Brief review of a great field watch inspired timepiece for little money
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It's not the first time I am reviewing a watch made by Orient. My first Orient was an Orient Star GMT I bought in 2002. I really loved this watch but it got stolen in 2011 in London. After a long period of abstinence I rediscovered my interest in Orient watches, the OrientStar Sports Outdoor (RK-AU0202N) and the Orient Kamasu (RA-AA0002L19A) stimulated my interest ancillary. Both watches convinced me in their own way.
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The Orient Watch Company, more commonly known as Orient, is one of the largest (if not the largest) Japanese company producing mechanical watches. Founded in 1950 by Shogoro Yoshida, Orient Watch has the particularity of producing all its movements in-house. In 2009, Orient became an exclusive subsidiary of Seiko Epson Group, itself a subsidiary company of Seiko Group.
I then got a deeper insight in February 2020 at the Inhorgenta Watch and Jewelry Fair in Munich, where the Orient team had taken the time to introduce the brand and its the new models.
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Today I am reviewing the Orient Defender II. This handsome watch came in a week ago, an affordable time piece with an „unusual" day and date indication plus a 24-hour scale. „Unusual" is not meant in a negative way. Au contraire, I think it is a somehow refreshing and, of course, contemporary look.
Inside the Orient Defender II ticks the Orient in-house 22 jewels automatic caliber F6B22.
The dial color of the RA-AK0405Y10 is described differently: from „champagne" to „creme" to „khaki" (Orient USA) or „sand".
I am not an expert but to me the dial color is close to the RAL 8001 (ochre brown). Whatever color it is - it's nice.
Case diameter is 42,4mm. Due to the short lugs the watch is also wearable on smaller wrists.
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Key data of the Orient Defender 2
+ Stainless steel case, brushed, diameter 42,4mm, height 12,2mm
+ Lug width 22mm, water resistant 100m
+ Crown: Push/Pull
+ Dial: creme/sand (other options are blue, green, gray, black), Day/Date and 24hrs sub dial
+ Luminova-treated hands and indexes
+ Crystal: Mineral
+ Movement: Automatic F6B22, 22 jewels, hacking, app. 40 hrs power reserve, accuracy: -15/+25 sec
+ Warranty: 1 year
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I learned that the Orient Defender II has a predecessor. The original design is said to be about 6 years old, so Orient only had to adapt an old draft to the taste of the time, e voilà the mission „Defender II" was accomplished.
In terms of the styling of the Orient Defender II I'd say it's a field watch inspired timepiece. It has a utilitarian, even military appearance, particularly when putting it on a Nato strap.
Why I am saying is a field watch inspired watch ? Well, there aren't many field watches around with an asymmetrical set of sub-dials including time-, date-, day- and AM/PM- indication. Most field watches you see on our PILMIL Forum just display the time and - possibly - the date.
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At the day of arrival I immediately played around with some Nato straps I had lying around. The Defender II looks good on almost any Nato strap, it is a very versatile watch. As I already wrote, for little money you have a 7 days watch looking a tad different every day.
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The case is completely brushed, no flashy elements and this adds to its field watch appearance. The mineral crystal fits exactly into the case, everything sits secure and tight. However, I'd prefer a sapphire crystal. a mineral crystal imho does not match its field watch character.
The dial is the foremost Defender's DNA, an unmistakeable characteristic. You will agree, there is no symmetry on the dial but somehow it works, not least because it is balanced by the Orient logo at 1/2 o'clock.
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Priority number 1 of a field watch is warranted, reading the time is no issue. Hands and markers are broad, visually present and contrasting against the dial. The sub-dials are unobtrusive, they do not hinder the reading of time.
The leather strap turned out to be a little stiff. I didn't particularly like the color either. Thank god there are a lot of NATO- or nylon-/perlon- straps doing an excellent job when mounted on the Defender II.
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Packaging and boxing is standard - an outer white cardboard box, inner faux leather box with white faux leather inside and a velvet pillow. On top a silver rectangular label. Given the price nothing spectacular though but hey, I am interested in the watch and not in the package it comes with.
Conclusions:
The Orient Defender II represents an excellent value for money ratio. Great value for the buck which is part of the Orient experience.
Since decades Orient is something of an unusual bargain in the watch aficionado's space. They produce watches at a wallet-friendly price point but feature genuine in-house movements.
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Where there is light there is also shadow. I am almost sure that not only field-watch aficionados would rather see the mineral crystal replaced by a sapphire. That would also do more justice to the claim of being a field watch.
If the mineral crystal isn't a deal breaker for you you will get a well-made, sporty watch with field / military inspiration for a very good price. I saw them on the www for $230 and even less, our sponsor Long Island Watches is just one online shop you could source from. Back in December 2019 Long Island Watches did a nice YouTube review on a Defender II:
Despite being military-inspired the Defender II is suited for everyday wear. I wouldn't wear it with a suit but it perfectly fits with casual wear.
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If there's any question left please do not hesitate to ask. You know where I usually hang around.
For those interested in more Orient watches (contemporary as well as historical) I highly recommend Mr. Orient's blog „Orient Place - The Place for Orient Watch Collectors and Fans".
Link: Orient Place - The Place for Orient Watch Collectors and Fans
Thanks for reading.
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Brand: Orient
Model: Orient Defender II
Reference No.: RA-AK0405Y10A
List Price: $330.00 [can be had for (much) less]
Model: Orient Defender II
Reference No.: RA-AK0405Y10A
List Price: $330.00 [can be had for (much) less]
It's not the first time I am reviewing a watch made by Orient. My first Orient was an Orient Star GMT I bought in 2002. I really loved this watch but it got stolen in 2011 in London. After a long period of abstinence I rediscovered my interest in Orient watches, the OrientStar Sports Outdoor (RK-AU0202N) and the Orient Kamasu (RA-AA0002L19A) stimulated my interest ancillary. Both watches convinced me in their own way.
The Orient Watch Company, more commonly known as Orient, is one of the largest (if not the largest) Japanese company producing mechanical watches. Founded in 1950 by Shogoro Yoshida, Orient Watch has the particularity of producing all its movements in-house. In 2009, Orient became an exclusive subsidiary of Seiko Epson Group, itself a subsidiary company of Seiko Group.
I then got a deeper insight in February 2020 at the Inhorgenta Watch and Jewelry Fair in Munich, where the Orient team had taken the time to introduce the brand and its the new models.
Today I am reviewing the Orient Defender II. This handsome watch came in a week ago, an affordable time piece with an „unusual" day and date indication plus a 24-hour scale. „Unusual" is not meant in a negative way. Au contraire, I think it is a somehow refreshing and, of course, contemporary look.
Inside the Orient Defender II ticks the Orient in-house 22 jewels automatic caliber F6B22.
The dial color of the RA-AK0405Y10 is described differently: from „champagne" to „creme" to „khaki" (Orient USA) or „sand".
I am not an expert but to me the dial color is close to the RAL 8001 (ochre brown). Whatever color it is - it's nice.
Case diameter is 42,4mm. Due to the short lugs the watch is also wearable on smaller wrists.
Key data of the Orient Defender 2
+ Stainless steel case, brushed, diameter 42,4mm, height 12,2mm
+ Lug width 22mm, water resistant 100m
+ Crown: Push/Pull
+ Dial: creme/sand (other options are blue, green, gray, black), Day/Date and 24hrs sub dial
+ Luminova-treated hands and indexes
+ Crystal: Mineral
+ Movement: Automatic F6B22, 22 jewels, hacking, app. 40 hrs power reserve, accuracy: -15/+25 sec
+ Warranty: 1 year
I learned that the Orient Defender II has a predecessor. The original design is said to be about 6 years old, so Orient only had to adapt an old draft to the taste of the time, e voilà the mission „Defender II" was accomplished.
In terms of the styling of the Orient Defender II I'd say it's a field watch inspired timepiece. It has a utilitarian, even military appearance, particularly when putting it on a Nato strap.
Why I am saying is a field watch inspired watch ? Well, there aren't many field watches around with an asymmetrical set of sub-dials including time-, date-, day- and AM/PM- indication. Most field watches you see on our PILMIL Forum just display the time and - possibly - the date.
At the day of arrival I immediately played around with some Nato straps I had lying around. The Defender II looks good on almost any Nato strap, it is a very versatile watch. As I already wrote, for little money you have a 7 days watch looking a tad different every day.
The case is completely brushed, no flashy elements and this adds to its field watch appearance. The mineral crystal fits exactly into the case, everything sits secure and tight. However, I'd prefer a sapphire crystal. a mineral crystal imho does not match its field watch character.
The dial is the foremost Defender's DNA, an unmistakeable characteristic. You will agree, there is no symmetry on the dial but somehow it works, not least because it is balanced by the Orient logo at 1/2 o'clock.
Priority number 1 of a field watch is warranted, reading the time is no issue. Hands and markers are broad, visually present and contrasting against the dial. The sub-dials are unobtrusive, they do not hinder the reading of time.
The leather strap turned out to be a little stiff. I didn't particularly like the color either. Thank god there are a lot of NATO- or nylon-/perlon- straps doing an excellent job when mounted on the Defender II.
Packaging and boxing is standard - an outer white cardboard box, inner faux leather box with white faux leather inside and a velvet pillow. On top a silver rectangular label. Given the price nothing spectacular though but hey, I am interested in the watch and not in the package it comes with.
Conclusions:
The Orient Defender II represents an excellent value for money ratio. Great value for the buck which is part of the Orient experience.
Since decades Orient is something of an unusual bargain in the watch aficionado's space. They produce watches at a wallet-friendly price point but feature genuine in-house movements.
Where there is light there is also shadow. I am almost sure that not only field-watch aficionados would rather see the mineral crystal replaced by a sapphire. That would also do more justice to the claim of being a field watch.
If the mineral crystal isn't a deal breaker for you you will get a well-made, sporty watch with field / military inspiration for a very good price. I saw them on the www for $230 and even less, our sponsor Long Island Watches is just one online shop you could source from. Back in December 2019 Long Island Watches did a nice YouTube review on a Defender II:
Despite being military-inspired the Defender II is suited for everyday wear. I wouldn't wear it with a suit but it perfectly fits with casual wear.
If there's any question left please do not hesitate to ask. You know where I usually hang around.
For those interested in more Orient watches (contemporary as well as historical) I highly recommend Mr. Orient's blog „Orient Place - The Place for Orient Watch Collectors and Fans".
Link: Orient Place - The Place for Orient Watch Collectors and Fans
Thanks for reading.
