Orient Kicks off 2024 with no less than 7 new watches, each a new
variation of a current Orient Star model. Let's see what we got…
"Moving Blue"
First, there's a batch of watches under Orient's ongoing "moving
blue" series, all featuring – you guessed it! – blue dials. This time
round it is a fairly light, sky-blue shade, that has been applied to three of
the brand's semi-skeleton models.
·
RE-AV0127L is a Modern
Skeleton, limited edition of 900 pieces.
·
RE-AT0019L is the
"regular" Semi Skeleton, a limited edition of 700.
·
RE-ND0020L is the ladies'
classic semi-skeleton, featuring also a golden bezel, limited to 400
pieces.
There are identical JDM versions (references starting with RK) as well
as "Prestige Shop" editions RK-AV0128L, RK-AT0020L, and RK-ND0021L
which are the same but are supplied with a leather band on top of the standard
steel bracelet.
M34 F8 Skeleton
Next, it is the flagship M34
full skeleton with its 70 hour F8 movement. Reference RE-AZ0104L is a new
limited edition of 100 units, featuring dark grey plating of the bezel, and of
the dial elements (the few that remained through skeletonization…)
The JDM version of this, RK-AZ0103L, comes with a black leather strap in
addition to the finely polished steel bracelet that both versions are equipped
with.
M34 F7 Models
Orient has also announced two watches in its M34 F7 collection. Caliber F7 is positioned between the F6 and F8. It features just 50 hours of power reserve but has the improved +15/-5 seconds per day accuracy of the higher-end
movement.
·
RE-AY0202A is the Orient
Star contemporary
collection moon-phase, with the full dial (no open heart) version.
·
RE-BY0009A is the Open
Heart, time-only (and power-reserve) watch.
Both releases are limited to 200 pieces, and feature a grey gradient
mother-of-pearl dial. The JDM versions (ref. RK-AY0201A and RK-BY0008A) are
similar but again, are sold with both bracelet and leather strap.
M42 Diver 1964
Finally, there's a new version of the Orient with the longest name: M42
Diver 1964 2nd Edition F6 Date Titanium. This limited edition of 365
pieces, ref. RE-AU0702B, features gold-colored accents on the bezel, hands
(including the PR hand), hour markers, logo, and the frame around the date
aperture.
JDM version RK-AU0702B is identical – no leather straps for the dive
watch, please…
The light blue dial looks good, same for the mother of pearl moonphase watch. Especially I like the contrast to the black outer ring with minute markers. And thankfully there's no open heart for the moonphase, which makes it much more attractive.
ReplyDeleteI would also wish a clean, elegant dial for the hand wind watch with F8 movement. I'm really no big fan of these skeleton dials, which make these watches look so busy.
Well they do have the "F8 Date" - the dial is textured but it's not skeletonized. But truly not the same and only 60 hours. A full 70 hour, hand wind, clean dial F8 in a classic case (not the contemporary) would make a perfect dress watch!
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