Orient introduced the Stretto to the American market in late 2025, and I’ll be honest, it didn’t immediately grab me the way some of the brand’s other recent work has. Less than a year in, the collection is getting a meaningful expansion with four new dial colors: orange, turquoise, pink, and green. All four carry the sunburst texture that made the original navy reference the most visually interesting of the debut lineup, and Orient has clearly figured out that this watch has more range than those first options suggested.
For a brand that consistently undercuts its competition on price, Orient doesn’t always get enough credit for design. The Bambino has long served as the entry point for most people curious about the brand, and after seeing the newer Bambino references that came out this year, I find myself more drawn in that direction. There’s something about those updated models that feels distinctly Orient to me in a way the Stretto doesn’t quite yet.
That said, I recognize these are two different watches aimed at two different kinds of buyers, and the Stretto is doing something the Bambino can’t: it gives you a genuinely versatile, everyday-appropriate case in 38mm steel without any of the formality that comes with a dress watch.
The new colors are the real story here. The orange has a warm, almost creamy quality to it, the turquoise is rich without being aggressive, and the pink and green round things out for anyone who wants something that actually makes an impression on the wrist. I think the diversity of the palette is one of the smarter moves Orient has made with this collection so far. Each new reference keeps the wedge baton applied markers, beveled obelisk hands with lume inserts, and the framed date window at 3 o’clock intact. The 38mm steel case and three-link bracelet are unchanged as well, which is fine. The platform works.
Under the dial, Orient’s Caliber F7622 handles the timekeeping. It hacks, it hand-winds, it runs at 3Hz, and it offers 40 hours of power reserve. Nothing flashy, but it’s a reliable in-house movement at this price point, and that still deserves some acknowledgment.
The four new references are currently available through Orient’s UK site at £350. There’s no confirmed US release date yet, though pricing will almost certainly land at around $390 when they do arrive, in line with the rest of the current Stretto lineup. If you’ve been curious about Orient but the Bambino feels a little too dressed up for your collection, this is probably where I’d point you. Whether I’d pick one up myself over one of those new Bambinos is a different question.
Co-Founder & Senior Editor
Michael Peñate is an American writer, photographer, and podcaster based in Seattle, Washington. His work typically focuses on the passage of time and the tools we use to connect with that very journey. From aviation to music and travel, his interests span a multitude of disciplines that often intersect with the world of watches – and the obsessive culture behind collecting them.