Dappered

Affordable Men's Style

Orient Watches

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Orient Watches – $133.00 | $241.50 | $129.41

OrientWatchesLogoMany thanks to Dappered.com reader Aliotsy who has successfully brought all of our attention to one of the lesser known, higher quality affordable watch makers on the market.

Founded in Japan more than half a century ago, Orient Watches have been around for a long time but a lot of us (hand raised) have never heard of them.

OrientBlueMako
The Blue Mako. Orient's Flagship.

Aliotsy wrote in his email that he discovered them about 18 months ago, and it was a real surprise to hear that many of their models don’t depend on a quartz Movement.  They’re mechanical.

Y’know, how they used to make em.  They make all their own parts that go in their watches as well.  They’re unique, have a ton of different styles, and get rave reviews on the internet.

The model that identifies the brand is the Blue Mako.  The classic diver/Rolex Submariner look is evident.  The face also comes in black, and the links on the wristband are that perfect even style.

OrientPowerReserveLeather
Our Favorite, their Power Reserve.

Another model to consider include the leather banded Power Reserve Blue Automatic.  A bit expensive for most of us at almost $250, but have you ever seen anything quite like it?  Watch designers everywhere try and repeatedly fail to mix it up with numeral placement, face style, etc… This watch gets it right.  It’s self winding and one of the sub-dials lets you know just how much power is left in the spring.  Not a bad feature to have.

Want to try something a little more substantial?  Their coin edge bezel chrono is a quartz, but costs just under $130.

Nice Rectangle subdials.
Nice Rectangle subdials.

The date is magnified at the 3 o’clock position, and the sub-dials are curved edge rectangles.  The Orient Watch Company’s motto seems to be that they’re “profoundly unique.”  This is just one of 247 models available through Amazon that proves they’re right.

Thanks again to Dappered.com reader Aliotsy who clued us in on this watch brand with a ton of potential.

Got another lead  on something you think is perfect for Dappered?
Send it in to:  joe@dappered.com

Comments

  1. I don’t think I’ll ever understand the appeal of $100+ men’s watches. They’re pretty, certainly, but I think that money put into any other item of attire would go further. Every time I see a two page spread in Esquire about watches, I can’t help but think it wouldn’t be there if those watch companies weren’t heavy advertisers of the magazine. To me, it’s a (genius) industry marketing strategy.

    I say this as someone whose watch is his most valued possession, because it was my grandfather’s. But if I didn’t have that, I imagine I would be happy with a cheap watch a la http://www.overstock.com/Jewelry-Watches/Geneva-Platinum-Mens-Leather-Band-Watch/2980036/product.html

    Perhaps it’s just personal taste.

  2. Sixteen Bucks? Good Grief that’s cheap. The subdials don’t apparently work either which, is kinda lame. Rather no subdials than non-functioning fake ones. But it’s 16 bucks. You’re right about the watch features and them being big advertisers. That’s what I’ve always figured too. I think there is a nice middle ground between that $16.00 piece of… uh… something… and a $1000 Rolex or Omega. Do you buy expensive shoes? Shirts? Anything? Or do you keep it bare minimum? I think it’s just whatever floats your boat.

  3. I just linked to the first decent looking one I found. I’m sure you could find better. I think the only thing I spend real money on is tailoring. Most of my shirts cost less than the price to have them taken in. I guess everyone values different things.

  5. My father has an Orient watch from about 30 years ago, when he got it in Indonesia. It’s been through rough times, good times, it’s always there, and it still is staying strong.

    I’ve got to say, from my own experience, Orient watches are just brutally durable, and stylish to boot.