Japanese watch brands Orient and Orient Star have launched in the United Kingdom and announced two new timepieces. These will be available via the watch brands website, and much like Turkish Delight, they are full of eastern promise.
Orient and Orient Star is marking its official entry into the UK market by introducing two Diver 1964 2nd Edition watch models (available in spring 2023), one with a black dial and one in green.
The 2nd Edition model is the latest version of the legendary 1964 diver’s watch. It combines Calendar Auto Orient design elements from 1964 with a high-performance in-house movement. It is an authentic divers’ watch and complies with the ISO 6425 standard.
In 2022 the Diver 1964 1st edition was launched to celebrate Orient Star’s 70th anniversary and is a notable watch reflecting the brand’s unique history. The latest addition, the Diver 1964 2nd edition, is based on the Calendar Auto Orient, one of the company’s first divers’ watches released in 1964.
The Calendar Auto Orient featured simple dot indices on a mirror black finished dial, hands designed for excellent visibility, a rotating bezel incorporating an anodised aluminium ring, and sharply defined lugs.
The original Calendar Auto Orient, equipped with an automatic movement, was even more popular among watch enthusiasts than the hand-winding Olympia Calendar Diver, which inspired the Diver 1964 1st edition.
Whilst the new Diver 1964 2nd edition reflects the designs inherited from the original model, it features the exact specifications enhanced for the Diver 1964 1st edition, such as a screw-down crown, a screw case-back, a dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, and water resistance to 200 metres compliant with the ISO 6425 standard for air diving watches.
It also features the in-house 46-F6 series calibre F6N47 automatic movement, which provides high accuracy and a power reserve of over 50 hours. In addition to displaying the time and date, most Orient Star models have a power reserve indicator showing the movement’s remaining running time, a rare function for divers’ watches.
The new Diver 1964 2nd edition has a black or green dial, each providing an appealing look. The black version is a faithful tribute to the Calendar Auto Orient with a black mirror finish on the dial and a matching shiny black bezel surface.
The glossy black colour gives this sporty diver watch a dressy look, fitting in perfectly with current lifestyles and trends that see such watches being worn on any occasion with any clothing style.
The other colour option is a matte green dial with a matching matte green bezel surface.
The Ryusendo Cave inspires the green gradation on the dial in Iwate Prefecture, Japan, and is thought by some to be the most beautiful and mysterious limestone cavern in the world. This model reflects the spirit of the divers who dive deep into the underground lakes to survey the cave and unlock its mysteries.
The case is high-quality stainless steel, and the relatively compact 41-mm diameter makes it ideal for everyday use. The five-piece link metal strap is made of the same SUS316L stainless steel, providing an unmistakable presence on the wrist and a comfortable fit.
A divers’ extension structure and the trifold deployment buckle with a push button and security latch are included, making the watch practical to use when playing sports or walking around town. The pyramid-like ridges of the additional silicon strap echo the design of the metal band of the original Calendar Auto Orient, providing a different look to enjoy.
Following the global success of Orient and Orient Star watches in over forty countries, the brand brings much-loved timepieces to the UK with an initial collection of forty-six models.
The collection will include new flagship models from Orient Star, hand assembled and made in Japan. The two are the Diver 1964 2nd Edition and Contemporary Skeleton and the Orient Bambino 38mm (above), which are available at a discounted price until 31st March 2023.
- The Orient Star 1964 Diver v2 is £997.50
- The Orient Bambino 40.5mm is £207.00
About Orient and Orient Star
Since the 1950s, Orient and Orient Star have offered high-quality, attainable timepieces with enduring style; founded in Tokyo, the brands’ heritage is rooted in Japanese craftsmanship, reliability, precision, and beauty that stands the test of time.
Orient has continued to create durable, reliable timepieces featuring high-quality, in-house movements at an accessible price point. In 1951, the desire to create a premium line of watches ensued, and Orient Star was born, focusing on offering intricate craftsmanship, robust movements and high-end finishes.
To view the full range of timepieces, please visit www.orientwatch.co.uk.
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