Orient Mako 75th Anniversary

Orient Watch Company marks a significant milestone, celebrating 75 years of watchmaking heritage. To commemorate this achievement, the brand has unveiled two special limited-edition models within its highly regarded Mako line, a collection synonymous with accessible, robust dive-style watches. These anniversary pieces, designated RA-AA0823L and RA-AC0Q12L, capture a specific aesthetic inspired by bright, clear days by the sea, while incorporating nods to Orient's long history and leveraging the mechanical prowess the brand is known for.

The story of Orient Watch begins not in 1950, but much earlier. Its roots trace back to 1901 when Shogoro Yoshida opened Yoshida Watch Shop in Ueno, Tokyo, Japan. This initial venture involved importing and selling pocket watches. Success led to expansion, and by 1920, the Toyo Tokei Manufacturing facility was established, initially producing table clocks and gauges. Wristwatch production commenced in 1934, laying the groundwork for the future brand. However, post-World War II economic struggles forced the company to shut down in 1949.



Undeterred, the spirit of watchmaking was rekindled almost immediately. In 1950, the workforce from the former Toyo Tokei Manufacturing regrouped to found Tama Keiki Co., Ltd. This is the year Orient officially recognizes as its founding. Just a year later, in 1951, Tama Keiki Co., Ltd. changed its name to Orient Watch Co., Ltd. and simultaneously released its first wristwatch under the new banner: the Orient Star. This marked the true beginning of the Orient brand as watch enthusiasts know it today, focused from the outset on producing reliable mechanical timepieces.

Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, Orient carved out a niche for itself, focusing primarily on in-house mechanical movements. While the quartz crisis of the 1970s devastated many traditional watchmakers, Orient continued to champion mechanical calibers, developing innovative movements and distinctive designs. They became known for offering exceptional value, packing reliable automatic movements, durable construction, and often unique aesthetics into watches that were attainable for a broad audience. This commitment to mechanical watchmaking, often vertically integrated with in-house production of movements and components, became a defining characteristic.

The Orient Mako, first introduced in the mid-2000s, quickly became a cornerstone of the brand's offerings and a favorite among watch forums and budget-conscious collectors. It represented the core Orient philosophy perfectly: a robust, dive-style watch with an automatic movement, solid water resistance, and classic looks, all at a highly competitive price point. It wasn't necessarily an ISO-certified professional dive watch, but it offered the durability and style that resonated with many, establishing itself as a benchmark for value in the mechanical watch world alongside its sibling model, the Ray.

These 75th Anniversary editions draw inspiration from "sunny days with endless blue skies and a gentle sea breeze." This theme is most apparent in the dial color chosen for both models. It's a vibrant, refreshing sky-blue hue that immediately sets these watches apart from the standard black, blue, or green dials often found on dive-style watches. This specific shade aims to evoke a feeling of leisure and the outdoors, suitable for active use but equally at home in more casual urban environments.



The dial itself is not just a flat color; it features a sunburst stamped pattern. This finishing technique creates dynamic visual interest, allowing the dial to play with light. As the wrist moves, the light catches the subtle radial lines emanating from the center, mimicking the effect of sunlight shimmering across a surface. This adds a layer of depth and sophistication to the otherwise bright and cheerful colorway, preventing it from appearing one-dimensional.

Adding to the thematic elements is the second hand. Described as "sunlight-inspired," its design likely incorporates a specific color or shape intended to evoke this connection, perhaps a golden hue or a distinct counterbalance. Complementing this is the use of Orient's vintage cursive logo, harking back to the company's earlier days in the 1950s. This nostalgic touch connects the modern timepiece directly to the brand's founding era being celebrated by the anniversary, adding a layer of historical context to the design. Applied hour markers and hands, presumably filled with luminescent material for low-light visibility, complete the dial layout.

The first of the two anniversary models is the RA-AA0823L, presented in a stainless steel case measuring 41.8mm in diameter (from the 3 o'clock to 9 o'clock position) and 46.8mm lug-to-lug (from the 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock position). This size places it firmly in the realm of modern sports watches, offering substantial wrist presence without being excessively large for most wearers. The case design follows the familiar Mako silhouette, characterized by its flowing lines and integrated crown guards that protect the screw-down crown.

Durability and functionality are key aspects of the RA-AA0823L's construction. The case is crafted from stainless steel, providing resistance to corrosion and scratches inherent in daily wear and outdoor activities. Protection for the dial comes from a sapphire crystal, a significant upgrade often sought by enthusiasts. Sapphire is renowned for its exceptional scratch resistance, ranking highly on the Mohs scale of hardness, ensuring the watch face remains clear and legible over time, significantly harder than typical mineral glass.



Water resistance is rated at 20 bar, equivalent to 200 meters. This is achieved through the use of a screw-down crown and a solid, screw-down case back. While Orient explicitly states this is not an ISO 6425 certified diver's watch, the 200-meter rating provides ample protection for swimming, snorkeling, and general water-based activities, reinforcing its "sports watch" designation. The case back is specially engraved for the anniversary, featuring the cursive inscription "Orient Since 1950 - 75th Anniversary" and a unique serial number for each piece, denoting its limited-edition status. A uni-directional rotating bezel, likely featuring a blue aluminum insert with minute markings for tracking elapsed time, frames the crystal.

Powering the RA-AA0823L is Orient's in-house Caliber F6922 automatic movement. This is a well-regarded workhorse movement within the Orient stable, known for its reliability and robustness. It operates at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz) and contains 22 jewels. Functionally, it offers automatic winding via the motion of the wearer's wrist, but also includes hand-winding capability for topping up the power reserve manually, and a hacking seconds mechanism, which stops the second hand when the crown is pulled out, allowing for precise time setting. The movement provides a power reserve of over 40 hours and displays the day of the week and the date, typically shown in a window at the 3 o'clock position.

The second anniversary model, the RA-AC0Q12L, offers a similar aesthetic and commemorative spirit but in a more compact package. Its stainless steel case measures 39.9mm in diameter (3H-9H) and 46.5mm lug-to-lug (12H-6H). This slightly smaller size caters to those with slimmer wrists or individuals who prefer a more classic, less imposing watch dimension, making the anniversary design accessible to a wider range of preferences.

Like its larger counterpart, the RA-AC0Q12L features the same captivating sky-blue dial with the sunburst pattern, sunlight-inspired second hand, and the vintage 1950s cursive Orient logo. It retains the robust construction elements, including the stainless steel case material, the highly scratch-resistant sapphire crystal protecting the dial, and the crucial combination of a screw-down crown and screw case back to ensure water resistance.



The water resistance rating for the RA-AC0Q12L remains consistent at 20 bar (200 meters), offering the same level of protection against water ingress for surface water activities as the larger model. It also features the commemorative engraving on the case back, bearing the "Orient Since 1950 - 75th Anniversary" inscription and its own individual serial number, marking it as part of the limited production run. A key visual difference often lies in the bezel; this smaller variant features a uni-directional rotating bezel, but it appears to be a simpler stainless steel bezel with engraved markings rather than a colored insert, offering a slightly different, perhaps more tool-like look compared to the larger model's blue insert.

Inside the RA-AC0Q12L beats the Orient Caliber F6722. This in-house automatic movement shares many characteristics with the F6922 found in the larger model, including automatic winding, hand-winding capability, hacking seconds, a vibration rate of 21,600 vph, 22 jewels, and a power reserve exceeding 40 hours. The primary functional difference is that the F6722 features only a date display, foregoing the day display present on the F6922. This results in a slightly cleaner dial layout, with just the date aperture usually positioned at 3 o'clock.

Both the RA-AA0823L and the RA-AC0Q12L are presented on stainless steel bracelets. These oyster-style bracelets have solid links, offering a secure and integrated look with the watch case. A deployant clasp, likely with a safety latch, ensures the watch stays firmly attached to the wrist during various activities. The metal bracelet complements the sporty nature of the watches and enhances their versatility, allowing them to be worn comfortably in diverse settings, from outdoor adventures to casual social gatherings.

The choice of materials – stainless steel for the case and bracelet, sapphire crystal for the glass – underscores Orient's commitment to providing durable and practical timepieces. Stainless steel offers a proven balance of strength, corrosion resistance, and aesthetic appeal, while sapphire crystal provides superior protection against everyday scratches and impacts compared to mineral glass, ensuring long-term clarity and preserving the watch's appearance. These material choices reflect a focus on longevity and user experience.

These 75th Anniversary Mako models effectively blend Orient's historical legacy with contemporary watchmaking standards. The vintage logo and the commemorative case back directly reference the brand's long history, while the reliable F6 series automatic movements, sapphire crystals, and robust 200m water-resistant cases represent modern expectations for a quality sports watch. The unique sky-blue sunburst dial provides a distinctive aesthetic twist, setting these models apart visually.



Ultimately, these Orient Mako 75th Anniversary editions celebrate the brand's journey by offering watches that embody its core strengths: reliable mechanics, durable construction, appealing design, and strong value. The choice between the 41.8mm RA-AA0823L with its day-date function and blue bezel insert, and the slightly smaller 39.9mm RA-AC0Q12L with its date-only display and steel bezel, allows buyers to select the size and specific feature set that best suits their personal style and wrist size, all while acquiring a piece commemorating Orient's significant 75-year milestone.

Regarding availability and cost, these are positioned accessibly within the mechanical watch market, consistent with Orient's philosophy. The larger RA-AA0823L is priced at EUR 429.99, while the smaller RA-AC0Q12L comes in at EUR 399.99. As limited editions of 6,000 pieces each, prospective buyers interested in securing one of these commemorative models should look to authorized Orient dealers.

Orient Mako 75th Anniversary Limited Edition (RA-AA0823L)

Case: Stainless Steel; Diameter (3H-9H): 41.8mm; Length (12H-6H): 46.8mm; Sapphire Crystal Glass; Uni-directional Rotating Bezel; Screw Case Back; Screw Crown; Water Resistance 20 bar (200m).

Movement: Orient In-House Caliber F6922; Mechanical; Automatic Self-Winding with Hand Winding; Hacking Seconds; 22 Jewels; 21,600 vibrations/hour; Power Reserve >40 hours; Day and Date complications.

Dial: Sky blue color; Sunburst stamped pattern; Applied indices; Vintage Orient cursive logo from the 1950s; Sunlight-inspired second hand.

Strap: Stainless Steel Metal Bracelet.

Price: EUR 429.99.

Reference Number: RA-AA0823L.

Notes: Commemorates Orient's 75th Anniversary (1950-2025). Limited edition of 6,000 pieces with individual serial number engraving. Features special anniversary case back inscription. Water resistance suitable for surface water sports, but not an ISO certified diver's watch.



Orient Mako 75th Anniversary Limited Edition (RA-AC0Q12L)

Case: Stainless Steel; Diameter (3H-9H): 39.9mm; Length (12H-6H): 46.5mm; Sapphire Crystal Glass; Uni-directional Rotating Bezel; Screw Case Back; Screw Crown; Water Resistance 20 bar (200m).

Movement: Orient In-House Caliber F6722; Mechanical; Automatic Self-Winding with Hand Winding; Hacking Seconds; 22 Jewels; 21,600 vibrations/hour; Power Reserve >40 hours; Date complication.

Dial: Sky blue color; Sunburst stamped pattern; Applied indices; Vintage Orient cursive logo from the 1950s; Sunlight-inspired second hand.

Strap: Stainless Steel Metal Bracelet.

Price: EUR 399.99.

Reference Number: RA-AC0Q12L.

Notes: Commemorates Orient's 75th Anniversary (1950-2025). Limited edition of 6,000 pieces with individual serial number engraving. Features special anniversary case back inscription. Water resistance suitable for surface water sports, but not an ISO certified diver's watch. Smaller case size option.