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One of the best values out there as far as affordable watches go. Well known in the WIS community but not so much in the regular non WIS world. Good review Reply Don’t consider the Orient Bambino a long-term play. If you do like the overall presentation and feel of your Bambino, you could always explore the watch brand’s more upscale product offerings at Orient Star, which features stronger designs, better craftsmanship, sapphire crystals, and many more design options. All versions feature similar watch cases and a domed crystal that gives the Bambino a classic look. They also come in different dial colors with the Version 4 sunbursts and the Version 2 in cream being very popular. Internal Difference Between Orient Bambino Generations The Orient Bambino got the case shape right. Specs aside, I asked friends and coworkers to try one. Every one of them thought that the watch was sized right and was very comfortable. I agree. Designing a watch case that feels great on a wide variety of wrist shapes and sizes is not easy.
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Generation 1 Bambinos use a 48743 movement while Generation 2 Bambinos & the Small Seconds use a F6722 movement. The Bambino Open Heart uses a F6T22 movement and the Version 5 uses the F6724 movement. Beginner watch enthusiasts won’t really notice much difference and all are comparable in reliability and quality. The Gen 2 versions (and Open Heart) will allow you to wind your watch and stop your second hand while adjusting the time, but other than that, the differences shouldn’t be enough to sway you either way if this is your first dress watch. We recommend buying a color and style you will be pleased with rather than concentrating on what’s inside. Orient Bambino Watch Size The Bambino is a popular on watch blogs and forums. In discussions about the best mechanical movement watches you can buy on a budget, it doesn’t take long for the venerable Bambino to be suggested. Earlier this year I decided to get one for myself and see what this Orient is all about. The crown could be a little larger. It’s only 5.3mm. The small size made it difficult to manipulate. What’s also interesting to note here is that water resistance can vary from model to model across the Bambino line. While this particular model that I’m reviewing has a water resistance rating of 30 meters, other models can feature up to 50 meters. Where a lot of movements in this price range incorporate plastic parts, the 48743 is all metal. It’s widely known to be a tough, reliable movement. There are mixed feelings regarding accuracy, with the general consensus being that it’s not necessarily as accurate as it is consistent.
But truthfully, this is a dress watch and not a watch built for rugged functionality – you should not be subjecting to the elements. With it’s water resistance rating, you should be fine with hand washing and possibly getting caught in the rain. But under no circumstances should you submerge it. A Variety Of Dial Options With Some Legibility Issues I think it’s unfair to critique this watch too much aesthetically given the range of dial options and layouts available. Overall, it’s great and you can find something that appeals to you. For me, this specific configuration with the Roman numerals and tachymeter chapter ring looks really great. I am not a huge fan of the faux-blued hands, and I could do without the faux-patina dial. Overall, it looks nice but a bit like it’s trying too hard to nail the vintage vibe. Apart from that, it’s a handsome piece. The only other Orient watch I have reviewed to date is the Leo FET0L002D0. On the Leo I noted that the watch case and dial both seemed well built, but the strap didn’t convey a real quality feel (and it was awkwardly shaped at the lugs). The Bambino doesn’t suffer from similar problems, and is built as good as it looks. Crystal, Case, & Dial There isn’t much middle ground on the Orient Bambino – people either love it or they hate it. I was very eager to see for myself what side of that love/hate fence I would land on after spending time with one from the iconic Japanese brand. So for this watch review I spent hands-on time with the Bambino V3 with the blue dial. Comfortable 40.5mm Stainless Steel Case Another attractive feature of these timepieces is their movements. Orient exclusively outfits Bambino watches with robust and precise
Orient Bambino: The Perfect Affordable Dress Watch? Orient Bambino: The Perfect Affordable Dress Watch?
Orient, a traditional Japanese watch manufacturer, is famous for offering high-quality watches at moderate prices. Of course, this also applies to the At 40.5 mm for both generations version 1 through 3 & 5, Small Seconds & Open Heart versions, the Orient Bambino is slightly larger than traditional men’s dress watches, which usually come in at around 35-38mm. But while it may be bigger than other watches in the dress watch category, it is still not a big watch. The Version 4 comes in at 42mm, which is large for a dress watch but still not oversized compared to watches on the market today. Orient missed it with the rest of the dial though. The issues all stem from the same overall problem that’s actually present on many of the Bambino models: the dial difficult to read. The dial, mineral crystal, hands, and indices are all so reflective that it really brings the legibility down. My first Bambino was a Gen 1, and I have to say that I prefer the Gen 2. The Gen 1 was very nice, and had many of the same great features as the Gen 2. However, it was a lot dressier and not quite as versatile, and I much prefer the range of dial options that comes with the Gen 2. Here’s a great overview of the differences and various configurations of the Bambino.
My main issue with the Bambino – both Gen 1 and 2, and many other dress watches for that matter – is the size. The specs show this as a 40.5, but it feels bigger. It’s not obnoxious, but for my wrists at least, it is 1-2mm outside what I consider the ideal dress watch diameter. Again – not terrible, but enough to regularly keep it off-wrist.
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The Bambino V5 ref. RA-AC0003S is made of plain stainless steel and demands roughly 160 USD. Gold-plated editions like the RA-AC0001S sell for slightly more at around 220 USD. Versions 1, 3, and 4: Less Is More The Versions 1 through 3 watches of both generations look the same, only the internals are different. Versions 4 and 5 do not have a 1 st Generation counterpart. You can tell a Generation 1 watch from a Generation 2 watch by the writing on the dial. Generation 1 watches say “Water Resist” while Gen 2 watches spell out “Water Resistance.” The Bambino Small Seconds removes the large water resistant text and just has the Orient logo on the front. mm strap size of the Orient Bambino Versions 1-3 and Small Seconds is not that common, narrowing down your watch band options. The Version 4 has a more common 22-mm strap size. F6724 family of calibers . Unlike the previous caliber, the 48743, these new movements come with a stop-seconds mechanism and a manual winding option. If you're interested in a Bambino, second-generation models are the way to go. Versions 2 and 5: Bambino Watches with Numerals The only part of the Bambino that reveals its price point is the strap. Its looks are fitting (the crocodile grain feels right at home with the rest of the aesthetic), but it feels underwhelming in comparison to the rest of the watch. It isn’t as soft as it could be, feeling about as good as the strap on the Stuhrling Original Delphi Acheron. Overall, not bad but nothing great either.Orient Bambino Version 5 – White dial – Rose Gold Case – RA-AC0001S10A Orient Bambino Version 5 – White dial – Gold Case – RA-AC0002S10A The domed crystal is mineral. It’s scratch resistant, but not scratch proof. Its shape makes it a target, too- you don’t realize the difference the extra few millimeters makes when getting into vehicles, reaching into drawers, and on. Orient Bambino Gen 2 Version 3 – Blue dial with stainless steel case – Model number FAC0000DD0 Orient Bambino Gen 2 Version 3 – White Dial – Gold Case – FAC0000BW0 Classic pointed dauphine hands, wedge markers – quintessential dress watch with a slight nostalgic lean
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