Orient Star "M34 F7 Semi-Skeleton" Wear Review: The elaborate original dial will tickle your desire to own it

This article reviews the M34 F7 Semi-Skeleton, part of Orient Star's new M Collections launched in 2023. The watch's aesthetically pleasing dial and stress-free fit are noteworthy.

Orient Star "M34 F7 Semi-Skeleton"

　The watch I tried on was the M34 F7 Semi-Skeleton, the latest model released in 2023 by Orient Star, a Japanese-made mechanical watch that is now popular overseas.

　First, let's talk about the impression of the new name. Even fans familiar with the brand will likely be confused by the sudden appearance of "M34." I was the same way. The "M Collections," recently launched in conjunction with the reorganization and systematization of models, is explained in Orient Star's booklet as follows: "M is the letter representing star clusters and nebulae. Like the stars that have woven together through the ages, we aim to deliver timeless value." Even so, the fact that they used the initial "M" from the classification symbol in the astronomical catalog created by 18th-century French astronomer Charles Messier is an astonishing example of the extraordinary scale of the idea, even though Orient Star has always associated it with stars.

　Now, M34 in the Messier Astronomical Catalog refers to the open star cluster in the constellation Perseus, one of approximately 100 billion star clusters that exist in the universe, and is located 1430 light-years away from Earth. The reason this watch is classified as M34 is a kind of allegory that embodies the story of Perseus, a hero from Greek mythology, in the design of the watch, but I will leave it at that for now as it would take too long to explain.

　The next model, F7, features the Cal. F7F44, an in-house automatic movement with a power reserve of approximately 50 hours. The semi-skeleton design, which Seiko Epson has emphasized, features an openworked design at 9 o'clock, allowing the balance to be seen. The styling, with its continuous sharp lines from the case to the lugs, is reminiscent of the Modern Skeleton and Slim Skeleton models from the previous Contemporary collection. While the display elements and layout of the dial are the same, the details of the new model are similar yet distinct.

The first impression of the dial is "Blue Cave"

　Now, let's move on to the main subject of my impressions. The first thing I noticed when trying it on was the dial. Its greatest feature is none other than the dial. Made of mother-of-pearl, it features a green base with a vertical blue gradation. It evokes the aurora, another mysterious phenomenon of the universe. However, my first impression of the translucent blue-green color was, if I may be so bold, more like a "blue cave" than an aurora. I was hoping to spot the aurora in the dial, which glows both in the indoor light of my study and in natural outdoor light, changing its appearance depending on the light, but I gradually came to the conclusion that beauty alone is enough, and that I should just enjoy freely imagining the ocean or space. Then, one day, while walking along a walk at dusk, I glanced at the dial and for a moment, it seemed as if the aurora had appeared. I was delighted, as if I had discovered a hidden mystery.

　The exquisite nuances of the iridescent mother-of-pearl and gradation coloring can never be experienced with a plain, single-color dial. Orient Star has also used a similar technique to create color dials on the classic "M45," but an example like this "M34" combined with a stainless steel sporty-looking bracelet watch is extremely rare in the world. What's more, it offers an unbelievable cost performance, priced at just 10 yen. The elaborate, highly aesthetic original dial is a specialty that is worthy of its own merits.

Stress-free wearing comfort

　Next is the fit. The bracelet, paired with a 40mm diameter case, uses H-shaped links with a finer pitch than previous models, improving the fit and earning high praise. I wore the watch for a total of three full days, and it felt stress-free to wear. Another plus is that the edges of the links have been rounded to eliminate any sharp edges, creating a smooth feel. It's clear that attention has been paid to even the smallest details. I compared it with an Orient Star bracelet I own based on the older model, and the difference is clear: the new model is by far superior. However, if I were to be picky, I would prefer the holes for the link pins not to be visible. Creating a smooth, polished surface without holes would surely create a more luxurious feel. This is a request I highly anticipate.

A glimpse of "Suwa's DNA" in Orient Star

　One final word. It was Seiko Epson in Suwa that reborn Orient Star as a star. Looking back at history, they are a great presence that has led watch technology with the development of Grand Seiko, quartz, Spring Drive, and GPS watches. I'm sure I'm not the only one who can glimpse their DNA in the current Orient Star, which has a special commitment to manufacturing. As with the silicon escape wheel that has been a hot topic recently, I have a feeling that things will only get more interesting from here on out.