Orient Ray II - Budget King or Overrated?

There’s no denying that Orient has a special place in the heart of us watch-collectors. To many it’s the go-to budget option when starting a collection. To some it’s the must have beater in any collection!
So, why is it great and how does it stack up when compare to one of the Chinese “homage” watches that are flooding the market?
Let’s find out in this review!

[@WesWatchRoom]

Big fan of Orient watches and have to say this one does look like it's worth every penny. Nice work with the review as well.

[@backintimewatches]

Thank you 🙏

[@jimmbear3998]

I own this watch in blue. The best thing about this watch is the value you get. It looks great in blue, great dial/face. The band is upscale at this price point as it has both brushed and polished stainless steel giving it a more upscale look. 200m water resistance is also a great feature at this price point. Since i can’t really tell the difference between mineral crystal and sapphire crystal no big deal there. My only complaints are the small crown, and that the watch does feel heavy. Since i am more casual I typically wear my titanium Bertucci much more often as is much lighter with with its titanium case and light strap band. If i were to get another Orient diver watch, I would get a rubber band instead of a stainless steal band as rubber is more comfortable and fits my wrist better than metal.

[@Ktrb]

It may be only mineral crystal, hollow endlinks, nasty looking clasp etc. but it’s very comfortable to wear. Every edge is smooth. I catch myself that I wear it more often than much more expensive watches.

[@a_commisso77]

This was my first automatic watch. Started this very expensive passion for me.

[@strongmanupdates7533]

Just purchased my first watch - Orient Ray 2, blue face. I’m hoping that it doesn’t start an expensive hobby 😅

[@marcuscarlgren6994]

Always high quality content 😊. Would love to hear your take on Cronos vs San Martin as well 😊

[@quiterioalbertobaezbenitez5739]

Happy new year firstly! Wow!, that intro was great as well!! Orient is a great watches brand giving to customers an interesting value for their money. In fact I think that the Ray II is an utilitarian model with an in-house movement inside, with a nice design. The mineral crystal in this model could be substitued by another one but a saphyre glass, and the bracelet one can order a new bracelet (an Strap-Code, e.g.). Such a great lume, with a good movement inside and an affordable price. A watch for a begginer in automatic watches and more. Saludos!!

[@backintimewatches]

I agree, it is a great watch 😊 Thank you very much for watching and commenting ❤️

[@0397kartal]

If it had 20 mm lug width it would be perfect for me. Thanks for the review.

[@guidine7]

great review Sir 🙋🇩🇪

[@citizent6999]

This watch, like many, needs one year to settle down. The tight crown softens over time. If you are patient with it you will be quite satisfied. I ordered mine with a sapphire dd glass and a solid link band. Couldn't be happier with it.

[@xDRaKKaRNOiRx]

I absolutely love this channel it's amazing! Just discovered it stumbling across your sick as heck speedmaster unboxing... Wow what an amazing collection you have.! No you got me looking for that Squale GMT...very hard to find? Cheers to you from Chicago 🍻🍻🍻 the camera quality is amazing that you use 🤙🤙🤙

[@Dochorahan]

I have this Ray II and had the SKX007. The SKX007 was keeping +1s/day, better than the Orient. However, the SKX007 has misaligned bezel, and inner chapter ring, and it also didn't have Hacking or Handwinding. I sold the SKX. I kept the Ray II. I upgraded my Ray II to sapphire crystal with AR. The bracelet is ok, comfortable, easy to use clasp, but the hollow end links rattle and occasionally need readjusting to retighten them. The lume is very good, just as good as SKX or even better. The crown is small but elegant sized. The signing on the crown is not very deep, just barely laser etched. The 22mm is no problem but 20mm would have been better. The bezel aligns perfectly on mine, and I even adjusted it so it clicks better with a little silicone and cleaning. Compared to my Steinharts or Omega, there is no competition they are much higher quality and keep better time than Seiko or Orient. However, i still love the Orients because there is nothing really wrong with them (the bezel and inserts are aligned, no flaws on the hands, the date wheels are aligned, the timekeeping is within spec, there is no imperfections on the dial), and for the price, they are fun to wear and enjoy without worrying about cost. The design is very good, although it would be even better at 40mm diameter, 12mm thick, 20mm lugs. Overall, I highyl recommend Orient Kamasu, Ray, or Mako. Especially when the Seiko divers, that even in the 700-1500 price range Seiko divers still have QC issues with alignment, bezels, inserts, chapter rings, date window alignments.

[@user-gk1nt6sm2z]

Lume is great. Watch is great. I'm a very happy owner

[@backintimewatches]

I'm happy for you :)

[@minnkonamike6658]

Love them Orient divers, have the 1st and 2nd gen Makos as well as the Ray2 orange and the green Kamasu!! Great for mods too!!!

[@ctrip34]

Do you know what the glass face diameter is? I'm going to eventually install a sapphire crystal.

[@HittoTheAssassin]

I subscribed as soon as the beat dropped

[@Francisco.Figueiredo]

What is that Chronos Watch? Can you give me the model number?

[@Edgaros]

I sold my ray 2 recently, even though i liked the watch. Two were the main reasons. First, it looked very tamed to my eyes from a certain point on and i already had many watches with similar dial elements (indices/handset). Second, no sapphire. One would say get it to a jeweler and change the crystal, but my experience with that hasn't been the best, so i prefer to have a watch with the specs i want from the get-go. Nevertheless, the watch is probably one of the most versatile watches out there and i miss that.

[@sugerrayrobinson4105]

Do you have any recommendations for a similar watch at this price point?

[@M3LTUP]

These normally cost $150-200. I do not thing you can find a better 200m Automatic Diver. The SKX is very good too. But SKX is now 300-500. I do not even know how Orient can sell this watch so cheap.

[@rccdesign]

I have Blue Mako 1 and Orange Ray 2. Crown on V1 is larger, even with the second crown above it. No idea why they made it smaller on V2.

[@raulzuluaga]

USD 140 Orient RAY II at Amazon USA.

[@rendullic]

Ray 2 is my first mechanicay watch, it started this madnes

[@mr.eswatchreviews]

That is a really nice looking watch

[@propblast82nd]

I wish Oreint would use a larger crown on their Dive Watch.

[@jsl02008]

Had a Neptune but was too big for my wrist so I gave it to my best friend on his way to Germany.

[@stronman100]

Also great for modding. You get fitting SKX-bezels and insert, also flat, domed and double domed sapphire crystals. Once I Sold my Black Ray 2... Now I own again a Black and a blue one. Currently waiting for the parts for modding them. Great value for the money at All.

[@robban9189]

Bra video! Var kan man köpa Cronos?

[@backintimewatches]

Tusen tack 🙏 Du kan hitta dom på typ Aliexpress men du kan köpa min annars 😊

[@robban9189]

@@backintimewatches Försvann mitt meddelande?

[@backintimewatches]

@@robban9189 Det tror jag inte. Du undrade var man kan köpa Cronos och jag svarade att du kan hitta dom på Aliexpress eller köpa min :)

[@robban9189]

@@backintimewatches Hmm, andra gången nu jag svarar dig och skriver in min maildress så försvinner medelandet. Hur kan jag komma i kontakt med dig?

[@backintimewatches]

@@robban9189 Ah, jag tror att KZbin blockerar utomstående länkar och mailadresser. Sök upp mig på Messenger: Goran Klintenheim 👍

[@andreb2017]

Good review of a fantastic watch for this price point. But the bracelet visibly tapers from 22mm at the lug to 20mm at the clasp. Easy to miss since the taper is gradual along the first 3 links. Never a bother for me since I prefer a "watch you can feel on your arm." 🙂

[@djun9561]

whta size your wrist?

[@GoranKlintenheim]

It’s all in the video my friend 👍

[@zillsburyy1]

good stuff in house!

[@kkrsnn5632]

Steinhart iso the cronos... 🤔

[@muzaffarabasov]

Dude, Cronos is actually double the price of the Ray 2. Comparison doesn't make sense.

[@sergeyneymishev4697]

Best watch !

[@TheDastan96]

Rekommenderar starkt certina ds action diver 38mm riktig bang for the buck, 300m water resistent, swiss urverk, antimagnetic, screw down crown, safir glas, allt under 8000kr, begagnad hittar man lätt för 5-6 tusen kr. Min absolut favorit.

[@TheDastan96]

Även 70+h power reserve.

[@tiagodvt]

Well I didn't understand everything you said, but it was enough to understand you were talking about the 38mm Certina DS Action Diver. That is an awesome watch and one that doesn't get enough love. I especially like the green. A 38mm diver with 300m WR, a great movement with 80H power reserve (one that is used by various other great pieces), a great bracelet with solid endlinks, milled clasp and even a diver extension. The 38mm size alone, on a diver, should be something to praise in 2021. But it is incomparable to the Ray. I mean, we are talking 120/150€ vs 600+. A huge step-up and one that not all people can justify spending on a watch. Not a budget king, but a great great piece at a reasonable price, for sure.

[@jsl02008]

Budget king of all time

[@parvezq1]

Look at the Rolex homage bezel Pip is off center.

[@backintimewatches]

It’s actually not. Believe me, I have an eye for that. Can’t stand misaligned bezels. That’s why I stopped collecting Seiko 😂 Thx for watching and commenting 🙏

[@ruporb]

часы классные, у самого 3 рея в разных цветах, но грязная рука портит всю картину.

[@joseoliver534]

What a ugly watch.....look like cheap seiko... very beurkkkkk

[@jsl02008]

There isn't a better watch under $150.