Reply With QuoteLike that a lot, now get an Isofrane for it. :)
I posted the other day about Certina, one of several brands I see regularly out in the sticks but not in the UK or Australia, or the US, or (come to think of it) in any English-speaking country, or most others visited to date. Certina watches looks perfectly fine but none make me hoot; instead I had to look in the Orient boutique (yup, an Orient boutique. Dry your eyes and change your pants, Omega Westfield ??????) in the local dodgy mall on a Thursday afternoon to find some overseas intrigue. And here it is, posing artificially on the most 1970s fabric I could find in the place.
It's an Orient "Anniversary" diver, based on a 1971 design, apparently, to celebrate 40 years of an unwindable, unhackable slow-beat ex-Seiko but bombproof automatic. Like all re-animated reissues, it's been inadvisedly upsized and because the original was already big, this one is basically too big to wear in public (45mm across, 52mm lug to lug, 14mm deep) unless you're a gorilla I guess, but it's got a lovely dial, the internal bezel is smooth as silk, and anyway, in the swimming pool no-one can hear WIS scream about the size. First ever 24mm-lug watch for me, and probably the last!
...but what do I know; I don't even like watches!
Like that a lot, now get an Isofrane for it. :)
That looks nice. I look like a gorilla so I can get away with wearing a 45mm watch. :wink:
It does help if you have very hairy arms too - the watch sort of nestles in there and hides its bulk :DOriginally Posted by j111dja
It would look a bit less bulky with a strap. An Isofrane would be right up its street but at $100 plus the obligatory taxes, shipping and fees, is nearly half what this watch cost to buy. A shame TF doesn't have a 24mm version of the retro rubber...
...but what do I know; I don't even like watches!
I agree, its a great looker, I love the originals, but have never bought one, this is one re-issue that may tip me over that edge...
Cheers..
Jase
I have one and really like it. Its not too big for my 7.25in wrist and I love the big open dial.
I like that. Orient watches look very Japanese to me, not that it's a bad thing.
Thats not bad actually, i take it the inner bezel rotates?
What's the going rate for these?
I think I really must give it a try...
It does.......
Cheers..
Jase
45mm wide and 24mm lugs?? That may just be the watch I need to look at..Not the usual suspect but surprisingly fresh....
OP, your watch is massive too!
That looks rather nice. I like it.
Very cool!
It does. It's about as smooth and, when you screw the crown back down, prone to drifting as the bezel of the Longines Legend Diver.
The dimensions are all but identical to something like the XL Planet Ocean, but because it's got this massive dial and no outer bezel, it looks even bigger. Also, all those bits sticking out the right-hand side make it seem even bigger still. Most of the commentary on the web suggests that a rubber strap tones down the bulk, which is a comment often made about the big PO. The case back is low in profile, which means it does at least sit nice and flat against the wrist, so it won't catch on anything. Much...
...but what do I know; I don't even like watches!
Ordered. :)
Will put some pics up of it on rubber once it has arrived.
Too big for me, but if my experience of Orient is anything to go by this one will be excellent VFM. Looks smart too I think.
Whats the function of the top crown?
I do like the appearance of the Orient 40th anniversary and having just visited their site, some of the other models. In regards to Andrew's watch, despite checking out the press release and details, I couldn't find what the crowns and buttons do specifically - anyone able to clear that up?
I'm guessing - top to bottom:
? HEV?
Inner bezel turner
Lock down crown - in the Seiko position.
Cheers
David
PS: Timothy put it more succinctly. :D
David
Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations
From here: http://yeomanseiko.wordpress.com/2011/1 ... ive-watch/The crown at the 3 o’clock position is used to set the date and time. This is also a screw in crown.
The screw in pusher at the 2 o’clock position is used to set the day. You need to unscrew the pusher first in order to set the day.
And the lower screw-down crown is to operate the internal bezel.
Thank you for the link and to Bedlam also for another shot. Shame for me it's at 45mm (too large) as it's a great looking watch.
David
Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations
If you can't be 4rsed to wash the dishes you can always use it as a dinner plate
It's not bad looking watch at all, lol Westfield boutique comment :lol:
Fas est ab hoste doceri
Looks a bit substantially sized for my taste but have to admit that I'm a bit surprised of the quality of the Orients. A friend bought one and the overall quality and finish of the watch is amazing, and way more than what you pay for...
I saw - great picture.
I bought a Zuccolo Rochet & Cie. (ZRC) rubber strap from the local watch-tinker. Inexpensive and goes nicely with the watch, although probably not as well as an Isofrane, and it attracts lint. Takes some of the bulk out of it, but it's still a clubbing watch, rather than one you wear in daylight :). The lugs do drop a little, and the caseback has a slight but not prominent bulge, but my wrist simply isn't big enough as you can see. On an 8"+ wrist, or one with a flatter profile, it would probably be OK.
...but what do I know; I don't even like watches!
Forgot to post in this thread as well but here it is again,
My wris is a little over 7.5" and I reckon I can get away with it (but only just),
The picture above lies though, it looks bigger IRL.
I reckon it is a lot of watch for the money but if Orient had put just a little more effort (lume and bracelet perhaps being the most obvious areas) in it it could have been truly great. Mine seems to be running around +25 seconds straight out of the box.
The ZRC straps are quite comfortable but I cannot stand the lint factor, have given all mine away I think.
For mot much more than $250 it's exemplary but yes, the bracelet is only one step up above a Seiko folded-link number, and the lume is poor given how good it is on a Mako, for example.
...
I reckon it is a lot of watch for the money but if Orient had put just a little more effort (lume and bracelet perhaps being the most obvious areas) in it it could have been truly great. Mine seems to be running around +25 seconds straight out of the box.
It's only 3mm wider than the biggest watch I own but it manages to look about 50% bigger...
Last edited by andrew; 31st August 2012 at 09:19.
...but what do I know; I don't even like watches!
Looks really suited to the Isofrane. I have had it on a Bradystrap sail cloth strap foir the most part and that seems to suit it well also.
I like the look of that, especially the three crowns.
I have always had a soft spot for old Orient King divers, a shame that this excellent re-working is so huuuge.
If it was 40-41mm I'd wear it a lot more. It's fun, but just far too big to be worn normally even though it's thinner than a PRS-14. Then I look at Helson and the other small dive-watch companies releasing another 15 near-identical hunks at 48x18mm, a whole step up further in size, and I think, who the hell buys these? And then *wears* them?
...but what do I know; I don't even like watches!
Anyone got a link to where one can order one of these?
Can't see anything remotely close to $250 at the moment.............
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