Orient Brazil Celebrates 50 Years With New Model

Orient Brazil is celebrating 50 years since its transformation from an independent local importer to an Orient company (although local manufacturing began five years later). To commemorate the event, the company has just released a special model which goes by the sexy name "F49SS029".

While the Brazilian watchmaker's product lines do not always follow its Japanese origins, the new release has proper Orient DNA. Its shape is classic Orient, with the bulky case, colorful dial, tristar symbol, rotating inner bezel, and two crowns.

The movement is Orient's good old F4902. It is almost identical to the caliber 46943, except that the day and date can both be changed from the crown in 2^nd position (instead of using a button). Like the 469 this movement is automatic, with about 40 hours of power reserve, and does not offer hand-winding or hacking.

The new watch has two versions, each in limited numbers, and the numbering actually tells a story: watches numbered 1-972 are the "Japan" version, having a blue dial with some red markers; while those numbered 973-2023, 1973-2023 being the years now celebrated, are the "Brazil" version. Of course, the Brazilian website does not forget to mention blue and green are their countries' respective football team uniforms.

The watches measure 44mm wide and 50mm lug to lug, making them slightly larger than the similar offerings from Orient Japan such as the Neo Classic Sport and World Diver Reissue. Front crystal is sapphire, and the case-back is decorated with a golden medallion in true vintage style.

Orient Brazil often provides its watches with generous packaging and this one is no exception, as the box includes a set of three straps: a sporty leather strap, steel mesh and – very thoughtfully – a jubilee-style bracelet: after all, this is a jubilee being celebrated!

The watches currently sell (in Brazil only, as always) for around $2700 Real, which is close to 550 USD. Pretty decent value, if you can get your hands on one.