Orient Watches: From the Iconic Bambino to the New Mako GMT Collection
For watch enthusiasts looking for authentic Japanese mechanical watchmaking at an accessible price, Orient watches have developed a particularly loyal following. Founded in Japan in 1950, Orient has built its reputation around mechanical watches, distinctive design and a commitment to producing its own movements, offering genuine horological substance across an impressively broad range of dress, sports and everyday watches.
Two collections in particular demonstrate the breadth of the brand. The Orient Bambino has become one of the best known affordable automatic dress watches, while the Orient Mako represents the sportier side of the manufacturer. The latest expansion of the Mako family is especially significant, with new GMT watches, limited editions, updated Kamasu models and a growing selection of Mako 40 references giving collectors more choice than ever before.
Why Orient Watches Have Become So Popular
Orient occupies an interesting position within modern mechanical watchmaking. Rather than simply using mechanical movements supplied by third parties, the Japanese manufacturer has developed and produced its own mechanical calibres, helping distinguish the brand within the affordable automatic watch market.
This means buyers entering mechanical watch ownership for the first time can experience a genuine automatic movement without immediately moving into traditional luxury watch pricing. At the same time, Orient offers enough variety, history and character to remain relevant to established collectors looking for dependable everyday watches.
Across the complete Orient watch collection, customers can explore everything from classically styled dress watches to GMT models, sports watches, colourful limited editions and diving inspired timepieces.
Orient Bambino: The Introduction to Mechanical Orient
For many collectors, the first encounter with Orient comes through the Orient Bambino collection.
The Bambino has become one of the defining affordable automatic dress watches, combining vintage inspired styling with mechanical movements and classically proportioned cases. Domed crystals, elegant hour markers, traditional hands and restrained dial designs give the Bambino a character that feels considerably more sophisticated than its price might suggest.
One of the strengths of the Bambino family is the variety of sizes now available. The range includes compact 36mm models, versatile 38mm references and larger 40.5mm and 42mm watches, allowing customers to choose proportions that suit both their wrist and their preferred style.
For example, the Orient Bambino 38mm RA-BB0003Y30B combines traditional dress watch proportions with a warm dial and leather strap, while models such as the Orient Bambino 38mm Blue RA-AC0M10L30B introduce stronger contemporary colour.
For those wanting greater wrist presence, the Orient Bambino 42mm RA-AC0P03L30B provides a larger interpretation of the same classical formula.
Orient Bambino Sun & Moon
The Bambino philosophy also extends into more complicated dial designs. The Orient Sun & Moon collection adds an expressive day and night display to the brand's traditional styling, creating a watch with considerably more visual depth.
The Orient Bambino Sun and Moon Cream RA-AK0803Y30B is a strong example, combining the elegant character associated with Bambino with a more elaborate multi-level dial.
For buyers who appreciate classic automatic watches but want something more visually distinctive than a conventional three-hand dress watch, the Sun & Moon models provide one of the most recognisable alternatives within the Orient collection.
The Orient Mako: The Sportier Side of Orient
If Bambino represents Orient's classical side, the Orient Mako collection demonstrates the brand's ability to produce robust, practical and characterful sports watches.
Mako has developed through several generations and configurations, becoming one of the most recognisable names associated with Orient. Automatic movements, highly legible dials, rotating bezels, substantial stainless steel cases and strong water focused styling give the collection a completely different character from the Bambino.
Most importantly, the Mako family is no longer simply one sports watch in several colours. The range now encompasses Mako GMT, Mako 40, Mako Kamasu, Mako III, Mako IV, Solar Chronograph and limited-edition models, creating a broad family of Japanese sports watches.
New Orient Mako GMT Watches
One of the most important recent developments is the arrival of the Orient Mako GMT. The GMT complication takes the familiar Mako sports watch formula and introduces the ability to reference an additional time zone, making the watch especially relevant for travel and international use.
The current collection includes several new colour combinations. The Orient Mako GMT RA-BC0001B30B offers a darker and more traditional sports watch aesthetic, while the Orient Mako GMT RA-BC0003L30B introduces a striking blue interpretation.
Further choice comes from the Orient Mako GMT RA-BC0002E30B and the distinctive Orient Mako GMT RA-BC0004Y30B.
These GMT references are particularly significant because they expand Mako beyond the conventional automatic sports watch format. A second time-zone display adds genuine everyday functionality while retaining the robust character that has made the Mako name so popular.
Orient Mako GMT Limited Edition
Collectors looking for something more exclusive can explore the Orient Mako GMT Limited Edition RA-BC0005L30B.
This model takes the new GMT concept and gives it the additional desirability of limited-edition production. Limited Mako releases have become increasingly interesting to Orient collectors because they combine the value and practicality associated with the core range with colours or details that are produced in more restricted numbers.
For customers specifically looking for a new Orient GMT watch, this is one of the most notable additions to the current Mako family.
Orient Mako Kamasu
The Orient Mako Kamasu sits alongside the GMT family as another important branch of the collection. Kamasu models are recognised for their sharper, contemporary dial styling and strong sports watch identity.
Current references include the Orient Mako Kamasu RA-AA0824L39B and the Orient Mako Kamasu RA-AA0826Y39B, giving customers different dial colours within the same established Mako Kamasu design.
There is also the Orient Mako Kamasu Limited Release RA-AA0827V39B, adding another collector focused option to the latest line-up.
Orient Mako 40: More Compact Proportions
The Orient Mako 40 is an especially important part of the modern range because it answers the growing demand for sports watches with more restrained proportions.
Rather than relying solely on large cases for wrist presence, the Mako 40 balances sports watch styling with dimensions designed to work across a broader range of wrists. This makes it an appealing option for customers who like the visual language of a dive inspired automatic watch but want something easier to wear every day.
The range currently includes models such as the Orient Mako 40 RA-AC0Q10N30B, the red Orient Mako 40 RA-AC0Q09R30B and the blue Orient Mako 40 RA-AC0Q14L30B.
Further colours include the Mako 40 RA-AC0Q11E30B, RA-AC0Q13E30B and RA-AC0Q15Y30B.
Orient Mako 40 Automatic
Another current reference is the Orient Mako 40 Automatic RA-AC0Q16N30B, continuing the emphasis on wearable proportions, mechanical movement technology and modern dial design.
For anyone buying their first Japanese automatic sports watch, the Mako 40 family is one of the most approachable routes into the wider Orient catalogue.
Orient Mako III and Mako IV
Alongside the latest GMT and Mako 40 launches, established Mako generations continue to form an important part of the collection.
The Orient Mako III Kamasu RA-AA0001B39B provides the darker, traditional sports watch styling associated with the family, while the Orient Mako III Red RA-AA0003R39B offers considerably more visual impact.
Those wanting another generation of the design can explore the Orient Mako IV Red RA-AA0820R39B.
These models demonstrate how Orient has continually evolved Mako without abandoning its fundamental identity as an accessible Japanese mechanical sports watch.
Orient Mako 40 75th Anniversary Limited Edition
Limited editions also play an increasingly important role in the modern Orient range. The Orient Mako 40 Blue 75th Anniversary Limited Edition RA-AC0Q12L combines the compact Mako 40 format with a special anniversary identity.
For collectors, anniversary models offer a connection to the wider history of Orient while retaining the accessible pricing that has helped make the manufacturer so popular.
Orient Mako Solar Chronograph
Mako is not restricted to automatic movements. The collection also includes solar chronograph models for customers who prefer the convenience of light powered quartz technology combined with the sportier visual character of the Mako family.
The Orient Mako Solar Chronograph RA-TX0201L10B and Orient Mako Solar Chronograph RA-TX0202B10B provide an alternative for customers who want chronograph functionality without moving away from the established Mako design language.
Orient Stretto Watches
Beyond Bambino and Mako, the Orient Stretto collection offers another expression of Japanese mechanical watchmaking, combining contemporary case styling with more decorative dial architecture.
A particularly interesting example is the Orient Stretto Semi Skeleton 75th Anniversary Limited Edition RA-AR0012N30B. The semi skeleton display reveals part of the mechanical movement through the dial, creating a more visibly horological character than the restrained Bambino.
Orient Sun & Moon Watches
The Orient Sun & Moon collection provides another route for customers wanting a more complicated dial. The day and night indicator introduces visual movement and detail while retaining the elegance associated with Orient's dressier watches.
These models sit particularly well between the simplicity of the Bambino and the sportier architecture of Mako, offering an automatic watch with a more decorative and distinctive display.
Orient Automatic Watches
Mechanical watchmaking remains central to the brand. The wider Orient Automatic Watches collection brings together automatic models from several families, making it an excellent starting point for anyone primarily interested in mechanical movements rather than one specific design.
For first time mechanical watch buyers, Orient provides an accessible way to experience an automatic movement. For existing collectors, the combination of Japanese design, in house movement expertise and strong value makes Orient equally attractive as a dependable everyday watch.
Orient Dress Watches
Customers looking for something classical can also browse the dedicated Orient Dress Watches range. Bambino naturally forms an important part of this story, but Orient's dress watch offering extends into more complicated and contemporary designs as well.
Leather straps, polished cases, elegant dial furniture and restrained proportions create watches designed to work with business or formal clothing while remaining practical enough for regular use.
Orient Sports and Diver Watches
At the other end of the spectrum, the Orient Sports Watches and Orient Diver Watches collections bring together the brand's more robust designs.
This is where the Mako family becomes especially important. Rotating bezels, strong dial legibility, stainless steel bracelets and robust cases give these watches the visual and practical character customers expect from Japanese sports watches.
Which Orient Watch Should You Choose?
The best Orient depends largely on what you want from the watch.
If your priority is traditional automatic watchmaking and elegant styling, start with the Orient Bambino. For something dressier but more visually complicated, explore the Sun & Moon collection.
For contemporary mechanical styling, Orient Stretto offers another direction, while customers wanting a sportier everyday watch should head directly to the Orient Mako range.
Within Mako, the choice is now particularly broad. The Mako GMT is ideal for those wanting additional travel functionality; Mako Kamasu provides a sharper sports watch aesthetic; Mako 40 offers more compact proportions; and limited editions introduce additional individuality and collectability.
Why the New Orient Mako Collection Matters
The recent expansion of the Mako family is significant because it shows how Orient is developing one of its best known sports watch names rather than allowing it to remain static.
The addition of GMT functionality takes Mako into a highly popular area of contemporary mechanical watchmaking. New Kamasu references broaden the colour selection, while the Mako 40 responds to increased demand for more restrained case proportions. Limited releases and anniversary editions add another dimension for collectors.
At the same time, established Mako III and Mako IV models remain available, meaning customers can compare several generations of the design within one collection.
The result is one of the broadest Mako line-ups Orient has offered and a particularly strong choice for enthusiasts searching for Japanese automatic sports watches without moving into significantly higher luxury watch price points.
Buy Orient Watches in the UK
Clarindon Jewellers is an Official UK Authorised Orient Retailer, offering a growing selection of Orient watches including Bambino, Mako, Sun & Moon, Stretto, automatic, dress and sports models.
Every new Orient watch purchased from Clarindon Jewellers is supplied through the official authorised network with its original presentation and manufacturer warranty. Customers can also benefit from expert advice, free UK delivery on qualifying orders and available payment options, subject to eligibility.
Whether you are purchasing your first automatic watch, adding an Orient Bambino to a dress watch collection or looking for one of the latest Orient Mako GMT, Kamasu or Mako 40 releases, the current Orient range provides an exceptional combination of Japanese watchmaking, mechanical substance and value.
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