Which Is The Real 'Affordable Luxury' Watch? - $100 Orient vs $300 Orient Star Classic

In this Orient vs Orient Star review video, I take a look at the automatic Orient Star Classic to see if it's any good. I also compare my 38mm alternative to the Orient Bambino vs Orient Star Classic, to see which offers the best bang for the buck. Thanks to Jomashop for sending both watches in for review purposes.
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Orient Open Heart: www.jdoqocy.com/click-8946237...
Barton Strap: geni.us/bartonbrown20mm
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Ben's Watch Club tends to cover affordable watches like Seiko, Timex, Casio, Citizen, MVMT, Vincero, Bulova, Orient, Hamilton, and more. We rarely feature luxury watches like Rolex, Patek Philippe, Breitling, Tag Heuer, Tudor, Grand Seiko, Cartier, Omega, Audemars Piguet, or Hublot due to their price.

[@BensWatchClub]

Products Featured (affiliate): Orient Star Classic: www.jdoqocy.com/click-8946237-11554237?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jomashop.com%2Forient-watch-saf02002b0.html Orient Open Heart: www.jdoqocy.com/click-8946237-11554237?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jomashop.com%2Forient-open-heart-watch-fag03001b0.html Barton Strap: geni.us/bartonbrown20mm

[@dominicrusho]

Ben has got married just weeks after taking delivery of a Spaghetti Scametti. Coincidence? I think not...

[@TheRausing1]

Power reserve indicator is the most underrated complication imo. When you have many watches and like to switch between them a lot, you wish every single watch had a power reserve indicator.

[@traviswalker8933]

I agree. At this day and age, I'd like to know how much power is in the watch before I pick it up for the day so it doesn't give up on me.

[@raghavchander6976]

the best power reserve has to be the seiko presage. it is one of the best watches I have ever seen with its beautiful sunburst dial.

[@TheRausing1]

@@raghavchander6976 I agree- saw one at the mall yesterday. Almost pulled the trigger. Such a great watch.

[@argonaut6386]

Not wanting to sound daft but can't you just give it a wind or two to make sure it doesn't run out of power if it doesn't have a power indicator. I'm considering an automatic watch but I'm a bit concerned how much of a pain it might be. Kind regards

[@TheRausing1]

@@argonaut6386 more than half of my watches are not automatic but require manual winding every 40-70 hours.

[@DanJay1996]

Looks like Spaghetti Scameti has got some stiff competition!

[@ktanner438]

Sorry but Spaghetti Scameti is the most disruptive unique affordable luxury Chinatalian watch ever made

[@modmod392]

@@ktanner438 some magnificent super exclusive limited edition mega versions also!

[@UncleSkiBum]

Nothing comes close to the Italian design and Chinese workmanship of a Spaghetti

[@62strat27]

@@ktanner438 you guys can come

[@johnfrei9057]

I’ll have the lasagna.

[@rubentapia78]

Had the cheapest Orient I could buy for a year, Had great accuracy, was really elegant and dressy. Yesterday gave it to my son- in-law, he really loved it immediately. It was its first watch ever. It was a really good thing to see his face when receiving it. Keep up the good work. Happy new year from Chile. The watch is trvelling to México soon.

[@mearsite]

Do you mind to share the Orient model?

[@mattys1467]

Orient Star is just an incredible step up in class. Most new ones have sapphire crystal the Classic is an older model. You simply cannot beat them for quality and value.

[@marcelwatchenthusiast5438]

You can. China.

[@woonfaseng8737]

yes, this version is many years old and the older model of OS , this mimicks classic dress watch and is deliberately made to be around 38mm or so ,so it ain't that BIG on the wrists , like most classic dress watch of the 1950s or 60s which should be around 32 to 36mm then

[@Ex.zed.]

@@marcelwatchenthusiast5438 Good luck with your Aliexpress junk. 🤣

[@JohnnyW78]

and the same cheap bracelet

[@silverghost4206]

Orient star bracelets are actually not bad. They are much better than the regular junk orient bracelts. An china watches cannot be compared to the orient stars, thats just stupidity. I love orient. I do not like every watch from them but when they do have some gems. They are special watches like grand seiko, an omega. They do the open heart too much. Wish they didnt. I do not like open hearts. Ruins a beautiful dial.

[@giannis_cy]

I have the white dial blue hand version. It's just stunning to look at. It made me love Orient

[@stevec5465]

I have that one too. Most people think that the cream colored dial is the one to get. But I totally disagree. The blue hands on the paper white dial is stunning.

[@giannis_cy]

@@stevec5465 the blue hands look like they are made of glass sometimes, don't they?

[@stevec5465]

@@giannis_cy Yes. They get nice and sparkly. 🤣 Great contrast against the white dial. The blue that they used is perfect also.

[@faizalf119]

@@stevec5465 it's stunning because it looks smooth and clean. The cream one has this weird pattern in the middle

[@xLuis28]

Can you tell me which exactly it is?

[@brianmsahin]

Impressed by the way you flashed the Spaghetti at the start 🤣

[@charleybartelmay5469]

I got an ad recently from Orient with the words "affordable luxury" in it. Was caught off guard.

[@jacc88888]

I’ve had this watch for over 3 years and am still impressed. I was deciding between this and the Tissot Visodate but the finishing and look of the OS just looked better imo. Bang for buck it’s hard to beat. The only down side to me is the mineral crystal (as you mentioned) as I’ve scratched it slightly. The movement speed to me isn’t so important, there are plenty of high end watches that beat as 21,600 also the accuracy is amazingly consistent. It never seems to stray much from +2s a day on the wrist.

[@finickybits8055]

I just ordered an Orient Star moon-phase open-heart 70th anniversary limited edition (with the blue-green MoP dial) from a random store in Singapore. They’ve been out for 4+ years, and production was severely limited, so I did what I had to do. First watch of the “grown up” collection. Wish me luck!

[@QoraxAudio]

Yes, diminishing returns are a thing with basically every product. Always try to buy a product that's just below the price point at which the returns start to diminish rapidly.

[@BrianRoediger]

Phenomenal review sir. Thank you for the seemingly unbiased view on watches for the 'rest of us'.

[@mujeer5242]

I just watched this video because I missed you. Keep up the good work. Love you.

[@Joss1245]

I have the two tone, silver case gold dial version. I adore it and wear it constantly. Catches the light wonderfully - highly recommend.

[@ThatstheWatch]

Thanks for the comparison. I was considering getting an Orient Star to be added into my collection. After watching your comparison, I may have to reconsider and see if it's something I want to do.

[@tedblack2415]

Glad to see an OS example Ben, I have my eye on one in particular, already having a Sun & moon v3 and Kamasu I think the brand offer a great price-quality ratio though agreed at this price sapphire should be present for "affordable luxury" 😉

[@angelherrera6820]

Great to see another video from you! Great comparison too! Still waiting on your line of Scammeti watches! 😆 Cheers!

[@SoCalWatchReviews]

That’s a beautiful Orient star there man! Congrats again to the newlyweds!! ❤️

[@derbagger22]

As an owner of a both Orients and Orient Stars, I can say that they have all been high value watches. The quality you get for the price is always excellent. However, I am still looking for my affordable grail...the WZ0041DV. You can't find one in nice condition for anything close to original MSRP, if you can find one at all...

[@kylequinn4529]

That transition at 00:39 was great! Totally caught me off guard; hilarious!

[@natnoiloikor989]

Nice video, Mr. Arthur. Even though I am a G shock fan, but I love watching your channel...keep up the good work sir! From Thailand with love...

[@jetLunar]

My thanks to Ben for this review. I heavily leaned on my wife to get me this as a gift - and I must praise it’s sublime good looks. Doesn’t look out of place anywhere and just generally feels premier quality. I was slightly concerned about the mineral glass; but I must say the domed glass is really what helps tie the whole thing together, and my fears were unfounded, I would much rather the domed mineral as opposed to flat sapphire. Thanks again Ben, you have indirectly given me a beautiful watch 👍

[@white95gsr]

Orient stat is an underrated brand in my opinion. I just purchased this watch . I love it. Power reserve is a massive plus. It's quality in parts and the finish are totally there. I absolutely agree about the movement. It could have a better movement. But it really doesn't have many cons. Highly recommend

[@josephmessage4964]

Hey where did you but from?

[@Ladeque]

I own the white dial and blue hands OS Classic and I love it. Totally agree it needs to be on a leather strap. Power reserve is one of the most useful complications in a mechanical watch. I wish it was thinner and may be even a mil or two smaller, the date window is meh and the power reserve's applied scale plate is almost an eyesore, but all these are just niggles, overall it is a stylish piece that punches way above its price. I also have a blue Presage Cocktail Time and it's a more refined watch with its mesmerizing dial and no eyesores at all, but rather oversized for a dress watch. Orient movements are awesome, all of the Orient watches I have behave the same way - they gain when worn or when sat dial up, and they lose when sat 12 up. This makes it possible to manage the collection and never change time!

[@hugohugo37]

I have the white/silver dial, blue hands version and I LOVE it. It's the perfect size. I like Bambinos and own a couple but they are a tad too big. This one gets it right. The bracelet is great but it can go with any leather strap. Big fan.

[@Biking360]

Nice review. Subscribed.

[@platinumnib4443]

I see little content on Orient Star products, much less than on Orient, so this is a very welcome and useful review. I own a Seiko 5 ()SRPD7 1K1) and a Bambino V2 as my everyday and dress watch, so maybe in future an Orient Star could be a nice in-between as well as a quality upgrade.

[@davidrodriguezc3724]

Definitely, i have the Bambino small seconds (gorgeous btw), also have this Orient Star in White and its juts another level, gorgeous in every way

[@megatremoloud8213]

I've purchased Orient Star avant-garde RE-AV0A03B, the design is phenomenal and that's my first Orient watch and my first automatic watch in my collection.

[@shanephillips8735]

I have the white dial heritage gothic, for £300, it has sapphire crystal, small seconds, and a 50hr power reserve with indicator. I love it, and it holds it's own sat amongst the Stowa marine 36, Hamilton Pioneer and a Tissot auto chronograph

[@TriplePigs]

I like the silver dial Orient Star more, a gorgeous piece. I also have the Bambino 5 Version 2, which is also very nice, especially the strap that comes with it.

[@rendullic]

I recently bought SAF02003W0( like yours but white dial and blue hands) i agree with you 95%.this is great watch,lovely to look at,to take photo

[@ForlornFreddy]

Beautiful watch. Kind of surprised it doesn't come with sapphire. Thanks for the review.

[@anthonystevens8683]

For the price it looks pretty good, the half brushed hands is a big plus with silver colour hands on a black dial, flat polished hands would blend into the dial if wearing a dark top when looking at the watch with a dark dial. Although it won't be on my watch list (I just spent some hard earned on a Chianti metal G-Shock digital, I'm now waiting for the sparks of the Watchdom overlords to hit me for mentioning digital in readiness for my journey into purgatory) it's certainly something to consider for people dipping a toe into the mechanical automatic watch realm. The power reserve on an automatic makes perfect sense, the execution here is also pretty discreet . Thanks again for the great review Ben.

[@wikhiho8365]

I bought an Orient Star GMT. It is beautiful and the dial is very eye catching, and it comes with PR. I bought it retail under 1000$. Worth the purchase!

[@terrypreston197]

I have an OS open heart , and a Grand Seiko Quartz love them both to bits . Obviously the 2k GS edges it but I paid £200 for the Orient . They are brill 👌

[@EliMeadAZ]

I bought this watch last year from Jomashop. I emailed them and told them the specs were wrong. This watch does indeed have a mineral crystal. Joma is the only source saying it has sapphire and it's wrong. Still a great piece regardless.

[@firefighter387]

Hi another great review, I have the white dial silver hands and really like it but it comes on leather only so if you ever want to sell the braclet let me know!

[@siti020810]

i already buy Orient Star brand in RM5,000, quality is good and after i watch this review make me more satisfied buy this brand. Thanks so much

[@daniellondon6310]

Thanks for the review, Ben. My problem with Orient is I am a time-only type of guy and I do not like "open heart" watches. If Orient were to make a 36-38 mm, sapphire crsytal, no date and no "open heart", that would be my only watch.

[@treehugger3615]

I have the Orient Star Classic in champagne color! I love it, it's the apple of my eye and I use it only for special occasions.

[@iltc9734]

Great video. Bloody good.

[@shiranduarte]

Every day Orient steps up on impressiveness. That Orient Star case looks a lot like the Seiko Presage Cocktail.

[@abhinavmeda5042]

Nice to see that ring Ben!!

[@zillsburyy1]

love the orient sun&moon V3, symphony 3 and triton/neptune diver. their inhouse movements are nice

[@dragomirstijovic5569]

Sun and Moon was one the first watches my eyes were caught on.

[@stevec5465]

Bambinos V2, V3, V4. Regent. Mako USA 2. SUN & Moon V3. Symphony 2.

[@nicolainielsen7700]

My next purchase will be the rose gold/cream version of the Sun and Moon V3.

[@bmacski]

It appeared in some macro shots like the indices and date window were poorly finished in my opinion, even compared to the more affordable orient. Did you find that to be the case? Or is the iPhone quality playback doing tricks to me? Thanks and great review sir.

[@NICAsworld]

If you don't know about a topic, you will always pay more than you should. I appreciate your channel for spreading these good values. Orient is a wonderful brand with such a wide variety of quality time pieces. I have "corrupted" some of my friends into buying quality good priced watches. They were stunned they didn't have to pay a small fortune for a quality piece. If before they were paying £200 or more for an Armani or Hugo Boss, now they have on a Tissot or such.

[@redbarchetta8782]

I own a Bambino and love it. Great watches at an affordable price.

[@Leptospirosi]

This Orient Star is the sleeper sitting where the old Sarb033 has been in the seiko line: straight in the middle between affordable every day watch and entry level luxury section.

[@Rich77UK]

I dont own an Orient but have a huge soft spot for them (I own genuine high end Swiss automatics as well as some Seikos) That Orient star is a gorgeous watch. I love it.

[@bruceleroy8063]

I have the white dial classic on a Forstner bonklip bracelet. So classy looking.

[@AliasEveWatches]

This Orient Star watch is gorgeous but I haven't jumped up to the Orient Star because it hasn't felt like the step-up is worth the price increment. I also actually like the Orient logo than the Orient Star logo.

[@martijndewet2661]

Some of the design elements remind me a lot of the previous gen Seiko Presage Cocktail Time... curious how they compare?

[@sportwilliam]

You're looking at the wrong Orient Star. For very little more money you can get the one with sapphire, 50 hour power reserve, and Orient's equivalent of Zaratsu polishing.

[@uncomfortablyoversizedbrea6347]

Damn... I'm really deciding getting one of these, but the mineral crystal on the OrientStar makes it even harder! I wish they made a more expensive model or at least try to make it more durable in that sense

[@MisterChickenWing]

Dr Evil makes some good points!

[@madsv.mortensen8700]

Could you make a video about the chinese watch: Red Star Zheng Hu. I would love to see that! or other red stars

[@louaybhy2454]

Ben! you are the best Watch reviewer ever periode

I absolutely fell in love with the orient open heart model. But it is currently impossible to find black or the blue color you introduced here...

[@arkas6797]

If I had the beautiful Orient plate without the hole in the Orient star I would have the perfect watch for my tastes. Nice watches both, nice presentation.

[@balesjo]

The Orient Star Contemporary Series has some minor changes to the dial, but have the Sapphire glass and can operate to a water depth of 100 feet. OS Contemporary watch Orient Star (RE-AU0006S00Bz) with white dial; OS Contemporary watch (AU0004B00B) with Black dial; and Oriental Star Contemporary (AU0005L00B) in deep blue. All these have Orient calibre F6N43 movements, Sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective coating, 50 hr. power reserve, 22 jewels, etc. Kind of hard to find in the States but can find on Chrono24 from Japan, Sweden, and the Neatherlands (those I remember offhand). Generally runs $420 to $550 USD average, a very good price for such a beautiful watch.

[@dude28405]

I really like that watch I want to add one to my collection the more I see them

[@78vintages]

I own 4 Orient watches, I know they have been around for a long time but mark my words Orient will be regarded much more highly in the coming years.

[@mattsmiley8156]

There appears to be a lot of artifacts on the dial of the Orient Start model? At least that's the way it's presented. On the spec sheet I like the Orient Star. The domed crystal, the handset, and the finish to the dial, and the proportions are all great. If this can be had for half of their asking price of $700, and the dial is clean, I think it's a winner.

[@xavierghazi4939]

I've never seen an open heart watch that is remotely aesthetically pleasant to look at. It makes a mockery of the symmetry every dress watch aspire to.

[@kamenlitchev]

It's time I dust off the opened tabs with Orient Stars I've picked for buying for quite some time :-D Though I may wait a while for the new Layered Skeleton models

[@dahliaxxv5162]

what do you mean ?

[@Questionthis1]

I had the same experience after visiting a boutique. They had everything - Rollies, IWC, Patek, Breitling, and after thoroughly handling each one they sort of lost their charm for me. Some of them are stunning but to me, not $15k and up stunning. Many of them are extremely light and almost delicate feeling (especially the Rolex date just and oyster perpetual) and I just didn’t walk away from handling all these watches feeling like I had handled something extraordinary. A lot of what you pay for us underneath the dial, so get the watches that make you happy not the ones you think others will be impressed by.

[@PSzubartowski]

Actually, there is a reasonably priced crossover of these two - Orient Curator II FAF05003B0. It uses the Orient Star F6N22 caliber with power reserve indicator, hand winding and hacking, has sapphire crystal and a dial reminiscent of Orient Star Classic Automatic RE-AU0402B00B for half or even third of the latter's price. Obviously it does not possess the same level of finishing, but it's close enough.

[@y0dilan]

Would be nice if you could upload a semaster review

[@ARC130]

Hey can you do a video on Ingersoll ive seen a couple around and they are in this price raange and look pretty cool but i dont know a lot about the brand.

[@mrpersonality3497]

Ben...have you looked at the Gallant moon phase watch? I think you'd like them. Not bad for a cheap watch

[@georgegraham6568]

hey got a question im looking for a specific watch a barcelona 666 hardcore automatic its sentimental to me is there anyone i can go to that could find it

[@graciousideals1509]

I have the silver dial/silver hands of the Orient Star Classic and it's a great classy, everday watch. Still keeps good time at 6 seconds a day despite it being 7 years old now. Only thing, it is THICCC. 13mm for a "dress" watch makes it lose its elegance and just high enough to get snagged in shirts and even wires and other everyday objects too.

[@alxfort39]

Beautiful watch, I own a Orient diver and I love it. for me a watch without sapphire is a no go though.

[@HirooKoslov]

Hmm, maybe a dark burgundy croc or teju strap might suit this watch the best? Or maybe a glossy piece of black cordonvan? Either way, it seems like this watch would suit a fair amount of different straps. Though I would probably pick something on the thinner side. Though I do prefer the indicies on the black orient you had a while ago.

[@christophecarriere5895]

First let me tell you I enjoy your videos Then personally I prefer 1) the orient open heart with small seconds RA-AR000... (I own 2 the white and the brown dial) 2) or the very similar orient star contemporary basic date with flat sapphire glass RE-AU04... (I would like to get my hands on the grey or blue dial models)

[@faizalf119]

I can understand the fear with the crystal. I'm a clumsy guy sometimes and that's why I'm using my dress watch orient just for formal occasions. For casual outing I prefer casio duro. At least when I slam my wrist on a metal railing I'm not that worried. My poor little wenger in the other hand got the brunt of my teenage era clumsiness.

[@RogerSartet007]

3:19 Please note that Ben is not showing the back of a Bambino, the Orient Star's Classic more affordable counterpart: Unlike it's more expensive brother, the Bambino has no screw down case back. It's a bit regrettable you didn't do the comparison with a Bambino.... I 'll buy a Classic....after they (re)move the date (to the six 'o clock). Beautiful watch with perfect dimensions Thanks for the video!

[@naekeel1973]

It's a wristwatch for people with good taste and don't need a watch to tell others how rich they are

[@GodIsInHisHeaven]

Great video, though I was a bit confused - you started talking about IWC but then ended comparing Orient with Orient Star. I'm not standing up for IWC but you can hardly compare it with an Orient Star...the Orient Star is nice, but your macro shots showed really rough finishing on the indices shockingly. I think loads of luxury brands tend to slap on more bells and whistles to help justify the price tag, that would then most likely put off customers who are into the clean minimalist designs like yourself.

[@alimoorad5998]

Im slowly getting into watches myself (total newbie here). I do find the blue dial standard orient in the video better looking than the Orient star....is it just me? Am I missing something? Id love to get your thoughts on this. Thanks guys!

[@faizalf119]

Well you can also get an orient star classic with white dial and blue hands. Maybe that fit your style more

[@turbob18c14]

Also polywatch that we all use to take out scratches on plexiglass/hesalite has a special specific formula for mineral glass and sapphire now. That being said I have not tried it. Sapphire can scratch also. I have a datejust ii and at the right lighting and angles can see hair line scratches. It's very very hard to notice but they are there. My other datejust ii I got around the same time has none but I don't wear that one as often. If someone is fearing mineral might be worth to check how polywatchs mineral sapphire polish works.

[@DoubleK98]

I guess you could say, that this watch is the star of your collection!

[@bagpiper]

I really like Orient watches and own too many. Still don't see enough of a difference between these and the Orient Star tier that make me think I need to buy one.

[@kylenicholas6362]

Recently bought this exact OS used for a third of the price. It’s really a fantastic watch, but I don’t think it’s worth that 700 retail.

[@mrbacchus6127]

I always wanted an Orient Star but when it comes time to buy I want something else more. Maybe someday.

[@PapriceP]

My Orient Star is my second most worn watch. It's got a killer bracelet.

[@poleatsky89]

the markers, and handset, and frame look like a mess on the macro level. i know it is not visible when just looking at it but that is the difference between 400$ watch and 4000$ watch.

[@davidrodriguezc3724]

i noticed too, its weird because mine looks immaculate, way cleaner and better finished

[@MeTaLISaWeSoMe95]

That small difference doesnt scream 4000$ to me.

[@ClearBrookExotics]

Oh man. Put a flat sapphire on this and I am all over it. There aren’t enough mid tier 38mm for small wrists like mine.

[@dzsim]

Where did you exactly get the leather strap?

[@Flatternschuchtern]

I managed to watch this twice and still like the regular open heart more

[@pranavgautam96]

0:03 - Holup. Ben, you married at the age of 20? xD Hahaha. Kidding! Lovely video as always!

[@faizalf119]

I also found a vintage orient star, it's still a good looking watch, but I don't know if I want to get it since it's 30cm in diameter and I have big wrist

[@don_s]

I recently purchased Orient Curator II FAF05004W. It's a cheaper version of this Orient Star, but it comes with a sapphire crystal. The drawbacks are no see-through caseback, crown is unsigned, leather strap & buckle are rubbish. Still a great watch in my opinion.

[@relaxmoda]

Please review the Orient Sun and Moon Versions

[@ianhafiz1277]

I work as a paramedic and my oreint mako ray2 serve me well

[@lindemann316]

The crystal on the Orient Star is mineral, because of the excessively prominent dome, imitating vintage acrylic crystals. This isn't easily achievable with sapphire. :)

[@bboooobbyy]

Too bad they didn't just go with acrylic in that case

[@benywidodo]

I love my Orient Bambino. One of my best purchases

[@AvroBellow]

At 8:25 we can see that the movements are eye-dentical. All of the parts are in the exact same place in both watches.

[@jexuz_7980]

Would Orient Star rose gold with leather strap be a nice christmas present for my mom?