Speaking of affordable, this brings me to the Defender MKI, a watch that made a big splash in the market as it took the tried and tested field watch formula and flipped it on its head. Unfortunately, I never got hands-on with the MKI (Gen 1) Defender, so I can’t comment on how much or how little it’s improved, but things have certainly changed in terms of it’s overall aesthetic and in its core.

The specs

• Diameter: 42.4mm
• Thickness: 12.2mm
• Lug-to-lug: 49.5mm
• Lug width: 22mm
• Case Material: Stainless Steel
• Crystal: Mineral
• Dial: Khaki
• Movement: Cal.F6B22
• Power reserve: Approximately 40 hours / tested at 44hrs 38mins
• Accuracy: -15/+25 seconds per day
• Jewels: 22
• Water resistance: 100m
• Weight: 82g
• Strap: Calf skin Leather
• Warranty: 2 years
• Price: $330 (~£250)
• Available from:
  • Orient: https://www.orient-watch.com/Collections/ORIENT/Sports/ORIENT%3A-Mechanical-Sports-Watch/p/RA-AK0405Y
  • Amazon: https://amzn.to/3gfoSyO

Let’s begin by taking a quick look at everything that is the same as the MKI and first up the crystal, it’s still mineral, it would have been nice to see a Sapphire upgrade, but that isn’t the case. What is pleasing is that Orient has kept the generous amount of AR coating as it helps with the legibility in bright environments.

The case finish remains identical as before too, which is brilliant. The crown is also very similar as both are screw-down though the MKII has had some visual tweaks. The MKI and MKII also both have 100m of water resistance and the same dial features (sub-dials) albeit in a different configuration. The case profile and style appear to be very similar too, which is a great thing as it’s an attractive shape.

So, what’s changed? Well for starters, the case diameter has increased by 0.4mm making it 42.4mm, the thickness has also altered and is now 0.2mm greater at 12.2mm. The lug-to-lug has also seen a significant increase from 48mm to a longer 49.5mm; an odd move really as this does somewhat alienate those of us with slimmer wrists, though we may not have been the target demographic in the first place. On my six-inch (15.24cm) wrist the MKII does wear big and the lugs tend to overhang slightly, though it’s still a comfortable watch to wear thanks to profile and design characteristics of the case. The lugs, for instance, flow down in a manner which helps the strap curve with the shape of my wrist. The screw-down caseback also isn’t a detriment to comfort as although it does somewhat extend beyond the bottom of the case – it doesn’t make the watch sit atop my wrist as some others have. The weight is nice too, striking a pleasant balance between solid feeling and lightweight. Of course, comfort is purely subjective, and it more than likely will wear different on you.

While we’re on how the watch wears let’s discuss the strap and if I’m speaking honestly, I prefer the style of the one found on the MKI, though I can’t comment on if it’s any good. The MKII’s strap, however, I can, and it’s a mixed bag. Aesthetically it just doesn’t work for me; the style looks more like what you would see on a casual dress watch rather than a field watch. The colour of the strap works fantastically with the Khaki dial though, but as mentioned the style just clashes. I’m also not a fan of the finish of the strap, it’s a little shiny looking and also feels a bit odd, not plasticky as such, it feels like it has some sort of wax coating on it. It’s a touch rigid too as it’s taking a fair while to break in and soften, though, given more time, this will improve dramatically. I did also note some heavy creasing where I have been wearing it, so you may want to invest in a leather care kit to keep it looking fresh.

The inner part of the strap feels great; it’s calfskin leather which is soft, smooth and feels great against your skin. The build and hardware are great as well, the stitching is uniform, clean and well done. The keepers follow suit too as they are cleanly cut and well made. The buckle is a highlight also; it’s solid, it’s signed and matches the finish of the case – thank you Orient. It’s a real bugbear when the buckle is mismatched to the case, but that’s probably just me.

Another sizeable departure from the MKI is the dial arrangement; the core features are the same, though Orient has opted to move things around. On the MKI the day sub-dial was on the right-hand side and was larger, now this is on the left and smaller. The 24-hour sub-dial is now the larger sub-dial whereas on the MKI it was smaller. Essentially, they’ve swapped places and size. The date window has also moved from the MKI’s six o’clock position to the three o’clock. And finally, the applied logo has moved diagonally upwards and across, and now sits between the five and ten minute markers. The minute track has also changed as the MKI had two sets – which looked a little cluttered and now on the MKII, there is one minute track which looks cleaner. The indices are somewhat different too as they feature a more prominent black border. You’ll also note that Orient has removed the frame bordering the date window. The final thing to change is the hands; on the MKI they looked more like hands you’d find on a pilots watch, and now they’re partially skeletonised and feature broad counterbalances. The second’s hand has been visually tweaked too as it’s now red, as is the hand on the 24-hour sub-dial. I’m all for adding colour, but here, it doesn’t mesh that well, and I prefer the all-white look of the MKI, it just suits the style better or maybe it’s that the red clashes too much with this Khaki dial? As a whole, though I like most of the changes and Orient has gone a long way to making the MKII more balanced and pleasing if you will.

As previously mentioned, the case hasn’t altered that much say for the size. This is a good thing as most like how the sandblasted finish works with this style of watch, and I agree, it works well, and it’s been done to a high standard. The build is top-notch too as the watch head feels dense and solid but not bulky. The side profile looks clean, by that I mean no major gaps can be seen, this not only looks good but is testament to their capabilities. I’m also a fan of how the bezel and side of the crystal are set to the same angle – it’s a nice little attention to detail. The layers at the side also helps break up the vertical profile as it’s not one continuous slab though horizontally there’s not much going on; honestly, that is usually par for the course with field watches. I also really appreciate how the lugs perfectly flow with the side of the case; it’s so pleasing and lends itself to a lovely profile. The lugs also curve down nicely, which adds a touch of elegance to this otherwise robust-looking watch.

The crown has seen an update too, it’s position has moved in line with the date window and now is signed with a satin-brushed finish. The crown is still a touch shiny when compared to the case, and it does somewhat stand out a little too much for my taste.  On the plus side the grip is brilliant and makes using it a breeze.

The caseback has also been altered yet down-graded in my opinion. The MKI’s had a bit more flair and design about it, whereas the MKII’s is a bit plain, though if one thing was to be altered negatively, I’m glad it’s the caseback as you don’t see it all that often anyway.

One more area that’s had a substantial upgrade is in the heart – the movement. Inside the MKI was the 46B40 which has 21 jewels and is 21600bph with a forty-hour power reserve. Now the MKII has the newer, better Cal.F6B22. This also is 21600bph but has an extra Jewel and now features hacking, hand-winding and a quick set date function – pretty much all the things missing from the MKI. I’m pleased Orient listened to feedback as this new movement is a step in the right direction and a real upgrade. First of all the power reserve, quoted at 40 hours and tested at 44 hours 38 minutes, it’s not revolutionary, but still pretty impressive given the complexity of the movement and price point. The hacking and hand-winding is a great addition too as it’s now way easier to set the time and get the watch going if you’ve not used it in a few days. The winding feels smooth with a reassuringly solid feel and has no horrible feedback either. To wind the watch you unscrew the crown, and upon this action, the manual winding is made available. One pull allows you to set the day and date, and two pulls will let you adjust the time. All in all, it’s an easy movement to use once you know how and it feels great. Time-keeping is pretty solid too, the accuracy is quoted between -15 to +25 seconds per day and I would say it’s within tolerance, though I can’t be certain by exactly how much. One slight drawback I’ve found is that there is some slight noise from the rotor, it’s not Miyota 8000 series bad, but it can be heard occasionally.

Finally, to the lume and it’s strong, gets very bright and lasts a long time. You’ll find it generously applied on all the indices and the hands in a slightly off-white colour which suits the style well. I’m not sure as to the exact compound used though it does look a bit similar to Seiko’s lumibrite.

As a whole I do like this watch, it’s dense – but in a good way, is very well put together and honestly feels like it would last a long time. The rest of the upgrades, improvements and changes – for the most part, are highly welcomed too, and I like pretty much all of them. The movement upgrade is a real step in the right direction as the MKII is right there with the best in class. There are some things on this particular model that I’m not a personal fan of. This is notably the strap and also the touches of red that clash with the colour scheme. The size increase is a bit of a let down too as it means those of us with wrists six inches or slimmer won’t be able to fully enjoy it – unless you aren’t phased by the slight overhang from the lugs and oversized look. I wish Orient would cater to those of use with slimmer wrists and make a 38mm or even a 40mm with shorter lugs, that may not be possible given all the features, but I and I’m sure many others would love this watch to come in a more compact size.

All in all, I’m very impressed with what you get for the money, and there’s little I’d change. Orient have essentially taken an already strong formula and added in extra goodness to make it even better, and at this price point, it’s quite hard to beat.

The post Orient Defender MKII Watch Review appeared first on 12&60.

This particular Bambino is the second generation – you can tell the difference easiest by the way it says “water resistant” rather than “water resist” in the bottom half of the dial.

I surprised myself really that it’s taken this long to check one out. I finally cracked and thought it was about time to find out what all the fuss was about. Let’s check it out in closer detail to see if it lives up to its shining reputation.

Video Review

The specs

• Dimensions: 40.5mm diameter x 11.5mm height x 46.5mm lug to lug
• Weight: 65g
• Water resistance rating: 3ATM / 30m
• Movement: Orient F6724 Automatic
• Accuracy: +8.4 sec/day
• Lug width: 21mm
• Warranty: 1 year
• Price: sub ~$200 / ~£150
• Available from: http://amzn.to/2jxgy34

The case

When I first opened the pouch – one thing’s for sure; it was larger than I expected. I guess my expectations were more around the 38mm diameter simply due to the classic vintage style. It doesn’t wear as tall as the 11.5mm height though, providing a slender wear which is vital for a dress watch.

It’s not the most exciting shape, but then again not many dress watches are. It has a polished top and brushed sides which produces a variety of reflections depending on the angle of the light source.

Sitting on top of the case is a very tall, heavily domed mineral crystal; which works tremendously with the equally domed dial. Obviously, the fact that it’s merely a mineral crystal is a shame, but let’s not forget the price. And when it looks as awesome like this, it’s easy to overlook that fact too.

The fully polished caseback has a distinctive lightly engraved motif in the centre, however, I’ve found it to pick up quite a number of hairline scratches.

The push-pull crown has a gentle grip as well as the detailed Orient logo etched in the polished end. It looks good and is easy to use.

The dial

The dial is optimised by the striking metallic sunburst, finish, as well as the domed edge. I love how the hands also curve at the tips to work around the dial’s shape. The sunburst effect is gentle and very subtle; elegant and classy.

The applied logo is delicate and a bit on the light side, but it looks great in this setting and makes a big difference to the dial, rather than a plainly printed logo would.

The hour and minute hands are highly polished and pitched dauphine shape; a classic shape coupled with an eye-catching finish. The seconds hand is a straight point. All are flawlessly constructed.

The hour markers are all equally spotless, being fully polished and a pitched triangular shape.

The date window is also subtle, but surprisingly detailed when inspected up close. A black printed border surrounds the window, which has a slight bevel to it. It’s really neatly cut out of the dial which is good to see on a budget timepiece.

The printwork throughout the dial is clean and crisp – even the text along the bottom which is microscopic to the human eye.

The strap

At 21mm wide, the strap is an annoying width – so if you have any standard 20/22mm aftermarket straps then they’re unlikely to fit.

I’m not the biggest fan of alligator stamp, especially with a reflective patent finish like this one. It’s also average quality at best, so whilst it’s good enough to get by, I would think that if you purchased this watch for the long haul, you’d want to switch this out.

One of the pluses for the strap, though, is the fact that it’s a really interesting colour – a mix between black and brown based on the angle and light. It’s great as you can wear it no matter what colour you’ve got on – it’ll go with black or brown suits and accessories etc.

The strap is secured using a fully polished standard tang buckle. The Orient logo is very lightly laser etched on the top bar. The quality of this marking is a tad disappointing, but again I keep reminding myself of the important things with a watch costing this much.

The movement

This is where Orient really impress. All of their watches are powered by their own, in-house movements. A fantastic feat by modern standards. The particular movement powering the Bambino is the Orient F6724. It has all the specs you’d expect: hand and automatic winding, hacking seconds, beat rate of 21.6k bph (6 ticks per second), approx 40 hours power reserve, and 22 jewels.

For a watch costing this much, it’s impressive to have an “in-house” movement; it’s extremely rare and is one of the key selling points of Orient. They also have a good reputation for being dependable and fairly accurate – this one is coming in at +8.4 seconds a day which is perfectly reasonable.

Final comments

There’s a reason why this watch is so highly regarded. It’s stunning to look at, at such a ridiculous price. It’s one of those kinds of watches that any serious watch collector should give a go once in their life. The level of detail is superb for the money, and although the mineral crystal is a negative mark in many’s eyes, the dome and hue does produce an aura that is unmistakable and very pleasing to the eye.

The wide dauphine hands and pitched applied hour markers, coupled with the crisp sunburst dial provide a sense of class and elegance, as well as a quality, that is hard to find on a budget watch. And don’t forget you’re getting an in-house mechanical movement to boot.

In short, without a doubt it’s worth the money; and if it catches your eye, what are you waiting for?

The post Orient Bambino Watch Review (Gen 2 V1) appeared first on 12&60.

The dial

The deep blue dial of the blue Orient Mako is very stunning and visually striking. It has a metallic property about it very similar to the galvanic dial of the Christopher Ward C5, which has a rotating shimmer within it depending on the angle you are looking at it.

The logo is a nice touch at this price point. Usually one would expect just a printing. But we have a very well executed and applied logo with Orient and automatic printed underneath. This little extra gives the watch a higher quality appearance. The font used for automatic and water resist is perfectly chosen for the style of the watch – it really is classy!

The day and date wheel has black text on a white wheel, and coupled with the professional looking font it gives it great legibility.

The day and date window surround has a very well made and finished steel frame. It gives the watch an extra bit of shine when the sun catches it. It has a beveled interior adding to the quality and high level of finish.

The hour markers are rectangles with points at the end pointing inwards. They are all well lumed and have a steel surround. There are numbers at 6, 9 and 12. These are also very well made and applied, they all look flawless.

The lume is probably better than your average lume, but still not amazing. This shot is after a full charge. It dies down pretty quickly.

The hour and minutes hands are subtle swords, and are stainless steel with lumed centres. The second hand is a thin steel point, with a larger red point at the end. All of the various steel elements to the dial really makes it stand out and appear exquisite when the light hits them.

The deep blue dial, and hands and hour markers with chromed surrounds gives the watch very high legibility.

There is also an angled rehaut consisting of a minute track, with every 5 minutes being a slightly thicker line. This is very subtle and not overpowering. In fact, I barely noticed it – but you also know that it’s there when you want to refer to it.

The case

The case is an absolutely perfect size at 42 x 13mm. It wears slightly smaller than 42mm, and everything about it is just right. It looks and feels tremendous on the wrist – it just has something about it that you feel the very first time you put it on.

The case has a brushed top, and polished sides and back. This matches the finishing of the bracelet well, making the transition through seamless.

The screw in crown has the Orient logo embossed on it nice and deep. The crown guards are very thin and pointy, and more or less protrude the whole length of the crown. I like how thin they are, as they offer high protection, whilst being subtle enough to match the classy style of he watch. Not too bulky!

There is a day change crown at 2, where you unscrew the surround, which raises up, allowing you to depress the button, advancing the days. It is very well engineered and works well. Some people don’t actually like it, thinking it unbalances the watch, but I like it – it gives the Mako a unique characteristic about it.

Sadly, the Mako has a mineral crystal, which I have found to be easy to get dirty or greasy marks and fingerprints on. A sapphire crystal would have been much better, but it is understandable that it would not be possible on a watch of this quality at this price. There doesn’t appear to be any sort of anti reflective coating on it.

The case back is well designed, but has not very deep etching. It has a decent size dome to it, increasing the thickness and girth of the watch, which also makes the Mako seem chunkier.

The bezel

The bezel is a lovely deep, dark blue. The rotational action is nice (once it gets going), similar to the Seiko Monster. It just feels high quality and sounds great as you spin it around. To start with it can be pretty stiff, which is a problem which occurs on many a Mako, but once you start moving it, it loosens up. It lines up perfectly as well – which is always good, but rather surprisingly not every watch manages to get this right! At 12 there is a small triangle with a lume pip in. The grip around the outer edge of the bezel is well machined, not sharp at all.

The bracelet

The main concern I had before reviving the Mako was the bracelet. There is nothing I hate more than a cheap feeling jangly bracelet that makes a watch feel cheap. Thankfully, the Mako’s bracelet is good and solid. The links are thick and well machined and finished. It is brushed on the top and bottom, and polished on the sides.

The clasp, however, is certainly something that feels a little bit cheaper. The looks are fine, with the deep engraving of the Orient logo, and the decent flip lock which gives a decent click when you open it up. But, when you do open it up you have a very plain and thin elbow joint. I understand that if anywhere, this is the best place to make cost cuttings, and it is out of sight. Don’t get me wrong, it’s even impressive that the clasp is double locking at the price! But I just thought it would be worth mentioning. The end links are hollow, which is another cost saving measure. But, they are well machined and fit the case so well you cannot tell – apart from looking underneath.

The movement

An In-house Orient caliber 46943 movement powers the Mako. This is one of the biggest selling points Orient have. The fact that the movement is completely built by them at a price this low is staggering, especially being that they aren’t as big a company as Seiko or Citizen, whom they are up against. The 46943 is an extremely sturdy and reliable movement, and it is exceptionally accurate too. It has a bph of 21.6k, which equates to 6 ticks per second.

The movement does not have hand winding ability. So if it has stopped, a gentle gyration of the wrist will get it going.

You change the date the usual way, by pulling the crown out to the first position. The day change, however, is by the extra screw in crown at 2. You unscrew the surround, which raises up to the top of the height of the button. It the. Allows you to depress the whole lot. You then flick through the days of the week, with their Spanish counterpart. A well engineered solution to making an extra pusher water tight. I think it looks good too!

Final comments

I must say that I agree with all the sentiments of others regarding the Orient Mako. Bar the Seiko Monster, you would be extremely hard pushed to find a proper rated  high quality diver under £100 better than the Mako. It is a real looker on the wrist – everything about it exudes class and quality. Sure, it has its minor downfalls, but at this price it would be ridiculous to expect any more from it. It is just so impeccably finished and manufactured, and well designed to boot.

Bravo Orient for manufacturing such a brilliant timepiece, whilst keeping the price down to an incredible low!

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