In 1961, Orient took its first step into the world of automatic watches
with the release of the Super Auto Perfect Self-Winding. This historic
timepiece marked Orient's entry into the competitive automatic watch market,
setting the stage for future innovations.
At the time, Seiko had already introduced their first automatic watch,
the Seiko 11A Indicator, in 1955, followed by the 290 series soon after.
Citizen also joined the automatic revolution with their 3KA movement in 1958.
These early automatic models paved the way for a new era of Japanese
watchmaking (never mind that far across the ocean, Swiss brands were already 3
decades into automatics).
At the heart of the Super Auto was a movement that took inspiration from
some of the finest automatic winding systems of its era. Based on Orient's
high-grade Royal Orient hand-wound N-Type
movement, the Super Auto introduced an efficient automatic winding
mechanism, featuring a heart cam and a sickle-shaped winding lever.
Interestingly, watch enthusiasts have drawn parallels between this
mechanism and IWC's famed Pellaton winding system, noting striking similarities
in design and function. This observation suggests that Orient engineers were
influenced by the best automatic winding technology available at the time,
integrating it into their own movement to create a robust and efficient system.
The Orient "Super Auto" featured an understated aesthetic, characteristic of the early 1960s and not unlike other Orient models of that period; the brand did not go to great lengths to produce a design that would emphasize the revolution inside. Such are the cursive dial text, along with the simple dotted indices of the first version (case marked H72084). The dauphine hands, coated with luminous material, provide excellent readability, further enhancing the watch's utility.
A second version of the Super
Auto (marked F91040) presented a somewhat fancier dial design, with a more
elaborate, fluted hour track.
Despite the subtle design and new movement, the Super Auto was intended
to be a practical and durable watch. The movement's 21-jewel configuration
provided reliable performance, while the 6.4mm thick movement (2.2mm thicker
than the base N-Type caliber) allowed for a relatively slim profile compared to
competing automatic watches of the era. The 37.7mm case size, considered large for its time,
offers a balanced presence on the wrist, while the deep silver sunburst dial enhances
its sophisticated appeal.
The Super Auto was available in both waterproof and non-waterproof
versions, with model variations such as the "Swimmer" and
"Showerproof" lines, ensuring versatility for different lifestyles.
Case materials included stainless steel (SS) and gold-filled (OGF) options,
each featuring the proud engraving of "Perfect Self-Winding" on the
case back.
The success of the Super Auto laid the groundwork for future Orient
automatic watches. In 1962, Orient leveraged the same automatic winding system
when introducing the LCW caliber, combining the self-winding mechanism with the
new L-type
movement. This decision cemented the Super Auto’s influence on Orient’s
evolving lineup of automatic timepieces.
Furthermore, the automatic winding system from the Super Auto was later
utilized in notable models such as the Grand
Prix Almighty (64-jewel) and the 100-jewel models released in 1963 and
1964. These watches carried forward the Super Auto's legacy while refining and
improving upon its innovations.
Today, the Orient Super Auto Perfect Self-Winding remains a sought-after
piece among collectors and enthusiasts. Its unique blend of classic design,
historical significance, and technical ingenuity make it a valuable addition to
any collection of vintage Orient watches.
At launch, the Orient Super Auto was positioned as a premium timepiece. Over six decades later, its importance in Orient’s history remains undeniable, yet its price today is surprisingly modest. Typically selling for around 300 USD in decent condition, it seems a fair price to pay for a wearable piece of horological history.
And about that name – "Super Auto Perfect Self-Winding" might sound like a bit of overkill, but it’s got charm. It’s as if Orient’s engineers wanted to make absolutely sure you knew the watch was automatic, self-winding, and, of course, perfect and super. If redundancy is a sin, at least it’s committed with flair here.
Pictures of the Super Auto that appear in this post were taken
from the 1999 Orient Watch Catalog book, and from various sales ads.
