Orient Star Skeleton Hands-On Review

Orient has been producing skeleton watches since 1991, and its full catalog of semi-skeleton and full skeleton models is the largest among Japanese watchmakers – and probably larger than most watch brands. Still, the latest member of this long lineage came completely out of left field when it was announced earlier this month.

The new Orient Star Skeleton reference RE-BR0001N is perhaps the most ambitious watch the brand has released: more impressive, more exclusive, and more expensive than anything it has done in years – at least since the demise of the Royal Orient line.

Has this ambition been matched by the execution – and does the new watch ultimately live up to what Orient Star set out to create? Well – that’s what the blog is here for! So with the new Orient Star Skeleton in hand, let’s dive in.

How It Looks

Well, it looks fantastic, whether you’re a fan of skeleton or not (and I generally am not – I always prefer to see the art and craft of a well-made dial).

First, it really is the brand’s “most skeletonized” watch, the only exception being the old “Mon Bijou” (which, frankly, was hardly a typical Orient, and was not even branded as such). The new F9 movement has had most of its back plate removed, leaving only a bunch of beautifully circular bridges to hold the mechanism together.

The dial was likewise skeletonized, however the arcs and circles serving as a backdrop to the hands and markers are not an exact mirroring of the movement, so the moving parts are not fully exposed. Such exposure would perhaps be preferred by some, but it would also probably reduce the legibility of the watch and let more – possibly too much – wrist skin show through.

The end result is a fine balancing act. The watch face is extremely attractive, with just the right amount of transparency. The impression is greatly enhanced by the very fine level of execution, with chamfered edges across the dial (for lack of a better word) elements providing nice glitter, and the curved, SAR-coated sapphire crystal adding clarity.

The heat-blued hour and minute hands, and the blue silicon escape wheel, add a touch of colour which stands out among the all-metallic components. The hour markers – polished Roman numerals – are also relatively noticeable. Other functional bits, like the second hand and power-reserve indicator, blend into the mix of arcs and movement parts.

Yes, there’s also a case... lovely, well proportioned, smooth-polished on top and brushed on the sides, with aesthetically-grooved lugs holding the black strap.

Honestly, the watch looks nearly flawless – unless of course, you just completely hate skeletons. And even then it might make you reconsider...

 

How It Wears

The new Orient Star Skeleton is slightly larger than previous skeletons from the brand, and it works well, not only because it provides a suitable stage for the skeletonized movement to play on.

Case width is 40mm, compared to 38.8 and 39 of the classic “M45” and contemporary “M34” versions of the previous, F8 skeleton models. Lug to lug difference is minimal, at 46.8mm vs 46/46.5; and thickness is nicely reduced to 9.5mm, compared to 10.6 and 10.8mm of the older models.

This size is perfectly manageable for most wrist sizes. The fairly slim case and curved lugs add to the wearing comfort, and the soft 20mm goat leather strap supplied with the watch is properly supple and just the right thickness.

The strap has a unique texture that makes it quite comfortable and non-sticky on hotter days. The trifold deployant buckle is excellent quality, flat on the inside and practically unnoticeable on the wrist.

This being a hand-winding watch, with no rotor weight, and also having a very minimal inner structure, means the watch is light – weighing a mere 64 g. Keep in mind that as a manual-winding watch there’s no need to wear the watch too tight (as you don’t need to ensure efficient rotor movement), and it all adds up to the best wearing experience one could hope for.

How It Functions

The new Orient Skeleton is powered by a new hand-wound movement, caliber F9B82. Besides its aforementioned visual properties, it also offers a higher level of accuracy than any other Orient movement currently in production: +10 / -4 seconds per day. Mind you, certain Royal Orient movements offered COSC-level accuracy of +6/-4 seconds per day… but that was some 20 years ago.

Putting this accuracy to the test is not so easy, though, with a complete absence of second/minute markers, and in a way, it does not really seem to be the key point of this watch. The 70+ hours of power reserve – measurable using the power-reserve indicator – are a more significant feature of the movement.

Equally important for a premium model such as this, is the smoothness of the movement. Winding it and setting the time are indeed buttery smooth. The crown is large enough and grippy.

Durability has been compromised here: offering only 3 atm of water resistance, less than the 5 atm of the previous skeletons, this is the most basic level of resistance. In other words, don’t get it wet.

As long as you keep it safe from water and other nature’s hazards, it should operate reliably well into the future, and Orient stands behind this assurance by offering a 10 year warranty, including three complimentary overhaul services should any be required during that period.

Bottom Line

With the new F9 Skeleton, Orient has achieved a very high peak in watchmaking. This should not surprise anyone who has been following such recent premium releases as the M34 F8 Date Meteorite and the M45 F8 Moon Phase Hand-Winding. It seems that with Orient Star, the brand is carving a unique niche for itself, producing premium models that are distinctive from anything produced by its always-in-comparison neighbors, Seiko and Citizen.

All that excellence and distinction do come with a price: around 7,000 USD, to be precise. Way above and beyond both budget and expectations of most Orient fans – including Orient Star buyers. But, limited to only 130 pieces, and attractive and unique as it is, I’m pretty sure all units made will be sold.

With watches like this, Orient are leaving its familiar “value for money” territory, and are entering a domain where consumers want to be moved by passion, where a product is not purchased for its practicality but because it makes one forget – for a few moments – about what they need, or what other uses they would have for the same amount of money. How well the brand manages to operate in this territory remains to be seen. But as far as watchmaking is concerned – Orient has made its point.

 

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

  

Orient Star F9 Skeleton

Normally, I'd stack new Orient Star announcements onto one blog post, but seeing this beast of a watch, I knew it had to receive its own dedicated item. This is the new Orient Star fully skeletonized watch, and it is an absolute beauty.

Orient has been making good-looking skeleton watches for many years, ranging from the feminine, ornate "Mon Bijou" in 1991, through the highly technical (and incredibly rare) 2010 Royal Orient WE0011DU, until the most recent F8 Contemporary Skeleton with its silicon escape wheel.

With the new Orient Star RE-BR0001N, the brand has taken this concept to a whole new level of execution.

At the heart of the watch is a new hand-wound movement, caliber F9B82, which features a 72-hour power reserve and the best accuracy of any Orient watch: +10/-4 seconds per day. This comes very close to COSC standards (+6/-4). Like the F8, it also uses a silicon escape wheel.

However, it's the movement design that makes it truly unique – see how most components of the movement are packed in a circle (which is normal), yet the balance wheel is located just outside the circle, and then, see how the skeletonized dial reflects the movement design. This is major league watch design.

Attention to detail is obvious in every corner of this watch (or rather, in every arc; there's hardly any corners here), as is the level of fit and finish. It really looks like Orient Star wanted to gift itself with something very special for its 75^th anniversary.

The result is a gorgeous, quite legible dial for a skeleton. The blued hour and minute hands stand out nicely; the seconds hand, not so much, but then it makes sense in a watch that, while maintaining excellent accuracy, is not intended for people in a rush. And there are no second (or minute) markers, anyway.

The case is also distinctive, boasting an outline unlike that of other Orient Star watches. It is slightly larger than the F8 Skeleton, measuring 40mm wide and 46.8mm long (compared to 39 x 46.5), yet noticeably thinner at 9.5mm (vs. 10.8). Lug width is 22mm.

Bundling this very airy case with a light leather strap results in a watch that weighs only 64 grams. The only downside to this watch is the modest 3 ATM water resistance.

The price fits a flagship model: around €6,000, making it one of Orient's most expensive models ever, if not the most expensive. Is it worth it? Stay tuned, as a hands-on review is definitely in the works!

 

Orient Star Sakigake

A brand new Orient Star model was just announced – the "Sakigake" (Japanese for forerunner, or a pioneer). At first glance, its design is remarkably simple, making this one of those watches where the small details and quality of execution will ultimately make or break it. So let's dive into the details…

First of all, it's easy to notice what's not there: No date window. No power-reserve indicator. And just minimal dial text – the Orient Star logo, and "automatic". Compare this with the Orient Flusso, also recently announced, and a clear trend emerges.

What we do get is a time-only watch with rather elaborate, three-dimensional hour markers and nicely shaped hands to match, placed inside a smooth-looking case attached to an equally slick bracelet.

The case is 39mm wide, 47mm long, and 11.8mm thick – pretty standard and versatile proportions. Orient seems particularly proud of the bracelet, which has been designed for maximum comfort.

The movement is a new F7 variant, caliber F7542. It features the standard F7 specs of automatic winding and 50 hours of power reserve, and, most importantly, is accurate to within +15/-5 seconds per day.

At this time, we are getting four references: RE-BQ0001G with a yellow gold dial, RE-BQ0002L with a blue dial, RE-BQ0003S with a silver dial, and the limited edition RE-BQ0004Y with a copper dial and black-plated hands and markers.

Pricing is €880 for the standard models and €960 for the limited edition. Which means the Sakigake is now the lowest priced Orient Star with the improved accuracy.

Whether or not the design works can only be judged after seeing the new model in person. If it really works and turns out as comfortable and well-made as Orient promises, it could become a very attractive watch.

 

New Orient Star 75th Anniversary Watches Released

Orient has just unveiled three new watches to celebrate the 75^th anniversary of its Orient Star brand. These are new versions of familiar product lines.

 

M45 F8 Moon Phase

First up is this lovely new dial variant of the brilliant M45 F8 Mechanical Moonphase Hand Winding, a model reviewed on the blog last year.

The new watch, reference RE-BW0008B, looks just as fantastic as the one reviewed, while leaning less into clean simplicity and more into elaborate intricacy. In the words of Orient, the new dial captures the quiet beauty of “the moon drifting through clouds,” inspired by moonlight breaking through a clear autumn sky. Its richly layered dial combines nanoparticle metal multilayering, dimensional printing, and a three-layer moon phase display with mother-of-pearl, creating remarkable depth and the impression of moonlight naturally emerging through the clouds.

Mechanically, it is the same as last year's moonphase release: at its heart is the in-house caliber F8A62, a hand-wound movement with a 70-hour power reserve. The 39.5 mm stainless-steel case is paired with a black cordovan leather strap, while the caseback bears the Orient Star 75th Anniversary inscription and an individual limited-edition serial number.

The watch will be limited to just 140 pieces worldwide.

 

Open Heart Pair

In addition, a pair of matching open-heart Orient Star watches was introduced: a women's Classic Semi-Skeleton, and a Modern Skeleton. Both feature a similar dial finish, which appears bluish in the images but which Orient describes as a green-gradient dial inspired by the changing colors of the aurora, transitioning from a lighter center to darker tones around the edge.

The Modern Skeleton combines this gradation with expanded openwork, a larger small-seconds display, and a new sandblasted finish, revealing more of the mechanical movement beneath the dial. The more compact Classic Semi Skeleton uses the same aurora-inspired palette, complemented by rose gold-colored accents around the openwork, crown, Roman numeral markers, and Orient Star logo. Both models also feature the serial number and the 75th-anniversary mark on their case backs.

The Modern Skeleton, reference RE-AV0140E, features the cut-out design presented earlier this year. Mechanically, it is the same, 41mm case housing the brand's automatic caliber F6F44. It will be limited to 1,600 pieces worldwide.

The Classic Semi-Skeleton, ref. RE-ND0024E, uses the old (but apparently still fitting) small cal. 55C22. This automatic movement features a 40-hour power reserve. This one is limited to just 800 pieces.

 

"New Orient" and the First Orient Star

When discussing Orient's early history, two watches stand out. The first is the New Orient, introduced in 1950. The second is the Orient Star, introduced a year later. Together, these watches marked the beginning of the modern Orient Company and established themes that would remain visible throughout much of the brand's history.

Although the company that launched the New Orient was formed in 1950, its roots stretched back much further. Shogoro Yoshida opened a watch shop in Ueno in 1901, a bustling commercial district in eastern Tokyo, and gradually expanded into manufacturing. By the 1930s, production had moved to a factory in Hino, west of central Tokyo, where watches were produced under the Toyo Tokei name.

The war and the difficult years that followed eventually led to the closure of the company in 1949, but the Hino factory itself remained. In July 1950, production resumed under a newly established company called Tama Keiki.

The first watch produced by the new company was the New Orient. It was a simple hand-wound watch with a small seconds display, and by modern standards there was little about it that would attract much attention. Its importance lies elsewhere. The New Orient demonstrated that watch production at Hino could continue and that the newly formed company once again had a product to bring to market.

The watch appears to have been successful enough to influence the company's future direction. In 1951, Tama Keiki adopted the name Orient Watch Co., Ltd., effectively taking its identity from the watch that had relaunched the business. The same year also saw the introduction of the Orient Star, a model positioned above the New Orient and intended to represent the company's higher-end offering. More than seventy years later, Orient Star remains one of the few names from Orient's earliest years that is still in active use.

The movement story also appears relatively straightforward. The New Orient was based on a pre-war movement that allowed the newly restarted company to resume production quickly and efficiently. It therefore seems likely that the first Orient Star continued to use the same basic caliber, perhaps with minor refinements appropriate for a higher-end model.

During the following years, Orient gradually improved the movement before eventually unveiling the T-S caliber in 1955 – the first movement developed entirely by the new company. This period also coincided with the arrival of Tamotsu Aoki, a Professor Emeritus of the University of Tokyo and a leading figure in Japanese horology, whose influence likely helped shape the company's growing focus on technical quality and movement development. Rather than pursuing frequent redesigns, Orient appears to have focused on refining a proven foundation while rebuilding its business.

Collectors may notice that both the New Orient and the first Orient Star carried the word "Chronometer" on their dials. While impressive, the designation should be viewed in the context of its era. These were not certified chronometers by modern standards; however, in those early days, the term Chronometer itself was loosely defined, and was often used simply to indicate a premium watch. Later in the 1950s, the terminology became clearer and Orient would no longer use it.

The New Orient and the first Orient Star established two ideas that would remain visible throughout the decades that followed. The New Orient provided the foundation on which the company could rebuild, while the Orient Star established the concept of a premium offering sitting above the standard range. Both themes would reappear repeatedly in later collections, from Royal Orient to the modern Orient Star line.

 

Photos were taken from various old Orient publications and sale ads.

Is Orient Star the New Royal Orient?

Royal Orient used to sit at the top of Orient’s range. It wasn’t a mass-market line, but it wasn’t necessarily understated either. Vintage Royal Orients often leaned into distinctive design, sometimes quite bold, and later models even included solid gold executions such as the WE0011EG. It was, in many ways, a space where Orient allowed itself to be more expressive – both technically and aesthetically.

When the line was discontinued around 2017, it left a gap. At the time, it wasn’t clear whether that gap would be filled, or simply remain part of the brand’s past.

Looking at Orient Star today, the question naturally comes up: has that gap already been filled – just under a different name?

Over the past few years, Orient Star has expanded significantly upward. Where it once focused mainly on mid-range mechanical watches, it now includes pieces that reach into territory once occupied by Royal Orient. Models based on the F8 calibers, hand-wound skeletons, and more recent special dial executions are clearly positioned above the classic Orient Star offerings. Prices for these watches are no longer confined to the traditional sub-$1,000 range that defined much of the line in the past, and in some cases reach into the low-to-mid four figures.

To put that into perspective, modern Royal Orient models from the 2010s were typically priced in roughly the $2,000–$4,000 range, with some pieces going higher depending on materials, complexity, and rarity. Even today, secondary market listings for these watches often fall within that same range. Meanwhile, recent high-end Orient Star releases – such as the meteorite dial F8 model – are priced around $3,500 at launch, well within the same range.

So while exact comparisons are complicated by inflation and changing market conditions, the overlap is hard to ignore. In practical terms, Orient Star has reached the same price territory that Royal Orient once occupied.

At the same time, there remains a noticeable internal spread within Orient Star itself. Entry-level models still follow the familiar formula – reliable, very well executed, but largely industrial in production, often well below $1,000. Higher-end pieces, particularly those using F8 movements, show a different level of attention. This is visible not only in the technical side – silicon escape wheels, longer power reserves – but also in finishing, materials, and overall presentation. It’s not a separate line, but it does feel like a different tier within the same name.

This shift is also visible in the design direction. In the recent meteorite model reviewed on the blog, the watch did not feel out of place alongside significantly more established high-end Japanese names, both in finishing and overall presence. That may be one of the clearest signals of where Orient Star is heading – not just improving internally, but repositioning itself externally.

This raises an interesting point about positioning. Orient, unlike some other Japanese manufacturers, does not seem to aim for the very high-end segment – the five-figure territory associated with brands like Grand Seiko or Credor. That leaves a ceiling that is relatively well-defined. Within that ceiling, the space once occupied by Royal Orient still exists – but it is now being approached from below, through an evolving Orient Star rather than a distinct top-tier label.

So would it make sense to revive the Royal Orient name?

On one hand, it could help clarify the structure. A separate label at the top would make it easier to distinguish between entry-level Orient Star models and the more refined pieces. It would also reconnect the brand with a part of its own history that included both high finishing and more expressive design.

On the other hand, there’s a case for what Orient is already doing. By keeping everything under the Orient Star umbrella, the brand avoids fragmentation and builds equity in a single name. Over time, the higher-end models may simply redefine what “Orient Star” means, stretching it upward rather than splitting it.

In that sense, the question may not be whether Orient Star should become Royal Orient – but whether it already has, in practice if not in name. For now, the technical and design progression is clearly there. The identity, perhaps, is still catching up. And those of us dreaming of a new Royal Orient will probably have to keep dreaming...

 

A Meteorite Among The Stars

I was not ready for it, but it happened: the Orient Star M34 F8 Date Meteorite exceeded my expectations, as high as they already were. I mean, I often like the Orient watches that come my way, but usually I know what to expect. Having a few high-end watches in my collection, I usually stop short of comparing my favorite brand's products with those of the heavyweights of the industry. This one was different.

So, while I usually just post my review and move on, I thought I could do this timepiece justice and follow up with some comparisons to other high-end Japanese watchmakers, possibly ones better known for their premium models.

In my hand, pictured below, are watches that I think are worthy of admiration: Citizen's Campanola – mechanical model, deep-red urushi dial; Grand Seiko's iconic SBGR019; and next to the Orient is the slightly less famous but equally fantastic Divido, by Minase.

The first obvious comparison is Grand Seiko. The classic name that made us talk about Zaratsu polishing and dial textures. Just as its grandparents taught the Swiss industry about accuracy back in the 1960s, it returned in the 2000s to teach the world how high watchmaking craftsmanship and fine finishing can go.

Honestly, the level of polishing and accuracy of details are hard to distinguish between the Orient and the Seiko. The SBGR019 had some unique elements that aren't even very common among other (and newer) GS models. The "beehive" pattern on the dial is hidden until put in direct light. But then, the Meteorite dial is always there, and always gorgeous.

Looking at the bracelet, the Grand Seiko wins, with a design whose complexity really produces extreme comfort. But in all fairness, most current GS watches have lesser bracelets, and the Orient Star's bracelet will not feel underwhelming next to any of those.

Now the Campanola is a different story, a watch born out of a very different design philosophy. With no interest in minimalism whatsoever, this piece boasts layers of components, materials, and colors (and keep in mind that, as far as Campanolas go, this is one of the more restrained models).

Different but still comparable. The Campanola is the more expensive of the bunch, boasting the most amount of handcrafted effort and a Swiss movement with big-date complication. It is exceptionally eye-catching, and its dial also shines in the light, extremely so.

While there's no denying the unique flair of Citizen's premier model, even here the Orient does not look like it would be out of place in the same watch box. Yes, the hand-painted dial of the Campanola is a winner, but it wins even when pitted against watches costing ten times or more.

The Divido sits somewhere in between its bigger brothers. Featuring fine Zaratsu polishing like the Grand Seiko and complex, precise construction like the Campanola, it actually costs less than both (and roughly the same as the Orient Star) and is really a kind of hidden gem among Japanese manufacturers.

Minase takes pride in the Divido bracelet, which feels lighter than the Orient's and Seiko's. It is highly comfortable, and is well adjusted to the watch, which also has a very light and "roomy" case-in-case construction. Again, the Orient Star bracelet does not pale in comparison; rather, it seems chunkier – more appropriate for the M34 case.

This post mainly focuses on looks and craftsmanship, rather than movements and accuracy. I would not compare movements between watches of different ages that were never serviced; as of now, the Orient Star is the most accurate watch I have ever handled more than briefly, keeping about a second a week, albeit with a noticeable difference between rest and wrist-time. The Campanola is a close second, with its fancy (and nicely decorated) La Joux-Perret movement. The Divido and Grand Seiko are accurate enough, both gaining a few seconds per day.

There is no "bottom line" here; these are four fantastic watches, and I just loved to see the Orient Star feel at home among them. It's closer in spirit to the Grand Seiko, the latter obviously serving as inspiration and perhaps – target.

  

Orient Star M34 F8 Date Meteorite Review

Orient presented the M34 F8 Date two years ago. Since its introduction, this model has become the brand's own "mini-Grand-Seiko" (no longer a poor man's Grand Seiko, though!). With its sharply polished case, upgraded specs, and distinctive dials, it was pretty obvious what target market this watch was after, and it made sense: priced like what GS used to cost eons ago, this became an extremely compelling offering.

Now, after a few textured dials in various colors and one very special "meteor shower" dial, comes the real deal: an Orient first, reference RE-BX0010A boasts an actual meteorite. And what a beauty it is!

Announced only a couple of weeks ago, I was happy to get my hands on a sample and enjoy some quality time with this special timepiece – and here are my thoughts…

 

How It Looks

In case photos haven't made it clear, let me spell it out: this is one seriously impressive watch. And a seriously gorgeous one too. Even before diving into the details, this watch simply exudes quality and refinement.

The M34 F8 Date combines brushed and polished surfaces to great effect. The mostly brushed surfaces give it visual heft and substance, and provide contrast for the shiny bezel, chamfers, and polished bits on the bracelet, which can then glitter without appearing too flashy.

The meteorite dial matches this balance of textures perfectly, as grey patches are intermixed with silvery streaks, which shine or dim depending on how light hits them. Seen in still photos, this might give the illusion of a blurry dial that would impede legibility. In reality, though, the 3D effect created by even a slight movement makes the markers stand out.

Let me also emphasize: not all meteorite dials are the same. There are different materials, and you don't just slice some rock and throw it in the watch: there is careful selection, chemical treatment, and so on. I have seen watches with meteorite dials – this one is truly executed to a very high standard.

Examined closely, it becomes clear how well the markers and hands are finished, making them more reflective and contributing to their visibility. In fact, almost any part of this watch where you might want to zoom in, would reveal very fine execution. Even the date aperture isn't just a cutout, but given a lovely (and almost unnoticeable) frame.

Some elements may be at the same level as other, less expensive Orient Stars – I have seen similarly high quality cases in the likes of the Contemporary Standard and Basic Date. The H-link bracelet, though, looks better than most Orients I've handled – possibly, the best-looking bracelet currently offered by the brand.

How It Wears

As with most Orient Star watches, case dimensions are fairly modest: 40mm wide by 47.3mm lug to lug. While it is not very thin at 12.9mm, the thickness isn't really very disturbing on the wrist.

It is interesting to note that the M34 F8 Date appears larger than its dimensions suggest; I actually had to measure it to be sure it isn't the same size as the OS Basic Date (which is, in fact, 2mm wider and 3mm longer!). That is probably due to the visual impact of the dial.

The watch weighs 156g (assuming it's the same as other M34 F8 Date versions). This is about the same as that Basic Date, despite being smaller – and almost the same as the Contemporary Standard, despite being bigger… well, honestly, none of these models is a featherweight, nor a heavyweight. They've all got decent heft that's easy to live with, and the F8 Date is no exception.

On the wrist, it feels comfortable and composed. The review sample I got did not have all its links, so I wore it a bit tighter than I am used to – still, it was comfortable enough to get through the day with it. This is evidence of its well-balanced weight distribution, as well as the smoothness of the inside of the buckle.

The bracelet provides decent sideways flexibility, I think more so than other Orient Star bracelets, and that probably also contributed to the comfort. It is 20mm wide at the lugs, so in theory it could be easily replaced, but trust me: you'll want to keep it.

How It Functions

The M34 F8 Date is powered by caliber F8N64, offering 60+ hours of power reserve, and a stated accuracy of +15/-5 seconds per day. Real-life accuracy is, however, better – in fact, the best I have measured in any Orient – it gained about 3 seconds in a week.

There is noticeable variance between positions, and I could see it gaining or losing a second or two per day, depending on whether it was at rest, active, or lying flat, but it seems Orient got the mix right.

Operating the watch is straightforward. The crown does not lock in, and it is fairly large and grippy. So, winding and setting the watch are as easy as it gets. The power reserve indicator is handy in showing whether any winding is needed at all.

Legibility, as mentioned above, is quite good considering there is no lume on the hands or the dial, thanks to the natural contrast between the hands and the dial. It is further aided by the superb anti-reflective coating, which turns any glaring light into a faint blue spot.

Everyday practicality is not compromised, as the watch features 100m (10 bar) water resistance, and tough sapphire glass front and back. It feels robust, and while I would not call such a pretty thing "beater," it is not a piece you need to take off your wrist too often.

Bottom Line

The M34 F8 Date Meteorite is one of the most impressive watches to have ever borne the Orient Star logo. It takes the already fantastic M34 F8 Date and adds some serious icing to that cake with its exquisite dial.

Yes, it is not cheap: the premium for the Meteorite is almost 25% above the standard F8 Date, which is not an inexpensive watch to begin with. But, ignore the brand name for a moment, consider only the watchmaking expertise at hand, and suddenly it does not seem so expensive.

For the official price of €3,250 you are getting a robust in-house movement that has been modernized with silicon and an upgraded power reserve, offers excellent accuracy and carries with it a legacy of high reliability; you're getting fine craftsmanship all round; and it is a limited edition, 255 pieces to be precise.

With the M34 F8 Date, Orient continues its journey to compete with the heavyweights of the watchmaking scene. Whereas the beautiful M45 F8 Moon Phase excels in subtle, dress-watch elegance, the Orient Star M34 F8 Date seems like the closest thing to a mechanical Grand Seiko that isn't Grand Seiko.

And yet it is entirely Orient Star, with its own identity and uniqueness, owing to the Meteorite dial, the unmistakable power reserve, and subtle design elements. I really hope Orient succeeds in getting consumers to accept its higher-end products like this, because it deserves it – and frankly, watch buyers too deserve more watches like the M34 F8 Date Meteorite.

 

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