“When you wear Orient, you wear a piece of Japan in all its neon-blazed glory, as well as its ancient, peaceful mindfulness,” reads a sentence on the company’s website.
This juxtaposition between past and present lies at the core of the brand’s design aesthetic. Whether it’s a vintage-inspired Bambino watch sporting a domed crystal case and cursive Arabic numerals on its dial or the utilitarian Defender timepiece with its highly functional dial, the company has always been at the forefront of watchmaking in Japan. In fact, Orient, which is now a subsidiary of Seiko, is Japan’s largest producer of mechanical watches—an achievement that was about 70 years in the making.
Ever since it was founded in 1950 in Tokyo, Orient has been competing with its Swiss-based counterparts by launching timepieces that will go down in horology history for their preciseness and construction. The company’s high-end line, Orient Star, offers beautifully designed timepieces perfect for special occasions that come with an affordable price tag while the regular Orient collections feature classic, contemporary, and sports watches that cater to a large variety of lifestyles.
So without further ado, here are the most stylish Orient watches to shop right now.
Orient Star World Time Watch
World travelers will love the new World Time timepiece from the Orient Star line for its functional dial and elegant design. It is also one of the few Orient watches with an anti-reflective scratch-resistant coating and a superbly polished case surface that deliver exquisite clarity.
But let’s go back to its many features. The elegant black dial allows you to keep track of the time in all major cities of the world. The hands and hour markers have luminescent accents that make it possible for you to tell the time in the dark. The watch runs via an automatic hand-winding and hacking movement.
To buy: $1,035, orientwatchusa.com
Orient Neptune Watch
Orient’s divers’ watches are some of the best on the market at that price point. The Neptune timepiece is compliant with the Japanese Industrial Standard for a Class 1 Diver watch so if you are a recreational SCUBA diver, this one is for you.
The 43.4mm case is shock- and water-resistant for up to 650 feet. The hour markers on the beautiful blue dial are constructed from luminescent material and polished metal which allows you to tell the time in dark and super bright conditions. The bezel rotates so you can keep track of elapsed time more easily—a must-have function for divers.
To buy: $480, orientwatch.com
Orient Arena Watch
Those who favor eye-catching design and are high-speed enthusiasts will definitely want to add the Arena timepiece to their watch collection.
It’s actually Orient’s only racing-inspired, tonneau-shaped watch with an open-heart dial. The exposed screws definitely add even more character to its unique look. The case measures almost 41 mm and is crafted from sturdy polished stainless steel.
To buy: $310, orientwatchusa.com
Orient Defender II Watch
Make no mistake—this is a stylish watch packed with useful features. The dial is easy to read and doesn’t feel crowded despite the two subdials (a weekly and a 24-hour one) and a date window at 3 o’clock. The hands and the hour markers glow in the dark and some of them feature a hint of red for a nice pop of color.
The brown leather strap with contrast stitching adds a sophisticated vibe to this functional timepiece.
To buy: $230, orientwatchusa.com
Orient Maestro Watch
The new Maestro watch is the epitome of timeless elegance. It has a 40mm polished stainless steel case and strap with buckle closure. The dial includes a date window at 3 o’clock which blends with the rest of the green-hued dial. We love the see-through case back that reveals the automatic caliber F6722 movement.
To buy: $265, orientwatchusa.com
