Last year, we spent a day with the Bambino V4. As the year draws to a close, we’re once again reviewing one of the Japanese manufacturer’s flagship models, the Mako 3. This diving watch by Orient offers one of the best quality/price ratios on the market. It was therefore inevitable that we should miss the opportunity to spend a day with the green-dialed version bearing the reference RA-AA0004E.
Orient: one of the world’s least expensive factories
The Orient story began over a century ago. In the early days, its founder Shogoro Yoshida specialized in the wholesale trade before deciding to manufacture his own watches. Thus the name “Orient” was born in 1951. The unique feature of this historic Japanese company is that it produces all of its own movements, making it one of the world’s leading watch manufacturers. true manufacture. Since 2009, it has been fully owned by the Seiko Group, but retains complete independence. The aim was to protect the Japanese heritage of this ancestral brand. More generally, Orient is one of those nuggets that we really appreciate here. A brand but appreciated by connoisseurswhose creations offer an excellent level of finish and value for money.
Case
The Mako 3’s stainless steel case is finished in an alternating pattern of polished and brushedmaking this a tool where elegance is not outdone. In terms of dimensions, this case boasts a 41.8mm diameter for a thickness of 13mm. The horn-to-horn size is rather standard, at 46.8mm in length, making it a very well-balanced creation offering a perfect fit on the wrist. We’re usually more fans of 40mm divers, but this Orient is well-proportioned, so it will suit most wrists. It boasts a 20 ATM water-resistanceor 200 metres, guaranteed by its screw-down back and crown. The latter is also protected, a plus that will prevent any impact on this sensitive part of the case. To complete its appeal as a diving instrument, this Orient features a unidirectional bezel 120-click steel bezel with fully graduated green aluminum insert. This bezel is easy to handle thanks to its generously notched rim. The bezel’s angled cut and polished finish can be slippery on the fingers, but the deeper notches make it easy to press with thumb and forefinger nails. The whole is topped with a flat sapphire crystalThis differentiates it from its little sister, the Mako 2, which is equipped with mineral glass. This is a very welcome addition, especially for a toolwatch designed to follow you everywhere.
Dial
The dial of this Mako 3 is another important point of differentiation from the Mako 2. The Arabic numerals at 6, 9 and 12 have disappeared here in favor oflarger indexes with a triangular marker at noon. The latter are covered with luminescent materialThe hour hand has been redesigned with a large arrow-shaped tip, while the seconds hand retains its red tip for a slightly sporty touch. The hour hand has been redesigned with a large arrow-shaped tip, while the seconds retain their red tip for a slightly sporty touch. A day/date windowlogically placed at 3 o’clock, and the brand logo under the index at noon. Today’s reference features a surprisingly effective green background. While this color is currently a real trend in watchmaking – we talked about it in our recent selection of the green watches of the moment – Orient has succeeded in presenting a rather unique shade, without being overly original. It’s a dark, discreet turquoise green, with a painted finish (even if on paper it looks like soleillée).
Movement
As mentioned above, Orient produces all its movements in-house. This Mako III is therefore equipped with a self-winding movement Japanese caliber Orient F6922. The latter fluctuates at 21,600 vibrations per hour and offers a standard power reserve of approximately 40 hours. It also features the important stop-seconds and manual winding functions. In terms of precision, this caliber is comparable to a Miyota 8000 series or a Seiko 4R36, with an actual drift of around 15-20 seconds per day, quite acceptable for the price. As is often the case with diver’s watches, you won’t be able to observe the caliber, as the case back is full.
Bracelet
This Mako 3 is mounted on a stainless steel bracelet made of 3 links and fitted with a brushed finish except on the sides, which are polished to create continuity with the polished case middle. This bracelet features a folding clasp which can be opened by pressing two push-buttons simultaneously. To prevent accidents, a safety flap completes the system. The buckle features a present but discreet engraving of the logo and brand. Note that it has no diving extension; even though very few of us use it, this option would have been a plus for such a watch. The lugs measure 22mmThis allows you to mount it on a wide range of other bracelets (leather, rubber or NATO, for example), while the width of the buckle is 20mm.
Our opinion on this Orient watch
If we had to choose just three words to sum up this Mako 3, they would be : efficiency, readability and balance. This is a real instrumenta diver’s watch in the truest sense of the word, to accompany you wherever you go. Its dial is one of its strongest points, with its excellent legibility and the singular green hue it offers. Orient has made the judicious choice of affixing a sapphire crystal to the Mako collection, an essential feature that complements this watch perfectly. All this for just 335€one of the best value-for-money models in its segment. If you’re looking for an affordable automatic diving machine, this may be it.
Orient Mako 3 watch ref. RA-AA0004E / Features
- Case : Stainless steel / Brushed & polished finish
- Width Width : 41.8mm
- Horn-to-horn length 46.8mm
- Thickness 13mm
- Spacer : 22mm
- Luminescence : Yes
- Glass type Flat sapphire
- Case back Solid and screwed
- Movement Automatic
- Caliber : Orient F6922
- Power reserve 40 hours
- Bracelet : Stainless steel / Brushed & polished finish
- Buckle Folding clasp with pushers
- Water resistance 20 ATM / 200 meters
- Warranty 2 years
