{"id":7054989,"date":"2026-09-02T19:45:25","date_gmt":"2026-09-02T19:45:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/uncategorized\/orient-place-the-place-for-orient-watch-collectors-and-fans-a-meteorite-among-the-stars\/"},"modified":"2026-09-02T19:45:25","modified_gmt":"2026-09-02T19:45:25","slug":"orient-place-the-place-for-orient-watch-collectors-and-fans-a-meteorite-among-the-stars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7054989","title":{"rendered":"Orient Place – The Place for Orient Watch Collectors and Fans: A Meteorite Among The Stars"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n
<\/a><\/div>\n

I
\nwas not ready for it, but it happened: the Orient
\nStar M34 F8 Date Meteorite<\/a> exceeded my expectations, as high as they
\nalready were. I mean, I often like the Orient watches that come my way, but
\nusually I know what to expect. Having a few high-end watches in my collection, I
\nusually stop short of comparing my favorite brand’s products with those of the
\nheavyweights of the industry. This one was different.<\/p>\n

So,
\nwhile I usually just post my review and move on, I thought I could do this timepiece justice and follow up with some comparisons to other high-end
\nJapanese watchmakers, possibly ones better known for their premium models.<\/p>\n

In
\nmy hand, pictured below, are watches that I think are worthy of admiration:
\nCitizen’s Campanola \u2013 mechanical model, deep-red urushi dial; Grand
\nSeiko<\/a>‘s iconic SBGR019; and next to the Orient is the slightly less famous
\nbut equally fantastic Divido, by Minase.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n
<\/a><\/div>\n

The
\nfirst obvious comparison is Grand Seiko. The classic name that made us talk
\nabout Zaratsu polishing and dial textures. Just as its grandparents taught the Swiss industry about accuracy back in the 1960s, it returned in the 2000s to teach the world how high watchmaking craftsmanship and fine finishing can
\ngo.<\/p>\n

Honestly,
\nthe level of polishing and accuracy of details are hard to distinguish between
\nthe Orient and the Seiko. The SBGR019 had some unique elements that aren’t even
\nvery common among other (and newer) GS models. The “beehive” pattern
\non the dial is hidden until put in direct light. But then, the Meteorite dial
\nis always there, and always gorgeous. <\/p>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n
<\/a><\/div>\n

Looking
\nat the bracelet, the Grand Seiko wins, with a design whose complexity
\nreally produces extreme comfort. But in all fairness, most current GS watches
\nhave lesser bracelets, and the Orient Star’s bracelet will not feel
\nunderwhelming next to any of those.<\/p>\n

Now
\nthe Campanola is a different story, a watch born out of a very different design
\nphilosophy. With no interest in minimalism whatsoever, this piece boasts layers
\nof components, materials, and colors (and keep in mind that, as far as
\nCampanolas go, this is one of the more restrained models).<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n
<\/a><\/div>\n

Different
\nbut still comparable. The Campanola is the more expensive of the bunch,
\nboasting the most amount of handcrafted effort and a Swiss movement with
\nbig-date complication. It is exceptionally eye-catching, and its dial also shines in the light, extremely so.<\/p>\n

While
\nthere’s no denying the unique flair of Citizen’s premier model, even here the
\nOrient does not look like it would be out of place in the same watch box. Yes, the
\nhand-painted dial of the Campanola is a winner, but it wins even when pitted
\nagainst watches costing ten times or more. <\/p>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

The
\nDivido sits somewhere in between its bigger brothers. Featuring fine Zaratsu
\npolishing like the Grand Seiko and complex, precise construction like the
\nCampanola, it actually costs less than both (and roughly the same as the Orient
\nStar) and is really a kind of hidden gem among Japanese manufacturers. <\/p>\n

Minase
\ntakes pride in the Divido bracelet, which feels lighter than the Orient’s and
\nSeiko’s. It is highly comfortable, and is well adjusted to the watch, which also has a very light and “roomy” case-in-case construction. Again, the Orient Star bracelet does not pale in comparison; rather, it seems chunkier \u2013 more appropriate for the M34 case.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n
<\/a><\/div>\n

This
\npost mainly focuses on looks and craftsmanship, rather than movements and
\naccuracy. I would not compare movements between watches of different ages that were never serviced; as of now, the Orient Star is the most accurate watch I have ever handled more than briefly, keeping about a second a week, albeit with a noticeable difference between rest and wrist-time. The Campanola is a close
\nsecond, with its fancy (and nicely decorated) La Joux-Perret movement. The
\nDivido and Grand Seiko are accurate enough, both gaining a few seconds per day.<\/p>\n

There
\nis no “bottom line” here; these are four fantastic watches, and I
\njust loved to see the Orient Star feel at home among them. It’s closer in
\nspirit to the Grand Seiko, the latter obviously serving as inspiration and
\nperhaps \u2013 target. <\/p>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n

\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n