Orient Bambino 36mm No-Date Review

Back in August, Orient presented a new range of Bambino models, housed in a modest 36mm case and featuring the time-only movement previously presented with the 38mm version of the watch.

I got my hands on one of these new models – the ivory-dial reference RA-BB0104Y. I would probably have chosen this one if given the choice of all references, so – good for me. Now, let's see what this watch is all about…

 

How It Looks

Bambinos, in their many versions and variations, always looked good. This one is no exception, and from a purist's perspective (which I'm not, but it's a valid view on dress watches) it might be close to the top, appearance-wise.

This model represents the classic dress watch approach by any standard: time-only, small, legible. Yet, it is not boring or old-fashioned.

The dial is handsome and suits this style of watch well. It is non-intrusive, but far from trivial. The hands are dark blue indoors but shine bright blue in the sunlight. Either way, they contrast well with the beige (or cream, or ivory) dial. All in all, I find it a more appealing combination than basic silver on black or black on white.

A subtle change that was made, the word "automatic" is now wider than the Orient logo itself; it somehow feels more right, better balanced. You'd notice this in the new Mako models as well.

Zoom in, and everything looks smooth and well-made. From up close, just like when viewed from a couple of feet away, the new Bambino is elegant and harmonious.

 

How It Wears

Strangely, the watch feels much bigger than when I reviewed the original 36mm Bambino back in 2019. I actually had to measure it to be sure I didn't get the 38mm version… I can't quite put my finger on it, but something feels different.

At least on paper, the dimensions are similar – with a 36.4mm width, 42.2mm length lug to lug, and 12.3mm thickness.

It seems the strap grew to 18mm (from 17mm), which suggests some changes were made to the case design. Could it be that moving from 17 to 18mm is exactly where you cross from a woman's watch to a man's (or unisex) watch? Is it all in my head? I'm wearing this model on my wrist as I type, and it absolutely feels natural.

In addition, the strap now tapers just to 16mm (back then it tapered to 14) – and this design definitely makes it much more unisex than the old thin strap.

The strap is of good quality for the price – quite supple, was a little bit stiff on arrival but softened quickly and evenly. Combined with the small, lightweight case, this makes for an overall very comfortable wearing experience.

The strap that came with the watch is also a quick-change one, so replacing it is as easy as it gets, and at 18mm, you have many more options off-the-shelf, compared to the old 17mm band size.

 

How It Functions

The movement powering the no-date Bambino is Orient's caliber F6524 – same as in the 38mm version. It features a 40-hour power reserve and both automatic and manual winding.

Somehow, the unit I got to review is one of the most accurate watches I have ever worn or tested, and has consistently sped up just 1 second per day - on or off the wrist. Not that I'm complaining, but what kind of voodoo is that?

And there really is very little to complain about – the watch is easy to wind and set the time, it is wearable and light on the wrist, and the dial is very legible, though it lacks lume (which is quite standard with classic dress watches).

The Bambino is definitely not a beater, though: It still only offers 30m water resistance, and its crystal is mineral glass.

 

The Bottom Line

The Bambino is a classic budget dress watch, and now in its smaller no-date guise, it is even more elegant than before. It is still good value for money, despite not looking cheap in any way.

The 36mm case size fits slimmer wrists – both male and female – and even worked surprisingly well on my 7.25" wrist. Oddly, the Bambino matured as it got smaller.

 

The blog would like to thank Orient – Epson Europe for providing us with this Bambino for review.

Orient Flusso Review

Orient presented the new “Flusso” model some three weeks ago. Being the brand’s first entry into the (not-so-) new and (still quite) popular integrated-bracelet trend, it raised somewhat of a conversation. A watch waiting for a hands-on review, then. Here we go…

The blog was provided with a copy of the fanciest version of the Flusso, the limited edition reference RA-BB0205R. “A copy” is indeed the proper term, as this is a demo unit without a working movement. So, the review will focus on the look and feel of the watch, rather than its operation.

 

How It Looks

The first impression, as countless people have already noted, is its resemblance to the popular Tissot PRX and, to a lesser extent, the Citizen Tsuyosa. This isn’t a huge surprise, given the category's common design lines. When you start with a reasonably sized and shaped case, and want it to flow naturally and smoothly into a reasonably sized and shaped bracelet, many of the design decisions are already made.

For a dash of individuality, Orient reached back into its vintage catalog, and found inspiration in the old SK models. Most notably, it borrowed the four notches around the dial, and the asymmetrical case. For this limited edition, it also took the deep red/burgundy dial.

Indeed, the dial is the star of this watch, executed as “Geneva stripes” in gradually darkening colors, which play nicely with the light. It adds character to the dial, which is aesthetic but otherwise quite generic.

The hands and markers are all very legible and stand out against the dial. Around the minute track, every 15^th marker is replaced with a small number indicating the minutes or seconds, which is a nice touch. However, the dial is mostly a very minimalistic affair, with just the Orient logo and the word “automatic” printed on it – there’s isn’t even a date window.

A simple design calls for a good-quality execution to make it work. Orient usually knows how to execute simple designs on a budget, and the Flusso is no exception. Don’t expect luxury, or an Orient Star level of finishing here, but for a Mako/Bambino range piece it is satisfying. The case and bracelet are mostly finely brushed, while the bezel and chamfers along the side of the case are polished.

Generally speaking, the watch achieves its main goal, offering a flowing integrated bracelet design that is simple enough but offers just enough character to set it apart.

 

How It Feels

The Flusso feels reasonably hefty and solid, as one would expect from a watch with a steel bracelet that starts out with wide links. At 141 g, it’s about the same as the aforementioned Tissot and Citizen.

The bracelet is satisfactory at the price level. The single-piece links mesh nicely without hair-pulling. It does not include half-links, but the clasp offers one micro-adjustment, equivalent to something like a 1/3 link. The clasp itself, of the trifold buckle type, is comfortable and not bulky.

The rugged feel of the watch, along with its 100m of water resistance, sapphire crystal and utilitarian, no-frills design, make it a suitable daily beater.

Case dimensions also make it a versatile piece, measuring 39mm wide and 47mm long. The lug width starts at 24mm, and tapers down to around 19mm (while the clasp width is 20mm). Interestingly, the watch thickness is listed as 10.9mm on Orient’s website, but early publication indicated it was 11.5mm. Well, I measured it: it really is 11.5.

The Bottom Line

Costing less than a Quartz PRX (and way less than the automatic ones) the Flusso is perhaps better compared to the Citizen, which is also more expensive but by a much smaller margin. The Citizen offers a more elaborate bracelet design, and a date window, while its movement offers a lesser accuracy (+40/-20 sec per day, vs. Orient’s +25/-15 sec) and it is only rated to 50m.

The PRX, meanwhile, offers a movement with superior specs (power reserve and accuracy), but at a considerably higher price point and without noticeably better build quality.

Possibly, then, the Orient would appeal more as a practical, robust, go-anywhere watch, while the Citizen offers a more refined look as office wear, and the Tissot would appeal to those who are willing to pay a bit of a premium for a touch of Swiss-Made.

All in all, welcome to the integrated-bracelet-sports-watch game, Orient. A bit late, but with a valid entry ticket and, most importantly, a good watch.

The blog would like to thank Orient – Epson Europe for providing us this watch for review.