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Review: Orient CET05001D

A friend of mine have been an inspiration for me to try out this brand for the first time. I never thought I was in for a surprise.

I went to Hour Glass at MegaMall to check if I can find something that will pull me over. The plan was to look for a chronograph as I like them. However, all Orient chronograph models available are quartz. I've always prefered Citizen's Eco-drive technology should I buy a quartz watch.

A second pass on the available watches, a certain model caught my attention. Despite not being a chrono, it shares a few characteristic of my other Swiss watch which is interesting. There is a 24-hour indicator, and the bezel is brushed steel.

Initial Impressions

While I took photos of the watch, I was amazed at how good the quality was, for a watch in this price range (less than P5,000). The craftsmanship is very good indeed. There is 24-hour indicator, at the 11 o'clock position. The sub-dial for the day of the week is at 3 o'clock, and the date window is at 6 o'clock. I also liked the two-toned bracelet of alternating brushed and shiny stainless steel. The glass is mineral crystal and not sapphire crystal, as in their quartz models. Duh!

Specifications

Due to the lack of a manual, I had to check the Orient website to find the following information:

Dimensions (mm):
Case diameter (excl.crown): 38
Lug to Lug: 44
Height: 12
Lug width: 20
Bracelet tapered: 20-18
Weight: 130 grams
Max Wrist Size: 7.8"
Crown type: NOT screw down
Crystal Material: mineral
Water Resistance 50 m

Packaging

The watch even came in a nice box. It's simple and uses faux material but looks good indeed. Aside from the international warranty card, nothing else came with it.

The Box
Contents
Finish and Quality

As I scrutinize the watch, I was amazed with the level of detail and the build quality that went into it.


Here are some macro shots of the dials.
The Date Window and Orient Logo
Day of the Week Sub-dial
24-hour Indicator

The Blue Dial

Fit and Feel

The watch is not that big, though a little bit heavy for its size. I still think it has a nice balance between weight and size. Here are some wrist shots, showing the dial with a shade of black.

Wrist shot
Conclusion

Over all, I'm pretty pleased with this watch. Definitely will not be my last Orient.