Description

The Orient brand has existed since 1950 and was acquired by Seiko-Epson around 2003. Orient is therefore wholly owned by Seiko (Seiko-Epson; click on “corporate information” at the bottom left), yet it operates completely independently. Orient’s automatic movements are produced in its own factories, and if you look at the designs, you’ll see that they frequently draw inspiration from the past. And that, in my view, is precisely what makes them so appealing.

This sports watch, the RA-AA0E03L19B, also features a color scheme and design clearly inspired by styles from the 1960s and 1970s. It offers water resistance up to 20 ATM (though it lacks a screw-down crown) and is powered by a modern automatic movement—the Orient caliber F6922. The case is polished and features an attractive bezel along with a domed crystal. The dial has a sunburst blue finish and incorporates a stylized world map. There is an internal rotating ring with a 25-hour scale, which can be adjusted using the second crown. The indices and logo are applied, lending a sophisticated look, and the lume—which is also present on the rotating ring—is effective. The hands feature a distinct, elegant bend along their length. The bracelet is solid, while the clasp is simple and offers only two adjustment holes.

I don’t have an Orient box for this, but I will supply it in a convenient case.