Shaking Hands With the Orient Bambino

Everything you need to know about the stylish retro dress watch – the Orient Bambino

Orient is a giant in the realm of Japanese watchmaking. In fact, it’s the biggest of its kind. The manufacturer churns out the most mechanical watches in the country each year. It also produces around 1.1 million movements annually. It prides itself on making “a watchmaker’s watch.” These are simple, no-fuss, no-frills mechanicals that collectors respect for their robustness and longevity. Indeed, some excellent options exist for a great price point. This includes the Orient Bambino.

Orient’s Bambino is a retro dress watch with an in-house caliber and refined aesthetics. The design features a steeply domed mineral crystal, a domed dial, and classical proportions measuring between 36mm and 40mm. 

This bang-for-buck design comes in so many variations. Small second variants, open hearts, partially skeletonized models, Roman numeral dials, and sunburst displays in several colors exist. Let’s examine its history to see where the Bambino fits within the brand’s intriguing backstory. 

The History of Orient Watches

Orient Watch Company has existed since 1950, but its origins date back way further. In 1901, Shogoro Yoshida opened the ‘Yoshida Watch Shop’. Here, he sold pocket watches before opening ‘Toyo Tokei Manufacturing,’ where wristwatches became his specialty. During the years of the Second World War, the factory began mass-producing watches for the military. Post-war, however, it fell into financial difficulty. 

In the 1950s, the company developed a watch called the “New Orient,” which led to a name change. The Orient watch company became ambitious, developing models like the Orient Star, the Original Diver’s Watch, and the Touchtron. The latter featured a touch-sensitive, self-lighting LED screen that displayed the time on command. 

The Bambino watch didn’t arrive until 2012 and belonged to its own self-titled collection. These days, things are a little different. The Bambino slid into the Classic Collection and currently sits alongside other very elegant designs. There are a lot of Bambino watches on the market today. Some belong to older generations; others are relatively new. The sheer amount of choice within this sub-category can make shopping for a timepiece quite the challenge. 

The first two generations, for example, are very similar save for the movement within them. Mind you, both the first and second generations have Versions I, II, and III. And it gets even more confusing since versions IV and V only exist within the second generation, not the first. In addition to this, there are also the Small Seconds and Open Heart versions, which I mentioned earlier. 

Simplifying the Orient Bambino 

Here are some key points to help you distinguish between different Babino watches. For starters, Version I has thicker hour markers and triangular hands. The second version has Roman numerals and a minute chapter ring. The third version, as seen in the Bambino V3 (Gen 2), features a clean, simplified, Bauhaus-inspired dial. And the fourth version has a red-tipped secondhand. Version V models have curved hands, sunburst dials, and quirky dial fonts. 

Let’s explore some of these in more detail to help you decide which one to choose. 

Orient 2nd Gen Bambino Version

The Orient 2nd Gen Bambino version is the most classic of all. These models have old-school features that bring a hint of nostalgia to the wrist. The version two Bambino watches have sightly busier dials and a timeless minute marker scale around the periphery. The Roman numeral hour markers that feature in some of these versions are crisp and legible. So are the tapering central hands. 

These Orient Bambino watches exude a retro Flieger vibe that could make them particularly popular with aviator watch enthusiasts. They tastefully bridge the gap between the pilot and classic dress watch. The I, II, III. And IV versions of this second generation feature the Calibre F6722. This upgraded version of the caliber runs throughout the first generation. The 2nd gen version V runs on the F6724 automatic movement. It’s basically just like the F6722 but comes with a white date wheel with black numbering instead of a black date. The V comes with an exhibition caseback, so this is likely the reason behind changing the purely aesthetic mechanism.

The Orient Bambino Open Heart

Hands down, the Orient Bambino Open Heart watch is my favorite of all Bambino watches. For its price point, it offers a stunning dial design that looks horologically sophisticated. These watches will undoubtedly appeal to collectors with a taste for complexity and mechanical beauty. As it stands, Bambinos are elegant dress watches even without the open heart feature. But adding that small cut-out window offering glimpses into the mastery behind the dial is extra special. 

This Orient Bambino watch gives the impression that you’re wearing something more expensive than you are. I can vouch for this, as I’ve enjoyed some time with this timepiece myself. The finishes are smooth, effortless even. The collection comprises five different iterations, all with a distinctive onion crown. 

Prices for the Open Heart versions start at around $240 and come in a gold-colored or stainless steel case. Although open hearts aren’t everybody’s thing, they sure are mine. I love to enjoy the simpler takes on complication, which makes these models perfect for my wardrobe. This model features a dramatic blue dial, stick hour markers, thin tapering hands, and a cut-out at 9H. The feature lies under a domed mineral glass. 

What I like most about these Bambino watches is that they’re friendly on the slimmer wrist. This model comes on a classic black leather band, making it a perfect accompaniment for evening attire or an office. 

The Orient Bambino Small Seconds

Consider a design from the Small Seconds sub-category if the Bambino Open Heart is too big. These watches come in 36mm cases. The silver-white dial option is the slightly more contemporary version of them all. Meanwhile, there’s an ivory-colored dial that exudes a subtle vintage-esque style. The black edition is the go-to for any attire since it will pair effortlessly with anything. Then, you have another silver-white option, but it’s on a luxurious-looking gold-colored case this time. 

It isn’t until you take a closer look at the dial that you start to see just how much this watch has going for it. The snail-effect counter, a 6H, featuring the running seconds, is a perfect execution. Blue steel hands add a dash of color, while the facets on the central hands reflect the light. The Roman numeral hour markers are a nice touch. They sit inside a minute track and feature under a mineral glass. While the bezel has a polishing finish, the flanks feature brushing, creating an interplay of tones and textures. 

Its relatively slim lugs make the Orient Bambino Small Seconds wear so well on the slender wrist. Depending on the model, they attach to alligator-style leather straps in black and brown. Some of these models are also available in a 38mm size, sitting right in the pocket of the vintage category. And we all know that vintage proportions are back on trend!

Overall, I like the way the Roman numerals intersperse with stick markers to create a very classic, instrument-like aesthetic. Lastly, flip the watch over, and you also get a chance to watch the Calibre F6222 at work. It comes with a 40-hour power reserve. But if you don’t want to risk the watch running down, I’d recommend any of these watch winders to help. 

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Orient Bambino. If you’re still unsure about the various sub-categories, this information should help. 

Is the Orient Bambino Worth It?

As an in-house mechanical that’s arguably pretty versatile, the Orient Bambino is one of the most bang-for-buck watches out there. Finer details like open-heart dials and see-through case backs are other nice touches contributing to the model’s luxurious and superior feel. 

How Many Orient Bambino Generations Are There?

There are two generations, the first and second, but several “spin-offs.” These include an open-heart version and a second version. Both are incredibly beautiful. Within the first and second generations are different versions with less apparent differences. 

How Water-Resistant Is the Orient Bambino?

The water-resistant capability of a Bambino watch from Orient can vary slightly. Many range from 30 meters to 50 meters.

Can You Dress Down an Orient Bambino?

Yes, especially the simpler, modern-looking versions, like the Version III. However, all Bambino watches fall into the casual-dressy category, so pepping them up a little should be no problem.

Are Orient Bambino Hands Too Blue?

No, the rich blue hands of some Orient Bambino watches are fetching but not overpowering. While they’re certainly an attractive asset, they don’t take away from the simplicity of the display. 

Is the Orient Bambino Watch for You?

If you prefer a more contemporary look, the Orient Bambino version III has an almost Scandinavian feel. Meanwhile, Version II’s Roman indices make it more vintage-looking, while Version I sits somewhere in the middle. I think Version V is the most versatile, thanks to its modern elegance. It’s also likely why it has the most remixes (the open heart, ladies, and small seconds versions). Functionally, Generation 2 and beyond are superior since they offer the hacking seconds.

There’s a lot to consider here since the differences between versions can be pretty nuanced. Fortunately, Bambino watches are usually affordable and don’t often go too far beyond $400, so there’s a collectability factor about them as well.

Questions? Comments? Leave them below!