Affordable Men’s Automatic Watches by ORIENT Japan

Orient Sparta Reviewed by Worn and Wound

Interested in the Orient Sparta? Check out Worn and Wound’s review: http://wornandwound.com/2013/05/15/orient-sparta-review/

Photo from Worn and Wound

Spring Travel Watch? You got it! Dappered’s Review of the FFE06002D Excursionist!

Our friends at Dappered took the liberty of reviewing the Orient Excursionist! Read it here: http://dappered.com/2013/04/win-it-the-orient-excursionist-dual-time/

Seriously, doesn’t it look like THE summer watch? Photo from Dappered.

Comparisons: The Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra vs. the Orient Star Standard-Date

If you’re in the market for a classic or dressy watch, you definitely have a ton of options. But when you’re on a budget (as most of us are these days), the list of options gets shorter and shorter. We’ve had some customers comment on the likeness of our new Orient Star Standard-Date to the revered Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra. Both are solid time pieces however one may be of better value than the other.

The Omega Seamaster collection boasts two of the most popular Omegas to date (outside of the classic Speedmaster Pro)— the Planet Ocean and the Aqua Terra. With the Planet Ocean being the sportier of the two, many seek the Aqua Terra 8500 to be their classic-styled dress watch. It is offered in a variety of cases and colors in red-gold and steel and so one. However, as the quality of material increases, so does the cost. The regular steel on steel white dialed version of the Aqua Terra Chronometer (ref 231.10.42.21.02.001) retails at $5,500. The Aqua Terra features a domed sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective coating, an exhibition case back and a water resistance of 150m (which makes it worthy of being a Seamaster). The case is measures at 41.5mm across and features a polished stainless steel bezel as well as a mix of polished and brushed stainless steel lugs and brushed steel on the sides. The dial features a striped design that truly makes the watch dressier. This particular Aqua Terra houses the Omega 8500 movement that is self-winding, hand-winding and has the seconds hand halt function (hacking). As mentioned, it is priced at $5,500 MSRP which to many people may be insurmountable.

The new Orient Star Standard-Date DV02003w may well be the answer to the Aqua Terra. Those unfamiliar with Orient Star should note that it is the highest quality line of watches that Orient has to offer, and each piece is manufactured (from the movement manufacturing to full watch assembly) in Japan. Like the Aqua Terra, the Standard-date employs a stamped stripe design in its dial. The stainless steel bar indices are different; however both watches have a date window at three o’clock. The case is full stainless steel—polished at the top and brushed on the sides. While the Omega is on a dull polished steel bracelet, the Standard-Date’s bracelet features a fine combination of alternating polished and gently brushed stainless steel. Though the Standard-Date is 40mm across and has only 50m water resistance, it doesn’t necessarily make it less of a watch than the Aqua Terra. The crystal is indeed sapphire, coating with Orient’s new Super Anti-Reflective Coating on both sides. And while Omega uses its own in-house 8500 caliber, so does Orient (of which all movements are made in-house). The Orient 40751 is one of the newest calibers from Orient and is also self-winding, hand-winding and has the seconds hand halt function (hacking). While stylistically the Aqua Terra and Standard-Date may seem similar, the price difference is very great. Priced at $880 MSRP, you can get it from us for about $615 (after our 30% off promotion).

In all, the Standard-Date proves that it can keep up with its Swiss counterparts. Judging from the watch specs, the Orient Star can compete with the Omega, pound for pound. So if you’re on a budget and considering the Aqua Terra, it’s worth giving the Standard-Date a look. And at a fraction of the cost (85% less), who could complain?