Orient Ray II Automatic – $234.50 w/ DAPPERED30 ($335)
NOTE: LongIslandWatch has the new Ray II and Mako II in stock for the very low price of $185. That’s gonna be tough to beat. Haven’t ever ordered from LIW myself, but I haven’t heard anything troublesome? Thanks to Aaron K. for the tip!
The design, functionality, and price of Orient’s original Mako and Ray were far from broken. So they didn’t fix them. But what they did do with these new versions was tweak em’, just enough, and in the process they avoided mucking up what they had already accomplished. All while providing a few characteristics the watch wearing community values.
Here’s what’s different:
- A different movement that now hacks and hand winds at the crown
- The extra calendar pusher at 2 o’clock has been eliminated
- The bezel is now 120 clicks instead of 60
200m Water resistance, so feel free to get it wet.
Here’s what’s the same:
- Powered by one of Orient’s in-house, automatic movements
- 200m water resistance
- Mineral Crystal
- 41.5 mm, easily wearable for most, case diameter
- Stainless bracelet that keeps the shine to a minimum
As classic as a diver gets, at a more than reasonable price.
Sure, the list price has jumped forty bucks, but that hand-winding function is going to be worth it for some. To be able to take your watch off and wind it, quickly via the crown at night, is a nice convenience. Much easier than shaking it back and forth in the morning to get it going again. Plus, not everyone loved the calendar adjustment pusher/crown at 2 o’clock. Made it kinda look like half a chronograph. Now? It’s a classic diver. Still has that solid build quality and feel to it too.
Gone is the extra crown. In comes a hackable movement that you can hand wind.
While the Mako might be Orient’s flagship watch, the Ray is more symmetrical to many eyes. The Mako mixes Arabic numerals w/ stick indicies, while the Ray sticks with indices similar to Rolex’s Submariner.
Good on Orient for not blowing up what’s arguably the best pair of budget divers on the market. Yet at the same time? Kudos to them for trying to improve on what they already had.
Enter here to win the Orient Ray II Black Dial seen above. One entry per person. Deadline for entry is 12:59 PM ET on 4/20/16. Many thanks to Orient for providing the new Ray II for review + giveaway!
UPDATE: Congrats to A. Dunlap who won the drawing for the Ray II!