Orient has released the "Orient Bambino 36" as a new watch for 2026. Featuring a compact 36.4mm case size, this new watch further accentuates the classic style of the Orient Bambino, making it a must-have for vintage watch enthusiasts. Among these models, we'd like to introduce the "RN-BB0101S" and "RN-BB0104Y," which particularly exude a retro feel.
Photographs & Text by Chieko Tsuruoka (Chronos-Japan)
[Article published on January 14, 2026]
The "Orient Bambino" maintains its classic style.
The Orient Bambino belongs to Orient's "Classic" line, alongside "Contemporary," "Sports," and "Revival." It truly possesses a classic style, with details such as a round case with slender lugs, a box-shaped mineral glass crystal, a domed dial, and a crown that is not too thin, all of which are reminiscent of products manufactured in the 1950s and 60s, considered one of the golden ages of mechanical watches.
As if to further pursue this classic style, in 2026, four models of the "Orient Bambino 36" were released, featuring a 36.4mm diameter case. Until then, models with a three-hand display of hours, minutes, and seconds had a diameter of 40.5mm or 38.4mm, so this is a noticeable downsizing. A smaller case is one of the elements that symbolizes classicism. Therefore, it can be said that this has increased the number of options that will please enthusiasts of old watches.
Automatic winding (Cal. F6524). 22 jewels. 21,600 vibrations/hour. Power reserve of approximately 40 hours. Stainless steel case (diameter 36.4mm, thickness 12.3mm). 3 ATM water resistance. Top left model: 46,200 yen (tax included). Other models: 44,000 yen each (tax included). Scheduled for release on September 25, 2026 (Friday).
While pursuing a classic design, the lineup also includes green dials, which are currently trending. In addition, features that tend to be weak in older watches, such as JIS Class 1 (4800 A/M) magnetic resistance and 3 ATM water resistance, have been modernized, making them easy to handle, which is a welcome feature.
If you're looking for a retro feel, check out the "RN-BB0101S" and "RN-BB0104Y".
The Orient Bambino has always been characterized by its classic style. But don't think it's just a smaller size. With this collection, Orient aimed for a "timeless vintage look," and the date display window has been removed, adopting a non-date specification. Non-date models have been in the lineup before, but the adoption of slender bar indices in this model further accentuates its classic feel.
I apologize for being quite subjective, but of the four models released, the one that best embodies the retro aesthetic is the gold-plated "RN-BB0101S." The moment I saw the actual watch, I was convinced that old watch enthusiasts would love it. Gold watches are often associated with older men, making them a quintessential retro watch. The gold plating, with its unique texture, weight, and color (though this depends on the plating), is different from 18K gold in a good way, evoking the luxury watches that salarymen worked hard to buy in the 1950s and 60s, giving it a certain warmth that only old watches can offer.
The "RN-BB0104Y," with its ivory dial, also exudes a retro feel. The slightly yellowish ivory is soft, and when combined with the blue hands, it gives off an atmosphere of having aged beautifully.
A mechanical wristwatch priced in the 4 yen range.
Up until now, we've focused on the "retro" aspect of the new Orient Bambino 36, but another great feature is its selling price of around 4 yen.
I'm not saying "cheaper is better." However, with the price of watches continuing to rise due to recent exchange rates and global inflation, being able to purchase a product that maintains Orient's quality for around 4 yen is a significant advantage for users. Moreover, this model is mechanical. Of course, in terms of specifications such as daily rate and power reserve, it may fall short when compared to high-performance models in the higher price range, but considering the price, it is well-balanced.
This new model is appealing not only to first-time watch buyers, but also to heavy users who already own several watches—especially those who cherish vintage watches—as it is easily accessible.
As someone who loves old watches myself, I would like to recommend this new watch.
The new Orient Bambino 36, with its smaller case size, exudes an even more classic feel. I myself am a fan of old watches and own several watches manufactured in the 1960s. That's why I strongly felt compelled to write an article about this new Orient model, which, beyond its size, boasts many appealing details.
This collection has elements that will satisfy even the most discerning vintage watch enthusiasts, and we highly recommend it to those with a keen eye for vintage watches.
