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Each version has distinct dial styles, but all keep the same clean, simple look of a dress watch. Below are examples of the different versions (we’ve only put two of each example below, but you can find all the models with links at the bottom of this post).
Orient | Orient Watches UK Official Website Orient | Orient Watches UK Official Website
Orient's naming system for the Bambino series is wonderfully simple. It starts with Version 1 and ends with Version 5. You'll also come across plenty of individual editions with "Generation 2" in their names. This designation is exclusive to models produced after 2018 and powered by the entirely reworked
The Gen 1 & Gen 2 Versions 1 through 3 & 5, the Bambino Small Seconds & Open Heart versions come in at 21 mm between the lugs (the place where the strap connects to the watch). This is a rather uncommon size and makes buying replacement straps for the Bambino kind of a pain if you want them to fit exactly. You will be able to find 21mm replacement straps, you just won’t have a lot of options. The V4 has a 22mm size, which is much more common and finding great straps shouldn’t be a problem. The Bambino is a popular on watch blogs and forums. In discussions about the best mechanical movement watches you can buy on a budget, it doesn’t take long for the venerable Bambino to be suggested. Earlier this year I decided to get one for myself and see what this Orient is all about. Lug to lug the watch is 44.3mm keeping the overall size tighter than the spec would indicate. This is a great example of not judging a wearing experience by case diameter alone. The Orient Bambino got the case shape right. Specs aside, I asked friends and coworkers to try one. Every one of them thought that the watch was sized right and was very comfortable. I agree. Designing a watch case that feels great on a wide variety of wrist shapes and sizes is not easy. Generation 1 Bambinos use a 48743 movement while Generation 2 Bambinos & the Small Seconds use a F6722 movement. The Bambino Open Heart uses a F6T22 movement and the Version 5 uses the F6724 movement. Beginner watch enthusiasts won’t really notice much difference and all are comparable in reliability and quality. The Gen 2 versions (and Open Heart) will allow you to wind your watch and stop your second hand while adjusting the time, but other than that, the differences shouldn’t be enough to sway you either way if this is your first dress watch. We recommend buying a color and style you will be pleased with rather than concentrating on what’s inside. Orient Bambino Watch Size
Orient Bambino: Which Version is Right For You? | Prowatches Orient Bambino: Which Version is Right For You? | Prowatches
The Orient Bambino got the case shape right. Specs aside, I asked friends and coworkers to try one. Every one of them thought that the watch was sized right and was very comfortable. I agree. Designing a watch case that feels great on a wide variety of wrist shapes and sizes is not easy. A smaller case with antique-style leaf hands and embellished Arabic numerals to create stronger legibility and a more elegant presentation The only other Orient watch I have reviewed to date is the Leo FET0L002D0. On the Leo I noted that the watch case and dial both seemed well built, but the strap didn’t convey a real quality feel (and it was awkwardly shaped at the lugs). The Bambino doesn’t suffer from similar problems, and is built as good as it looks. Crystal, Case, & Dial But truthfully, this is a dress watch and not a watch built for rugged functionality – you should not be subjecting to the elements. With it’s water resistance rating, you should be fine with hand washing and possibly getting caught in the rain. But under no circumstances should you submerge it. A Variety Of Dial Options With Some Legibility Issues
Orient is rated very good when it comes to watch manufacturing. It is a subsidiary of Seiko, another Japanese watch manufacturer. Orient sells higher-priced watches than the Bambino, so they have an incentive to maintain good quality as those buyers expect it. Where to Buy the Orient Bambino The Bambino V5 ref. RA-AC0003S is made of plain stainless steel and demands roughly 160 USD. Gold-plated editions like the RA-AC0001S sell for slightly more at around 220 USD. Versions 1, 3, and 4: Less Is More Orient has done a good job with the rose gold case, hands, and markers. It looks classically reserved, and I like that Orient has kept the case diameter at 40mm. mm strap size of the Orient Bambino Versions 1-3 and Small Seconds is not that common, narrowing down your watch band options. The Version 4 has a more common 22-mm strap size. My main issue with the Bambino – both Gen 1 and 2, and many other dress watches for that matter – is the size. The specs show this as a 40.5, but it feels bigger. It’s not obnoxious, but for my wrists at least, it is 1-2mm outside what I consider the ideal dress watch diameter. Again – not terrible, but enough to regularly keep it off-wrist.
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