Orient vs Seiko: The Ultimate Comparision Guide
It makes sense to compare Orient vs Seiko because they are both major players in the Japanese watch industry. Orient and Seiko should be at the top of your list of watch brands if you’re seeking reliable timepieces with in-house movements at reasonable pricing.
Since 1950, Orient has been making premium watches at affordable costs. This watch Brand’s primary concentration is on mechanical timepieces with in-house calibers. Their collection features diving watches in addition to traditional dress watches.
Seiko is a pioneer in the watch industry. Their collection includes anything from budget-friendly quartz watches to magnificent minute repeaters. Like Orient, they produce every component in-house, with no assistance from outside suppliers.
Orient vs Seiko: History
The history of Orient Watches dates back to the early 1900s. In Tokyo, Shgor Yoshida opened the Yoshida Watch Shop in 1901. He grew his company and changed its name to “Toyo Tokei Manufacturing” in 1912. Up until 1949, Toyo Tokei Manufacturing was still in operation and making watches and clocks. It was re-established a year later under the name Tama Keiko Company.
In 1951, the business was given its present name, Orient Watch Company, Limited. When they unveiled their first watch, the Orient Star, this final name change also came. The company’s Japanese heritage is linked to the name “Orient”. The word “orient” comes from the Latin word orins, which means “rising,” “east,” or “sunrise” and is a fitting name for a business based in the Land of the Rising Sun. Up to the 1970s, Orient ranked third among Japanese watchmakers (after Seiko and Citizen). With the development of quartz technology, electronics behemoth Casio quickly replaced Orient on the podium. In spite of all the difficulties, Orient continued to make mechanical watches and made it through the quartz crisis. Even today, the majority of Orient’s inventory is still mechanical watches.
Kintaro Hattori founded a watch and clock repair and sales company in the center of Tokyo in 1881, which marked the beginning of Seiko’s history. The first factory, known by the name “Seikosha,” was founded in 1888. The origins of the name “Seiko” and “sha” are Japanese terms (house). The goal was to manufacture every component in-house and sell watches for less than the competitors. The concept worked, and it has contributed to the company’s ongoing success.
The “Laurel,” the first Japanese timepiece introduced to the public by Seiko in 1913, was made entirely in-house. They had previously made pocket watches and wall clocks.
Is Orient owned by Seiko?
Yes, Seiko Epson took a majority stake in Orient in 2001 before buying the company entirely in 2009. Orient is still a stand-alone subsidiary of Seiko Epson Corporation today.
Orient vs Seiko: Catalog
There are two primary collections in the Orient’s catalog: Orient and Orient Star. The Orient Star series features high-end watches, frequently with skeletonization or ornate ornamentation, whereas Orient is dedicated to more affordable watches. The Classic, Contemporary, and Sports sub-collections make up the Orient and Orient Star collections.
Traditional dress watches can be found in the Classic collection, which also features the well-liked Bambino series. The Contemporary collection, on the other hand, features more contemporary dress watches such as the Sun and Moon and Polaris. The Sports collection, which includes diving watches, pilot’s watches, and chronographs, is the last collection of timepieces.
Seiko’s large collection includes watches in every style and price range. The Seiko 5 and 5 Sports, for instance, are well-liked entry-level watches with trustworthy automatic in-house movements and premium finishing at a surprisingly low cost.
The Presage line includes Seiko dress timepieces. Every watch has a mechanical internal caliber, and the designs range from sporty to dressy. If you’re searching for something very modern, Seiko offers the Premier series. These timepieces are driven by kinetic, quartz, automated, and solar energy.
Orient Classic Collection
The Bambino series is your best option if you’re looking for a stylish, dependable, and affordable dress watch. The Bambino, a staple of Orient’s portfolio and a member of the Classic collection, offers a broad variety of models. These watches are a comfortable size and may easily fit under shirt cuffs at a size of about 40 mm in diameter and around 11 mm thick. The Bambino Small Seconds is one example. Its short seconds at 6 o’clock, baton indices, and engraved Arabic numerals at 3, 6, and 12 o’clock strongly resemble vintage Omega watches. The Bambino 2, which features Roman numerals and a railroad minute track, is even more conventional.
Additionally, Orient provides “Open Heart” Bambino models. These watches stand out because the display has an aperture that allows you to see the balance underneath. This element is frequently referred to as the “beating heart” of the dance. As varied as the other Bambino titles is the Open Heart series. Dials come in a wide range of colors and might include Arabic, Roman, or applied indexes.
Orient Contemporary Collection
The Contemporary collection is intended for people who enjoy both contemporary design and the appeal of vintage timepieces. It features a wide range of designs, from the traditionally exquisite to the downright playful, from athletic casual to downright playful. Models like the Sun and Moon are included in the latter category. These watches, as their name suggests, have a sun/moon display that informs the wearer whether it is day or night. Quartz-powered contemporary timepieces are also available. Men’s and women’s three-hand watches with chronographs are among these.
The Contemporary collection also features timepieces with an annual calendar, day-date displays, and Open Heart designs. A type of manual perpetual calendar known as a multi-year calendar may show the day and date for each month between 2003 and 2024 without needing to reset the date display.
Orient Sports Collection
There are several different tool watches available in the Orient Sports collection. In addition to a considerable number of diving watches, it includes chronographs, sporty dress watches, and watches inspired by pilots’ watches. Ray II, Mako II, and Kamasu are popular diving timepieces. All three of these models have a lot in common. These models’ primary distinctions are only aesthetic. Fans of larger diving watches should examine the Neptune and Kanno in more detail. Their stainless steel cases are about 44 mm in diameter, yet they have the same aesthetic and characteristics as the smaller versions. There is a range of quartz-powered chronographs included in the Sports collection as well. There are two different designs for these watches: Three-subdial chronographs are available with either the conventional 3-6-9 subdial arrangement or 6-9-12 subdial. Definitely look into the Orient Enterprise from this collection.
Orient Star Collection
The first Orient watch was the Orient Star. It made its debut in 1951 and continues to this day to serve as the model for the Orient Star line. This series features luxurious finishes. These watches may be identified by the distinctive Orient Star symbol on the dial and the power reserve indicator at the 12 o’clock position. The models of the Classic Skeleton that have been carefully skeletonized are among the collection’s highlights. The several Open Heart models offer attractive alternatives for something more reasonably priced. The dial of these watches is partially skeletonized, allowing the wearer to see the functioning balance. This line offers a wide variety of design alternatives, from vintage watches with Breguet numerals to cutting-edge timepieces.
Seiko Prospex Collection
Professional sports watches are available in the Prospex line at reasonable costs. These watches are for professional use, as demonstrated by the name “Prospex,” which is derived from “Professional Specifications.” An excellent representation of this are the “Tuna” models. Their name derives from the exterior shroud of the case, which strongly resembles a tuna can. The outer shroud increases the watch’s water resistance while also shielding it from impacts. The many Turtle models and updated versions of Seiko’s original diving watch from the 1960s are two other well-known Prospex models. The Turtle’s name comes from its case design, which resembles a turtle’s shell, just like the Tuna.
The 1965 release of Seiko’s first diving watch served as the model for subsequent Prospex designs. In particular, the 2020 Prospex Automatic Diver’s Limited Edition resembles the vintage classic. Seiko created a breathtakingly accurate replica, down to the dial design and domed crystal shape. Another essential part of the Prospex collection is the Alpinist series. The versions Seiko created expressly for mountain climbers in the late 1950s and early 1960s are where it gets its design from. The collection’s cutting-edge models may be found in the Prospex LX series. Modern Spring Drive calibers, some with a GMT function, are housed inside their casings. These watches can be identified by their bidirectional 24-hour bezel and fourth central hands.
Orient Watches Price
Orient is known for selling affordable watches of excellent quality. For less than $200 USD, you can get a Bambino dress watch or a Ray II diving watch with an automatic in-house caliber. The price difference for watches from Mako and Sun and Moon is approximately $320 USD. Price ranges for quartz-powered chronographs start at about $150 USD. The cost of an Orient Star watch ranges from $500 USD for a basic three-hand watch to $2,000 USD for a model with sophisticated skeletonization.
Seiko Prospex Collection
Professional sports watches are available in the Prospex line at reasonable costs. These watches are for professional use, as demonstrated by the name “Prospex,” which is derived from “Professional Specifications.” An excellent representation of this are the “Tuna” models. Their name derives from the exterior shroud of the case, which strongly resembles a tuna can. The outer shroud increases the watch’s water resistance while also shielding it from impacts. The many Turtle models and updated versions of Seiko’s original diving watch from the 1960s are two other well-known Prospex models. The Turtle’s name comes from its case design, which resembles a turtle’s shell, just like the Tuna.
The 1965 release of Seiko’s first diving watch served as the model for subsequent Prospex designs. In particular, the 2020 Prospex Automatic Diver’s Limited Edition resembles the vintage classic. Seiko created a breathtakingly accurate replica, down to the dial design and domed crystal shape. Another essential part of the Prospex collection is the Alpinist series. The versions Seiko created expressly for mountain climbers in the late 1950s and early 1960s are where it gets its design from. The collection’s cutting-edge models may be found in the Prospex LX series. Modern Spring Drive calibers, some with a GMT function, are housed inside their casings. These watches can be identified by their bidirectional 24-hour bezel and fourth central hands.
Orient vs Seiko: Reasons to buy
When choosing between an Orient or Seiko watch, you should think about the following factors:
| Reasons to buy Orient | Reasons to buy Seiko |
| Dependable and accurate in-house calibers, with Automatic and Quartz movements | Only equipped with in-house movements and High-tech calibers |
| Low prices with premium features | Excellent value for the money |
| Top models encased with a sophisticated skeleton | Watches from Grand Seiko are particularly elegant |
Check out the other comparison articles like Seiko vs Rolex, and Seiko vs Citizen
