Latest Review
Orient is a watch company with an interesting line of timepieces. Some feature more classic design, like their fan favorite Mako diver model, while others are over-designed and gaudy. Frankly, I’m not sure that I’ll ever need a watch built to resemble a motorcycle. Every so often however, they release a watch that manages to achieve unique yet simple design at a pleasantly affordable price point. Their new Disk watch is one such creation.
Movement: Orient caliber 48743 Made in Japan
Power Reserve: Approximately 40 Hours
Crystal: Sapphire Crystal
Clasp: Buckle
Water Resistance: 50m
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Diameter: 41.40mm
Case Thickness: 11.30mm
Dial Color: Black
Calendar: Date
Band Material: Genuine Leather
Warranty Type: 1 year International Guarantee
A few months ago, Zach reviewed the Orient Masquerade, which displays time using a series of rotating disks. This watch is bold and highly graphical yet remains well balanced and wearable. With the Disk, Orient has once again utilized a rotating disk as a means of telling time, but in a completely different manor.
One of the first thing’s you’ll notice about the Disk watch is its absence of an hour hand. Or maybe more accurately, you’ll notice the presence of a brightly colored triangle toward the center of the dial that doesn’t seem to resemble ant other component of the watch. This, of course, is the element of the Disk watch from which its name is derived. Rather than having a traditional hour hand, the Disk watch has a large black disk at its center that features a triangular shaped cutout. Under the cutout is a painted surface, resulting in a bright hour marker that appears on a separate plane from minute and second hands. Additionally, as the hour marker turns, its underlying color changes.
Aside from this unique hour marker, the Disk watch features very simple design. All of the Disk’s dial is black, including the rotating hour disk at the center. The hours are large hash mark cutouts with white coloring beneath. This matches well with the cutout styling of the hour marker. There are also smaller minute markers between the hour indices, however these are painted on. In fact, there are no numerical markings on the watch for telling the time. There is however a date window that displays a black numeral on white background. Further, the dial of the Disk features a raised bezel along the outside interior of the case. I find that this, in combination with the cutout design of the hour hand and markers, provides for a decent amount of depth to the overall appearance of the watch.
The case of the Disk is a clean and simple stainless steel, with straight lugs that transition well to the rounded case. Measuring 41.4 mm in diameter and just 11.3 mm tall, the Disk should make for a comfortable wear. The plain black leather strap appears attractive, though we can’t speak for the quality. Nevertheless, its clean and simple cut pairs well with the Disk itself.
On the rear of the disk you’ll find one last piece of flare, in the form of a green tinted display case, showing off the Orient automatic movement. This detail really isn’t for me, but I know some of you out there may really love this unique take. In fact, I’d imagine that the type of person drawn to this watch may love this hidden touch of color. So if you’re in the market for a casual watch that stands out from the rest, check out the Disk watch from Orient. Currently listed at $340 on Orient’s USA site, the watch can be purchased for a limited time with the code Spring2012 for a 30% discount.
