Japan’s Orient Watch is technically owned by the Seiko group, but it surely’s not run by the identical individuals who run Seiko watches. Orient has, for a very long time, been standard with collectors new to timepieces or these searching for among the completely finest values in mechanical watches. Orient, like Seiko, has a higher-end model of its customary watches name “Orient Star.” At the moment on aBlogtoWatch, we assessment the Orient Star Traditional Mechanical “Heritage Gothic” reference RE-AW0006S.
Orient watches have actions which might be produced in-house and proceed to characterize probably the greatest values (cost-to-quality ratio) for in-house-made mechanical watches round in the present day. For numerous years, that meant Orient clients wanted to just accept some drawbacks (for instance many Orient actions may solely wind robotically), however a lot of these points are not related with the timepieces Orient produces. Over the previous couple of years, Orient has upgraded the actions in a lot of its merchandise, in addition to streamlined the Orient timepiece assortment. Orient can also be present process a fancy overhaul of its world advertising and distribution, so attention-grabbing issues are afoot from the historic Japanese watch firm.
In the event you recall, I stated that Orient is owned by the bigger Seiko conglomerate however not run by Seiko. In the event you take a look at the rear of the Orient Star Traditional Mechanical, you’ll see the “Epson” emblem printed on it. Epson is primarily a know-how firm however is a part of the Seiko household, and it’s Epson, not Seiko, that controls Orient. I’m not really certain why that’s, but it surely does assist differentiate Orient watches and forestall shoppers from falsely believing they use the identical elements as Seiko.
The Orient Star Heritage Gothic reference RE-AW0006S is one of some variations of the Orient Star Traditional Mechanical with this case, dial, and motion. The opposite variations have completely different dial/case colours, and I consider the RE-AW0006S is amongst just a few variations that come on an identical metal bracelet. Watch aficionados will instantly see parallels between this dial design and that of the famed IWC Portuguese. Orient isn’t producing a 1:1 copy, by any means, however it’s using the engaging timelessness of IWC’s standard deck-style marine-themed watch. Orient additionally factors out that the Heritage Gothic is impressed by watches it produced about 65 years in the past, making these semi-retro-revival merchandise.
The watch dial is admittedly engaging, because it makes use of blue-coated (not flame blued, sadly) Arabic numeral hour markers and matching leaf-style arms. These parts effortlessly distinction with the silver-toned dial making for an exceptionally legible dress-style watch. The dial additionally features a window for the date, in addition to a subsidiary seconds dial and a helpful power-reserve indicator.
On the wrist, the Orient Star Traditional Mechanical is a wise 38.7mm-wide in all polished metal, and 12.4mm-thick (with a mere 46mm lug-to-lug distance). That makes the scale a bit on the petite aspect however very comfy as a costume watch or with sleeves for many wrists. The case can also be waterproof to 50 meters. Over the dial is a barely domed and AR-coated sapphire crystal.
The rear of the watch case has a window to the in-house “Made in Japan” caliber F6G42 automated mechanical motion. It seems fairly first rate for this entry-level worth and operates at 3Hz with about two days of energy reserve. Notable to say (given older Orient actions) is that the F6G42 is each hacking and hand-winding (along with automated winding).
Connected to the metal case is a reasonably first rate (for the value) metal bracelet that mixes brushed hyperlinks with some polished inside hyperlinks. I name this bracelet “TAG Heuer” type as it’s much like a bracelet type TAG Heuer has used on numerous current Carrera fashions. That stated, this bracelet type is semi-generic, at this level. It’s good, but it surely doesn’t actually add any distinction to the Orient Star Heritage Gothic’s persona.
As is the promise with most Japanese watches, the Orient Star Heritage Gothic provides a surprisingly sound carrying and efficiency expertise for the value. The design could be very common and might make for a each day put on or an all-purpose costume or enterprise watch. Watch lovers beginning out or on a finances have at all times relied on Orient for excellent stuff, and nothing appears to have modified because the model strikes ahead. Orient Star merchandise will at all times have a bit extra high quality (and subsequently worth) as in comparison with customary Orient timepieces, however even they’re competitively engaging choices when in comparison with what else is out available on the market. Worth for the Orient Star Heritage Gothic reference RE-AW0006S is $800 USD. Be taught extra on the Orient web site right here.
Vital Knowledge
>Model: Orient
>Mannequin: Orient Star Heritage Gothic (reference RE-AW0006S as examined)
>Worth: $800 USD
>Dimension: 38.7mm-wide, 12.4mm-thick, and 46mm lug-to-lug distance.
>When reviewer would personally put on it: As a enterprise watch when carrying sleeves and never wanting to face out an excessive amount of.
>Good friend we’d advocate it to first: Watch lovers on a finances with smaller wrists who desires a superb all-purpose costume watch on a bracelet.
>Finest attribute of watch: Glorious combination of worth and high quality for the cash. Design could be very legible and chic. Good assortment of problems from the motion.
>Worst attribute of watch: Design doesn’t instantly counsel Orient product — but it surely isn’t going for that, per se. Orient would possibly do nicely with a bigger 41-42mm-wide model of those watches in the event that they needed so as to add one other taste.
