Orient Star Diver Limited Edition RE-AU0304L Review

Orient is a brand well known for offering great value affordable entry level dive watches. So it’s only fitting that their upper tier sister brand, Orient Star, also offer a collection of dive watches of their own. This comes in the form of the Orient Star Diver range which was released not too long ago in 2019 and has since become a mainstay of their mechanical sports lineup. 

Today I have with me for review the limited edition model which I personally own and was lucky enough to acquire from a trade a couple years back.

Specs
Case size: 43.6mm
Lug to lug: 51.1mm
Lug width: 22mm
Thickness: 14.0mm
Case material: Stainless Steel
Glass: AR Coated Sapphire Crystal
Caseback: Stainless Steel Screw Caseback
Movement: F6N47 (Automatic, Hacking, Hand-winding)
Complications: Seconds, Minutes, Hours, Date, Power Reserve Indicator
Power Reserve: 50 hours
VPH: 21,600
Jewels: 22
Water Resistance: 200m
RRP: S$1199
Reference: RE-AU0304L

Overview
So Orient Star first released this new range of Dive watches in 2019 which now includes a total of six different variants, one of which is a limited edition model. These watches feature an all-new design, quite unlike anything they have produced before. As it stands today, this is currently the only ISO rated dive watch in the Orient Star lineup. While there is also the ISO rated M-Force line, that model falls under the main Orient brand.

This watch comes in six colour variations, a blue dial with blue bezel, a black dial with black bezel, a green dial with green bezel, a blue dial with Pepsi bezel, a black dial with black bezel and gold indices, and a limited edition blue dial with a blue insert PVD bezel and gold indices. All models come on a stainless steel bracelet plus an additional silicone strap with the exception of the black dial with gold indices variant that only comes with a silicone strap.

Case
So while a 43.6mm case size with a 51.1mm lug to lug distance would normally be out of the range of what my 6.25” wrist can comfortably wear, this watch actually wears very comfortably despite what the size suggests. This really goes to show how much lug design can affect how well a watch wears, even beyond the basic dimensions of it. The short lugs curve down really nicely to hug my wrist without any significant overhang. Paired together with the smooth and well weighted bracelet, it feels very nicely balanced and secure on my wrist.

The case features a very tool like design and finish while somehow still retaining that level of elegance you’d expect from an Orient Star. Not an easy feat if you think about it. The top and sides of the case are all brushed which keeps it looking fresh for much longer, however the underside and between the lugs are mirror polished.

Although there are no beveled edges, the surfaces are subtly curved with barely any sharp edges which ends up giving it a smoother and dressier look and feel compared to your typical Orient dive watch. We have a straight screw down crown that is signed with the Orient Star logo and the lack of crown guards further adds to the dressy look of this watch.

On the back we have a screw stainless steel case back with a polished beveled outer ring, a brushed inner ring with engraved manufacturer markings and a very nicely milled out Orient Star logo in the centre set against a bead blasted background. I think the decision to not give it a see through case back while still putting in a significant amount of effort to decorate it speaks volumes of the utilitarian intentions without sacrificing the Orient Star level of finishing.

The bezel is one area that particularly stands out to me on this watch, most notably how smooth it is both in finish and operation. My limited edition model has a lightly grooved PVD coated outer edge that is unfortunately susceptible to chipping if it meets a rough enough surface. Fortunately the standard models feature a much more hard wearing silver edge if you decide to go for those. The aluminium insert is smooth and rounded with a very nice matte finish. Printed on it in gold are pill shaped indices, 10 minute numerals, minute markers and a large fully lumed triangle marker at 12 o’clock.

As an ISO rated watch, the bezel is uni-directional and the 120 clicks are impressively smooth. Do take note that there has been a recall for a bezel spring replacement on all models as a small number of pieces were found to have significant back play of up to half a minute. I have since gotten mine done and while I did not notice the amount of back play before, I can tell you that there is virtually no back play on it now. Oh and my bezel lines up perfectly with the dial markers. To top it off, we have a flat AR coated sapphire glass that sits ever so slightly beneath the top of the bezel.

Dial
As a proper tool watch, dial legibility is a high priority and this watch does not disappoint. We have a flat blue sunburst dial with applied pill shaped indices at 5 minute intervals and an applied rectangle index at the 12 o’clock. Printed minute marks on the dial itself ensure no misalignment issues. The dial is recessed and surrounded by a deep, straight, brushed rehaut.

Complications on the dial are clean with just a simple date window cutout at the 3 o’clock and the signature Orient Star power reserve indicator beneath the 12 o’clock marker. At the bottom of the dial we have a printed Orient Star logo and text with 2 more lines of text stating “AUTOMATIC” and “DIVER’S 200m”. Further down along the chapter ring we have very fine printing indicating a Japanese movement.

The hour and minute hands are pill shaped to match the indices and feature a skeletonised design with a generous amount of lume. The second hand features a lumed ball halfway up its length and extends all the way to the minute markers. 

The lume applied on the indices is equally generous and I have to say that the lume used on this watch is pretty amazing. Compared to my other dive watches, the lume here absorbs light noticeably faster and at full brightness in a dark room it is literally on the verge of blinding. Believe me when I say I am not trying to exaggerate.

Movement
As with all of Orient Star’s recent releases, this one has been fitted with their new generation F6N47 automatic movement. Like the rest of the modern Orient movements, it features hacking and hand winding. For the price, this is an excellent performing movement both in terms of accuracy and shock resistance and is rated at -15/+25spd with a power reserve of 50 hours. Having had this watch for well over 2 years, I am consistently getting approximately +10/+15spd.

Bracelet
Before going any further, I just want to say that I know this bracelet is polarising. Having said that however, I really like this bracelet. Let me just start by pointing out the main criticisms that this bracelet is likely to receive, mainly that is has a stamped clasp instead of a milled one and perhaps that it uses friction pins instead of screws. At this price point, I get that argument. Maybe not so much for the pins but definitely for the stamped clasp. I am however won over by its other qualities, some of which you would only realise if you were actually able to wear one.

First up, the main welcome feature is of course the solid end links. At this price point if it came with folded end links, it would probably be a deal breaker for me too. The solid end links of this bracelet are very secure and it is nice that the case itself has drilled lugs for easy removal. 

Another nice feature is the inclusion of 4 micro adjust holes. Yes I know some would prefer 5 or even 6 micro adjustments but I personally think that 4 are more than enough for this bracelet as they pretty much cover the length of exactly one link. Speaking of links, Orient has cleverly shaped and polished them to appear as if they are three piece links when in fact they are actually one piece links. While it does mean that the bracelet is more rigid, I think this is exactly what it needs to hold the watch firmly in place given the weight of it. 

Adding to the comfort of the bracelet, while the outside is a nice smooth oyster style shape, the inside is an even smoother flat surface. Being a single link design also has the added benefit of reduced hair pulling. A folding diver extension clasp is also included on this bracelet and while not exactly a feature that many of us will use, it is one of those things that are nice to have. 

Overall, despite the shortcomings of this bracelet, what really matters to me is how well it wears along with how good it looks. It is relatively light yet well balanced with the watch and surprisingly comfortable on the wrist. Its brushed finish also does well to match the case and although not the hardest wearing material around, it does help to minimise the appearance of scuffs and scratches.

For those of you who prefer a silicone strap, Orient have also included one in the box for you. The silicone strap is simple but substantial and overall pretty nice. If neither straps are to your liking however, the 22mm lug width will ensure you have no shortage of third party options to swap onto. Personally I feel this watch works best with the stock steel bracelet because of how well it balances the watch on the wrist.

Final thoughts
So for my final thoughts on this watch, with its unique and clean design, Orient Star worthy level of finishing and excellent value for the price, it is no surprise that we have a winner here. This is a solid offering with a solid spec capable of taking on the everyday vigours of life both on land and underwater while still retaining a subtle elegance.

Shop this watch on:
BigTime Singapore (Not an affiliate link, I don’t earn any commission)