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