By Meor Amri Meor Ayob
Orient Star GMT
This is the flagship model from Orient Star which is equipped with the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) movement. For globetrotting executives the GMT function on this watch not only allows you to note two time zones but actually recognizes official times at up to three locations. When it was launched in 2012, I quickly acquire the one pictured below.
The Orient Watch Company created the Orient Star sub-brand in 1951 for high-end watches the company will create. The mechanical watches under this sub-brand are features exquisite style and complications that sets it apart from the generic Orient Watch offerings.
This particular piece under review uses a mechanical movement, ORIENT caliber 40P50 which is made entirely in Japan. A self-winding and hand-winding movement, it has 22 jewels and operates at 21, 600 oscillations per hour. This movement has a second-hand halt mechanism (hacking capability). Power reserve is approximately 40 hours.
The watch itself has a power reserve indicator, a date window and in addition to the hour, minute and second hands it also has a 24 hour-hand (the GMT hand).
The watch case and bracelet is made out of stainless steel and the glass is sapphire crystal with anti-reflection coating. The screw-down see-through case back is also made out of sapphire crystal. Water resistant is up to 10 bar and the watch diameter is 41.50 mm (excluding crown and crown guard) and is 13.75 mm thick.
The first crown at the 2 o’clock position allows you to adjust the time, date as well as the GMT hand as well. It is not a screw-down crown. The second crown at the 4 o’clock position is a screw-down crown that controls the internal moving bezel. With this complication, you can monitor 3 time zones at any given moment.
The lume is just sufficient for night viewing.
I love the power reserve indicator. When you turn the crown, you can see the indicator move.
Overall, this watch is a smart and highly functional tool. It has individuality and looks good when worn with business suits.
