopes.
Orient was my first mechanical watch and was pretty much the gateway drug!
Mine is a FDH00001B0 and sometimes called the Explorer - very good value for money!
Orient USA Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFIKiMfvN2U
Worn and Wound Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcRDyvB0yME
And there's this one that I picked up from here some time ago for the lady wife. It's one of her most worn watches.
(in fact looking at the pics, it looks like it could do with a clean this weekend while she's wearing her UG)
I like Orients, but getting hold of parts seems impossible in the UK. I`ve had trouble with spring barrels on two, and ideally they should've been replaced but no replacements could be sourced. Had to resort to 'tricks of the trade' to get 'em working properly again, but it's far better to fit new parts.
If the OP can find a parts outlet in Japan I`d be interested to know!
Paul
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