I NEED YOUR OPINION ON MY NEW DIVE WATCH!!!!!

[Shepperdw]

So anyways, when I thought I had decided on my new 200M diver watch which would be a new Black Monster for less than $200 dollars, I stumbled in the road for a second. I found this Orient 200M dive watch that looks excellent on the 'Bay for almost half the cost. Does anybody have any input on the Orient watch? I'll post a link below. If you think you have a better option, lemme know. I can go over 200 dollars, I would just rather not. It seems like everyone prefers the Black Monster (or Orange Monster for that matter) against even dive watches that cost 10x as much. Just give me your input on the decision that you feel like I should make. I know most people love Orient AND Seiko, but I have never had any dealings with Orient first hand.

[AD6MJ]

Orient Mako. It is a very nice watch and a great value. It is dressier than the BM and frequently they seem to keep better time. The Mako also rides a bit better under sleeves than the BM. The BM is also a very nice watch and a great value.

The BM is a true ISO rated dive watch. It is a luminous second hand and the bezel functions much better than the Mako. The lume on the BM is WAY better than the Mako. Both watches are great values and good watches. The choice depends on what you like better as far as looks and intended use.

[Shepperdw]

Yeah. I feel like the Orient is the better looking watch, but the lume of the BM is after my heart. Besides that, the Orient appears to be much glossier than the BM, which I appreciate. I do need a water that can handle decent depths, otherwise I wouldn't even be looking at dive watches, because I don't care for the style too much. That is also why I am trying to keep the watch price fairly cheap.

[John MS]

Nice looking watch and well worth the money. I believe the button is a date changer, which Orient seems to favor.

[NWP627]

I have one and the Orient is well worth the money.

[arutlosjr11]

If you want a Dive, Dive watch for < 200 USD than go for this IMO. A Seiko skx007 and be done with it!



as far as the BM v. Orient, I would get the BM. Just my 2 cents.

[corn cob kid]

You will get mixed opinions on these watches. There are die hard fans in both camps. I have a Mako (blue) and a BM an here is are some of my opinions and what I have gleaned for other posts:

Movement: The Orients are known for their movements, most of them keep excellent time, within +/- 10s, and often better. Spec for them his around -20 to +30 (IIRC) so some don't have as great out of the box performance. Both are in-house movements. IMHO, the Orient has the better movement of the two. My Orient is far better timed than the BM based on results from my timegrapher.

Lume: Ok, hands down, the BM has the lume. No contest. BM is the lume by which other watches are compared to. Mako is at best ok. (I hear the Orient Ray is better though.)

Fit and finish: The BM is better here. Very solid construction, no one has issues with it. The Mako has a fairly common complaint/problem with the bezel being stiff. I don't know if Orient has addressed or not. Of note, the BM is build to ISO standards which means it is a "true diver". Other than that the are both very close. Personally, I would have not problems diving with either one.

Band: The BM has a very solid band. It uses a collar system for the pins, which some find annoying and difficult to adjust. I got mine with rubbers since I wanted it on mesh (and the rubber is IMHO horrid) so I could save on the price. The Mako does not have solid end links, which some people don't like. There are also reports of the pins at the lugs "failing". I have never had the problem myself and I like the band. It could just be that others use theirs more.

Appearance: These are completely different styles, so it comes down to taste. The BM is a very hefty watch with a lot of presence. Very masculine looking to me. The Mako on the other hand is smaller and some say fits/sits better because of its design. The Mako is also an extremely versatile watch. It can dress up with a suit and still looks great with blue jeans.

So, I hope this helps. I know others may disagree with some of this, but I tried to give unbiased pros and cons. I like them both for different reasons. Mako is one of my favorites based on its versatility and it looks great, much better in person than any photos. The BM on shark mesh has amazing presence.

I don't think you would go wrong with either one.

[surfguy]

I prefer Seiko to Orient. Just my 2 cents.

[wristclock]

I have both and the Seiko is a much nicer watch IMO. The monster is only like 70$ or so more expensive and is well worth the price differenceI like the bezel, finish, case, bracelet, lume, dial, everything about the Monster is better.

[PTG]

I've never owned either one, but would like to have a BM. Besides the lume, I like it's unique look. It's not trying to look like anything else or paying homage to any other watch. It's an original design and I like that.