ORIENT’s In-House Watch Movement

March 13th, 2009 Posted in Orient News | 33 Comments | Comment and Win a Free Orient Watch Comment and Win a Free Orient Watch

If you’re a newbie in the watch world, you may wonder what makes ORIENT unique and why it has such a cult-like following. A lot of the buzz has to do with ORIENT making its own movements.

What is an In-House Movement?

An in-house movement is developed and manufactured by a watch company for their watch production. Many well-known watch companies do not produce their own movements, but rather, outsource and design a watch around a movement.

Orient, however, develops and assembles their mechanical movements strictly for their own production.

True watchmaking starts with the development of a movement. A movement is simply the mechanism that works the watch. Can you imagine purchasing a watch for thousands of dollars knowing that it wasn’t even made by the company?

Imagine buying a Rolls Royce knowing that it was built by Fiat. Would you pay the premium? This is exactly where Orient fits.

in-house-movement

Which Brands Make Their Own Movements?

Here is a list of watch brands that make their own movements. Even though a lot of watch companies nowadays make some of their own movements in-house and outsource the rest, we are only including companies that make 100% of their own movements entirely in-house:

  • Audemars Piguet
  • Citizen
  • Glashütte
  • Girard Perregaux
  • Grovana Revue Thommen
  • Jaeger-LeCoultre
  • Orient
  • Patek Philippe
  • Prim
  • Rolex
  • SeaGull
  • Seiko
  • Vacheron & Constantin
  • Vostok
  • Vulcain
  • Wempe
  • Zenith

Which Brands DON’T Make Their Own Movements?

This may shock you, but a lot of reputable brands out there use outsourced movements.

  • Ball Watch Co
  • Breitling
  • Breguet
  • Chopard
  • IWC
  • Omega
  • Panerai
  • Tag

Here’s a great discussion about the topic on WatchUSeek.com.

  1. 33 Comments | Comment and Win a Free Orient Watch

  2. By CSJ on Apr 15, 2009

    What about Invicta? Theirs says Miyota.

  3. By Ted on Apr 18, 2009

    Your list is not accurate at all! Vacheron, Wempe, Audemars Piguet and Breguet all make some in house movements, but not all movements are made in house.

    Also, the rotor doesn’t tell you much, it is easy to buy a movement from ETA and just engrave your rotor.

  4. By joey on May 2, 2009

    Ted,

    That’s an excellent point.

    Not all of the movements use their own components, however, they do have a technical team that research and develop new functionality.

    They decide sometimes to use in-house movements but many times they decide to outsource because of cost implications.

    I do agree with your point, and we should perfect this list.

  5. By John Anderson on Dec 23, 2009

    I like a lot of these Orient watches, I dont see any unique designs by them but for the price I am tempted to buy one.

  6. By Neil on Dec 27, 2009

    You are in some pretty high-flying company (Glashutte, Patek, Rolex). Many of the Swiss makers rely on ETA (owned by Swatch) for their movements, but those are becoming harder and harder to come by, as they are now keeping them for their own brands.

    It is fantastic that you have the capability of making your own fine movements!

  7. By John Morgan on Dec 29, 2009

    It’s an eye-opening experience when you realize which watch companis do and do not make their movements inhouse.

    This is very helpful and I will refer to it often, Thanks for the education.

    John Morgan

  8. By Dave on Dec 29, 2009

    Great list. It looks like there aren’t that many watchmakers manufacture their own movements. It certainly puts Orient Watch in some unique company.

  9. By Brian on Dec 29, 2009

    Thanks for the information. I thought that Rolex was also using the zenith el primero movements in some of their watches as well.

  10. By James Chen on Dec 29, 2009

    If most of these company uses the same movement. Why do they charge so much. The only differentiation is the case and the logo

  11. By billy on Dec 29, 2009

    Great watchs at some wonderfull prices!

  12. By billy on Dec 29, 2009

    Top of the line watches at a great prices!

  13. By billy on Dec 29, 2009

    There is no better watches at these prices!

  14. By billy on Dec 29, 2009

    The best for less!

  15. By Doug on Dec 29, 2009

    Hi,

    I have been a fan of Orient Watches for some time. I have watches from the following companies; Rolex, Seiko “Spring Drive,” “Nardin” etc,. I especially like the Orinet Star Royal WZ0011FC model in white which I also own,. For those naysayers out there please but a high end Orient watch and see for yourself why they are a great value for the money. There are also 18K models of the Royal Orient Line available in Japan.

    Doug+

  16. By Jay on Jan 5, 2010

    I saw these watches and reviwed them. AND then I bought one!!!!

  17. By Herman on Jan 7, 2010

    8-1-2010

    Hello,

    bay the CEY04004W0 was the best thing i did
    in 2009

    Herman van den Berg

  18. By SteveC on Jan 9, 2010

    Hi,
    I have had Citizen and Seiko automatics, and they cannot hold a candle to the Orient Star I have just bought. The automatic movement is so smooth in comparison. Great watch, great price!

  19. By Josh on Jan 10, 2010

    I am very impressed. Being in the US, I’m new to Orient as they are new to us. I’ve owned an Omega Speedmaster triple date with chronograph and even when I purchased it used, at 15 years old the watch still cost $1700. Consider that the movement was by ETA. Sure, Omega modifies the ETA movements before installing them, as do many of the high end watch makers that use ETA movements as a base, but the fact that like Rolex, Orient makes their own movements is most impressive. The Orient CFM00001S that I just purchased is of such high quality for the price, more than a grand less than my old Omega! And it still has a quality solid band (even the end links!) and the exhibition case back is really cool!

    Thank you Orient for coming to the USA!

  20. By Al on Jan 12, 2010

    I’ve had my Orient Blue Mako (original) since Christmas. What a watch! When I opened the box I was surprised at the quality of fit and finish. In this price range I could have gotten no finer timepiece. And I did shop around for a month.

    The fact that the movements are Orient calibre (in house) makes this watch all the more a tremendous value. I will be purchasing more.

    Thanks, and please try to get some JDM models to this side of the world.

  21. By Tim on Jan 22, 2010

    It’s nice to see a company getting a start in the US that’s making it’s own movements. I like a lot of Swiss stuff, Hamiltons in particular, but it’s nice to see someone that’s not part of the Swatch conglomerate and is not using the same ETA and Valjoux movements as everyone else.

  22. By Dayle on Jan 23, 2010

    “What about Invicta? Theirs says Miyota.”

    MIYOTA movement is made by CITIZEN.

  23. By Jim Naimo on Jan 24, 2010

    In this day and time it is still good to find a company that offers something for everyone. Orient offers a diverse line of watches. While some are very expensive high end models that compete with the best out there one has to remember there are less expensive but extremely well built models put out by Orient. While I may not be able to afford all that Orient offers I can still get a well built watch. That is something Rolex cannot do.

  24. By Jerry Cochran on Jan 27, 2010

    Hello, I became interested in Orient Watches after a discussion at Watch Talk forums. The Orient is highly thought of at that forum and believe me, they know their stuff about timepieces. Even though Orients are typically less expensive, they offer fresh styling, accuracy, complications and simply good looks that are features of many more expensive watches. I believe that Orient watches are a fantastic timepieces for people who like to wear different watches on a daily basis.

  25. By Anand Ranganathan on Jan 29, 2010

    I have seen examples of Orient watches at the general merchandise store we shopped at, when we lived in the the Middle East in the 70’s and the 80’s.Have not seen examples in the U.S.A. until now.
    Time to get one for myself!

  26. By Blake on Feb 1, 2010

    Just purchased the CEM75002D. Can’t wait to get it in the mail! It is such a beautiful watch, now how to tell the wife….

  27. By David on Feb 7, 2010

    I currently have 2 Tag’s and have had quite a few issues with them, I must say that I was very disappointed. This explains a little more of why I have had some issues (outsourcing). I have just purchased 2 Orient watches 1 automatic dive watch (CEM65001B Black Mako) and one quartz chronograph (CTD09003D). If the perform half as good as the reviews and half as good as what I have seen I am sure I will really enjoy them. I will post another update after I have had them a few weeks.

  28. By janari on Feb 18, 2010

    can anyone tell me about orient cal 429? was it a good movement? how about orient chronoace racer 27? was it a good watch?

  29. By Erick on Feb 18, 2010

    Tissot should be placed in the “does not” section, they, and as other companies use the Valjoux 7750 movement, its a good movement, but my PRS516 has the same movements like in the Ball Watch Co, and a few Rolex’s,and cost 1,000’s of dollars but compared to the Orient watches, this Japanese watch company is very very good, very reliable, very well made, i am looking into buying my second Orient soon.

  30. By Jeff York on Feb 24, 2010

    I have owned my my first Orient watch(Titanium with slide rule)for 4 yrs and second one(with the full calendar) for 2yrs. I love the feel and function of both these watches. The titanium for the size is the lightest watch I have in my collection of 75 watches. Even with the bracelet, it weights less than some with leather bands. What I like the best is I get them started and they keep time. I seldom have to keep resetting the time on them. I take one off and 40 hours later they are still running. I have watches from all over the world and by far these are my favorites.

  31. By David on Feb 26, 2010

    Its funny that a Omega is the “official” ‘time’ keeper of the Olympics when they dont even make their own movements, and never have since the “Speedmaster” days. All they make are the cases, “the glass-and-chrome”, the “window dressings”.

    Its amazing what alittle propaganda and marketing will do. Keep up the awesome time keeping production ORIENT!

  32. By Jawahar Joe on Feb 26, 2010

    I had my first day/date automatic way back in the 70’s in India (Mangalore). It was stolen and could not afford to buy another automatic. When I came to the US, automatic watches were unheard of. Thank you, Orient, for bringing these fabulous watches to US.

  33. By vasilis on Mar 4, 2010

    I love mechanical watches from japan and i have enjoyed my 21 year old seiko very much without ever having any problems. I have been looking at orient watches on the internet and I must say that they have won me, but it’s difficult to bye one in Greece where I presently live because they are very hard to find and when found they are highly overpriced. :-( (((

  34. By JJM on Mar 6, 2010

    The best automatic for the price! No contest.

33 comments | Comment and Win a Free Orient Watch