I had an opportunity to go to Brazil a few weeks ago to visit family. We spent Christmas and New Years (Feliz Ano Novo!) in Rio. Thanks to WUS, I found that Brazil had an Orient factory. Also because of WUS, I've thought about getting a Mako, so I was hoping to see one while I was there. So whenever we went out shopping, I'd see if I could find a store with Orients on display.
Like here in the US, most of what I could find were quartz watches. The quartz models looked nice, but not what I was hunting. I eventually found two or three automatics at a shopping area called Rio Sul, but no Makos. I saw an OS300 (very nice) and a Orient Poseidon (469SS039 and 469SS040 versions) as well as the 469SS022 (or was it the 469SS023)?. I had not heard of the Poseidon before and was very impressed with it. I wasn't planning on buying a watch in Brazil (exchange rates not as good as they have been in the past...), but I really became intrigued. I'm not a huge diver fan, but the watch looked so nice. And what a great souvenir to have from a wonderful time spent with family for the holidays, right? I bet this sounds familiar. Rationalization at it's best.
So I researched the Poseidon on this and several other forums. I was worried that it might be too big for my small wrist, but my expert fashion consultant (the wife) thought it looked fine and I agreed. After reading positive reviews with some constructive criticism, I took the dive so to speak and picked one up. So my first diver, my first Orient and my first watch of the new year!
I have to say that I love it. It is heavy. I'm not much of a bracelet fan (I prefer bands, leather or rubber), but I love the looks of the provided bracelet. I like the bracelet so much, that I doubt I'll change to the rubber band for a while if at all. The negatives of the non-ISO rating, mineral crystal, some say "loose" bezel and allen wrench style bracelet pins aren't really negatives to me.
Although I'm dive certified, I doubt I'll be anywhere near 100m so the ISO rating isn't an issue (yeah, I'm a desk diver...for now). Compared to some other dive watches, I'm sure the bezel is loose. The bezel has moved on me once or twice, although it stayed put the two times I've used it. It is significantly tighter than the 469SS023 bezel that I saw at the place I purchased the watch. The bracelet pins may or may not be an issue on down the road, but for me they're fine. I'll just have to be careful if I pull the bracelet off. Ditto regarding being careful with the crystal. Accuracy seems good, although I'm not sure how best to test it with a non-hackable movement.
I do have a few questions though. I noticed on this thread that a fellow WIS had thought they might have broken the movement (although later they were told they did not), so I am a bit cautious with the watch. Accordingly, I have a few questions for fellow Orient owners...
1.) Is this the correct english language manual?
2.) If that's not the correct english language manual, what's the best procedure for changing the date/time?
3.) Am I right in assuming that in changing the time, I should never turn the hands counter-clockwise? I've noticed with another watch at a different store that when I did this, it affected the movement of the seconds hand.
4.) As stated earlier, what is the best way to test accuracy? (Yes, I am a bit of an accuracy geek and would love to know how well this bugger is keeping time.) Perhaps I just time it with my PAW1100?
In the end, it's a beautiful watch which will remind me of the wonderful times we had in Rio and my family who helped me with the purchase. I'll post some photos later on, but here's a quick cell phone snapshot.
-J
*edit: I posted this in the Affordables section, as I feel this is my "home forum" having spent the most time here...that and it's an Orient...the very definition of "bang for the buck"!
**2nd edit: I realize I just purchased this watch, will post an update in several months once the honeymoon is over.
Like here in the US, most of what I could find were quartz watches. The quartz models looked nice, but not what I was hunting. I eventually found two or three automatics at a shopping area called Rio Sul, but no Makos. I saw an OS300 (very nice) and a Orient Poseidon (469SS039 and 469SS040 versions) as well as the 469SS022 (or was it the 469SS023)?. I had not heard of the Poseidon before and was very impressed with it. I wasn't planning on buying a watch in Brazil (exchange rates not as good as they have been in the past...), but I really became intrigued. I'm not a huge diver fan, but the watch looked so nice. And what a great souvenir to have from a wonderful time spent with family for the holidays, right? I bet this sounds familiar. Rationalization at it's best.
So I researched the Poseidon on this and several other forums. I was worried that it might be too big for my small wrist, but my expert fashion consultant (the wife) thought it looked fine and I agreed. After reading positive reviews with some constructive criticism, I took the dive so to speak and picked one up. So my first diver, my first Orient and my first watch of the new year!
I have to say that I love it. It is heavy. I'm not much of a bracelet fan (I prefer bands, leather or rubber), but I love the looks of the provided bracelet. I like the bracelet so much, that I doubt I'll change to the rubber band for a while if at all. The negatives of the non-ISO rating, mineral crystal, some say "loose" bezel and allen wrench style bracelet pins aren't really negatives to me.
Although I'm dive certified, I doubt I'll be anywhere near 100m so the ISO rating isn't an issue (yeah, I'm a desk diver...for now). Compared to some other dive watches, I'm sure the bezel is loose. The bezel has moved on me once or twice, although it stayed put the two times I've used it. It is significantly tighter than the 469SS023 bezel that I saw at the place I purchased the watch. The bracelet pins may or may not be an issue on down the road, but for me they're fine. I'll just have to be careful if I pull the bracelet off. Ditto regarding being careful with the crystal. Accuracy seems good, although I'm not sure how best to test it with a non-hackable movement.
I do have a few questions though. I noticed on this thread that a fellow WIS had thought they might have broken the movement (although later they were told they did not), so I am a bit cautious with the watch. Accordingly, I have a few questions for fellow Orient owners...
1.) Is this the correct english language manual?
2.) If that's not the correct english language manual, what's the best procedure for changing the date/time?
3.) Am I right in assuming that in changing the time, I should never turn the hands counter-clockwise? I've noticed with another watch at a different store that when I did this, it affected the movement of the seconds hand.
4.) As stated earlier, what is the best way to test accuracy? (Yes, I am a bit of an accuracy geek and would love to know how well this bugger is keeping time.) Perhaps I just time it with my PAW1100?
In the end, it's a beautiful watch which will remind me of the wonderful times we had in Rio and my family who helped me with the purchase. I'll post some photos later on, but here's a quick cell phone snapshot.
-J
*edit: I posted this in the Affordables section, as I feel this is my "home forum" having spent the most time here...that and it's an Orient...the very definition of "bang for the buck"!
**2nd edit: I realize I just purchased this watch, will post an update in several months once the honeymoon is over.
