Orient has signed on as a sponsor for SUBARU TECNICAL INTERNATIONAL INC. (STI), participating in the ADAC Zurich 24h Race. The race will be held on 23th-24th May 2009 in Nurburgring, Germany. It is the largest endurance race in the world with over 200 cars from around the globe participating.
Orient watches will be provided to drivers and team staff and the 24 hours of the race will help Orient evaluate the watches for their functionality and durability.
Below is a 'Japanese Engine' advertisement that features the STI Impreza and selected Orient watches. It emphasizes the fact that both the car and the watches are powered by Japan made engine and movement (in the case of the watches).
Courtesy of Orient
Here's the 'Japan Engine' website:
http://www.orient-watch.com/feature/japanese-engine/
One of the watches featured in the ad is the CFA05001B (shown below) and I had the opportunity to handle one recently.
http://www.orient-watch.com/feature/japanese-engine/
One of the watches featured in the ad is the CFA05001B (shown below) and I had the opportunity to handle one recently.
Model# CFA05001B
Click on the image to see full size picture
Most of the features of the watch is located on its dial.
The watch comes with two inner rotating bezels and that is the world time bezel and 24 hour bezel. I guess these two are considered part of the dial. Then, there is the power reserve indicator hand that is almost a standard feature on Orient watches. Also, there is a date subdial between the 5 and 6 o'clock position.
From some of the Orient slides that I have seen, I know Orient designs watches based on current watch trends. There are a number of watch trends that they have identified and among them are layered dial and black out case and bracelet.
From the dial shot below, you see that Orient has incorporated a nicely executed layered dial into the watch.
The watch comes with two inner rotating bezels and that is the world time bezel and 24 hour bezel. I guess these two are considered part of the dial. Then, there is the power reserve indicator hand that is almost a standard feature on Orient watches. Also, there is a date subdial between the 5 and 6 o'clock position.
From some of the Orient slides that I have seen, I know Orient designs watches based on current watch trends. There are a number of watch trends that they have identified and among them are layered dial and black out case and bracelet.
From the dial shot below, you see that Orient has incorporated a nicely executed layered dial into the watch.
The CFA05001B featured here has a stainless steel case but there is also another variant that uses a black out case and bracelet as shown below.
CFA05002B
Below is the side profile of the watch showing the signed crowns.
The crown at the 2 o'clock position is a screw in crown. When pulled to first click position, it sets the date when turned in counter-clockwise direction. When turned in clockwise direction, it rotates the 24 hr bezel. At 2nd click position, the crown sets the time. As you turn the crown clockwise to advance the hour and minute hands, the 24 hour bezel rotates accordingly so you don't lose the setting of the bezel you made at the first click position.
The crown at the 4 o'clock position rotates the world time bezel. This crown does not screw in.
The crown at the 2 o'clock position is a screw in crown. When pulled to first click position, it sets the date when turned in counter-clockwise direction. When turned in clockwise direction, it rotates the 24 hr bezel. At 2nd click position, the crown sets the time. As you turn the crown clockwise to advance the hour and minute hands, the 24 hour bezel rotates accordingly so you don't lose the setting of the bezel you made at the first click position.
The crown at the 4 o'clock position rotates the world time bezel. This crown does not screw in.
The watch measures 43mm across and is 12.5mm thick. Lug width is 22mm.
Besides the world time and layered dial features, Orient has included a sapphire crystal (with anti-reflective coating) to make it even more attractive.
Besides the world time and layered dial features, Orient has included a sapphire crystal (with anti-reflective coating) to make it even more attractive.
Watch comes with a nice and solid bracelet with flip lock clasp, push button lock and safety catch.
Here's a shot showing the caseback. According to the specifications on Orient's website, the glass on the caseback is a sapphire glass as well.
With so many good features in the watch, I am convinced that the CFA05001B will perform very well on the STI driver's wrist.
Below is the specifications of the watch taken from Orient's website.
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Mechanical Movement : ORIENT caliber 46K40 Made in Japan
Self-winding movement
21 jewels
21600/hour vibrations
Power reserve indicator, date hand
World time indicator
Stainless steel case
Sapphire crystal with anti-reflection coating
See-through caseback with sapphire crystal, screwed-down crown
Stainless steel bracelet
Water resistant to 100m
Diameter 43.00mm
Thickness 12.5mm
Self-winding movement
21 jewels
21600/hour vibrations
Power reserve indicator, date hand
World time indicator
Stainless steel case
Sapphire crystal with anti-reflection coating
See-through caseback with sapphire crystal, screwed-down crown
Stainless steel bracelet
Water resistant to 100m
Diameter 43.00mm
Thickness 12.5mm
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