Orient 2nd Generation Bambino FAC00009W0 Review & Guide
In recent years, more and more people have discovered Orient watches and the immense value for money that they offer. At the same time, Orient is not as famous and well-known as other Japanese brands such as Seiko and Casio. But this doesn’t mean that Orient doesn’t make great watches. Actually, it’s quite the opposite.
If you are looking for a classic, sleek, and elegant dress watch with great build quality, and automatic movement, at an affordable price, the Orient 2nd Generation Bambino FAC00009W0 may just be the watch for you.
Orient is, unlike what some people believe, not a new brand in any way. In fact, Orient was founded in 1901 by Shogoro Yoshida when he opened a wholesale watch shop selling imported pocket watches. In 1912, the brand expanded into making its own gold wristwatch cases, and in 1936, it opened up its very own factory to make its own wristwatches. With that said, Orient has a long and rich history of making wristwatches, meaning great know-how and expertise which also allows the brand to produce high-quality wristwatches at affordable prices.
Orient 2nd Generation Bambino FAC00009W0 Review
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In this article, we are going to look closer at one of the most popular dress watches from Orient. As the name suggests, this is the 2nd generation, meaning there must have been a first generation. Orient occasionally updates some of its watches and model lines, and the biggest upgrade to this watch is its new, improved automatic movement.
The FAC00009W0 really has a lot to offer, so let’s look at what that is exactly.
Case
Starting off, the watch is presented with a stainless steel case with a diameter of 40.5mm. The thickness measures 11.8mm. With that said, it is a rather classic size which, for many men, is not too big nor too small. It’s simply a classic size that makes it suitable for a wide array of wrist sizes, and also a wide array of occasions. It is not too small to only work as a dress watch and not too large to only work on casual, sporty occasions.
In terms of design, the case is executed in a way that doesn’t stand out. This is a great thing considering the watch’s purpose. The case has relatively short lugs which curve out from the case and are polished on top to give it a sleek and elegant appearance.
The bezel is thin and polished to put all the focus on the dial.
The sides of the case are brushed which creates a nice contrast and shows that Orient has really paid attention to the details. The brushing is executed nicely and contrasts the polished parts perfectly. Positioned at 4 o’clock, it has a somewhat oversized crown which contributes to its classic appeal.
A distinct design feature of this watch is that it has a domed scratch-resistant mineral crystal. The domed crystal goes very well together with its classic style and gives it a touch of vintage inspiration which is really nice.
Last but not least, the watch is presented on a crocodile-embossed brown leather strap with a tang buckle with a lug width of 21mm. When it comes to classic dress watches, leather straps are almost mandatory, and this strap pairs with the watch really nicely.
The watch is water-resistant to 30 meters / 100 feet which, in practice, means that it can handle water splashes but should not be submerged underwater. But after all, this is a dress watch, and therefore, this isn’t a watch that you’d go swimming with anyways.
Dial
The watch is presented with a beautiful white dial which has a classic appeal but doesn’t compromise on attention to detail. The dial has applied Roman numerals in polished metal.
Positioned at 3 o’clock, it has a date window which is practical to have for everyday wear. To contrast the white dial, the watch features blued sword-shaped/diamond-shaped hands. The blued hands are a feature we often find in vintage and classic watches, so it is a nice detail in the FAC00009W0.
In our opinion, the watch has just the right amount of detail to ensure it gives a luxurious and exclusive impression, but at the same time, not too many details to make it appear cluttered. After all, a dressy classic watch should be minimalistic.
Around the outer edge of the dial, it has a train track chapter ring.
Movement
The watch is powered by the new and updated in-house automatic Orient caliber F6724. The major improvement to the movement compared to the predecessor is that it features hacking seconds and a manual-winding function. The movement has a power reserve of 40 hours.
To find a movement that offers all of this is quite unique since watches with automatic movements that also incorporate hacking seconds and manual-winding functions often tend to be priced higher.
With this in mind, the upgrade to the movement compared to the predecessor is quite a big deal and one that greatly improves its competitive edge on the market.
Specifications
- Movement: in-house automatic Orient caliber F6724 with hand-winding & hacking seconds
- Power reserve: 40 hours
- Diameter: 40.5mm
- Thickness: 11.8mm
- Lug width: 21mm
- Crystal: domed mineral glass
- Water resistance: 30m/100 feet
- Crown: push/pull
- Lug-to-lug: 46.5 mm
Conclusion
All in all, it’s easy to see why the Orient 2nd Generation Bambino FAC00009W0 is such a popular watch. This watch is a homeroom both when it comes to technicality and finishing, but also when it comes to design.
If you want a high-quality, well-finished watch with a robust movement, the Orient 2nd Generation Bambino FAC00009W0 is definitely a great candidate. It has a classic and elegant design that will work exceptionally well on formal occasions, but at the same time, it is also robust and sporty enough to be worn as an everyday watch.
And whilst this is a review, there’s just not to complain about if we consider the price point.
The Orient 2nd Generation Bambino FAC00009W0 is available on Amazon
