Orient Star introduces two new celestial dials for its contemporary M34 F8 Date
Tom Austin- Orient Star has unveiled two new Contemporary Collection M34 watches, featuring all-new luxurious dials: one in a unique green and the other with a meteor-shower-inspired motif created using nanoparticle technology.
- The black dial model is inspired by the Perseid meteor shower cascading across the night sky, and as the flagship model, is limited to 160 pieces.
- Both models represent over 70 years of Orient Star’s advanced Japanese craftsmanship, utilising dial finishing techniques never seen before.
Orient is one of those brands that, despite having a decades-long heritage in Japanese watchmaking, continues to fly under the radar with its collections. In what is almost a Japanese watchmaking tradition, and similar to its parent company, Seiko, Orient has a higher-end, more luxurious department called Orient Star, which employs more exploratory watchmaking and a particular focus on quality. Orient Star started life in 1951, and today, it is considered a significant step up from the rest of the Orient range.
The latest Orient Star release is based on the Contemporary Collection M34 F8 Date, a 40mm stainless steel dressy everyday watch featuring contemporary design elements and a timeless aesthetic. This release features two all-new dial finishes, which utilise nanoparticle technology to produce a deep black dial with a meteor shower effect, and a green dial with a shimmering hammered finish.
The 316L stainless steel case’s proportions are worthy of the Contemporary name, measuring 40mm in diameter and 12.9mm in thickness. The M34 F8 Date is not a huge watch by any means, but it certainly falls into the modern category in terms of style, and with a 47.3mm lug-to-lug measurement, it’s a watch best suited for slightly larger wrists. There is a blend of brushed and polished surfaces that is well thought out for an everyday piece, positioning the watch as neither too dressy nor too tool-like.
A simple, polished bezel securely holds the sapphire crystal in place, which is treated with an anti-reflective coating. This, along with a screw-down exhibition caseback and a push/pull crown, provides the watch with a water resistance of 100 meters, which is ample for a watch like this.
Orient Star has a wide choice of configurations in its M34 F8 Date range, with strong celestial themes running through most of them. The latest collection is no different, with both dials taking inspiration from the vast outer space. The limited edition black dial features a depiction of the Perseid meteor shower, imprinted using nanoparticle metal multilayering technology, a new technique in which ink composed of nanometre-sized ultra-fine metal particles is layer-injected several times onto the dial. This technology, initially used in electronics, is seen for the first time in dial finishing. The result is a deep and striking effect, unlike most other “starry-night” style dials.
The green dial is again inspired by the same Perseid meteor shower, and is a new variation of a dial finish first seen in blue and white on the M34 last year. It features an optical multilayer film technology, developed in-house by Orient Star, which gives the dial a shimmering hammered effect that reflects light from different angles. It’s an advanced multi-layering technique that, according to Orient Star, would be impossible to achieve with traditional paint techniques.
The dial details on both are clear-cut and classy, with applied numerals and a subtle, small date window at 3 o’clock. The layout is balanced, with the large power reserve indicator positioned at 12 o’clock.
Through the sapphire exhibition caseback, you can see the in-house calibre F8N64 automatic movement, which is nicely finished with Geneva stripes and perlage finishing on the bridges. As an entirely in-house developed calibre at this level, it’s nice to see details like that taken care of, especially things like blued screws. The movement boasts a 60-hour power reserve, along with an accuracy of +15/-5 seconds per day, achieved by Orient Star’s signature silicon escape wheel. With Orient Star’s reputation for high quality and longevity, it’s safe to say that this is a solid automatic movement that will be reliable for many years to come.
The M34 F8 Date comes complete on a 316L stainless steel multi-link bracelet, featuring a combination of brushed and polished links for a versatile look. On the bracelet, the watch looks at home next to its competitors, some of which would be at a much higher price point, and offers a contemporary look that can be easily dressed up or down. The bracelet is finished with a tri-folding clasp, made of pressed steel with no on-the-fly adjustment. It is fair to say that there are now more options on the market with micro-adjustable solid clasps at this price level, so this may be an area that Orient Star needs to work on in the future.
The Orient Star M34 F8 Date is refreshed with these two new dial options, and is an excellent indication of how Orient Star is investing in its manufacturing techniques to bring something new to the table. While it may feel a little pricy, especially considering Orient Star’s current brand cachet, you’re getting a watch with an entirely in-house automatic movement and highly technical, beautifully finished dials that rival those of watches at a much higher price point.
Orient Star M34 F8 Date Price & Availability
The Orient Star M34 F8 Date is available now from Orient retailers, with the black dial version limited to 160 pieces. Price: £2,374.99GBP for the green dial, and £2,699.99GBP for the black dial
| Brand | Orient Star |
| Model | M34 F8 Date |
| Reference | RE-BX0006E – Green RE-BX0009B – Black |
| Case Dimensions | 40mm (D) x 12.9mm (T) x 47.3mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | 316L stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 100 meters |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front and back |
| Dial | Black or green |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Bracelet | Stainless steel multi-link with tri-fold clasp |
| Movement | In-house calibre F8N64 automatic |
| Power Reserve | 60 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, power reserve indicator |
| Availability | Black dial limited to 160 pieces |
| Price | £2,374.99GBP – Green dial £2,699.99GBP – Black dial |