Reader contribution from Michael Weightman. Proves we don’t only recommend high priced watches, but also affordable timepieces for the budget conscious collector. Here is the personal account from one of our regular readers as he talks about his Orient Bambino Automatic and why it ticks all the right boxes for him.
I recently had the good fortune to complete my search for a new watch with the purchase of an Orient Bambino. I had been on the lookout for a new timepiece for a while, but hunting for the right watch can be a daunting process with so many options currently on the market. Fortunately, my task was made significantly more manageable through the assistance of Deployant’s very knowledgeable contributor, Nick Gould.
The Orient Bambino ER24003W
Photo by author/owner.
I was looking for a piece that was both professional and stylish, but I also had the more specific preferences of it having a seconds hand and elements of gold colouring to complement the shiny new wedding band that I am now wearing on my finger. I had a vague idea in my mind about what I wanted, but these self-imposed restrictions significantly limited the range of suitable watches.
Photo by author/owner.
Fortunately, the Orient Bambino checks all the boxes for me. Aesthetically, I love the classic look – it is sleek and polished. It is thin and sits well on the wrist, particularly when compared to many other modern watches that have very large faces. The gold tone of the casing matches perfectly with my ring and the white dial is clear and easy to read with neat gold-toned markings and hands. There is also a small window that displays the date using a simple calendar function. The supplied band was somewhat stiff initially, but has improved over time with wear. It would also be possible to customise this – currently I have a tan leather strap, although it would also look good with black. Overall, the style of the watch leans toward the formal side, which has the potential detraction of limiting occasion for wear in more casual settings.
Photo by author/owner.
The Orient Bambino’s movement is mechanical and it is the first time I have personally worn a watch of this type. My late grandfather was an advocate of the traditional mechanical movement and I remember being intrigued at how his automatic watch could work when I was younger. He would be pleased I have now chosen such a watch to wear myself! I have found the Orient Bambino to keep time well, although as I do not wear it every day and frequently need to reset it I have not been able to observe its fidelity over a prolonged period.
The Orient Bambino is not retailed in Australia, so I purchased it online. It is rather nice to be able to wear something unique in this country and I have had many positive comments about the look of the watch from others. I consider it to be of exceptional value for the purchase price of under AUD$220. Most people tend to assume that it is a high-end piece, but it is actually very affordable for its level of quality!
I am pleased to own the Orient Bambino and would recommend it to others looking for a smart, reliable and economical timepiece that is versatile enough to be worn for business during the day or out for dinner in the evening.
Orient Bambino Specifications
Power Reserve:Approximately 40 hours
Crystal:Domed Mineral
Movement:ORIENT Cal. 48743 Automatic Mov’t
Clasp:Buckle
Water Resistance:30m
Case Material:Stainless Steel
Case Diameter:40.5mm without crown
Case Thickness:11.8mm
Dial Color:White
Bezel Material:Stainless Steel
Calendar:Date
Band Material:Leather (Brown)
Lug Width:21mm
2 Comments
Just picked up the white dialed Bambino as well after many years of playing in the $10K range. This was $117USD shipped to my office and what I have been missing out for so many years. For less money than most straps it’s not only for the price conscious collectors, it’s a real treat for all collectors. Mine has been accurate to a few seconds a day and I find myself with the same level of enjoyment as many of my other watches. Sure if you take a 10x loupe to it then you’ll find some machine marks between the lugs but not visible otherwise.
To be fair I found the same machine marks on my Panerai too so I can say this $117 watch will stand up to watches $1000+ anyday. It just take a real collector to overlook the fact that it is very inexpensive.
Quite a nude simple and cheap watch(relatively). The only reason I don’t own an orient dress watch is because hire sort its minute hands are. The watch would be more elegant if the strap tapers down too.