The Classiest & Best Value Automatic Dress Watch Under $500 - Orient Star Elegant Classic Review

Today I return to a watch brand that has not been featured on the Urban Gentry channel for a few years, and I review a hidden gem of a dress watch. The Orient "Elegant" Classic (EL09001W) is a very traditionally designed piece that has all the classy looks of a Patek 3802, or even a Breguet Classique, but at a fraction of the price. With an entirely made in Japan in-house automatic movement, astonishing detail, and a modest size, is it any wonder I had to review it?
Sadly it is no longer in production, but this rather forgotten timepiece is still available for purchase from many online retailers, and is still an excellent value proposition when buying new. To top it all off, it performed excellently and would work equally well on a gentleman as well as on a lady's wrist. With only a few flaws, this could very well be one of the best watches of its genre to buy new at its price point.
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[@1701spacecadet]

Seiko: our Cocktail Time line are the pinnacle of dress watches. Orient: hold my sake.

[@EnriqueGiliOrtiz]

Orient has become a favourite brand for me with such a quality-price relation and taste in their watches. While other renown brands are living off royalties, Orient is already building step by step its future crown. Great review, I love it!

[@woonfaseng8737]

orient/OS and seiko offers the best value for money.... i never buy swiss and china watches...

[@manez3384]

@@woonfaseng8737 German watches are interesting too

[@philippegovaerts2411]

I bought this watch about 1.5 months ago after seeing your review, and I'm absolutely stunned by the looks and quality of this timepiece! Thanks a lot Tristano!

[@OFD]

Orient offers a lot for the money. All on point man!

[@theurbangentry]

Aron! Lovely to hear from you sir. I hope you are well. Reminds me, I must catch up with your vids. The irony with making vids is you seldom if ever have time to watch. Right, off you your channel now! Thank you for the comment, always appreciated. Best regards, TGV

[@CobraKaiNoMercy]

I've always been somewhat attracted to Orient, but never pulled the trigger. After watching this video and finding an Orient Star that was both unique and just a damn fine looking watch I couldn't resist and bought it. I am now the proud owner of an Orient Star RK-AV0003S. Good video mate.

[@Teachering]

Always a surprise how a watch company like Orient can produce a good wristwatch at such a modest price. This was a fine review.

[@theurbangentry]

Absolutely, it astonishes me every time too! Thank you my friend, I hope you are well. Best regards, TGV

[@8polyglot]

Orient is nearly unrivaled in quality and price. I keep coming back to Orient despite my best resolutions to branch out watch-wise. Japanese precision and aesthetic meets Western timekeeping traditions: a winning combination.

[@washingtonfootballfanwgil8392]

TGV, You took a great affordable watch ( that anyone can enjoy) and transformed it into a work of art. There are a few KZbin videos of this watch online. Your's put this piece over the moon. Excellent video. Great review.

[@ThisIsMyFullName]

That green strap is gorgeous!

[@ABCTEST213]

ADD so much element to the watch

[@imaad42]

Thank you for your videos. You’re the most tolerable, polite, reasonable reviewer whose answer to everything isn’t “just buy a rolex” like most.

[@mrbensdonair]

Thank you for this fantastic review. I was looking for a unique entry level watch that was truly worth the money. The Tissot Le Locle was the closest thing to a good pick but is lacked personality and essential features like AR coating. Your video helped allot and I’ve just placed an order for a RE-AU0002S00B. Thanks a million, I’m very excited to have found “the one”.

[@smokincooks7661]

Great choice, plus Epson definitely stepped up the movement parts quality- standards are stricter, tolerances between moving parts much tighter, and the accuracy (for an affordable non-quartz) is reflective of that.

[@ChefTom777]

watching these inside the bus as i am on the way to meet up a seller of this watch for abt. 150 bucks for a 2ndhand but in mint condition.. i am so excited now as i write this comment..

[@smokincooks7661]

That's a very fair price- lowest I've found the 50hr successor for was $250, very lightly used.

[@WWxeroWW.WERWKWWF__WPWWW.-_WWW]

I've been looking for a watch In this price range and have recently got into watches because of your videos. (Bought my first auto - Seiko srp775). Thanks for this video

[@casualsuede]

CGuitarC there is a black friday sale on it from long island watches, maybe sold out already tho.

[@chrisauge6802]

Damn...I was planning on getting one of these! Now I'll have to pay the TGV tax. Great review!👍

[@theurbangentry]

There are plenty of bargains Chris, happy hunting my friend. Thank you, Best regards, TGV

[@c.cabanilla8963]

Old and new videos. I always learn something new.

[@davidelizabeth4933]

Fantastic value for money. Great video as always, TGV! We're so happy to see the explosion of success you seem to be having in recent times. Well deserved! Onward and upward!!!

[@melchizedekpsj]

That is a very handsome watch. I have more Orient-Star than Orient watches and they are certainly dependable and worth their price. Wish I could find the Orient-Star Royal locally. Thanks for sharing!

[@robertjschroff6307]

Wonderful Intro!! I like so much the accuracy of your fully detailed reviews. Your Swiss visit meant definitely a new step into your watch enthusiasm. :) Thanks for the experience. Best wishes, Robert

[@j.r.5803]

Thats an amazing watch. Its amazing the japanese work on the details. Well if you still want a similiar swiss made watch the Tissot Le Locle is amazing.

[@Mikael_Partti]

I just bought the orient ray 2... it is so nice i love this watch. best bang for your money

[@ats7485]

I'm imagining the date at the 6 making it look too symmetrical. I think the date at the 3 o'clock position, and snipping off a bit of the Roman III as it does, gives it a nice dash of asymmetrical flair.

[@herkamer98]

Nice touch playing Vide Cor Meum for the intro music. I first heard it on the movie Hannibal Lecter.

[@tunokies]

I got my father a beautiful Orient dress watch a couple of years ago. He loves it even more now his golfing rolly wearing buddy commented on how expensive it must have been. Just got a new cocktail time presage with power reserve for myself. Again, it's not slender enough but it's still beautiful.

[@phillyskate16]

I just ordered the Orient Star WZ0081DA! great review such an underrated brand

[@theurbangentry]

Congrats, you will love it! You can never go wrong with them And so true, very underrated! Thank you for sharing that and enjoy the watch. Best regards, TGV

[@goldenwatch]

It is more beautiful EL09001W from your presentation.

[@wmp89]

I have the white dial version of this and it is awesome! Very beautiful in person.

[@shanephillips8735]

Finally pressed the button on the Orient Star classic heritage gothic, it's been one of those I've been looking at for months, and I still love the look of it, so it had to be done 😎

[@BelfastBiker]

Lovely! I prefer my Orient Sun & Moon though, similar styling.

[@demoneyeslaharl]

Just bought one today. I got the stainless steel version. I'm really loving it. At a good price as well. By my calculations, less than 300 USD.

[@smokincooks7661]

The bridge decor may be modest, but they are still the only movement I've seen with a Seigaiha pattern! That is definitely NOT perlage. Seigaiha has been featured on modern Orient movements for at least two decades. Look closely at the thick and thin concentric rings, and consistent overlapping, then look up Seigaiha.- There's no mistaking it once you're aware. It's a lovely traditional Japanese aesthetic. TGV here is still very kind, despite misidentifying it- most people snobbishly mock it as a "poorly done" attempt at perlage.

[@triples4good]

Very nice and what a great alternative to a fashion watch.

[@theurbangentry]

Sooooo true!!!!!!! Thank you Steve, you hit the nail on the head. Best regards, TGV

[@jwswilliampenn]

Lovely dress watch and great show as usual .....would look good with the blue strap on the table!! Agree with you on the original strap - bought a new orient myself - pilot watch - and the first thing I did was dump the OE strap and replace it with a black and grey nato ... looks great now with the matt black dial. Look forward to the next video.

[@robert-francoismallon4988]

Orient hands down in my favorite watch brand. Time after time their releases capture my heart.

[@DMBVR4]

They only thing i hate about your channel is that I'm already running out of videos i haven't seen... keep it up!

[@kalayanis]

@The Urban Gentry, thanks for the awesome review! You made me buy this watch and it is awesome. Keep up with the amazing content! Greetings!

[@jnauttube]

I own more than one Orient and the straps do always leave something to be desired. However, the positives on both Orient and Orient Star are so great, it overshadows the poor straps, and it still ends up being worth the price of the watch, plus $49-$80 to purchase a high quality replacement strap. I'd rather spend $399 on a super-elegant Orient or Orient Star dress watch, and buy a new strap than to spend much more on a watch that in the end, doesn't give me any greater sense of pleasure.

[@Itserikkotlarofficial]

Speaking of dress watches, you inspired me to get an Omega Geneve pie pan with cross hair. Great value for money and i really couldnt go wrong with it. Thanks! 🤗

[@theurbangentry]

So glad to hear, those are amazing! Enjoy it my friend. No wonder you are happy ;-) Thank you, Best regards, TGV

[@Itserikkotlarofficial]

The Urban Gentry Thank you :)

[@Germania72]

I'm not even a collector, but I love your reviews. I'm just looking for a nice watch at a reasonable price that I will cherish forever. After watching a lot of videos, I think I'll go for one watch out of the Orient Star collection (ladies model because my wrists are tiny). I'm quite taken by them. I want to have a nice dressing watch for once. They're not over the top, they're classic and I appreciate that. I love automatic watches as well.

[@krzysiek3763]

The strap looks absolutely amazing!

[@bubbab7792]

Love the intro TGV, such depth and imagination. Great show Sir, nice timepiece. Best regards.

[@taran4742]

Recently, me and my dad found an old watch from the 60's his dad had given him and we were able to get it running and telling time with a simple wind . It is at least 50 years old and has never been serviced or even opened up yet it still works.

[@theurbangentry]

As the saying goes, they certainly don't make them like that any more! Enjoy it my friend, thank you for sharing that. Best regards, TGV

[@vivekpereira9002]

Love Orient watches.

[@vivekpereira9002]

I feel for the money Orient,Seiko and Vostok are hard to beat.

[@tjarsun]

That guilloche dial looks amazing, and the Roman numerals and hands are pure class! But I would like it more without a date and power reserve and maybe without the rose gold plating.

[@theurbangentry]

There is a "un-plated" version (is that a word?!? LOL) It totally agree with you about the date. Thank you my friend. Best regards, TGV

[@rabtab9495]

Bought an Orient "Adventurer" Automatic World Time with Power Reserve indicator from an eBay seller a while back. It's the black dial one with gold frame, model "FA06001B" apparently. Very cool looking. I really like GMT and world time watches. I work in computers, but am also a pilot and I have friends in many time zones. Had a very nice Seiko pilot's watch on my wrist for most of the last 30 years - chronometer, circular slide rule (E6B), and a 2nd timezone. The Orient is wonderful. Keeps really good time, and it's so well made. The knob to turn the world time ring is silky smooth. The power reserve is a cool feature; it's my first watch with that function, and I quite like it. It's spent a fair amount of time on my wrist since I got it. I'm now waiting for my 2nd Orient to arrive. It's also a GMT model, with power reserve and a pilot's circular slide rule. It's the "Explorer" GMT Watch DH00002B. I also have a Glycine Airman Base 22 GMT that I'm waiting impatiently to arrive (wanted a Swiss-made). Quivering in antici ... ... pation. :-)

[@jileel]

Great watch! Orient delivers as always!

[@wongjefx980]

Am Bambino and Mako owner.... good value for what you get, in house movement, decent looks. Only worry I read about is were to go if servicing required... because of the in house movement. Not sure I would want to send one back to Japan to service for a sub $300 watch..

[@pmwheatley]

Your intros are absolutely the best!

[@theurbangentry]

Thank you so much sir, Best regards, TGV

[@MrKayDeeJay]

Thanks for the review TGV, live this piece!

[@xyzhou6207]

What a great way to start a day watching this~ Nice vid!

[@markmessore5461]

Thank you again sir. As per usual you provide a wonderful way to wind down after a stressful day(aided by a few fingers of fine Scotch). Spot on! Best regards, Mark

[@theurbangentry]

I love hearing that, it makes it all worth it. I have some vino on the go so salute and chin chin! Thank you Mark, Best regards, TGV

[@markmessore5461]

Salute friend. I'm head over heels for my new found horological infatuation thanks to you. I must say my nascent collection is coming along swimmingly, with much room for future loves. Thanks again Tristano, Mark

[@sebastianodepani6696]

Hello Tristano, great video! The Orient Bambino is much thinner (around 11mm I think) with an automatic movement, so they can do better. Many divers are 13 mm or less!

[@benjaulus7118]

I love Orient!

[@mirandusings]

Green strap just MAKES that watch. Looks so good.

[@Jonbombs]

That Hannibal theme... I haven't heard that in years. Bravo.

[@mikebot1093]

Pure class!

[@anthonysanchez2752]

I have this watch, the blue dialed version. It's really a great watch with incredible value. I like it a lot

[@theurbangentry]

You classy devil! I adore that version. Thank you Anthony, enjoy it! Best regards, TGV

[@anthonysanchez2752]

Thank you. I have enjoyed wearing it.

[@rjmagoon560]

Oh hell yes! On that strap!!!! BAMF! :-) I've been lusting after a green crocodile strap after your video for your SARB033

[@WivaZzZonicZz]

Just ordered it now! You are too convincing TGV! My wallet does not approve, haha!

[@veratawiah3736]

yet again it does not amaze me that we haven't notice thing intro thank you and best regards

[@p5ychonaut]

Got one just today for 200 $. What a flawless beauty. No other watch company gives you that much for your money.

[@the3oclock]

MV Hi. If you don’t mind me asking where did you get one for this price? I’ve been looking to get one for weeks!

[@jd2774]

Editing is on point with the intros

[@You-in6lm]

Prefer the orient star classic to be honest, so I'll get that one .Obviously checked out your reviews on them first 🤙

[@matthewevans1209]

Great vid, that dial is stunning. Keep up the great work TGV. Ciao!

[@theurbangentry]

Thank you Matthew :D Best regards, TGV

[@mattylorenz94]

Oh my gosh The governor used Patrick Cassidy (Vide Cor Meum ) for the intro, exquisite choice! Outstanding taste, as always!

[@theurbangentry]

I just had too, it is a very special piece to me for personally reasons and well, for being just beautiful. Thank you my friend, great to know there are such cultured viewers in the gentry! Best regards, TGV

[@mattylorenz94]

Thanks! It means a lot! We get cultured thanks to people like you, gifting your passion to all of us! Ad maiora!

[@jameskitkona]

I just got this watch now, and it gets the same respect as my Rolex. Thanks for the great video!

[@ElCajondePepillo]

Love Orient watches, I think you get a lot more than its big brother. I have to buy one at some point!.

[@medinamjoe]

Since you watch Stranger things, you should make a video on the watches worn in the show! A perfect combination of two things that I love! Great video as always!

[@yacovmitchenko1490]

Among the most beautiful watches I've ever seen. The rose gold and that waffle-patterned creamy dial, the elegant roman numerals and blue hands, are a little piece of heaven. Great to hear that it has sapphire crystal and that its accuracy is plus 2 seconds a day. It could be slimmer - yet I can't say it's too thick. I'm not particularly bothered by the blue or the position of the date indicator. On first glance, it seems to me a nearly perfect watch. The mediocre strap is the only noteworthy flaw, but it's easily replaceable. So no big deal. I'm buying the watch. Probably my favorite from Orient .

[@edkline6401]

I really like Orient. I have two, and at the price point they typically dwell in, they are nearly unbeatable.

[@RondelayAOK]

Orient does a great job.

[@adammeloche2947]

Great review, I have enjoyed my bambino so far. Orient has some great looking in their lineup

[@TopStrikerMaverick]

How do you manage to get such accurate intros? Nice work!

[@johnprice909]

A very pretty little watch. Without being a straight up homage to Breguet it does hint at it - Even the lugs are quite Breguet-esque. For the money though it does seem a good value. Without a display back it could be slimmer too - and really, there's nothing much to see in that movement. I agree with the blued hands - if not heated blue they can look a bit cheap. If not properly blued then how about go with rose gold plated to match the case? Ciao, John

[@lanceuppercut7436]

Orient make some beautiful dress watches. Marc from Long Island reviewed a few recently and they’re very very appealing. Nice intro btw TGV. classy. 👌🏻🎩⏱

[@theurbangentry]

Thank you Lance :D Best regards, TGV

[@Mr.Ciobanu]

Absolutely stunning

[@theurbangentry]

Thank you Ciobanu, Best regards, TGV

[@kuokliangchin2078]

TGV pls review the Heuer Carrera Reedition (35mm) chronograph designed by Jack Heuer himself ! Tones of heritage , classical size and a sporting watch god. Think you and the viewers will enjoy it immensely

[@mitchd1963]

Notification crew present 😁

[@reecegordon7073]

*panting* am... am I late?

[@KDL917]

I love that green strap, TGV! And love Orient/Orient Star. Some of the best value for money around. If it wasn't as tall, it'd be perfect.

[@theurbangentry]

Thank you Katrina :D I totally agree on the height. Best regards, TGV

[@Michel411]

Good Day TGV! Let me start by saying that I am a massive fan of your channel, and I see your sense of class and culture as something to aspire to. I was wondering if you would ever do a review of the 2017 version of the omega railmaster? I think it is a very interesting revival, and perhaps worthy of a review in the way that only you are capable of doing.

[@theguardian3431]

Absolutely stunning.

[@BigZebraCom]

thanks for the review, very interesting!

[@Sketchmee5]

Just in time for the Christmas!♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@renaissance6745]

Greetings TGV I have an Orient Star Retrograde Blue Dial watch it is absolutely stunning with its Art Deco styling and the detailing on the dial is magical, I prefer it to my overrated Patek left to me in a will . As all my watches are 43mm I wish my orient was also 43mm but none the less I love it I attached a blue Rios 1931 strap with one of their deployment buckles this makes the watch look even more superb , by the way Rios 1931 straps are superb hand stitched very high quality well priced straps There is an even higher grade orient range called Royal Orient with much finer decorated movements , and my orient keeps better time than my Patek makes you wonder about all the hype on these high end watches after all, all the fancied finishing does not make for any better time keeping, I like very much the honest engineering of the Orient Star watches you get a lot for your money . I never have any issues with any of my hand made shirt cuffs I just leave one of the two top buttons undone. And a request can you look at some of the superb Poljot International watches and also Alexander Shorokhoff watches he also owns Poljot International I own some of his rarer limited editions watches keep up the good work TGV

[@jimmyosterlund2538]

Love Orient watches! Would like to see more about new ENVOY:)

[@dtroutmann]

Orient and Logo at the top power indicator at the 9:00 would feel more symmetrical to me

[@smokincooks7661]

That is a cool idea, but I think they'd have to build a different movement to make that possible- probably too much to ask, as they generally have models designed around movements, not the reverse. They could shift the crown to 4:00, and PR indicator at 1:00, like they used to have on some models. Those had the date cutout at 9:00, which is interesting. They took those and moved the crown and date to 3:00, PR indicator to 12:00, while keeping the same movement.

[@VF5]

It is a beautiful watch. I just gave me and brought the stainless steel model. My only complaint is the blue hands. I also noticed that the second hand is color differently than the minute and hour hands. Wish that the hours and minute hands were done in the same way as the second hand.

[@kjeldpedersen666]

Hi TGV A H... of a lot of watch for the money, no doubt about it. I think the choice of the green strap is spot on. A dark brown would be very stylish too... I think that it would’ve been better with just black hands instead of these “semi-blued” ones. You can always tell, even on the video. Well; a minor detail... The best thing is these patterns on the dail - and the fact that Orient make their own movements. A cool 30’s style watch that should (!) appeal to a lot of people. Keep up the good work👍

[@theurbangentry]

I could not agree more Kjeld! Thank you my friend, Best regards, TGV

[@wendyandgeoffpattison2610]

That beautiful piece would look good on a two tone "J" style bracelet.

[@ciscodance]

Hahaha so you have been binge watching season 2 too... I knew you were going to say that as soon as I saw the F91W!! But I looked it up and they have made a mistake! The show takes place in the 80's and the F91W was only introduced in 91! Please do recommend another show as I am suffering from post-binge depression.

[@maxfactor4209]

on my wrist today. mine runs a bit fast .....2 min in a month I initially wanted to buy Raymond Weil 2838-PC-65001 which cost around 1K but I found this watch for less than half the price and bought the Orient. though that RW is stunning

[@toolongforyoutoread6]

That's about 4 seconds a day, which is actually quite impressive for a mechanical.

[@tommoshos]

Perfect use of the Kingdom of Heaven soundtrack. Also, excellent watch review as always. Now I have to go watch Kingdom of Heaven haha.

[@jorgesolis7897]

Could you please review the Orient Envoy? I am looking to buy it soon. Yet, I can't find proper reviews anywhere and your reviews are so diligent. Thank you!

[@petershallis2294]

Love Orient...cracking good value and with a completely different feel to Seiko or Citizen. My daughter has a Bambino that was also well within COSC straight out of the box. I agree with your comments on this particular piece - especially regarding the lack of blued hands, but for some reason I actually like the tall case.. gives it some heft and wrist presence.

[@woonfaseng8737]

Orient blue hands (be it on OS classic or Bambinos) , while not heated blued , are amazingly beautiful and comes with a bit of shine under natural light . the only issue is probably the concern how long can it last, especially on the more affordable Bambinoes

[@smokincooks7661]

As long as it has some UV resistance, the paint otherwise seems to hold up fine. I think it will fare better long-term than non-rhodium plated stainless steel hands do. The current updated versions of this watch now use the same blue paint as most Seiko Presages do- less of a striking midnight/purplish blue, and more teal/navy colored. I kind of prefer the new paint, as it's less an attempt to replicate thermal bluing, and more, "yes, it's obviously paint, looks good for the money, & we don't need to pretend". I'd repaint them in black if issues ever come up- that would match the numerals and avoid pretending to be so much more. I have an Orient Millennium with the same hand paint as this v1 Elegant Classic- over 10 years later they still look factory fresh.

[@p5ychonaut]

Does Orient have a hand wind mechanism in their offer?

[@CobraKaiNoMercy]

Yes, it depends on the movement though. I think some of their lower end watches do not have the hand wind feature.

[@smokincooks7661]

@@CobraKaiNoMercy No Orient Star since around 2009 has lacked hacking/handwind, regardless of price point. Last one, as far as I know, used the "FD", caliber 46N45. Those movements were directly replaced with "EL" cal. 40N, even fitting into some identical cases (I'm looking into swapping some old 46N45's with 40N). Cal. 40N was recently replaced by Epson's cal. F6N43, with minimum 50hrs power reserve, and stricter standards for movement parts under Epson (mainly tighter tolerances than old Orient Watch Co. had). All Orient Star movements are still hand-assembled near Akita, Japan. That may not be boasting much, but all my Orient Star watches have been regulated quite well from the factory- typically much better than the +25/-15 s/day claim.

[@edwardhodgson3994]

I love the choral intro music , is it the version from Hannibal?

[@mrmyoujou]

I just bought the newer reference RE-AU0001S. Instead of a 40hr power reserve, it has 50! Although the strap and case thickness are still issues...

[@thinaphonpetsiri9907]

The newer versions of this no longer have a drilled lugs, guess I have to look for quick release straps instead if I want to quickly change them.

[@cheekibreeki8150]

honestly i could watch these just for the into and die happy

[@theurbangentry]

Thank you, too kind :D Best regards, TGV

[@redcedar6209]

Cheers, excellent review! I have been looking for a while for an affordable dress watch and appreciate the review. TGV and viewers, I am curious about you feel about the Orient Envoy? How do you feel about open heart features in general?

[@timyoungnc]

Love that soundtrack!

[@mohdsuhaimi3492]

I just bought this watch today. Don’t know whether it’s the norm but i think the numbers printed on the date is inconsistent. You will only notice it when unrun through the dates. Other than than,the watch is growing on me with each passing moment.