OrientMen's 'Mako II' Japanese Automatic Stainless Steel Diving Watch

These days I am a pretty big watch collector with things at every value level, but I got my start—my first "real" watch purchase—with an original Orient Mako from Amazon a number of years ago.That original Mako was worn and beaten to within an inch of its life. I wore it everywhere, for all occasions and circumstances, and it showed by the time I gave it away to someone who badly needed a watch. It had been through the ringer, looked like a battlefield artifact, but kept on ticking and keeping very accurate from-the-factory time at about +3s/day.Well, I recently decided that it was time to get a Mako again now that the Mako II is out. Mako II keeps the unique dial styling, narrow bezel, serious water resistance, and basic feel while adding hacking and hand-winding.It was a joy to open this up and see a brand new Mako once again, and this one is also eerily accurate at about the same level, straight from the factory. And I liked it so much now that I am a more serious watch hobbyist that I have invested more in it—I have added a domed sapphire crystal and a high-end bracelet from Strapcode with screwed links, solid end links, and a forged chamfer clasp. It now competes in every way with much, much more expensive watches, while having that amazing "Mako look."All of which is to say that this watch is a modern classic and a fabulous value at this price. Stock, it keeps incredibly accurate time for a mechanical watch, swims with the best day-to-day divers out there, runs forever and holds up amazingly well, and looks unique, elegant, and also just a bit aggressive, all at the perfect size (41mm wearing a tad small—not too large, not to tiny for just about any wrist). And beyond stock, because of the popularity of the Orient Mako/Ray platform, it is now also a great base for a higher-end "project watch" if you want to go that route.If I was advising someone on a "first serious watch" to spend money on—a first watch purchase beyond a Timex—I think this would be my absolute strongest recommendation. "Get an Orient Mako II and wear it with joy—everywhere and in every circumstance. It'll serve you well."

I bought this watch for my husband as a birthday gift and he loves it! It's a great watch for the price. It has a very accurate movement but the crown is a little on the small side making it a little hard to set the time and date but it's not that big of a problem. He wears it a lot it looks nice on his wrist it fits good and he's very happy with it! It's great watch for the price. Highly recommend this watch

I rarely write reviews and only do so when a product is more than I expected. This Orient watch fits the category. I've been collecting, buying and trading fine timepieces for 30 years and have all the usual suspects; Rolexes, Brietling, Hamilton, Baume Mercier, Omega, Vacheron, TAG, etc... a strong collection of vintage and modern. I was turned on to Orient as almost a cult brand to watch collectors. Shame on me for not researching them years ago! I found out this company has been around for over 50 years. As a collector At the price point, it was a no brainer to give it a shot. Very happy I did. The accuracy of this watch is pretty amazing. It keeps better time than watches that are signficanly more money (100x more in some cases). The weight of the watch is good too. It has just the right amount of heft without being too heavy on the wrist. The blue face looks good. However, if you inspect very closely, you are not going to find the fit and finish of a Rolex, Omega, Brietling etc... That said, to a non-watch collector, those details aren't particularly noticed. I really liked the smooth edges of the case and the bracelet. Typically with lower cost watches, you get sharp edges and flimsy bracelelts. Not here. The watch case and bracelet are finished nicely and the bracelet also has good heft to it. Overall, I am very pleased with this watch and it is my new daily wear. It will be particularly useful when going on vacation when you don't want to risk bringing a high end watch for either damage purposes or God forbid, theft. This watch looks great for casual wear and sports activities but is equally at home on your wrist out to dinner or with business casual dress. I'm glad I took the change on the Orient brand and will likely purchase another.