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, RA-AA0E05B19B, features a color scheme and design clearly inspired by the styles of 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. I absolutely love this watch case, which is complemented by a very attractive bezel and a domed crystal. It includes an internal rotating bezel ring, adjustable via the second crown, which can be used to track elapsed time. The indices and logo are applied, giving it a sophisticated look. 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 Oriënt box for this, but I will provide it in a convenient case.