Should You Get The Orient Star Sports Outdoor?
Orient is quite a popular brand, however, for those who don’t know, the “Star” collection includes some timepieces which have higher specs. The Orient Star Sports Outdoor is a beautifully made watch. In this blog, I’ll go over every feature of this timepiece. By the end of it, you can choose whether this is the ideal watch for you.
Case
The case measures up to 41mm which personally, works great for my wrist. The lug to lug measurement is 49mm which pairs well with the case. Even though the lugs curve down slightly, they still come up a bit higher than the caseback. Paired with a NATO strap, this 12.1mm thick watch wears quite comfortably.
The case is made of stainless steel and it has PVD coating which creates a polished look. If you are worried about the timepiece’s wear and tear, a model without PVD coating would be more durable. I have worn my watch quite frequently and I haven’t noticed any signs of wear yet.
When it comes to the finishing, I’d say this is my favorite model from this collection. The bezel, sides and the upper part of the lugs are straight-brushed. The bevelling is mirror polished and the edges are clearly defined. In order to create a clean look, the lugs maintain an equal width all along the way. This kind of mastery is hard to come by in timepieces of this price range.
PVD coating and mirror polishing is used for the back of the case as well. The NATO strap however, makes it difficult to observe the movement through the glass display. The movement shows some of the finest details which are really worth admiring. If you choose the leather band version you won’t have this issue.
The screw down is shaped like a chrysanthemum and it is positioned at the 3rd position. It is very easy to operate even if you are wearing gloves. The top of the crown is flat and the Orient Star Logo is printed on the top. The sapphire glass has anti-reflective coating, and it sits slightly above the bezel.
Dial
The dial has an explorer-style which first drew me to this timepiece. The blue dial and the strap are also beautifully paired. The larger bezel and the flieger-like crown create the feel of a pilot watch. The numerals on the 12th, 3rd, 6th and 9th position resembled the Tudor Heritage Ranger. I actually prefer this over the Rolex.
The clean composition makes the dial very legible. The sunburst blue dial is not the reflective type, which creates a subtle appearance. The indices are pill shaped and the numerals are covered in a gorgeous lume. The chapter ring is printed around the outline of the dial.
The date display at the 3rd position doesn’t conceal anything thanks to the large dial. Under the 12 o’clock index marker there is a power reserve indicator. The brand logo is printed on the 6th position together with the word “automatic” in white.
The hands are sword shaped and they have a semi-skeletal structure. They are brushed in silver at the outer part. The counter balance is black and the gorgeous lume fills the inner part of the hands.
The lume is one of the most gorgeous ones I’ve seen so far. It is really quick to charge and it has a nice and bright shine. Considering the other famous field watches in the market, this timepiece has the best and strongest lume.
Movement
I’ve always been a fan of Orient’s movements. They deliver amazing accuracy considering their price. This model comes with an improved shock protection system and a 50 hour power reserve. The power reserve is very useful to me as I tend to rotate my timepieces quite often. Considering other field watches, Orient Star Sports Outdoor doesn’t have an overly complicated design. If you were to remove the strap you would see how nicely decorated it is.
Strap
This particular NATO strap is not your ordinary one though. It is a hybrid leather one which exhibits great craftsmanship. The inner part makes me doubtful though. Since the canvas side is on your wrist as opposed to the leather side. I don’t know if this was done on purpose or not, but I would have loved it if the leather section was on my skin.
A Good Power Reserve Indicator
Personally, I hate it when the power reserve indicator is on the dial. It feels the same as when people add stickers to a brand new fancy car. I favor dependability and simplicity. Unbelievably, I don’t object to the marker on the Orient Star Sports Outdoor. Firstly, it disregards the common watchmaking wish to position it somewhere on the edge or lopsided close to 7:00. I am a fan of symmetry and there is ample room on the dial, so I think it looks great. Additionally, it contributes to making the watch stand out from other similar field watches.
The In-House F6N43 Sits Inside
A movement made in-house powers this timepiece. The Orient Star Sports Outdoor uses the Japanese F6N43 automatic movement. It winds very smoothly and it has a screw-down onion crown. It has a 100m water resistance and it runs with 21,600 bph. Many refer to it as a good movement overall.
Nevertheless, it has been working perfectly for me and the finishing is spectacular, especially when considering the price. I haven’t tested the power reserve indicator as this timepiece comes with a sufficient 50 hours of power reserve.
My only complaint would be for the strap and buckle. I think the leather could have been better incorporated and the buckle should have been more carefully polished on the edges. You will find it hard to get a replacement as the lug width of 21mm is not very common.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Orient Star Sports Outdoor is a fairly impressive watch. Apart from some minor issues, the finishing is amazing and the design is attractive. I have no complaints on the functionality of this timepiece, which serves as a reliable field watch. If you’re looking for an affordable and fashionable field watch in the 400 – 600 Euro price range, you should really consider the Orient Star.
