While I fancied white-dialed watches, I never had the
opportunity to acquire a new one, until now. My first
non-vintage white faced-watch should have been the DJ02003W,
Orient's flagship model, sporting the new automatice movement,
with manual wind and hack. However, it has not arrived the
Philippine shores despite my early order placed at Time Trend,
SM Manila. On my visit today (Apr 16, 2011), i pestered Ms.
Elena again for that particular Orient, and feeling somewhat
empty, I scoured the models in the Orient display, and I found
this...
Its reference # is FEM76003W9 and what makes is tick is Orient's
caliber 469. Now, allow me to take a moment to highlight the
features of this specific movement.
Caliber 469
- Automatic movement
- 21,600 vph
- 21 jewels
- 40 hours power reserve
- Shock-proof
- +25/-15s accuracy
- Hour, minute, second hands, with day and date
complication
This watch also exists in black trim, and has been christened by
Orient USA as "Orca" and while I could have called this the
"great white" the over-all theme of the watch is more likened to
cool, therefore I will christen it "Aspen."
Here it is, right from the box.
Some vital statistics
This is a big watch, measuring 42mm (bezel, without crown), 48mm
lug-to-lug. Lug width is 24mm, which makes it a good candidate
for a lot of 24mm aftermarket straps. It is 13mm thick, and
weights quite a bit but I don't have a weighing scale to
determine the exact figure.
The included stainless steel bracelet is made up of 8 links each
side, and does not taper giving it a real hefty look.
Build and finish
Orient continues to provide extermely good value for money
in this department. The steel bracelet is made up of folded
links, although Orient did a nice job in finishing that it
looks like solid links unless you scrutinize it like I did.
It has brushed finish with some polished accent. There is a
bit of play from the links, but nothing that I will complain
about.
Similar to my Orient x STi Limited Edition II, the clasp is
push-button type, with safety lock. If there's one thing one can
nitpick, is the finish of the folds where it feels a little bit
"edgy." The clasp is signed with ORIENT and Orient logo.
The case is highly polished, with a little bit of brushed finish
on the top of the lugs. One should be careful in removing the
end links as scratching this part of the lug is very easy.
The rotating bezel is also highly polished in finish, and has
recessed minute markers in 10-minute intervals. It is
uni-directional with 60 clicks. Unlike my CER0002D where the
bezel is loose, this one did not exhibit any play and has tight
feel when it clicks.
The crystal is recessed, so the bezel will be the first contact
point when the watch glides face first on desks, doors, etc.
It may be too much to ask for a display caseback, and perhaps
there's nothing to show so to speak, for the 469 movement. The
caseback is polished stainless steel with laser-etched
decoration of the Orient logo on the center. Reference
information, as well as other labels are also laser-etched.
The crown is knurled diagonally and is not signed unlike my
Orient Multi-eye. I wish Orient stardize their crowns to be all
signed, but the robots making these might ask for a salary
increase. It is located in the usual 3 o'clock position. At 2
o'clock there is a button, flushed with the case that Orients
refers to as the "click button" which is used to adjust the day.
The dial is very nice, with white and silver theme, in starburst
finish. Every time I look at it, I feel "cool" and it's one cool
looking watch indeed. There is an inner non-rotating insert that
provides the minute ticks and bolder tick at every 5-minute
interval. Orient did a magical job on these markers as from an
angle they shows up black, in another angle somewhat light gray,
and sometimes silver.
Stick markers in the dial is presented every 5-minute interval
except at 3 o'clock (date/day window) and 12 o'clock where the
only numeral "12" is present. The "ORIENT" and Orient logo, as
well as the "Water Resist 100m" are just about the right size. I
like it a lot, as they don't try to grab your attention.
I also like the semi-skeleton sword minute and hour hands. The
lume on the hour, minute, and second hands are brighter than the
minute markers, giving it a 3D effect.
Time-keeping features and operation
Caliber 469 provides hour, minute, seconds, day and date
functionality. There is also a quick-date set at the first
position of the crown. Pulling the crown to the second position
allows you to set the time, and since there's no hacking on this
movement, precise setting at the second is virtually impossible.
While the Mako XL (EM75), that shares the same movement as this
EM76, has a protruding button for the day set, Orient uses what
is called a click button on this model. And because the button
is flushed with the case, you'll need a tool (a toothpick will
do) to set the day.
This watch is rated to 100m so it will not prevent you from
enjoying the beach and some casual diving.
Comfort & fit
At the store, four links were removed (two one each side) to fit
my wrist. The best thing I like about wearing it is how it hugs
my wrist. I have this feeling of the watch not just on top of my
wrist, but she actually becomes a part of me. Of course, the
feeling of the Seiko Sportura is even better, but that's another
story.
Conclusion
Another value-for-money watch from Orient. It's sporty enough,
dives deep enough, but will do just as well for formal. The
white face and the over-all "Aspen cool" theme is highly
likeable.
