The end of the year means it’s time to hand out some awards. No, there’s no little statues to pass along, but over the next few days we’ll still highlight some of the best in affordable men’s style from this past year. And it was a good one. Feel free to send in additional nominations here.
Orient ‘Vintage’ Style Bambino – $182 w/ dappered30
The White Dial w/ Rose Gold hands. Sold Out.
They can’t make enough of these things. Orient took the already well liked, modern Orient Bambino, and aged the styling to make these new options look like something from the early 20th century. The end result is a classic, domed crystal, 40.5 mm diameter dress automatic that won’t go out of style any time soon.
There are four different styles, but good luck getting your hands on one of the stainless steel (not gold-tone) case options. Especially the cream dial with blue hands. When they do get restocked, they move fast. And for good reason. Full review over here.
The hard to find, blue hands w/ cream dial model. Also sold out.
Also Receiving Votes: The Seiko Solar Adventure Chrono, Christopher Ward’s C9 Harrison GMT (now with some “nearly new” models on sale… still expensive), Tissot’s Carson Chronograph, and Citizen’s new white dial classic chrono.
that is a gorgeous watch…nice vintage look, bigger case diameter without the big watch look.
Not sure if anyone else has tried the code yet but when I plugged it in I was given not only the discount on the bambino, but also a “free gift” watch. About 10 to choose from–all quartz from what I can tell. Is it this way for everyone?
Personally, I feel the watch is the one element where a man has a chance to distill and realize his style in a comprehensive way. Watches are so particular in their details, with choices in case size, utility, dial designs, lug shape, etc, that small permutations across a wide breadth of styles can be created. You can take any basic watch design and make it sportier, or more elegant, or tougher, so if you have a good idea of how you want to appear to others, you can choose a watch that fully expresses that. Even if you’re going for something as narrow as “Italian modern with a minimalist bent,” “Hardworking and durable while maintaining a laidback attitude,” or “I love vintage Japanese cars” – you can find something that fits that perfectly.
Maybe other people apply this to more of their menswear decisions but I feel that above all others, the watch is a very personal sartorial choice
This watch is right in every sense…except I cant get over them putting “IIII” instead of “IV” for 4 o’clock. On top of that the excess “I” in the 25, 35, 45, 55 position just kills any urge to purchase this now.
that’s happened to me once. i didn’t complete the purchase, and it hasn’t happened since.
Yes I had that option as well just now…
I stand with the designers who believe “IIII” visually balances the “VIII.”
That applies to most watches. Including just about every one with roman numerals I’ve ever owned.
This watch has been on the back of my mind forever, since I first laid eyes on it. And its sold out.
Anyone got a recommendation for a watch similar to this but with a smaller diameter? I have the older Bambino and it’s perfect… except for the size being a bit too big for my small wrists.
This is a good series of posts…
I see what you (they) did there…
Sold out. Any ideas where to buy?
It’s also worth mentioning the Seiko 5. A greater beginner automatic
http://www.amazon.com/Seiko-SNK809-Automatic-Watch-Canvas/dp/B002SSUQFG
As do I, but using an ‘I’-like mark for the 5, 7, 9, and 11 is a killer flaw in an otherwise lovely watch.
The IIII is standard, but the extra bars really bug me
I want to warn everyone that Orient customer service is pretty horrendous. Just pray you don’t have to deal with any issues with your watch. I had issues with the movement on my automatic Orient Defender. Sent the watch back twice during the warranty period for the same issue (shipped at my expense). Zero communication from them that they received my watch, no way to check status, and the return/repair process is a pain in general. Took 2 full months each time.
The repair worked for a short period, but the same issue resurfaced a month after each repair. I went to send it back a third time, but the hassle is just not worth it anymore knowing the same issue will probably occur again. No offer of replacement or any sympathy at all really after multiple emails. And good luck getting someone on the phone.
Their watches look great but I just can’t support them after that experience.
I’ve got the older silver face bambino but recently picked up a cream one with the blue hands. I put a brown calf skin band from Crown and Buckle on it. Its really a looker now! Love this watch. The new style has a much nicer crown to boot. I do like the old style still however.
Only real complaint is the stupid sizing of the band. Seriously who was the idiot engineer who decided 21mm was a good idea?
I will second this, the service is pretty poor. I had a Bambino (old style) come in with a crooked crown. Sent it back, they turned it around in the stated amount of time (about a month to get back to my door), but there was zero communication and it always took forever to get any responses out of them.
They suck to work with, but then you get what you pay for. More staff and more responsive service department means a more expensive watch.
OMGosh.