Various Orient Bambino mechanical watches $168 and up

Thanks OP.

Nice watch but mineral glass is a non-starter at any price, for me anyway. They scratch too easily and look like crap. Too bad, nice looking watches. I'd pay more for sapphire.

sandav wrote: ↑ Thanks OP.

Nice watch but mineral glass is a non-starter at any price, for me anyway. They scratch too easily and look like crap. Too bad, nice looking watches. I'd pay more for sapphire.

That’s bogus. I have a SKX007 with zero scratches on the mineral glass. Mineral glass should not be a detractor at this price range.

Damn, was hoping they had the creme dial with blue hands at that price. Thanks OP

sandav wrote: ↑ Thanks OP.

Nice watch but mineral glass is a non-starter at any price, for me anyway. They scratch too easily and look like crap. Too bad, nice looking watches. I'd pay more for sapphire.

EP32k2 wrote: ↑ That’s bogus. I have a SKX007 with zero scratches on the mineral glass. Mineral glass should not be a detractor at this price range.

I'd have to agree to sandav. I have a couple Orients and after getting a nick/scratch (from a door strike plate) on the first one, I only buy the ones with sapphire.

I bought a Bambino about a year ago. I like it. I seldom wear it, but I just noticed a scratch on it last night
My daily driver is a SKX007 and that one has no scratches even though I've had it for a few years. The Bambino has no bezel to protect it...

EP32k2 wrote: ↑ That’s bogus. I have a SKX007 with zero scratches on the mineral glass. Mineral glass should not be a detractor at this price range.

It's Hardlex crystal which is a hardened mineral glass. I would choose Hardlex over mineral any day. I own a 3rd gen Seiko monster and not a scratch due to the glass and it's concave design.

EP32k2 wrote: ↑ That’s bogus. I have a SKX007 with zero scratches on the mineral glass. Mineral glass should not be a detractor at this price range.

While I do agree with you, I think you can find sapphire crystal watches on sale for around 20-30 dollars more.
Still a good watch, though.

The small seconds version is the one I'd go for.

Good price and great entry level mechanical watch.

Thanks OP!

sandav wrote: ↑ Thanks OP.

Nice watch but mineral glass is a non-starter at any price, for me anyway. They scratch too easily and look like crap. Too bad, nice looking watches. I'd pay more for sapphire.

And Orient's mineral glass is one of the crappiest ever. Have had it scratch easily on Mako. Had to get a sapphire replacement.

EP32k2 wrote: ↑ That’s bogus. I have a SKX007 with zero scratches on the mineral glass. Mineral glass should not be a detractor at this price range.

hardlex is not typical mineral glass

Oakbeard wrote: ↑ While I do agree with you, I think you can find sapphire crystal watches on sale for around 20-30 dollars more.
Still a good watch, though.

True.

sandav wrote: ↑ It's Hardlex crystal which is a hardened mineral glass. I would choose Hardlex over mineral any day. I own a 3rd gen Seiko monster and not a scratch due to the glass and it's concave design.

Good point. I forgot, just remembered it wasn’t sapphire.

Wish it was a 37 or 38mm

appleb wrote: ↑ The small seconds version is the one I'd go for.

I don't understand the small second hand. The beauty of a mechanical watch is to see the beautiful sweep of the second hand. With the second like this or in any chronographs, the second hand is so small you can barely see it. So you're paying extra just to negate the best thing about mech watches? Yeah makes sense lol.

These are sexy, but I have too many watches already MUST RESIST!

weedb0y wrote: ↑ hardlex is not typical mineral glass

+1. Had just Seikos with Hardlex and never understood what the fuss was about mineral scratching easy. That said, It still boggles my mind why in 2018 sapphire and good lume is not standard on any watch over $200, these things are inexpensive but substantial upgrades yet manufacturers skimp out to save pennies. Then again many quartz watches still use 3 year non-lithium batteries when there are movements available with 10 year lithium cells for a few dollars more - and I don't buy the "lithium batteries make the movement too thick" argument, Ronda 715Li can do it so no excuses! . I suspect it's to rack up after-sales service.

I've had a Mako with the mineral glass and it scratched so easily. I would absolutely pass on this just for not having sapphire glass.

I can't deny that the cheaper Orient crystal scratch easily. My Ray II crystal got a scratch the second day I wore it. I was sad and a bit disappointed, but hey, I got over it, and it doesn't bother me. The watch is just gorgeous, extremely accurate (for a mechanical watch) and I wear it more than any other watch in my collection.

Keep in mind a lot of damn expensive tool watches even have acrylic crystals (yes Rolex) because they won't shatter. They are also easy to polish.

Also I find retro style (or homage) watch just looks weird with a sapphire crystal IMO.