Brian Roach
I've held off for a few days before reviewing this, well, because, I wasn't sure I really liked it.I was really fascinated by the images of the watch online and I love Orient watches, as they are one of the most under-rated watch companies in the business. They make great watches with in-house movements and unique designs. This is one of their unique designs. Sometimes unique takes time to digest.Out of the box I found the watch a little too big. It's 46mm and I knew that when I bought it. But it is a bit blockier than other Orient watches, so I was a little surprised, especially considering black watches tend to look smaller on the wrist. The leather band that comes with it, is, well, just ok. But I expected that and ordered a cheap silicone band to replace it. Here's another issue with the watch: the "integrated" band that comes with it just means it is designed to extend past the spring bar and curve around the body of the watch, but it also was specifically designed to fit the really short lugs. You can replace the band like a regular watch, except due to the short lugs and thick spring bars, not all replacement bands will fit. I got lucky the replacement silicone strap I bought came with replacement spring bars that were thin, so it just fits. A leather rally strap I own with quick release spring bars does not fit because there is not enough space between the lugs and spring bars for the thickness of the strap to fit.Another issue I have with this watch is the legibility. Orient chose to use a classic pencil style hour and minute hands and a slim seconds hand. They also used similar style indices and used a dark, non-reflective metal for the hands and only loom the ends in a manner and size that replicates the indices. Stylistically, it looks sharp. Telling the time at a glance is a real pain, though.That all said, both yesterday and today I started out choosing another watch to wear for the day, but in short order this one was on my wrist again. I keep getting drawn back to it. It really is a gorgeous watch face. The carbon fiber-like dial is entrancing. It appears that the carbon fiber element appears to have a clear plastic or glass covering over it that the indices and writing sits on and then the crystal above it all. This creates a sort of 3D effect and the dial just has this really interesting depth to it that I just can't work out and keep finding myself drawn back to. The bezel has a sapphire insert that is different from other dive watches that use metal or ceramic. It has characteristics of both those materials. Interesting.That's what this watch is, interesting. Not exactly a typical dive watch or fashion piece, but a bit of both. And made well and in-house by Orient. It is growing on me and I hope I can find just the right band to match with it (and fits the lugs). The black silicone strap I have in the pictures is serviceable, but I think this watch needs a band that helps it pop. I've ordered a silicone band with red stitching (the dial has tinny bit of red in the Orient logo and 200m depth mark) and a two piece tan nato with pvd hardware (regular nato can fit the lugs if it is not the extra thick nato material, but natos tend to make it sit even larger on the wrist).I'd recommend this watch, but only if you do a little research first and know what you are getting. I think when I find the right band, this watch will really be sharp. Better, more legible hands and longer lugs for more strap options and this watch would have gotten 5 stars.I have 7.25" flat wrists for reference in attached photos. Fit is excellent (partly due to those short lugs) and stable and if you like large watches, this will be a good fit for 7" and above, I'd say. 6.75" wrist might be able to pull this off as well, if you don't mind the size.
