Orient Place

Orient Place

Thursday 25 November 2021

Orient Star Retrograde WZ0041DE Review

Earlier this month I wrote about Orient's retrograde watches. I usually like to follow such stories with some hands-on review of an actual model, and this one is no exception… So, without further ado, I give you the Orient Star reference WZ0041DE!


This watch does not need much time to impress, in fact – it only takes one quick look to start admiring it. Admiration that grows when you begin examining it more closely. We'll dive into the details shortly, but I think the thing about it that drives that immediate appreciation is a very precise, appropriate ratio of metal shininess to subtle dial space.

You can also talk about harmony and balance and proportions. But I guess another, even better way to put it would be: it's a pretty little machine, really.


The markers and other dial elements – most dominant of which is that arc secluding the retrograde weekday display – are beautifully executed, and reflect light in a near-Grand-Seiko-like manner of sparkle.

The hands are relatively simple, but just as well executed. The big hour and minute hands are lumed, as are the small dots next to each hour marker. Other, smaller hands, are not – and thankfully so, leaving the nighttime view uncluttered.


Behind, on the dial surface, Orient has provided plenty of intricate textures to keep matters more interesting. So, on the broad surface of the main dial you get wavy concentric shapes that change into circles around the hour track. The weekdays sub-dial is decorated with a flowerlike relief. The date and power-reserve sub-dials are adorned with simpler geometric shapes.

While looking very cool under the macro lens, these textures also have a positive impact on how the dial appears from a couple feet away. They do not just create a pleasant matte look, but because of the varying textures also produce differences in the shades of white around the dial. It's effects like this that make the Orient Star look more expensive than it is.


On the wrist, the WZ0041DE is very comfortable. It might be thicker than most dress watches at 14.3mm, but talking in absolute terms this is still very acceptable – similar to many dive, sports and chronograph watches.

The other dimensions of the watch are all very restrained, being 39.5 mm wide without the crown, and 46mm lug to lug – perfectly wearable on most wrist sizes. It would look good on smaller wrists, whereas the visual mass of the steel bracelet prevents it from looking lost on bigger arms. That said, it might be a good idea for people of larger wrists to stick with versions such as this reference, which come on a bracelet, and avoid the ones that come on a leather strap.

Speaking of bracelets – this one here doesn't just look good, but is really solid and well made. It definitely adds to the wearing comfort of the watch.


The movement, as mentioned in the previous post, is caliber 40A50. Other than the retrograde complication, it operates very much like other movements in the caliber 40 family, with both automatic and hand winding, and second-hand hacking. The date and day are both adjusted from the crown, in the second position, while time is set in the third (outmost) position.

One important thing to note, in case you buy this watch without its original manual: while most non-retrograde variants of the caliber 40 family allow you to set the date and day after 2am, here (and in other Orient retrograde models) you should not change the date between 10pm and 4am. Indeed the rule of thumb for most mechanical watches is, to set the date after 6am – but do take extra caution with this watch.

The movement offers no particular decoration, making the view from the back fairly unexciting. Don't expect to see any of the perlage and Geneva stripes found on later models.


To sum it all up – the Orient Star ref. WZ0041DE is a great example of the brand's retrograde watches. It looks great, is well made, and its myriad complications and decorations will ensure you won't get bored with it so quickly – or at all.

 

I would like to thank Orient fan and friend of the blog, Mr. Itzhak G., for allowing me some time to play with, and take photos of, his personal Orient Star Retrograde.

 

13 comments:

  1. These are beautiful and on my wish list. The only problem is I cannot decide which model / dial color I like best! ~Lancasterwatch

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    1. Well isn't this a good problem to have 😃

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    2. I agree.
      Random question, are there Orient Star models with the date at the 6 o'clock position? Obviously it is usually at the 3 o'clock, and I have seen it at the 9 o'clock too. ~Lancasterwatch

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    3. Interestingly I can't think of any OS new or old with a date window at 6. Though there are non-Star orients with it, and a few OS with a date sub-dial at 6...

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    4. Well, if YOU can't think of any OS with a date window at 6, then probably there aren't any! You are Mr. Orient after all.

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    5. No-date Orients (or Orient Stars) are pretty exceptional as well- perhaps you can do a write-up for one of the all-time favorites in my collection- The mechanical hand-wind, "WZ0011DD" (and/or the gold-plated sister, 21DD).

      Such a rich design heritage they drew on- looking at certain 21-jeweled Royal Orient models, from the early 60's, the inspiration/ancestry is clear. Hands, indices, and silver sunburst dial are very nearly the same.

      I love the "Dynamic" WZ0021EH too, but that seems to be even harder to find than an 11DD or 21DD.

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    6. Two proper grails you're mentioning there Sir... both the DD and the Dynamic re-issue are fantastic, and the dynamic is amazing in how true to original it is.

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    7. They are great examples to showcase what Orient is really capable of... only outshined by the sadly discontinued modern Royal Orients. Love your articles on those gems too.

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  2. Why Orient has stopped production of such a beautiful watch. It is no more listed on their official website. Don't know why they stopped this beauty

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    1. Simply, it's an aging movement, from two generations ago. This means maintaining outdated tooling, assembly lines and knowledge, for a relatively small production volume. It's safe to assume it was no longer economically viable. I just hope we'll see the complication return in F6/7 guise.

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  3. While I think it's far from "high end" decor, I think the concentric circular pattern on the bridges is Seigaiha. Some people just mistake it for a rough perlage, but, looking closely, it appears to be the traditional Japanese pattern. Nice little touch, I can't think of any other movts. with Seigaiha decor.

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    1. You may have a point there! Their decor is definitely lined up like seigaiha and not scattered like classic perlage

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