Orient is owned by Seiko and operates completely separately. One of the top sellers in Japan. While Orient does not make high end pieces like Seiko they are not a lessor or cheap sub brand, just different.
Great pieces you can see their current line up on their website.
The easiest would be the Seiko Diver from 1978. You can quickly google which was the reference for that period and determine pricing and what to look for. I believe it was the 6139 Diver in 78.
I think things may have changed insofar as Orient as an independent corporate entity has been dissolved and Orient is now a brand name used by the Seiko Epson Corporation. Or at least that's my take on this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orient_Watch
They share no parts, separate marketing departments. I think it’s pretty independent. Orient is still making new in house movements. They recently upgraded the base movements 2 years ago.
I’ve got 3 people into watches with SKX’s.
I’ve got 3 people into watches with SKX’s.
I like the aesthetics of the Orient watches and they are quite rare in the wilds of Wisconsin, so one could make a nice gift for my brother. But, I’m gleaning that Seiko has better quality and durability, so I’m leaning in that direction now. In Tokyo in a week, so decision day looms!
Depends on what you mean...
At the 300 price point and lower I think the Orients are finished a hair better. Orient has stepped up the movement with hacking and I believe manual winding though.
The 40mm Bambino are excellent at the price point and they just released a new small second Bambino that makes me want to sell mine.
Really the Bambino is better then most options at3x the price.
