On Episode #152 of the Two Broke Watch Snobs podcast Mike and I discussed a recent, barely noticed release from Orient Star. We don’t get much Orient Star news here in the United States… in fact, we barely get any of the incredible releases from the Japanese horology powerhouse.
These three new Orient Star divers are no exception unfortunately. These divers were released to the Japanese and European markets. However, we in the US can still buy them (just not from Orient USA).
There are three dial variations for this new Orient Star Diver.
- Blue Dial: RK-AU0302L (Japanese Ref.) | RE-AU0302L (European Ref.)
- Black Dial: RK-AU0301B (Japanese Ref.) | RE-AU0301B (European Ref.)
- Black Gilt: RK-AU0303B (Japanese Ref.) | RE-AU0303B (European Ref.)
What makes these new references noteworthy is that they’re on the Orient Star line (which hasn’t had a diver style watch in some time) and their design is quite unique. With Orient in general diver releases tended to be informed by those that preceded them. We’re seeing it with the Mako/Ray line and we’ve seen it with the Orient M-Force and Saturation divers.
These new Orient Star references represent something totally new. What strikes me off the bat is that these are actually quite dressy divers in comparison to other Orient divers out there. There are no sharp edges – lots of curved angles with virtually no points. The aesthetics really are quite smooth. In fact, if you compare these new Orient Star divers to other Orient divers, you’ll find that the design aesthetics are a bit more nuanced and less aggressive.
The curved nature of the aluminum bezel also sticks out to me as does the exaggerated back-length of the hands. I’ve included some specs below for these new releases. Check them out – highlights that stuck out to me are the sapphire crystal, in-house F6N47 caliber, and price (approx. $600 – $700 USD).
• 22mm lug width
• F6N47 Automatic Movement (in-house Orient Caliber)
• 50 hour power reserve
• 120 click bezel (aluminum insert)
• 200 meters water resistance (20 bar)
• Price: Approx. $600 USD – $700 USD (Gnomon)
The F6N47 is the latest in Orient’s in-house movements. It features hand winding, hacking, and a power reserve of approx. 50 hours. Day to day accuracy is slated at +25/-15 seconds.
What does the TBWS Family think? Anyone else have one of these possibly on their radar? We’re working on trying to get one of these in for review.
Co-Founder and Senior Editor
Kaz has been collecting watches since 2015, but he’s been fascinated by product design, the Collector’s psychology, and brand marketing his whole life. While sharing the same strong fondness for all things horologically-affordable as Mike (his TBWS partner in crime), Kaz’s collection niche is also focused on vintage Soviet watches as well as watches that feature a unique, but well-designed quirk or visual hook.
If only Orient Star ditched the power reserve indicators…
Lol – I mean, if they lost the power reserve indicator, then it wouldn’t look like an Orient diver. By striping away a lot of the other common features, they’ve come close to designing something that could easily be mistaken for something else. But that power reserve indicator is holding the Orient torch loud and proud on the design. For me personally I like the indicator, but I know it just looks out of place for some folks.
Power reserve complication is exactly why I love it for. It works for some, it doesn’t for for others.
The Power Reserve Indicator has a real purpose. Whta’s not to like?
These look really interesting, nicer than the similarly priced divers from Seiko. I especially like the hands and hour markers. Unfortunately, they might be a bit large for me. As you note, it is not so easy to find Orient watches so I hope you can get one for a review.
Why on earth does it have aluminium insert? The only thing I don’t like about my Triton is that soft piece of junk holding a mark of every bump ever. I’ll pass until they throw in the ceramic it deserves.
That’s why I sold my Seamaster. Loved that watch, but aluminum is way too soft. And I learned the bad way.
Well it was a design flaw in the Triton i.m.o. tge insert sticks out from the crystal. It should be the other way around. Tge 1st hr I had mine I marked the insert and noticed the fatal design flaw.
I’ve been lusting after one of these since I discovered them. Something about the overall look reminds me of the Omega Planet Oceans. And I’d like to get at least one watch with a power reserve indicator, it’s always struck me as a useful complication, especially for a dive watch.
Well if aluminium bezel is an issue,it can be replaced ridht?
For me the hands are questionable type…
I suppose you could see if a 3rd party vendor makes a new insert, then you could swap it out. But for now Orient doesnt support any official bezel replacements,
It’s the insert that sticks out from the sapphire that’s the issue.
way
too
large
🙂
Orient needs to get with the times and start making these in the 39-42 range, it’s not the noughts and orient is not panerai
I think the size is perfect, the same as other modern designs like Triton/Neptune, SPB077. I bought the blue color of this Orient Star Diver, I just couldn’t pass the originality and consistence of this design. Such a stunning watch and so different than everything else out there.
I bought my first orient diver about a year ago, they are superb watches very accurate time keeping the power reserve is a great feature, the new star diver is the perfect diver size, with many extra features over seiko like sapphire crystal and power reserve l am sure these will take the market when they become known amongst the diving community an excellent dive watch.
I have one of these and really like it.Mine has the Shinrin Green dial and I even like the aluminum bezel but I understand the reason most ?people disagree. It is my absolute favorite watch. Quality and function paired with durable beauty in my opinion.