![](\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgU6DxMMlio2cZUx4Lwo-lzHhtA-qI6VUdqjuDyz-KSzWUsjPOGUrGMDixCNAcOyzeknRmgxFCJuGh4E3zXXGsiVVI3qPHHsWb320RtsDjOgutZJMTV2B3jMyiqoYArVIN6RQtPGfx-RRc1xNbLEor7dNhoWMj61mzcTGdLqzze6sY5DNOkBmiCgX-GKvEr\/s1260\/skele-top.JPG\")
<\/a><\/div>\nOrient has been producing skeleton The new Orient Star Skeleton reference RE-BR0001N is Has How Well, First, The The The Yes, Honestly, \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n How It Wears The new Orient Star Skeleton is slightly larger than Case width is 40mm, compared to 38.8 and 39 of the classic This size is perfectly manageable for most wrist sizes. The strap has a unique texture that makes it quite This being a hand-winding watch, with no rotor weight, How It Functions The new Orient Skeleton is powered by a new hand-wound Putting this accuracy to the test is not so easy, though, with a complete absence of second\/minute markers, and in a way, it does Equally important for a premium model such as this, is Durability has been compromised here: offering only 3 As long as you keep it safe from water and other nature\u2019s Bottom Line With the new F9 Skeleton, Orient has achieved a very high All that excellence and distinction do come with a
\nwatches<\/a> since 1991, and its full catalog of semi-skeleton and full
\nskeleton models is the largest among Japanese watchmakers \u2013 and probably larger
\nthan most watch brands. Still, the latest member\u00a0of this long lineage came completely out of left field when it was\u00a0announced<\/a><\/span>\u00a0earlier this month.
\nperhaps the most ambitious watch the brand has released: more impressive, more
\nexclusive, and more expensive than anything it has done in years \u2013 at least
\nsince the demise of the Royal Orient line.
\nthis ambition been matched by the execution \u2013 and does the new watch ultimately
\nlive up to what Orient Star set out to create? Well \u2013 that\u2019s what the blog is
\nhere for! So with the new Orient Star Skeleton in hand, let\u2019s dive in.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
\nIt Looks
\nit looks fantastic, whether you\u2019re a fan of skeleton or not (and I generally am
\nnot \u2013 I always prefer to see the art and craft of a well-made dial).
\nit really is the brand\u2019s \u201cmost skeletonized\u201d watch, the only exception being the
\nold \u201cMon Bijou\u201d (which, frankly, was hardly a typical Orient, and was not even
\nbranded as such). The new F9 movement has had most of its back plate removed,
\nleaving only a bunch of beautifully circular bridges to hold the mechanism
\ntogether.<\/a><\/div>\n
\ndial was likewise skeletonized, however the arcs and circles serving as a backdrop
\nto the hands and markers are not an exact mirroring of the movement, so the
\nmoving parts are not fully exposed. Such exposure would perhaps be preferred by
\nsome, but it would also probably reduce the legibility of the watch and let
\nmore \u2013 possibly too much \u2013 wrist skin show through.
\nend result is a fine balancing act. The watch face is extremely attractive, with
\njust the right amount of transparency. The impression is greatly enhanced by
\nthe very fine level of execution, with chamfered edges across the dial (for
\nlack of a better word) elements providing nice glitter, and the curved,
\nSAR-coated sapphire crystal adding clarity.
\nheat-blued hour and minute hands, and the blue silicon escape wheel, add a
\ntouch of colour which stands out among the all-metallic components. The hour
\nmarkers \u2013 polished Roman numerals \u2013 are also relatively noticeable. Other functional
\nbits, like the second hand and power-reserve indicator, blend into the mix of arcs
\nand movement parts.<\/a><\/div>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
\nthere\u2019s also a case… lovely, well proportioned, smooth-polished on top and
\nbrushed on the sides, with aesthetically-grooved lugs holding the black strap.
\nthe watch looks nearly flawless \u2013 unless of course, you just completely hate
\nskeletons. And even then it might make you reconsider…<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n
\nprevious skeletons from the brand, and it works well, not only because it provides
\na suitable stage for the skeletonized movement to play on.
\n\u201cM45\u201d and contemporary \u201cM34\u201d versions of the previous, F8 skeleton models. Lug
\nto lug difference is minimal, at 46.8mm vs 46\/46.5; and thickness is nicely
\nreduced to 9.5mm, compared to 10.6 and 10.8mm of the older models.<\/a><\/div>\n
\nThe fairly slim case and curved lugs add to the wearing comfort, and the soft
\n20mm goat leather strap supplied with the watch is properly supple and just the
\nright thickness.
\ncomfortable and non-sticky on hotter days. The trifold deployant buckle is excellent
\nquality, flat on the inside and practically unnoticeable on the wrist.
\nand also having a very minimal inner structure, means the watch is light \u2013
\nweighing a mere 64 g. Keep in mind that as a manual-winding watch there\u2019s no
\nneed to wear the watch too tight (as you don\u2019t need to ensure efficient rotor
\nmovement), and it all adds up to the best wearing experience one could hope
\nfor.<\/a><\/div>\n
\nmovement, caliber F9B82. Besides its aforementioned visual properties, it also offers
\na higher level of accuracy than any other Orient movement currently in
\nproduction: +10 \/ -4 seconds per day. Mind you, certain Royal
\nOrient movements<\/a> offered COSC-level accuracy of +6\/-4 seconds per day\u2026 but
\nthat was some 20 years ago.
\nnot really seem to be the key point of this watch. The 70+ hours of power
\nreserve \u2013 measurable using the power-reserve indicator \u2013 are a more significant
\nfeature of the movement.<\/a><\/div>\n
\nthe smoothness of the movement. Winding it and setting the time are indeed
\nbuttery smooth. The crown is large enough and grippy.
\natm of water resistance, less than the 5 atm of the previous skeletons, this is
\nthe most basic level of resistance. In other words, don\u2019t get it wet.
\nhazards, it should operate reliably well into the future, and Orient stands
\nbehind this assurance by offering a 10 year warranty, including three
\ncomplimentary overhaul services should any be required during that period.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
\npeak in watchmaking. This should not surprise anyone who has been following such
\nrecent premium releases as the M34
\nF8 Date Meteorite<\/a> and the M45
\nF8 Moon Phase Hand-Winding<\/a>. It seems that with Orient Star, the brand is carving
\na unique niche for itself, producing premium models that are distinctive from anything
\nproduced by its always-in-comparison neighbors, Seiko and Citizen.
\nprice: around 7,000 USD, to be precise. Way above and beyond both budget and
\nexpectations of most Orient fans \u2013 including Orient Star buyers. But, limited
\nto only 130 pieces, and attractive and unique as it is, I\u2019m pretty sure all
\nunits made will be sold.