Introducing recommended Orient Star watches. What is the appeal of a Japanese brand?

2024.05.03

If you're looking for your first mechanical watch, we recommend an Orient Star watch. While there are entry-level brands like Nomos and Hamilton, both of which have very attractive designs, Orient Star has the appeal of a Japanese brand. Let's take a look at Orient Star watches, which Japan is proud of around the world.

orient star


Why Orient Star is so popular

Orient Star is a leading Japanese watch brand. It has earned high praise both at home and abroad for its dedication to the manufacture of mechanical watches and its advanced technical capabilities.

This may not be a familiar brand name to those who are not knowledgeable about watches, but its recognition and status are increasing year by year.

Status as a domestic brand

orient star

The Orient Star was born in 1951, inspired by the image of a shining star. The first model was equipped with the same pre-war movement as Orient's first mass-produced wristwatch, the New Orient. The following year, in 1952, it was replaced with a newly designed movement.

Orient Star is a Japanese watch brand that rivals Seiko and Citizen. When it comes to luxury watches, Swiss brands tend to come to mind, but Japanese watches are just as attractive.

Orient Star in particular has earned a high reputation as a brand that allows you to enjoy Japanese quality in every aspect while still being affordable, and has established itself as a domestic brand.

Orient was founded in 1901 as "Yoshida Watch Shop," which imported and sold imported watches. In 1936, the Hino Factory was completed as a watch factory directly under Yoshida Watch Shop, and in 1950, after the war, it began operations as Tama Keiki. The following year, in 1951, Tama Keiki changed its name to "Orient Watch" and began selling its current flagship model, "Orient Star."

Many people think of it as a relatively new brand, but in fact it was founded before Citizen Watch (its predecessor, Shokosha Watch Research Institute, was founded in 1918).

In 2009, Orient Watch became a wholly owned subsidiary of Seiko Epson, and was further integrated into Seiko Epson in 2017, but Orient's unique character has not disappeared, rather it has become even stronger.

Orient Star is currently developed by Seiko Epson, but it was originally a mechanical watch brand of Orient Watch.

An affordable "mechanical watch"

Orient Star movement

The 46 series automatic movement, which was born in 1971, continues to evolve and is used in many Orient Star watches today.

Orient Star's brand philosophy is "affordable mechanical watches." While mechanical watches tend to be in the expensive price range, Orient Star continues to offer reasonably priced watches to its customers through its corporate efforts.

Orient Star's mechanical watches have maintained an affordable price range, while pursuing high quality thanks to the 46 series movement.

It is a great attraction of Orient Star, as it is cheaper than other brands' mechanical watches yet still offers high quality.

For those who are buying a mechanical watch for the first time, it can be difficult to understand the quality of the movement. It is not surprising that they may feel unsure, especially since the price is so reasonable.

However, Orient Star is undoubtedly a watch brand that Japan is proud of, and its quality is clearly one level higher than watches in the same price range.

Highly original design

A watch is not only an instrument for measuring time, but also an accessory. Price is important, but design is also important.

While other Japanese brands like Seiko and Citizen have many models with orthodox styles, Orient Star watches are characterized by their highly original designs that appeal to tastes.

From the shape of the hands to the shape of the indexes, the watch is packed with ingenuity that will impress enthusiasts who seek individuality in their watches.

Orient Star is thought of as a watch for young people, but it is also popular among people in their 30s and 40s. In addition to models with youthful designs, the lineup also includes timeless and elegant models that can be worn for decades.

Each model has a unique character that goes beyond the classics, and has been loved by people of all generations.


This is Orient Star! An iconic model

Orient Star, which was launched in 1951, has a truly extensive lineup. Among them, the skeleton dial is perhaps the most iconic design, instantly recognizable as an Orient Star watch. We will introduce some of these iconic models.

In 2023, Orient Star reorganized its collection, primarily targeting models in the 100,000 yen or higher price range. Previously, the collection was divided into categories such as "Classic," "Contemporary," and "Sports," but a new "M Collections" was introduced. Orient Star says, "M is the letter that represents star clusters and nebulae." The collection is named after the initial letter "M" in the astronomical catalog created by astronomer Charles Messier, which classifies nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies, and is further divided into three lineups: "M45," "M34," and "M42."

Due to this background, Orient Star currently offers both M Collections and non-M Collections. This article will introduce products from both collections, but readers should choose one that suits their preferences, the occasion they will be using it for, and their budget.

What is Orient Star's "M Collections"? Explaining the features and recommended models of "M34", "M45", and "M42"

http://www.webchronos.net/features/115036/

"Skeleton" allows you to enjoy mechanical designs

Orient Star "Classic Collection Skeleton" RK-AZ0001S

Orient Star "M45 F8 Skeleton Hand-Winding" RK-AZ0001S
Manual winding (Cal. F8B62). 22 jewels. 21,600 vph. Power reserve approximately 70 hours. Stainless steel case (diameter 38.8 mm, thickness 10.6 mm). Water resistant to 5 bar. Price: 352,000 yen (tax included).

Orient Star places great importance on showcasing its mechanical watches, and has released a number of popular models, including world time, GMT, and skeleton models.

In 2017, an evolved version of the 46 series movement, the 46 series F7, was born. In 2021, the Classic Collection Skeleton (currently classified as the M45 F8) was released, featuring the 46 series F8 movement, demonstrating Orient Star's unrelenting pursuit of remaining a "shining star."

In addition to unique models, the brand also offers classic designs that go well with suits, making it highly rated by business people.

As mentioned above, when it comes to iconic Orient Star watches, the skeleton model is an essential element. Since releasing the first skeleton model, the Mon Bijou (now discontinued), in 1991, Orient has been focusing on developing skeleton models.

モンジュ

Orient Star's signature model is the skeleton model. Its roots lie in the "Mon Bijou" model, which was released in 1991 (now discontinued). It has a gold-plated stainless steel case and is manually wound (Cal. 48320).

Not only the dial side but also the back cover side is transparent, so you can enjoy the delicate design and engineering from any angle.

Although the "Skeleton" watches are flashy in appearance, they are versatile and can be worn in any situation. This is a collection that should be purchased by those with a unique style who feel that ordinary watches are not enough.


Orient Star's recommended models for business

When considering an Orient Star watch, the key point is how much individuality you value. If you plan to wear it primarily for business purposes, you'll want to avoid designs that are too eccentric. Here are some recommended Orient Star models suitable for business situations.

"Contemporary Collection Layered Skeleton" RK-AV0B01S

Orient Star "Contemporary Collection Layered Skeleton" RK-AV0B01S

Orient Star "Contemporary Collection Layered Skeleton" RK-AV0B01S
Automatic movement (Cal. F6F44). 24 jewels. 21,600 vph. Power reserve approximately 50 hours. Stainless steel case (diameter 41mm, thickness 13.6mm). Water resistant to 10 bar. Price: 143,000 yen (tax included).

The RK-AV0B01S is one of Orient Star's classics. It features a 41mm stainless steel case that captures modern trends and an open-heart silver dial that allows you to see the balance and escapement in action.

Although it has a playful design, it can also be worn in business situations without any problems. It boasts high water resistance of 10 ATM, so it can be worn safely even by people who do work involving water.

"Classic Collection Elegant Classic" RK-AU0002S

Orient Star "Classic Collection Elegant Classic" RK-AU0002S

Orient Star "Classic Collection Elegant Classic" RK-AU0002S
Automatic movement (Cal. F6N43). 22 jewels. 21,600 vph. Power reserve approximately 50 hours. Stainless steel case (diameter 38.7 mm, thickness 12.8 mm). Water resistant to 5 bar. Price: 77,000 yen (tax included).

To use a watch for a long time, it is important that the design is timeless. Many of Orient Star's watches are original models, and the "Elegant Classic" will be a favorite for a variety of occasions, even as you get older.

The Elegant Classic is characterized by its classical design reminiscent of classic watches. The Roman numerals and elegant Breguet hands give it an elegant impression. It is highly popular among watch enthusiasts who appreciate antique designs.

The RK-AU0002S is an elegant classic that offers particularly good value for money.

The beautiful, softly curved bombe dial evokes an antique feel, with Breguet hands, railway tracks, and Roman numerals.

Despite its design being highly praised by watch enthusiasts, the watch is reasonably priced at under 10 yen, making it a perfect example of the brand's vision of an "affordable mechanical watch."


Orient Star's recommended models: "Choose based on your personality"

If you're going to buy an Orient Star watch, you'll want to choose one that prioritizes design. We hope you'll enjoy the unique character that stands out among Japanese-made watches.

"M34 Avant-garde F8 Skeleton" RK-BZ0001S

Orient Star "Sports Collection Avant-Garde Skeleton" RK-BZ0001S

Orient Star "M34 Avant-Garde F8 Skeleton" RK-BZ0001S
Automatic movement (Cal. F8F64). 24 jewels. 21,600 vph. Power reserve approximately 60 hours. Stainless steel case (diameter 42.3mm, thickness 12.4mm). Water resistant to 10 bar. Price: 143,000 yen (tax included).

The Avant-Garde Skeleton, part of the M34 collection, is the brand's first automatic model, equipped with a movement that uses a silicon escape wheel.

The movement is equipped with Cal. F8F64, which boasts a power reserve of approximately 60 hours, and has magnetic resistance equivalent to JIS Class 1 (4800A/m or more).

The futuristic design with hexagonal screws on the bezel also creates a unique character that is different from previous skeleton designs.

"Contemporary Collection Modern Skeleton" RK-AV0120L

Orient Star "Contemporary Collection Modern Skeleton" RK-AV0120L

Orient Star "Contemporary Collection Modern Skeleton" RK-AV0120L
Automatic movement (Cal. F6F44). 24 jewels. 21,600 vph. Power reserve approximately 50 hours. Stainless steel case (diameter 41mm, thickness 12mm). Water resistant to 10 bar. Limited to 300 pieces in Japan. Price: 103,400 yen (tax included).

The RK-AV0120L, packed with Orient Star's technology, is a romantic model with a theme of the seaside at dawn.

The combination of a dark blue dial reminiscent of the sea and pink gold reminiscent of the warm light of the sun gives this sporty model a sense of elegance.

It is water resistant to 10 atmospheres, so it can also be used for water activities.

"Diver 1964 1st Edition" RK-AU0502S

Orient Star "Diver 1964 1st Edition" RK-AU0502S

Orient Star "Diver 1964 1st Edition" RK-AU0502S
Automatic movement (Cal. F6N47). 22 jewels. 21,600 vph. Power reserve approximately 50 hours. Stainless steel case (diameter 41mm, thickness 14.5mm). Water resistant to 200m. Limited to 900 worldwide (400 in Japan). Price: 150,700 yen (tax included).

Among Orient Star's diver's watches, there is one model that stands out: the new 2023 "Diver 1964 1st Edition."

The RK-AU0502S is a revival model of the brand's first diver's watch, the Olympia Calendar Diver, which was released in 1964. While faithfully retaining the characteristics of the original, it incorporates a modern design.

The water resistance has been improved to 200m, and it is attracting attention as a complete watch with quality that exceeds its price.

Orient Star Diver 1964 1st Edition RK-AU0502S Limited Edition Model


Orient Star is the perfect first mechanical watch

orient star

Orient Star is a Japanese brand that combines practicality with design. It offers excellent value for money and is often chosen as an entry-level mechanical watch.

This is the perfect brand for anyone looking for a reasonably priced, high-quality watch.

In addition to the models introduced here, Orient Star has many other attractive watches. We hope you will find your favorite one and start a wonderful life with a unique watch as your companion.



Contact information: Orient Customer Service Center Tel. 042-847-3380
Reference site: Orient Star https://www.orient-watch.jp/orientstar/


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