Orient is the name of a Japanese watchmaking firm that is usually known to watch enthusiasts who are in the world of JDM watch collection. Compared to Seiko who have been making waves outside their land lately, Orient until now, have been staying low under the radar for many. They have been in continuation to produce high quality, yet attainable timepieces since the early 1950s, while the firm can further trace back to its roots in 1901 by Shogoro Yoshida opening a pocket watch shop. Unfamiliar, we bet most of you guys are unsure of that Orient started in 1950 as an independent company, producing reliable mechanical in-house movements even until today. In early 2000, Orient had gone under the umbrella of Seiko Epson, as the name suggests, pursuing traditional horology of reliable and affordable timepieces, in parallel to Seiko Watches in true Japanese fashion.

Orient Watches until today, is still one of the widely-recognized watchmakers in Japan, building their quality timepieces and sticking to their "JDM" route. They have a wide variety of selections that cater to anyone with a particular theme in mind, from cocktail event elegant timepieces to ever-ready sports watches that one can take it out for some action.

Like Seiko's luxury line Grand Seiko, we focus on Orient Star; their own JDM luxury line which then further breaks down to three main categories: Classic, Sports and Contemporary, and we focus on the latter.

Dating back to 1951, Orient Star first introduced the market, with their in-house chronometer "true star" timepieces that feature a dressy case blued hands, mechanical movement and timeless dial design. From there, Orient Star came to producing elegant watches like the Orient Star Dynamic, even skeleton-style: Orient Mon Bijou during the 1990s. They along with Seiko and Citizen in launching their sports divers with the Weekly Auto Orient King Diver Ref. 19410 which uses the brand's first-ever automatic mechanism.

Fast forward 50 years, in 2025 Orient have introduced their premium modern watch - the Orient Star Mechanical M34 F8 Date Blue, their modern collection 100m everyday kind of watch with a multi-finished bracelet topping off with a impressive hand-carved dial design.

The Orient Star Mechanical M34 F8 Date starts with a solid SUS316L stainless steel case measuring 40mm wide, 12.9mm thick, and 47.3mm lug-to-lug. It features a push-pull crown and an impressive 100m water resistance, making it versatile enough for daily wear. The case is finished with a mix of satin brushing and high-polish accents while the caseback and bezel receive full polishing for added brilliance.

Beneath the AR-coated dual curved sapphire crystal lies a dial that feels otherworldly like peering into the depths of the cosmos. Its mesmerizing deep blue tone is achieved through Epson's proprietary optical multilayer technology, where nano-thin transparent films are layered to control light reflectance and transmittance. This technique creates an iridescent effect that traditional paint simply cannot replicate. Enhancing this celestial scene is a hand-carved pattern inspired by the Perseid meteor showers; a poetic tribute to the night sky.

The dial is further elevated by applied, faceted metallic hour markers, and a refined Roman numeral at 12 o'clock, adding a classical touch. The fan-shaped power reserve indicator at 12 o'clock, a signature feature of Orient Star watches, displays how much power remains. A framed date window sits at 3 o'clock, offering everyday functionality without disrupting the dial's harmony.

Powering the watch is the in-house caliber F8N64, an automatic movement exclusive to the Orient Star line. Displayed through the screw-down caseback, this top-tier movement beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour, offers a 60-hour power reserve, and features 22 jewels. It's beautifully decorated with Geneva stripes and chamfered edges, showcasing Orient's attention to detail even in places few may see.

Completing the package is a solid end-link bracelet crafted from SUS316L stainless steel. With a combination of brushed and polished surfaces, the bracelet matches the elegance of the case while ensuring a secure, comfortable fit on the wrist.

The Orient Star Mechanical M34 F8 Date Blue perfectly blends modern sophistication with the brand's rich heritage in mechanical watchmaking. While it sits above entry-level Orient dress watches in price, it belongs to the brand's luxury line and it shows. From its exquisite dial and premium finishing to its robust in-house movement and 100m water resistance, this timepiece offers tremendous value. It may not shout for attention, but true collectors will know: this is one hell of a watch.