Orient’s Light-Powered Watches

Orient is best known for its mechanical watches, but the brand has been making solar-powered quartz watches for decades. And with the recent releases of the Solar Mako 40 and Solar Bambino, plus our recent look at the iO collection, which is predominantly solar-powered, now is the perfect time to explore how Orient has been using the power of light to keep time.

The story of Orient’s solar watches begins in 1976, when the brand introduced its first light-powered watch – an LED digital model equipped with a built-in solar cell. This was a time when several Japanese manufacturers were experimenting with solar technology, and Orient was among the early adopters, alongside Citizen and Seiko. However, unlike Citizen, which would go on to make solar technology a defining part of its identity, Orient treated solar watches as an occasional complement to its lineup rather than a central focus.

With time solar technology has evolved, allowing watchmakers to hide the solar cells beneath the dial rather than displaying them as obvious panels. This has enabled Orient and others to incorporate solar movements into more sensible watch designs. Another key trend was the shift from digital solar watches to mostly analog ones.

Through the 1980s and 1990s, Orient produced numerous solar-powered quartz models, though most were limited to the Japanese domestic market. Some of these were released under the “Light Power” series, covering a variety of styles from dress watches to sports models. One particularly interesting example from this period was a solar-powered dive watch, providing a no-maintenance solution for those who wanted a reliable tool watch without the need for battery changes.

Later, in the 2000s, Orient added the solar Neo 70s models, now available with its RR700 radio-controlled movement. I like the Neo 70s design so I think I'll dedicate a separate article to those… and more recently, we saw the introduction of a "Mako Chronograph" featuring Orient's VS752 light powered movement.

While many of the earlier solar watches featured unique designs, in recent years Orient began incorporating solar technology into their mainstream models, keeping the aesthetics unchanged while adding what many would see as modern convenience. This kind of reminds me how early electric vehicles all tried to resemble a streamlined Prius shape, while later models began to just look like "normal" cars.

The first major step in this direction came with the Mako 40, a mechanical dive watch that was recently reintroduced in a solar-powered quartz version. The Solar Mako 40 maintains the look and feel of its automatic predecessor but now runs on Orient’s VS422 solar quartz movement, offering a 12-month power reserve on full charge. With 200 meters of water resistance, a sapphire crystal, and the same classic case design that made the mechanical Mako 40 so popular, this new model gives buyers a set-it-and-forget-it option that never needs winding and will not require battery replacements until some distant future.

Shortly after the Solar Mako 40 came another surprise – the Solar Bambino, a light-powered version of Orient’s most famous dress watch. Long considered one of the best entry-level automatic watches, the Bambino has always been known for its clean, classic design and its appeal to first-time mechanical watch buyers. The new solar-powered Bambino, released in six variations, keeps the familiar 38.4mm case and V2 dial design, but replaces the automatic movement with a solar quartz no-date caliber VS213, capable of running for six months on a full charge. Both this and the Mako's caliber offer an accuracy of +/- 20 seconds per month

With these recent releases, Orient’s solar watches do not lag far behind Seiko’s Solar and Citizen’s Eco-Drive offerings. Performance-wise, modern Orient solar movements have 6 to 12 months of power reserve, can charge under both sunlight and indoor light, and maintain accuracy within ±20 seconds per month. However, Citizen still leads in solar innovation, with some of its Eco-Drive models storing power for years in total darkness, and its higher-end models offering premium features like extreme accuracy and extra thinness.

Orient’s strength, as always, lies in value for money. And Orient’s solar lineup is steadily growing, suggesting that the brand is committed to expanding its offerings.

  

All photos in this story were taken from old Orient publications and sale ads.

Exploring Orient iO – A Tale of Two Watch Lines?

Orient is known for making fine watches, yet often having a bit of confusion surrounding their history, design choices, or even naming conventions. But every now and then, they outdo themselves by creating two entirely different watch lines under the same name – which seems to be the case with "iO".

Yes, iO is one collection, but depending on where you look, you may get a very different idea of what that means.

 

The Website iO – A Women’s Collection of Petite Solar Watches

First, let’s take a look at the Orient website, where iO is positioned as a women’s brand. The name comes from the Italian word for “I,” (says the website) reinforcing a theme of personal style and treasured things. The watches in this version of the collection are all solar-powered quartz models with sapphire crystal, designed for everyday elegance with a bit of “adult cuteness” (as Orient describes it).

The lineup consists of:

• 12 watches with round, 28mm cases
• 1 smaller round model at 25mm
• 3 watches with tonneau-shaped 24mm cases

They vary in dial colors, bracelets, and overall styling, but all stick to the same delicate sizing and refined design. These are very much in the vein of what one might expect from a classic ladies’ watch collection.

That all seems simple enough. Until we visit Orient’s online store…

 

The Online Store iO – A Customizable, Gender-Neutral Line

Click over to Orient’s official online store, and suddenly, iO becomes a completely different animal.  Even the unique "iO" logo from the ladies' collection page disappears.

The description now tells us that iO is about self-expression and inclusivity, a watch line that encourages individuality, allowing customers to mix and match cases and bands freely, targeting both male and female consumers.

Even the watch selection changes:

• Four 36mm time-and-date models
• Two 38mm chronographs
• A selection of nine different strap colors

The focus shifts to customization, with quick-release straps that let wearers swap styles on the go. The dials also take on a more conceptual aesthetic, inspired by the changing colors of the sky throughout the day, from warm sunrise tones to cool twilight shades.

And if that wasn’t enough variation, the Epson corporate website (remember, Orient is part of Epson) echoes this newer, all-gender, customizable version of iO, even emphasizing its environmentally friendly aspects, like recycled packaging.

 

So… Which iO is It?

Now, this isn’t the first time Orient’s branding and marketing have sent us on a mystery-solving adventure (is it "Classic and Simple" or Bambino…?). But in this case, it seems like we are witnessing a transition in progress.

Most likely, iO started as a women’s collection and later evolved into a modern, gender-neutral customizable series. The issue is that the old branding still lingers on the website, while the store and Epson’s corporate messaging have moved on.

This isn’t a huge deal – after all, the watches speak for themselves and easy to tell apart. Whether you prefer petite, elegant designs or versatile, mix-and-match options, there’s an iO model to suit different tastes. But a little more consistency in the messaging wouldn’t hurt!

New Models Now Released On The Japanese Market

Orient first announced its 75^th anniversary models and MY2025 Orient Star watches, earlier this month, as global market editions. Orient Japan now caught up with the announcement, presenting JDM versions for most (though not all) of the new references.

 

75^Th Anniversary Models

The anniversary models announced for the Japanese market now include the following items.

Bambino 38mm (time and date) references:

• RN-AC0023E has a green dial and brown leather strap;
• RN-AC0024L has a dark blue dial and blue leather strap;
• RN-AC0025N has a beige dial and grey leather strap;
• RN-AC0027S is the special anniversary model, indicated by its use of Orient’s cursive logo, and is limited to 1,200 pieces.

Bambino Sun and Moon references:

• RN-AK0807R has a burgundy dial and brown leather strap;
• RN-AK0808S is the anniversary model, limited to 750 pieces.

Solar-powered Bambino references:

• RN-WK0002E has a light green dial and white synthetic leather strap;
• RN-WK0003G has an ivory dial and brown synthetic leather strap;
• RN-WK0004L has a black dial and brown synthetic leather strap;
• RN-WK0006S is the anniversary model, comes with a real leather strap and limited to 300 pieces.

Orient also launched a new page on its website, dedicated to the brand's anniversary.

 

Orient Star Models

Orient Star's 75^th anniversary only takes place next year, in 2026. So the following are not "anniversary" models, just nice new color variants.

Orient Star M34 Avant-garde F8 Skeleton references:

·         RK-BZ0004B has a black case, bracelet and dial;

·         RK-BZ0005G has a golden case and dial, steel bezel and brown nylon strap, and is limited to 200 units.

Layered Skeleton references:

·         RK-AV0B10G has a golden dial and brown leather strap;

·         RK-AV0B12E has a mint-green dial, and (unlike the global version) comes with both a steel bracelet and leather strap. It is limited to 400 units.

Contemporary Standard references:

·         RK-AU0107E has a green dial;

·         RK-AU0108G has a copper dial;

·         RK-AU0109L has a blue dial;

·         RK-AU0110N has a grey dial;

·         RK-AU0111R has a red dial, and is exclusive to Orient's online store.

Note that whereas special editions, like this red beauty, used to be "Prestige Shop" exclusive, they now tend to be Online Store exclusive – for obvious reasons.

Orient Does Snoopy: a Co-Branded Anniversary

A couple of weeks ago, we encountered the first batch of "75^th Anniversary" releases from Orient, and today, the brand takes it up a notch and, in a step taken by many a watchmaker before them, does a Peanuts collab.

To be honest, an Orient x Peanuts anniversary celebration actually makes sense, as both originated in the same year, 1950. Indeed, around the same time that the Orient factory began its production, Charles Schulz began drawing and publishing his famed "Peanuts" cartoons, starring Charlie Brown, Snoopy the dog, and a little yellow bird called Woodstock.

In this sense, while Orient's effort might not be the most original, it is no less justified than previous Snoopy watches. Looking at some of those watches, Omega's being perhaps the most notable, Orient has nothing to be ashamed of.

The current collaboration includes four references, mostly versions of the brand's most recognizable models, and – as such collaborations usually go – all are limited editions, although produced in fairly large numbers.

First, we have two automatic 38mm Bambino, or "Classic and Simple", models. Reference RA-AC0M16S has a white dial and is limited to 7,650 pieces, while ref. RA-AC0M17G has a cream dial and is limited to 2,900 pieces. Both have a Japanese market equivalent: RN-AC0M16S and RN-AC0M17G, limited to 150 and 200 pieces respectively.

Next, we have the 40mm Mako, or "Diver Design", with a white dial. Reference RA-AC0Q08S is limited to 3,650 pieces, while the JDM version ref. RN-AC0Q08S is limited to 150 pieces.

Finally, there is the contemporary semi-skeleton model. Reference RA-AR0011S is limited to 1,800 pieces, with an additional 100 pieces of the JDM ref. RN-AR0011S available in Japan.

While the new references are generally identical to their base models, there are a number of notable features added here:

·         Most obvious, of course, are the images of Snoopy and Woodstock on the dial.

·         All models bear the special cursive logo that Orient reserves for special occasions.

·         All models have a special logo on the back, combining the 75^th anniversary and Snoopy images. The Mako has it engraved, while the other watches have it painted on the case-back crystal.

·         The Mako and Bambino watches have a unique date wheel, where the "1" has been replaced with the image of Woodstock.

·         The watches are packaged in a special anniversary box.

Note that all these perks don't come for free though; the Snoopy models all cost about 15% more than their base models. These watches should become available in March.