Orient Star Classic Auto WZ0081EL (white)

[jbdan]

http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo248/jb-dan/Orient%20Star/Orient%20Star%20Review/DSC_0765.jpg


http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo248/jb-dan/Orient%20Star/Orient%20Star%20Review/DSC_0153.jpg


Specs (taken from Orient JP and ebay):

Mechanical: Orient caliber 40N50 made in Japan
Self-winding movement
Hand wind capable
22 jewels
Power reserve indicator
Stainless Steel case and bracelet
Sapphire crystal with internal AR coating
See through case back crystal
40 hour reserve
10 ATM water resistance
Lumed hour/minute hands and indexes
Second hand shutdown
Accuracy +25 to -10 per day
Case diameter ~39mm
Case thickness ~12.3mm
Bracelet width ~20mm
Weight ~146g

Face/Dial

A classy, formal, understated satin off-white dial with beveled silver/chrome indexes, silver/chrome hour and minute hands and a delicately thin silver/chrome second hand. The tips and base of the hour and minute hands along with the indexes each have a black line for better day visibility. The power reserve indicator needle, it's indexes, and the date window border are also silver/chrome. Hour and minute hands are lightly lumed as well as 12 lumed “dots” around each index. The lume is very discrete, but does it's job.

The off-white dial color looks white white in low light, but once outside on a partly sunny day it takes on it's original hue of “creamy vanilla off-white.” The dial also has a outward radiating “sunburst” pattern to it albeit only viewable through an enlarged photo.

The Orient Star text (looks printed) and logo (raised silver/chrome) are nicely done and are bordered with a lower sheen (almost flat) white box. The power reserve meter has the same textured dial that the older Classic Auto FD models have. The AR coat on the sapphire is excellent. This is one of those “quick glance” time tellers....very legible in all lighting. All in all the dial is very minimalistic, but elegant.


http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo248/jb-dan/Orient%20Star/Orient%20Star%20Review/DSC_0017.jpg


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http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo248/jb-dan/Orient%20Star/Orient%20Star%20Review/DSC_0029.jpg


Case/Crystal/Back

The case is a very nice mixture of brushed and polished SS. Top of the lugs are brushed, angles going down to the side are polished, then the lug sides are brushed. It's an interesting mix and looks really sharp. Fit and finish are excellent and the signed crown look classy. I love the OS symbol. The crown is not screw down and is butter smooth in all positions. This watch does hack and hand wind. Orient recommends 20 turns of the crown and one can watch the power reserve indicator rise as it's wound. Orient also recommends wearing the watch 8 hours per day to maintain it's accuracy.

The sapphire has an AR coating that works very well. It is a flat crystal so there are reflections, but I must say that this watches legibility is extremely good in all lighting conditions. Just a quick glance and time is read. I like this a lot and a watches legibility goes a long way for me. I'm not sure if the rear crystal is sapphire....I would say it is not as it is not stated on Orient's website.

The case back and movement are lovely. Highly polished SS and a well decorated movement. Again, like my other Orient, the rotor swings freely at all levels of power reserve. Once stopped, literally picking it up starts it again.


http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo248/jb-dan/Orient%20Star/Orient%20Star%20Review/DSC_0037.jpg


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Bracelet/Clasp

Hands down the most comfortable bracelet I have ever put on. The watch is smaller than I am used to, but after a day wearing it and with it's very comfortable bracelet I am really digging it! The bracelet is a mix of mostly brushed SS with polished accents. The pin and collar system used is different than any other I have seen in my limited watch buying experience. It uses a collar system, but the collars are springs. The pins remove with little force and sizing the bracelet was the easiest sizing I have ever done on a SS bracelet. There is almost no rattle what-so-ever with the bracelet.

The clasp is brushed all the way around and has the OS logo on it. Again, minimalist look and classy.


http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo248/jb-dan/Orient%20Star/Orient%20Star%20Review/DSC_0966.jpg


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Overall Opinion

I must say that this watch is a keeper and I don't say that often if ever with watches. I'm OCD about buying and selling them. It is just plain sharp and I really like it.

The watch wears a little larger than it's diameter due to it sitting fairly high off the wrist.

Accuracy so far: set to atomic time 56 hours ago: +4 sec. EDIT: after owning the watch for one week and setting it to atomic time via time.gov it is now +16 sec's. I am very pleased. :-)

About the lume. Obviously that is not this kind of watch strong point and some would say it should have no lume anyways on a dressy watch like this, but I disagree. The lume (only on the hour and minute hands) lasts about 5-6 hours...I wear my watches to sleep so it's nice. During the daylight hours, the lume is so inconspicuous that it does not take away from the “dressiness” of the watch imo. Also, late night viewing, even if there is the faintest bit of light around, it reflects off the chromed hands/indexes and is very easy to read with a small tilt of the wrist.

3 last pics....Firstly a size comparison, then the lume, then the AR at work :-)


http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo248/jb-dan/Orient%20Star/Orient%20Star%20Review/DSC_0045.jpg


http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo248/jb-dan/Orient%20Star/Orient%20Star%20Review/DSC_0875.jpg


http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo248/jb-dan/Orient%20Star/Orient%20Star%20Review/DSC_0961.jpg


Thanks WUS for allowing me the opportunity to do this!

[nhoJ]

Great review and photos. Thanks for sharing. It is a beautiful watch. Compared to the older FD model it looks like the bracelet now sits flush to the lugs and the sides of the bracelet are brushed instead of polished. I also expected the dial to be the satin finish like some of the other OS Classics, but in your pictures it doesn't look like this is true. This dial looks a lot like the Seiko Sprirts SARB. Just more subtle differences that make my head spin in trying to decide on another...

[thetokyokid]

Nice Watch. You won't be disappointed. That is a nice movement in that watch too! I own several Orient Stars with this movement. Enjoy.

[tmt]

Beautiful watch:-!
Very nice review and your photografic skills are top notch|>
I´ve always looked at divers but this watch is just brilliant.
Jan

[jbdan]

Thanks so much. I really do try and post pics that show the watch as well it can. My words might be a little bias towards Orient because I am liking their watches so much, but their value is incredible and their watches are really high quality.


@ nhoJ: it is satin I will post a pic I have that shows that part off.

@ tmt: I am a diver watch guy myself, but am now expanding my tastes to more classic, dressy pieces. It's healthy to break from the norm :-)

[jbdan]

Very hard to capture it's satin sheen, but you can see the sun's reflection off the dial in these. Hope this shows what you were after.

http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo248/jb-dan/Orient%20Star/DSC_0836.jpg

http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo248/jb-dan/Orient%20Star/DSC_0803.jpg

[flori78]

Great review.

P.s. I like your signature. Romans 8. :)

[filmjuicer]

Nice watch and nice review. Thanks!

(I wonder if it's the same movement as in the OS 200/300m divers? The layout looks the same.)

[jbdan]

It might very well be the same mvmnt. I never thought about that until I saw a post highlighting someone's newly purchased OS diver. Smashing watch :-) and on my future hit list!

[rhessel]

... edited ...


http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo248/jb-dan/Orient%20Star/Orient%20Star%20Review/DSC_0045.jpg

... edited ...

Thanks WUS for allowing me the opportunity to do this!

Hi jbdan:

While looking to your review :-!, I found out we have almost the same feeling... b-)

http://i39.tinypic.com/16idx8m.jpg

[jbdan]

Hi jbdan:

While looking to your review :-!, I found out we have almost the same feeling... b-)

http://i39.tinypic.com/16idx8m.jpg

Hah!! That is hilarious and awesome at the same time. They are so close and even their position is very similar! thanks for sharing and good tastes my friend :-!

[DavidSeattleWA]

That's a beauty. I don't see it available on SeiyaJapan website - is there an online retailer that offers this brand new?

[jbdan]

joyful japan at the bay offers it brand new. Both Seiya and Higuchi can get this watch for you brand new as well you would just have to email them.

Sadly I am selling this watch right now because of health reasons...it is in the Sale section of this forum here: http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=242677

[DavidSeattleWA]

joyful japan at the bay offers it brand new. Both Seiya and Higuchi can get this watch for you brand new as well you would just have to email them.

Sadly I am selling this watch right now because of health reasons...it is in the Sale section of this forum here: http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=242677


Thanks, I'll check it out.

[DavidSeattleWA]

joyful japan at the bay offers it brand new. Both Seiya and Higuchi can get this watch for you brand new as well you would just have to email them.

Sadly I am selling this watch right now because of health reasons...it is in the Sale section of this forum here: http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=242677

Any idea what constitutes the hefty price tag on this watch? I know you didn't set the price ... I just wonder what it has that jacks it up to the $500 range. Beautiful piece ... I'm still learning about how prices work, etc.

[nhoJ]

Any idea what constitutes the hefty price tag on this watch? I know you didn't set the price ... I just wonder what it has that jacks it up to the $500 range. Beautiful piece ... I'm still learning about how prices work, etc.

The movement is more advanced in that it has hacking and handwinding features. This model is also new as it came out the end of 2008.

[R.H.Port]

I found this model for the first time earlier this week on Chino Watch, and have been searching the forums since for more information. http://c-watch.co.jp/ww/ori3.html Does anyone have photos of the blue dial? That version initially caught my eye, but this satin version is gorgeous.

That was a great review jbdan, and wonderful pictures. I'm sorry to hear of your health problems. Good luck.

[Ahriman4891]

Does anyone have photos of the blue dial?


Here you go (WZ0091EL):

http://watch-tanaka3.sub.jp/orient/WZ0091EL/

There is also a similar version but with 3-6-9-12 arabic numerals instead of tick marks, WZ0331FD. Note that it may use the older version of the movement, which is not hacking/handwinding (wish I could read Japanese):

http://watch-tanaka3.sub.jp/orient/WZ0331FD/

[jbdan]

I found this model for the first time earlier this week on Chino Watch, and have been searching the forums since for more information. http://c-watch.co.jp/ww/ori3.html Does anyone have photos of the blue dial? That version initially caught my eye, but this satin version is gorgeous.

That was a great review jbdan, and wonderful pictures. I'm sorry to hear of your health problems. Good luck.

Thank you RH! I have Him on my side :-)

Here is a pic from Chino Watch. They have an excellent price for this watch shipped to the USA.

http://c-watch.co.jp/ww/photo/310tuika/wz0091el5001.JPG

http://c-watch.co.jp/ww/photo/310tuika/wz0091el5001.JPG

EDIT: duh! You posted the link too! Your looking for someone with the watch to post their photo of it srry! Hope someone will for ya :-)

[DavidSeattleWA]

Hey Dan, greetings!

Can you confirm whether or not this watch has handwinding and hack function? The reason I ask is because on the Chino Watch website they don't mention this model having either.

Thanks!

[music_healing]

Hey Dan, greetings!

Can you confirm whether or not this watch has handwinding and hack function? The reason I ask is because on the Chino Watch website they don't mention this model having either.

Thanks!


it is
- hand winding ... 10-20 wind, would fill 40 hours power reserve, very practical.. since I dont wear it every day..
takes me < 20 seconds to manual hand wind the crown ... 40 hours power ready to go

- it is second hack ..

- accuracy of mine, run consistantly , + 5 - 6 sec/ day

[DavidSeattleWA]

it is
- hand winding ... 10-20 wind, would fill 40 hours power reserve, very practical.. since I dont wear it every day..
takes me < 20 seconds to manual hand wind the crown ... 40 hours power ready to go

- it is second hack ..

- accuracy of mine, run consistantly , + 5 - 6 sec/ day

Hey, thanks for that confirmation. Wow, +5/-6 per day is amazing for an automatic, it seems. Very impressive.

Does it fit comfortable?

[jbdan]

The bracelet was/is extremely comfortable for me. YMMV obviously.

The accuracy of mine was +16 sec per week for over 1 month I had it. Ehh...that's...uhh....+2.3 sec per day!

How about them apples :-)

[music_healing]

The bracelet was/is extremely comfortable for me. YMMV obviously.

The accuracy of mine was +16 sec per week for over 1 month I had it. Ehh...that's...uhh....+2.3 sec per day!

How about them apples :-)

from some orient , I own

the worst accuracy is one of my mako, the black one.. it run +12-15 sec a day
the other is < 10 sec / day

[jason_recliner]

Nice review mate. Makes me want one!

[MINIDriver]

How much again?

[jbdan]

How much again?

Did I pay or what I sold it for? I payed $525 from Joyful Japan (ebay) shipped to my door. Unfortunately I had to sell it due to personal issues. Selling price was $425 shipped to his door. It was about 97% TZ. It is now on Chino for $398 shipped to your door :-)

It is missed.

[MINIDriver]

$398 is not bad at all for a watch of this calibre.

Thanks Dan. I hope you can buy it again soon.

[kalibur]

Just purchased this, but am wondering now; how would this look with a leather band? Anyone with pictures?

[jbdan]

Just purchased this, but am wondering now; how would this look with a leather band? Anyone with pictures?

I know it would look kick butt! I have not seen any pics yet with this model on a strap.

Congrats on a fantastic piece!

[kalibur]

I know it would look kick butt! I have not seen any pics yet with this model on a strap.

Congrats on a fantastic piece!

Thanks, hope you still have yours! Was surprised at the cheapish cardboard box that the watch came in, thankfully the quality was reserved for the watch itself :-!

[clucania]

Has this model been discontinued?

I couldn't find it on the orientwatchusa.com website.

Looks like an amazing timepiece!!!

[Ahriman4891]

It is a Japanese Domestic Market watch. As such, you will not find it on orientwatchusa.com. Your best bet is to go to the usual 'big three' -- Seiya, Higuchi, Chino.

[MINIDriver]

It is a Japanese Domestic Market watch. As such, you will not find it on orientwatchusa.com. Your best bet is to go to the usual 'big three' -- Seiya, Higuchi, Chino.

And thanks to our tanking Dollar, be prepared to pay more than this watch is actually worth.o|

[jbdan]

Has this model been discontinued?

I couldn't find it on the orientwatchusa.com website.

Looks like an amazing timepiece!!!

Check THIS (http://c-watch.co.jp/ww/ori3.html) out!

I paid $525 for this piece 9 months ago from JoyfulJapan on ebay. When Chino first got this model (around summer time 2008) they had it listed for $398. Now it is $439. Not a bad deal, but $40 more than it was 5 months ago. It is an awesome piece, hacks and hand winds, and was the most comfortable bracelet-ed-watch (besides my SMP) I have ever worn.

[ytwokc5]

Jbdan's review and spectactular pictures made this watch impossible for me to resist. I not so tactfully hinted to my wife a couple of months ago that I really wanted this piece. This morning I found the WZ0081EL under the Christmas tree (thank you honey!).

Jbdan's review is spot on, it is an absolutely beautiful watch with a timeless appeal.

[jbdan]

Congrats ytwok it is a fantastic piece! 've been seriously contemplating getting the black version as of late....please post pics when you receive :-) and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your family.