Orient is kicking off 2021 with the introduction of a new Orient Star "Skeleton" model, equipped with a new movement featuring a respectable 70-hour power reserve. This is also a nice nod to the 70th anniversary of the Orient Star brand, being celebrated this year. And it's 30 years since the introduction of Orient's first skeleton movement. Let's party then!
The
star (pun intended) of the show is no doubt, the movement, being both in full
view and boasting advanced watchmaking tech applied for the first time in an Orient
timepiece. The new "46 series F8" movements utilize a new silicon
escape wheel developed in house by Epson, Orient's parent company, to make
power last for almost an entire day longer than the previous skeletonized caliber
48E51.
70
hours are considered a dress-watch benchmark, enabling owners to take the watch
off at the end of the workweek, switch to their weekend attire and (presumably)
sports watch for the next three nights and two days, then put the dress watch
back on without having to wind it.
Accuracy
of the new movement has been greatly improved as well, now declaring +15/-5
seconds per day, instead of the old movement's +25/-15.
Orient
is releasing two versions of the new Orient Star Skeleton: Reference RK-AZ0001S
has a champagne-colored dial, and its movement is finished in gold. Reference RK-AZ0002S
features a white dial and silver-colored movement. The watches house hand-wound
calibers F8B62 and F8B63, respectively, differing only in their color, as
mentioned.
Case
size for both references has been very slightly reduced compared to the older
skeleton model: width is down from 39mm to 38.8, while thickness and length
remain at 10.6mm and 46mm respectively. Lug width is still 20mm. Water
resistance remains at 5 bar.
In
comparison to the older Orient Star Skeleton models, it appears that overall
finishing has also been taken to a higher level in the new models, offering more
elaborate decoration and chamfering of the various bridges and visible parts of
the movement.
The
view from the case back also seems nicer now, and in the new models is viewed
through a sapphire crystal instead of the old models' mineral glass. Front crystal,
of course, is sapphire as well.
What
we have here then is a very impressive piece of watchmaking. Being positioned
as the brand's new flagship, the Orient Star Skeleton showcases the
manufacturer's engineering, design, finishing, and overall watchmaking skills.
All
this comes at a price, of course. The new models will both be priced at close
to 3,000 USD, almost a 20% increase over the older model. However, this increase
appears very reasonable considering the many improvements.
The
new Orient Star Skeleton should be available to purchase starting March 18, 2021. Till then, watch this space, as within a week or two the blog will feature the story of Orient Star history!
They used the same tech as the escape wheel to color the hands blue! Looks indistinguishable from thermal bluing, IMHO. The technical process involved is truly out of this world. Prepare yourself, this is a very advanced read. A mind boggling achievement, nanometer scale tolerances... my goodness:
ReplyDeletehttps://patents.google.com/patent/JP6908064B2/en
It says the coloring is also not limited to blue, so I wonder if we may see other variants in the future. I'm surprised Epson hasn't bragged more about this, as they've earned the right and then some.
Still, shows their humility that no one is speaking broadly on this. I had to dig a bit to find it. I can't see the Swiss being so quiet and reserved with such a cutting-edge innovation. This has definitely convinced me to pick up one of these skeletons. What would the Swiss charge for the same, like 5-9k+ USD?
Interesting! True, Orient is sometimes too modest, compared to the fluff other brands pile up.
DeleteIt's almost refreshing compared to other brand's marketing, but I think they need to do a little more to heal the reputation for being "cheap". I don't feel that way, but I've seen that opinion around a lot, and it seems to line up with Kazushi Yoshida's words on the state of Orient before and after Epson's acquisition.
DeleteOne thing is certain: the future of Orient looks to be very exciting indeed!
Hola, que diferencia hay entre estos modelos y las referencias RE-AZ0004S y RE-AZ0005S? Lo único que veo es que llevan unas correas diferentes, pero el reloj parece el mismo, no se si es así.
ReplyDeleteOne has a silver dial (the non- skeletonized part), the other a warmer color.
DeleteNo me refiero a la diferencia entre el modelo RK-AZ0001S y el RK-AZ0002S.
DeleteMe refiero a las diferencias entre el RK-AZ0001S (RE-AZ0001S) y el RE-AZ0004S, así como entre el RK-AZ0002S (RE-AZ0002S) y el RE-AZ0005S
Right! Yes the difference is just the strap. The earlier models (0001/2S) were bundles with crocodile leather, which is forbidden from import into many countries nowadays, so the later models got a different type of leather.
DeleteMuchas gracias por la respuesta 🙂.
DeleteEstéticamente me gusta más la nueva, pero he visto en una tienda que ha pasado de costar 2300€ el modelo de piel de cocodrilo a 2900€ el mismo reloj con la nueva correa de cordovan 😏
Sabes si a este reloj le vale algún brazalete de metal de Orient Star?
ReplyDeleteIf you want a bracelet, there is the OS Contemporary Skeleton - RK-AZ0102N (I think it is only JDM).
ReplyDeleteNice post thank you Julie
ReplyDelete