It’s time for the next edition of the Oracle Time Members Club giveaway! The watch that’s being given away this spring is the Orient Bambino 75th Anniversary Limited Edition. A fun, accessible dress watch that punches well above its weight in terms of style and build quality. It’s a little beauty. Find out how you can take part in this giveaway at the bottom of the article.
It’s a 40.5mm diameter watch with a thickness of 12.3mm, though on the wrist it actually wears much slimmer than those numbers on paper suggest. The lugs curve downwards quite steeply, meaning the watch sits very flat and comfortably on the wrist, ensuring that a cuff will slide over top of it very easily. It’s also the domed sapphire crystal that adds a lot to its thickness, which with its curve and smooth texture lets material slide over it effortlessly.
The dials are arguably the strongest feature of the Bambino collection with their combination of vintage elements and a clean, legible display. This Anniversary model has an off-white sunray brushed dial with rose gold coloured Roman numerals, vibrant blue hands and black minute scales. Between the creamy dial and rose markers, the overall impression is that of a cappuccino. One of the aspects I particularly like about the limited edition details is that they’ve simplified the logo at 12 o’clock, removing the normal coat of arms. It makes the watch look much cleaner and elegant.
Unstrapping the watch (it comes with an exchangeable beige calf leather number and a dark brown calf leather strap with faux embossed alligator texture) and turning if over reveals the exhibition caseback. The crystal bears a 75th anniversary marking below which you can see the inner workings of the in-house calibre F6724, which is automatic with a 40-hour power reserve. Beneath the the partially openworked rotor there’s a great view of the beating heart of the watch, the balance wheel in a golden tone oscillating back and forth.
The strongest plaudit I can give is that with a price of £329.99, it punches well above its weight in terms of build quality and construction. It has the bearing and feel of a much more expensive dress watch. It’s a limited edition of 9,500 pieces, which means it outnumbers many watches’ full production runs. Nevertheless, in recent years the Bambino has become a bit of a cult hit and the Bambino 75th Anniversary Limited Edition is one of the best expressions of the model I’ve come across.
In order to win the watch as part of the Oracle Time Members’ giveaway, you simply have to sign up to become a member before 30 June. Doing so will also gain you access to all the membership benefits including receiving 10 print issues of Oracle Time straight to your door, exclusive invitations to events and priority access to collaborations. As well as free entry to the upcoming Hands On Horology exhibition in Shoreditch this June.
Price and Specs:
More details at Orient.
Saw this brand at the Hands on Horology show, an underrated classic style watch with very good quality at an excellent price
I bought my first Orient watch from Japan last year. However my wife liked it more so now it’s hers.
Love the watch cannot wait to get one, when can we see this in the US? The peanut watches are great also
The minimalist design superior dial engraving with rose gold Roman numeral and behind the see through back with anniversary engraving really made it classy and stand out at such affordable price .Orient dazzles
Classic looking watch. Nice it has sapphire crystal
Very nice and affordable watch. Even better it would be without a date
Bambino looks so classic and chic…and as far as I know Orient still sticks with originally “made in Japan” as reliable product having quality assurance. Bambino genuinely represents pride of Orient as watch maker on their 75th…Love the shape and quality..👌👍
Engraved on the back is Made in Thailand 🙄
Absolutely amazing time piece.
Beautifully made.
Can’t beat the price for quality.
What a lovely looking simple watch (by saying simple means no bells and whistles or silly features, and is not in any way an insult), the style is very reminiscent of a more vintage piece, which I do personally like. Nice watches don’t need to have that “look at me” impact that isn’t needed. The rose coloured hour markers are enough to give it a little extra lift.
I don’t think anyone can argue at the price, excellent IMO. The final thumbs up, is the limited edition quantity of 9,500 pieces, now that’s what I call a decent run as opposed to the silly numbers reported of late of saying typically 10 pieces, (it sort of justifies a previous argument that I stated in one of my recent comments about realistic production runs of a higher quantity bringing the cost down to a normal level whilst still providing the profit margin necessary to run a business, – something that us Engineer’s have understand for generations).
In conclusion, a very nice everyday piece at a cost that we don’t need to be overly precious about wearing on a regular basis, unlike some high end watches.
Orient Banbino is the absolute best dress watch in it’s price category.