The Orient Star is back, and the iconic horologist is giving you three new premium watches to choose from. Since 1951, the Japanese watch brand has been known for producing exceptional timepieces that reflect the wondrous beauty of shining stars.
Orient Star Modern Skeleton
As the Japanese watch-maker brand’s worldwide bestseller since 2014, the Modern Skeleton model has been the favourite accent accessory of casual wearers and formal businessmen alike. To celebrate the iconic timepiece’s 10th anniversary, it will be receiving brand new models with strikingly bold dial colours that complement the bezel and the case.
The four new dial colours which emphasise a contemporary, stylish look are silver, ivory, champagne, and black, with the the silver-coloured dial visually connecting the stainless steel bezel and case, creating a uniform, single-tone appearance.
The champagne and ivory dials, on the other hand, stand out against the stainless steel case and bracelet, complementing the yellow gold or pink gold bezels. The 10th anniversary all-black model, available in a limited edition of 600 pieces, is a first for the Modern Skeleton series and lends an even more stylish look to the watch.
This isn’t the first time the Modern Skeleton watch has received a fresh coat of paint, as it previously came in blue, green, and brown-coloured dials. These hues are bright and colourful, emphasising the difference between the watchface and the rest of the body. To contrast, the new four colorways are designed to be the opposite of this ethos, a complementary design choice that is meant to blend any attire into one sleek and cohesive design.
Though it does feature a new look, there is no need to change the inner workings of something that is already perfect. These new models are mounted with the automatic mechanical in-house calibre F6F44 offering stable accuracy of +25 seconds to－15 seconds per day and a power reserve of 50 hours. The beauty of the watch can be appreciated from both sides — the dial or the see-through caseback — making this a truly attractive model for mechanical watch aficionados all over the world.
The Orient Star M34 F8 Date
If you’re looking for a signature piece that is sure to wow the crowd, then look no further than the M34 F8 Date. There are two new models for the M34 F8 Date – a limited edition white dial model available in only 160 pieces and a regular blue dial model. With a unique dial design inspired by the Perseid meteor shower from the Perseus constellation and a state-of-the-art high-performance movement mounted with a silicon escape wheel, the M34 F8 Date flagship model paves a new path for Orient Star.
Like Perseus lighting up the night sky with multiple shooting stars, the Contemporary Collection M34 is Orient Star’s most diverse product line-up to date. The collection’s flagship, the M34 F8 Date, was developed to showcase Orient Star’s in-house watchmaking system using advanced technologies.
The M34 F8 Date’s dial features a traditional three-hand dial design consisting of hour, minute and centre seconds, along with a date display at 3 o’clock. Orient Star’s original power reserve indicators sit at 12 o’clock, while the dial also features a hand-carved pattern depicting Perseid meteor showers. The white dial model is as lustrous as a meteor showering down in the dawning sky, giving the impression of auspicious light. The dial on the regular model is further enhanced by the blue colour, which depicts the night sky.
Its captivating colour, expressing the deep blue universe, is achieved using Epson’s optical multilayer technology, which creates a colour tone effect on metal surfaces. The optical multilayer film controls light reflectance and transmittance through multiple layers of nano-thin transparent film, producing an effect that would not be possible with normal paintwork.
Furthermore, due to the dual curved sapphire crystal glass with an anti-reflective coating on both sides (SAR coating), the glossiness of the white dial and the intricate pattern on the blue dial can be clearly admired.
Like the dial colour, the M34 F8 Date’s new movement also features advanced technology. The automatic mechanical in-house calibre F8N64 is mounted with a silicon escape wheel, which has become one of Orient Star’s signature technologies since first making an appearance in the 2021 Skeleton model celebrating the brand’s 70th anniversary. It also offers high accuracy of +15 seconds to –5 seconds per day and a power reserve of 60 hours. The improved torque facilitates better movement of the long hands. The movement, particularly the rotor’s chamfered Geneva stripes, glimmers beautifully through the see-through sapphire crystal caseback.
Both the sharp, powerful 40 mm diameter case inspired by the Greek hero Perseus, and the elegant metal straps providing optimum comfort are made of high quality stainless steel (SUS316L). Coupled with the water resistance of 10 bar, this makes the M34 F8 Date an attractive watch suitable for many occasions and styles.
Orient Star M45 F7 Mechanical Moon Phase Model
And to top things off, the Orient Star has also launched its new M45 F7 Mechanical Moon Phase model in its Classic Collection M45. The new cutting-edge dial, inspired by the mystical M45 Pleiades star cluster that lights up the night sky, features a new grey gradation effect representing an occultation, or overlapping, of Pleiades and the moon.
Orient Star launched the Classic Collection M45 in 2023, inspired by the Pleiades star cluster. The Mechanical Moon Phase model with blue gradation dial, released in October of the same year, was a sensation for its cutting-edge design. The latest M45 F7 Mechanical Moon Phase model takes this innovative design further by expressing the Pleiades and the moon shining in the night sky.
Like the blue dial of earlier models, the new grey gradation dial is created using the same complex manufacturing processes and advanced technologies. The surface of the dial is first stamped with patterns representing the infinite stars of the M45 Pleiades, which refers to the open star cluster of Taurus. The delicate patterns change expression depending on the angle of the light and create a scene of twinkling stars on the dial. Next, uniquely formulated paint is applied using a gradation machine to delicately adjust the colour density and width. This technique creates monotones that change from grey at the centre of the dial to black towards the outer edge. The painted surface is then coated with wrapping that is thicker and more transparent than normal clear coating, giving the grey gradation dial the depth of an eternally expanding universe.
The power reserve indicator at 12 o’clock and the moon phase, date hand and date display at 6 o’clock are designed in a dual-plate structure. The black Roman numeral indices, which match the colour of the dial’s outer rim, are printed in multiple layers to form exquisite contour and shading, distinguishing them from the background. The grey plated hour and minute hands blend in with the grey gradation of the night sky, while the mirror and hairline finishes add legibility. The silver-coloured accents from the index and power reserve are reminiscent of the stars shining particularly bright in the M45 Pleiades. The case is made of high-quality stainless steel (SUS316L) and set off with deep black plating to express the night sky. Each of the 120 limited edition pieces in this rare design are engraved with a serial number.
The moon and star clusters give the M45 F7 Mechanical Moon Phase a touch of mystique, while the monotone grey gradation conveys the abyss of the night sky, inviting watch lovers to experience the concept of time on a cosmic level.
