Orient SAF02002B0 Mens Star Black Dial Stainless Steel Watch

Orient designs and manufactures their movements in-house, and the Orient Star is their premium line. They are not well known in the US, but are considered a quality brand in Japan, and were acquired by Seiko some years ago, but continue to operate independently from Seiko. I bought this model around a year ago, and it has become the watch I wear most often. It is self winding, and can also be hand wound, and has a power reserve indicator showing how much time remains before it needs winding again, up to 40 hours. This is a feature found only on watches costing many times the price of this watch. The movement has 22 jewels, and is very accurate, with a display back that shows the nicely finished and decorated internal parts. The face is one of the most beautifully designed classic styles you can find, and resembles the classic Omegas from the 1950s. The crystal is mineral glass, and fairly tall, with curved sides that look very 1950s, and accentuate the classic face. Some may find the thickness of this watch a little too much because of the height of the crystal, but I think it is perfect for this watch. The bracelet is much higher quality than you might expect, rivaling the best European brands. With the Orient Star you get a watch that is the same quality level of the very expensive name brand Swiss mechanicals, for a fraction of the price, and less than you might pay for a quartz “fashion watch”. Orient will also service their watches at a very reasonable price, which all mechanical watches require every 5 years or so, although you will have to mail it to their service department in Japan for this. If you like classic mechanical watches you will not be disappointed with the Orient Star Classic.

Returned this watch because it is hard to read the time