| Generally speaking, Orient watches are some | | | | that is sans dome lights and without a |
| of the best watches you can find for the | | | | working clock, the Orient's "luminous" hands |
| money on the market today. The Orient Power | | | | prevented me from seeing what time it was. |
| Reserve Watch, model number CEX05003D, is the | | | | |
| second Orient watch that I have reviewed. | | | | Instead of the push button for the date, I |
| And like the first, I am impressed with what | | | | wish that was replaced by a button I could |
| it offers given the price. However, there | | | | press to light up the dial. Again, this |
| were a few things I found myself wishing it | | | | isn't really an indictment on Orient as it is |
| had, which may be the result of personal | | | | a statement of my own personal preference |
| preference more than anything. | | | | when it comes to watches. However, I do |
| | | | think a watch ought to be able to harness |
| Some of the product reviews I've read on the | | | | light longer and more efficiently, especially |
| CEX05003D labeled it as "cool" and | | | | when it's pressed up against a light bulb for |
| "mysterious." I don't know if I'd go so far | | | | several seconds (So I guess it is an |
| as to call it mysterious (I tend to find | | | | indictment). |
| people mysterious who call watches | | | | |
| "mysterious"), but it is very cool and | | | | The watch wears comfortably. I didn't find |
| appealing. The dial of the Orient is | | | | it to be too cumbersome nor did I find it to |
| midnight blue (navy blue, really) with the | | | | be too light, weighing in at approximately |
| periphery, beneath the hour markers, having a | | | | 4.8 ounces. I haven't yet figured out what's |
| patterned design. It's a bit difficult to | | | | too light or too heavy. When I find out I'll |
| see this without having a light to shine on | | | | tell you. |
| it just so, but I appreciate the intricate | | | | |
| work that embellishes the dial's "cool" | | | | Another nice feature is its water resistance, |
| appeal. The dial also has a power reserve | | | | 100 meters. The style of the watch looks |
| indicator (more on this later) and date | | | | like one you'd wear for special occasions |
| display, which can be easily adjusted with | | | | only, but the fact that its water resistant |
| the push button just above the push-pull | | | | gives the wearer the kind of usability that |
| crown. | | | | ought to come with all watches. |
| | | | |
| The case and bracelet are both stainless | | | | I probably should have mentioned this |
| steel, ideal for durability and ensuring | | | | earlier, but this is an automatic watch, |
| they'll never become rusted. | | | | meaning it has to be worn regularly in order |
| | | | for the watch to keep time properly (the |
| The clasp of the watch is a great feature as | | | | wearer's arm movement winds the watch if worn |
| well. The clasps on watches I've previously | | | | regularly). One of my favorite features is |
| owned haven't held together well because of | | | | the power reserve indicator, something you |
| their insufficient locking mechanism (i.e. | | | | don't find on most automatics. Without this |
| friction locked fold-over clasp design). The | | | | feature, automatic watch wearers are armed |
| clasp on the Orient CEX05003D has a fold over | | | | with nothing but speculation on how much |
| clasp as well, but with push buttons, making | | | | power is left on their watch before placing |
| for a sturdier, more long lasting clasp. | | | | it on their night table before bed. This |
| | | | feature rectifies that issue. |
| In true Orient style, the inner workings of | | | | |
| the watch are made with top quality material. | | | | Lastly, automatic watches, generally |
| Should there be any defects, however, I can | | | | speaking, don't keep as good time compared to |
| always cash in on the manufacturer's one year | | | | quartz watches. They tend to either gain or |
| warranty. | | | | lose anywhere from a few seconds to a minute |
| | | | per day. I didn't find that to be the case |
| Now for the bad news: the hands. I love the | | | | with the Orient. It did lag a bit, but |
| second hand feature as its sweeping style is | | | | again, this is to be expected from automatic |
| virtually identical to that of the Rolex. | | | | watches. Getting an automatic watch that |
| However, its "luminous" hour and minute hands | | | | doesn't lag is oxymoronic, but Orient's lag |
| are less than brilliant. | | | | is significantly less than other automatics |
| | | | in comparable price ranges. |
| Normally, this wouldn't be a problem; I'm | | | | |
| usually in an area where at least partial | | | | Orient's known for offering low-priced |
| light enables me to see the time on my watch. | | | | watches without undermining the quality that |
| But when I was driving along a rural New | | | | goes into making it. The CEX05003D is no |
| England street at night recently, in a car | | | | exception. |