Orient Star WZ0011EJ

This time round, I had the opportunity to handle an Orient Star Classic (model number WZ0011EJ). According to Orient’s website, this watch was released in November 2006. If I remember correctly, it did gather some interest among Japanese watch enthusiasts as it was the first affordable Orient that came with a hack and hand wind movement. That was one year after Seiko released its mechanical Spirit models that are powered by the 6R15 hack and hand wind movement. 
 

 

Click on the image to see full size picture

The watch has a nostalgic look and feel especially this cream colored dial variant that I have here. There are other color variants but this is the color that best suits the design in my opinion.  

The dial is partly textured with the 6,9 and 12 hour markers in Arabic numerals. The other hour markers are bullet shaped. It is hard to tell if the dial is curved even with the watch in my hand. It appears to be curved but it could be visual effect created by the curved edge of the mineral crystal.  

Unlike the movement in the Orient Star 200m and 300m divers, the power reserve indicator on this watch is located right under the 12 o’clock marker. It makes the dial look more symmetrical.
 
The watch case is very nicely finished as you would expect from a watch with a list price of JPY52,500 (5% tax included). In fact, its finishing is better than some Seiko 6R15 models.

Crown is signed with the Orient Star logo and is big enough to get a good grip when hand winding the watch.

Overall, I would say the watch has maintained a mild design even with the power reserve hand and textured dial.

 

    
 
 
Side profile

Watch has transparent caseback that shows the movement within. As you can see, the rotor has some patterns on it as well as the parts under it. Other than these, the finishing of the movement is similar to the Seiko 6R15.
 
Date is set by depressing the pusher at the 2 o’clock position instead of using the crown. That means you only need to pull the crown out to first click position to set to set the time. There is no second click position of the crown here. Notice in the picture above that the date pusher has a sunken surface. It is designed such that you need to use a ballpoint pen or similar tool to depress it. You can’t set the date by depressing it with your finger. I guess the purpose of having this feature is to prevent user from pressing it accidentally. 

I also notice that hand winding part feels tighter and noisier as compared to the Seiko 6R15 movement. 

 

Click on the image to see full size picture
  

Watch comes with a nice solid link oyster style bracelet with solid end pieces. The folding clasp is signed with the Orient Star logo and comes with push button lock.
 

Signed clasp with push button lock
 

Solid end pieces
 

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Watch is provided by:

483 Sims Avenue, Singapore 387555
Tel:  6273 3355   Fax:  6278 8929
bigtime@singnet.com.sg
www.chang.com.sg