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Win it: The Orient Defender Automatic

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Orient Defender – $175 with code SUMMER2012 ($250)

The code also gets you the Orient “freebie” package, which includes a quartz watch of Orient’s choosing, a 2012 desktop calendar, a lanyard, and their catalog.  Instructions on how to win the Defender are at the bottom of this post.

This one might take a little time to grow on you.  If you’ve ever handled Orient’s Aviator or Sparta, you might expect some noticeable, substantial feeling weight to the Defender.  They’re all in that rugged/field looking category, and the Aviator and Sparta carry a middle linebacker type of heft to them.  The Defender is more like a free safety.  Not a featherweight, but that lack of bulk and matte stainless case might make you wonder if it’s titanium once you pick it out of the box.

But plenty of guys don’t like wearing something with noticeable mass on their wrist either.

The face is different.  There’s one 24-hour subdial and a larger day indicator dial.  The date is shown at 6 o’clock, with Orient’s terrific logo at eight.  The somewhat reflective hour markers look a little futuristic with their white outer ends, which conflicts with the overall classic military inspiration to the rest of the piece.

No exhibition case-back on this one, but the automatic movement’s oscillating weight feels like it swings nice and easy in the guts of the watch.  The screw down crown at 4 o’clock is a nice touch, and water resistance is a respectable 100m.  Not sure where Orient got the leather for the band, but they should keep sourcing from that place.  It’s the softest, most flexible band I’ve ever felt on an Orient (and it’s not like they stick plasticky cheap-o bands on their watches either.)  Case is a decent sized 42mm that won’t overpower an average sized wrist.

It’s a nice watch for sure.  But with no rotating bezel and a face that’s got a few quirks, most might want to think long and hard about spending $28 more for the Aviator or a $7 less for the Sparta.

Here’s how to win the Defender seen here: Send your first and last name in an email to contests@dappered.com with the subject: Orient Defender.  One entry per person. Deadline for entry is 11:59 pm ET on 9/5/12.

UPDATE:  Congrats to Ryan C. who won the random drawing for the Orient Defender!


Comments

  5. Not a fan of this one. I normally love cream faced dials with a brown leather strap but something on this one seems off to me. I think it’s the fact that the 2 subdials are unnecessary. The watch would look cleaner without them. I don’t need a 24 hour dial nor do I need one to tell me what day of the week it is.

  6. This one hits home for me, but then again, I am a fan of the basic military style watch. I don’t usually go for the complications on this style watch, but Orient has pulled this off. Perfect size (for me at least) to boot. I’d definitely wear it. Well done Orient!

  7. This is a nice looking watch, and I’m guessing it would end up being more versatile than many would expect. I might be missing something, but I think this watch is much nicer than the Aviator or the Sparta. I’d take this one over the other two in a heartbeat.

  12. My Orient is like 3 min slow a day.
    Tried shooting OrientUsa emails, but they never responded.

  14. I really like the look of this one. I feel that the sub dials actually help to balance the look of this casual watch. I don’t think I’d wear it with a suit, but certainly with a thicker sport coat, or with a casual button down.

    I think you also picked the best colour combo. Thanks for bringing this one to our attention!

  15. Anyone know what kind of freebie watch you might get? Seems like all of their watches are at least 100 bucks so it might be decent right?

  17. Going to grab a winner right now. Will update the post at the bottom of the review with the winner’s name and I’ll send an email their way too…