Two Of The BEST Affordable Mechanical Dress Watches - Orient Bambino vs. Seiko Cocktail Time
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- čas přidán 30. 01. 2023
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In this video, I compare two legendary families of affordable mechanical dress watches, the Orient Bambino and Seiko Presage Cocktail Time. We utilize our points system in an attempt to decide which watch is best and might represent the right pick for you. What do you guys think? Are you on team Bambino or team Cocktail Time?
Videos Mentioned:
Orient Bambino 40.5mm Review: • The Orient Bambino - I...
Orient Bambino 38mm Review: • Before You Buy The New...
Seiko SRPB77 & SRPD37 Review: • The Seiko Cocktail Tim...
Seiko SRPF41 & SRPF53 Review: • Two New Crazy Dial Sei...
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![Can It Really Be That Good? Seiko Cocktail Time Review [ SRPB41J1 ]](/img/n.gif)
Hey Everyone, just a quick correction, there is also a less talked about 42 mm Bambino I failed to mention when going through the sizes. Safe to say both of these lines offer a lot in the size department. Best of luck with the purchase decision for those looking to make the best choice and thanks for watching!
Hi Teddy I just wanted to say thanks for making this video on the seiko cocktail time series as i was going to request you to make a video on it🤣
Sir, what's your opinion about this new watch named revelot?
I’m 62 and starting my journey and I can’t stop watching this channel. I’m driving myself crazy trying to decide on my perfect, first automatic watch sub$1k. Right now I’ve narrowed it down to three, Mido Ocean Star 200C, Zelos Spearfish GMT and Oris Divers 65. Also thought about playing it safe with the Traska that was just released. Any advice would be appreciated. Also would like to hear thoughts about buying on a gray market website.
I'm glad I fast forwarded to the end. As usual, Teddy ends with, "It's up to what you're looking for." Why in the hell do make a head-to-head video if there isn't a winner? Because you sell both watches there can never be a winner. It's ridiculous.
@@davidhunternyc1 Or you could just watch the video and use the head-to-head comparison to work out which one scores more highly in the areas you're looking for... After all, only you know what you're looking for.
Teddy, I am really mad at you. Here I am just over 50 years old, only having watches in my past for pure utility and not knowing anything about them. Six months ago I found your channel to see a review of a watch I've had for years. Then I binged your channel a bit, and since learning from your videos and expanding to other channels, too, I have come to love watches so much and am now obsessed with mechanicals (especially ones with exhibition backs so I can see the movement). One of my favorite channels has a guy who repairs old Rolexes (and the like), takes them completely apart, repairs or replaces broken/worn parts,, and puts them back together again. Just fascinating. This new interest is in large part due to you. So I'm not really mad, actually appreciative, that you introduced me to a world in which I never knew I would have any interest. Thanks, man.
Seeing that you like guitars it makes sense you fell into this. As I always tell people when they say I helped them get into watches, you are welcome and I am sorry... ha
What is the name of that channel you referred to ?
@@michaelhunyadi5087 wristwatch revival is my guess
@@michaelhunyadi5087possibly red dead restoration
@@TeddyBaldassarre LOL! for sure the beautiful complexities of music feed right into it. I also have enjoyed tinkering with old (80's) Mercedes diesels in my past so that, too. Watches are like engines and transmissions all in one small package!
I bought a Bambino cream dial with roman numerals & blue hands for myself based on your earlier videos. On the day of my elder son’s wedding June 21, 2019, while I was assisting him put on his tie I noticed he didn’t have a watch on so I took my Bambino from my closet and gave it to him. Perfect for his blue suit & tie with brown belt & shoes, and to this day he wears it with pride. That Bambino is priceless! Always enjoy your videos Teddy and thank you.
Just bought a Bambino a little over a week ago and after watching this I still would have picked the Bambino, just a simple yet clean and elegant look!
Great choice. I want one but can't find a dealer where I live that carries them so I can actually see the watch.
@@James-zl9jb same for me. I wanted the bambino but couldn’t find a dealer to actually take a look at the watch so I just went with a presage since I had the chance to look at it and wear it before buying. I don’t regret it though, immediately fell in love with seiko and the quality is impressive.
I don't really find them all that comparable. A Presage will cost you $300-700, I bought my Bambino for $150 or so at a flea market. Granted that was a couple years ago, but it's really unfair in those regards.
Even little things like a frame on the date window sets the Presage on a different level.
My Bambino does keep better time for sure. However, I'm rarely wearing a dress watch for more than a day, so movement accuracy is a low priority.
I love my Bambino I am wearing it now. I have a prestige too but it was not under 500 for sure but it's dial is really nice.
The mineral Crystal keeps me from taking the presage seriously. For that much money I shouldn’t have to worry about it getting scratched
I had the choice between the Bambino and the Cocktail time. Price was not the issue. Chose the Bambino Gen 2 Version 2 in cream because I found it to be more unique and versatile for formal events, as well as being thinner at 11.8mm. The entire execution of the watch is so well done. I have no regrets about this purchase, it is an excellent watch. I may change out the leather strap at some point but thats it!
I wasn't even looking for a dress watch, and because of this video, i just bought an Orient bambino v2. Your videos have been a lot of help as all I've been able to wear for six years is a garmin. Thanks for all the insight!
I considered the Cocktail Time. I really liked it. But the Bambino in cream is a true triumph, a very beautiful dial and well made. Excellent for formal occasions.
I'm a fan of the channel. I love the way you cover multiple price points with a complete lack of bias or snobbery. Pure class.
I got the black dial Bambino and the silver dial Presage for myself last Christmas. Love both, but the dial on the Presage is mesmerizing. It really stands out when I open my watch case.
I really like the side-by-side comparison format and look forward to seeing more content like this from you. Thanks.
I agree, both are punching way above their price point. I own both. For me, adoring Orient is a continuation of my love of Seiko.
The dial on the Seiko is exquisite! And its finishing is better, but which is the better piece- I can’t decide 🤷🏼♂️
@shahjahonsaidmurodov2086 the fact, that in my case, is, the bambino gets noticed much more, even more than most of all my watches (44 pieces).
Yet my personal choice will be the Seiko. I’m a sucker for mesmerizing dials.
@shahjahonsaidmurodov2086 if you need a 38mm size you'd go for the bambino. The seiko comes in around 40.5mm and the ladies version is around 34mm
I love them both! My partner gifted me a Seiko this week, and although I'm really happy with it I found myself still wanting a Bambino. You can never go wrong with both.
Both are definitely punching above their price point, but Orient has significantly improved the Bambino through the introduction of the 38mm last year. Perfect dress watch size and improved flexibility of straps through the 20mm lug width. Been using one for the past couple of months and it has been great!
My friend is considering both of these and we have been comparing them all week. So insane/ fitting that this came out today. Thanks!
My first two mechanical automatic watches were the Orient Bambino and the Seiko Sarb033 back in 2018 thanks to you Teddy!
Great start to the journey there.
Coming here from Nico Leonard channel. I appreciate that you actually explain stuff if a professional manner. I still like some of his videos, but I'm new to watch collecting and wanted some more depth to the hows and whys of the watch world
Just bought the iced blue Presage Cocktail time after Christmas - I am extremely happy with it - the color (unusual to find) and the dial sold me. As I am extremely happy with the Orient Kamasu I have - the red dial, value for what you pay and inhouse movement sold me.
The bambino Gen 2 V2 was my first automatic and the gateway into watch collecting. I still adore how it looks, but it's been put on the shelf for almost a month as I've got so many watches in rotation.
I will wear it again tomorrow in the office with a renewed sense of pride.
My God Teddy, and to think I was just thinking very hard between both of these watches the past couple of weeks, this video couldn't come at a better time. Thanks!
I own a seiko presage cocktail time piece (SRPB77 i think) and I never regretted it. Only reason why it was my entry into mechanical watches over the Orient Bambino was because I already had a similarly designed quartz watch from Timex. Can't go wrong with either, guys!
I own the bambino 38mm and chose it due to the size being smaller than the seikos, and the overall value of the piece stood out to me as better. Would recommend
More quality content from Teddy. Thanks for what you do.
Thanks for watching, David!
Great responsibility comes with Amazons LPA33X. Who got the notification? Seems like many people didn't understand this yet this is why I'd write it, I know it's not a great spot and I apologize if you feel this is unrelated and too random. This is a message from the heart. I love the same vids like you do and I just wanna give something back so here it is haha
No wonder that everything is up so much. look at the cmc, finally this is a legit explanation not all that bs people recently write.
Exactly why we have more than a bulltrap
Something is going on I think this time it's really wild huge news man
did Amazon enter the scene now? Must be big if they take such risks damn
Wtf? Crazy that they jumped on this
Purchased the Bambino about 6 weeks ago. Cheap so what the heck. I like it. Feels great on the wrist. I have not had an issue with the crystal. Keeps time as well as my much more expensive watches. If you are buying a watch for you, and not to impress other people, this is a good buy.
Hey Teddy, I was always on watch enthusiast but real thanks to you for introducing me to all new world of watches.
Seiko Presage Espresso Martini (SSA345) is my first mechanical watch I bought in 2019. Last year I gave my wife the ladies version of Seiko Espresso Martini (SRP837) as her first mechanical watch. Thanks to you Teddy!
I don't have either brand but leaning hard towards Orient.
Whatever your watch choice, I like it because you chose it.
great content Teddy, I have the bambino 36, could not be happier, runs +7 a day!
I just bought a Seiko Negroni at a healthy discount. It looks so much nicer than the little I paid. Seiko rocks!
Seiko Negro what?
@@DesmondSG Look it up.
link?
Thanks again for another for another awesome video Teddy!
I recently purchased an orient bambino 38mm and spent a lot of time thinking about my options. One thing that was a factor on my decision was the ease of access to obtain these watches.
I am a consumer from Canada and there aren’t many boutiques or areas near me so I tend to shop a lot on Amazon. Orients lineup being so readily available on Amazon and other distributors helped me make my decision. I have also since picked up a Kamasu.
Orient to me is like the Mazda of the watch industry. Really good value, great looks, reliable, and a cohesive package that is Japanese made. I find myself wearing the bambino so much it’s just so light and comfortable I forget it’s there 😅
thank you, I want to buy the 38mmm too,how does it keep the time?
I will always pick the Seiko, because reasons. Actually when I went looking for a dress watch years ago the Cocktail Time just did something to me viscerally. I can't explain it. To me it just looks so much nicer and classy than so many others. I need to get them all to sate the collector in me, but that is going to be a long time coming.
Just bought a Seiko Cocktail Time, grey dial on a bracelet for my nephew. He won't take it off the wrist. His style is on the dressier side. So I'd say it's a great first mechanical watch.
I feel like whatever watch searches I make the next day you have a video for that, like last week I was looking for heritage chrono, you had that yesterday I was searching for an bambino alternative, here you go.
I just ordered an Orient Bambino blue dial with the open heart! Should come in the mail tomorrow! I’m stoked!!
I love my Cocktail Time (Manhattan). The dial never fails to amaze me. It is something quite unique, especially at such a price point. I also got it on sale for around $350, so it was an even better price. The Bambino is great as well and I have considered obtaining one.
Love my two Bambinos. I found out about the brand through this channel Teddy, thank you. Don't own a Seiko yet, but I'm sure that will change.
I have been torn between these two dress watches since the 38mm Bambino came out. I ended up going with a 38.5mm Presage. It looks good in photos and videos, but in person, it is the best looking watch I own. I think it also looks great next to my SRPE51/DressKX as a two watch Seiko collection (assuming I could live with only having two watches lol).
I have them both and love them both for their looks and features. Best of both worlds!
I've got an Orient Envoy Open Heart, which is closely related to the Bambino family (just slightly bigger at 43mm). Recently, I also bought the Seiko Cocktail Time Blue Moon. Well, to be brutally honest, even though the Orient was one of my first dress watches and I would never sell it, the Seiko won me over almost instantly. There's just something about the dial that is absolutely mesmerizing and fascinating. Plus, the execution of the hands and indices is exceptional. The Orient, while still being a great choice for formal occasions, just doesn't quite compare to the Presage which could easily be mistaken for a 600-100$ watch!
Excellent comparison. Honestly I just recently made this choice, and I went with the Bambino. I used the money leftover to pick up a nice diver/beater watch as well.
You have just raised one of the most profound, sensitive and emotional dilemmas in the world of watch enthusiasts, Seiko vs Orient. Have both. If I had to choose just one of them, it would be my Pressage. However, I can't live without my Bambino 2.
Yes, the Pressage will come on top, but there is something sentimental about the Bambino it's hard to explain. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that the Bambino is so affordable and at the same time will always look on you as a fine dress watch no matter how broke you are as long as you have a clean shirt.
Yes, I love my Pressage but it is the Bambino the one closer to my heart.
If I had two kids applying for the same job right after graduation with same qualifications and one was wearing a Rolex and the second applicant had a Bambino, I would give the job to the kid with the Bambino. Why? Because the kid with the Bambino made the most out of his money, invested wiser and has the right perspective how to start growing. Bambino is the starting point. And if cannot a Bambino, Timex Expedition for $40 will do.
I have both....love them both. The Orient is absolutely beautiful and the strap is an easy fix from Barton. I put a navy blue alligator strap on the Orient and it's stunning.
I got a few Barton straps for mine. Love it.
People complain about the 21mm lug width but I don’t have any problems finding 21mm options in leather. NATO is a different story, but most wouldn’t put one on a Bambino anyway.
@@jasonbrocious3805 Its just a crappy thing for a brand to do because if they went up or down one mm, their customers have way more options. I've never heard a good reason why any brand chose an odd numbered lug width.
Agreed....it was a challenge to get the strap and when it arrived it was more of a denim blue than a navy, but it actually looks amazing. Also, the customer service at Barton was absolutely amazing.
"Seiko is the brand people look back to with great reverence"
- Teddy B
Went with the Bambino 38 for the price - found it on sale for $170 a few weeks ago. $200 after taxes and protection plan. Slapped a brown alligator strap on it and never looked back. I love the dials on the Seiko, but as a teacher, dropping $500 on a watch is just not feasible. As stated below, the "white" (light silver) dial is truly mesmerizing. And for those considering one of the older ones for the character, 38mm is the perfect size for a dress watch. Unless you have an 8 inch wrist, 40mm is just too big.
Thats a good point as well, the wearability of a 40.5 mm dress watch doesn't really justify the price. Looking back, I should have put all the money I spent on "affordable" watches into one watch that I could cherish for longer. At least these purchases helped define my tastes
I'm a teacher as well. I found the earlier cocktail times way too "blingy" for everyday use. I received the cream dial 38mm bambino for my birthday, and I wear it almost every day to work. I also find it's a pretty good casual watch as well.
I was very interested in both of these but I ended up going with the Orient Sun & Moon! I specifically got Version 3 because of the dial texture. Very pretty watch.
I have orient ray 2 and bambino both black, they both keep awesome time, stays accurate and they both are pure class, gorgeous pieces for the price point
I like them both. Probably would get the Seiko because of the styling especially the dial offerings. 😊
I have a collection of several expensive swiss watches. And I have the Seiko in blue. That's the one I wear most often (despite the flimsy bracelet) I think that tells the story. I love it.
Hats off to Orient - that's a stunning piece for the price. In fact, this may end up being my first Orient...
..and mine, soon.
My watch has been keeping great time to almost 9 year now. A G1 V3 so yeah I would definitely recommend them
@@dhanu_4539 9 years? That's helping my decision, thanks!
@@ioanparry I love Orient! Keeps great time looks fantastic. In the watch world $200 isn’t that much but what you get for that money is phenomenal.
Just both Seiko SRPB43, such a beautiful dial. Very happy!
Great video Teddy Thank You Man
I totally agree with the point system ... but your clarification at the end is spot on i.e. not all categories have the same weight.
I went for a Presage as opposed to the Bambino for the dial design. The Presage is more of a conversation starter in my opinion.
Thanks for sharing this head-to-head.
And, by the way, I know I'm a little early at the time of my viewing Nov 27, 2023 (920K) but I see you're creeping up on 1M Subs ... way to go!! The way you're going, you'll get there in no time.
Congrats! 🥳🎉
Fair and nice comparison. i am always surprised that today we can found a watch with a mechanical mouvement for less than 500 $ . It is great to have more choices. I like the seiko watche you present . Good choices of sizes and of colors . Thank you.
I just bought Orient Bambino yesterday. And damn, i fell in love with the watch the first time I saw it! ❤️⌚
Fantastic review of these two watches. If you want precision with time and not spending a fortune: Orient Bambino.
If you don't mind spending double the price, want more classy looks and heritage: Seiko Presage. Personally, I would go for the Seiko presage. 😍😍
The Bambino small seconds, black dial was my second automatic watch. It still works for me.
Very nice and useful video. Thanks and regards from Portugal
I bought the green Cocktail Time before my Bambino Open Heart, the first thing I noticed is the difference in the finishing. My Bambino had a scratch on the minute needle, maybe I was just unlucky, but the difference overall is noticable even from a beginner perspective. But I like both!
I was deciding between a cocktail time and a gold and white bambino open heart. Any suggestions?
Well, since one of these will be my first decent watch, I really don't feel like I can go wrong, indeed. Good video, informative and detailed.
always turning out the best content. I love orient
I have a Cocktail time and for a short time, I had a Bambino. Both good watches. Seiko wins because of the better finishing overall, the nicer dial, and the bracelet option is decent and thanks to aftermarket options like Strapcode or Uncle Seiko, you can even take the bracelet up a notch or two, as I did.
That said, the Bambino is no slouch and I did like the Bambino, just not enough to keep it as I already had a Seiko Presage. So I gifted it to my son who enjoys it on a nice aftermarket strap.
To to put a finer point on things, the Bambino is a fine budget every day dress watch for the money. On an aftermarket strap or bracelet especially, the Seiko looks like a much more expensive watch. If you blurred out the Seiko brand and told people it was a $1,500 watch, people might believe you. (looks more expensive. the movement is fairly pedestrian, but at least in my case, 4 years on and it still runs pretty accurately).
I just got the Seiko srpb43 a week ago and it's even more beautiful than the pictures!
Bought a vintage King Seiko 56 in perfect contition a few years ago. Never considered another dress-watch again. Pure perfetion of what a dresswatch should be.
I had to made that decision..and i went through the Bambino, just because of the relation between “what you get” for the price. Great channel!
I purchased the Black Cat Martini cocktail time (SSA393) and while it can run a little fast at times im absolutely in love with it. I just wish seiko had a moonphase watch in the basic presage lineup because while i like some of Orient's dial layouts i much more prefer the dial finishing of Seiko.
I recently got the new 38 mm Bambino and got a more decent strap for it, still amazed at how big a difference a proper straps makes!
I want one of those 38mm.
Great video! Thanks!
I bought an Orient Bambino as my first automatic watch with my first salary as a lawyer. I just feel giddy whenever I wear it or just by looking at it. I hope to get a Seiko Presage as well in the near future.
Fantastic dials on both, but it's the Orient for me. I think it's the proportions and the crown, but that white dial Orient is lovely.
I honestly believe the Cocktail Time is a classic. It's very impressive in person.
I like 'em all . Either of these two would be lucky to have for sure . Very nice watches .
Hey Teddy! I have the seiko presage and even though both watches are great. At the end of the day it’s hard to beat Seiko’s Dials. Even Mr Wonderful himself has said it’s the Dial the grabs people’s attention.
I own the cocktail time with the brown leather strap and green dial, honestly it’s so beautiful. I will however be buying the bambino, it also looks great
I have a Bambino and a Cocktail time. Both earn their reputation for punching above their weight. That said, I'll add another well documented gripe about the Bambino is the weird lug widths. Important given the low quality straps they come on. My 40.5 diameter has a 21mm lug width. The 36mm Bambinos are 21 or 19mm. The new 38mm seems to have found the goldilocks just right proportions though w 20mm. Great content as always Teddy!
Great video...as always. I recently purchased a Presage Cocktail Gimlet as I wanted more eye candy. However still tempted to get a Bambino small seconds. 🤔
I like your analysis and summary for the two watches. They are both on my list. But I'll get the Seiko first. I tried on the 41mm in white a though it was gorgeous. Yes, it punches above its weight class. I love the sophisticated simplicity of it. Very New York City IMO.
Orient Bambino for sure is the best value hands down and I am happy with my purchase!
I just bought a Bambino v3 gen 2, it looks beautiful, my first automatic watch
Thank you Teddy for this nice video.. I did had to chose and I chose the cocktail time.. the martini version… the dial as you said is beautiful…. With brown leather strap… beautiful piece… both look more expensive than they are… Seiko however, for my taste, looks even more….have a good day… see you soon
Both very visually appealing, the difference to me is “in the hand” so-to-speak. Seiko feels so much more solid, the Orient rotor can be felt moving when worn and maybe is even a bit audible. I have and wear both, Seiko just has a bit more presence on the wrist.
I actually like the feel of the rotor movement, it brings the watch to life for me.
I think a better comparison would be with the Orient Star Standard, a comparable level of finishing to the Seiko with a sapphire crystal at a similar price point. I love the Presage designs, but lack of sapphire and the 4R movements rule it out for me.
I got my first, what I consider really nice watch, a Seiko Cocktail Time Grasshopper with the open heart aperture on the dial about 3 months ago. Since then I discovered your channel @teddybaldassarre ... I now own two seikos, two casio digitals and have an orient pilot on the way! Thank you for all that you do man!
I bought my wife the pinky twilight cocktail time 33.8mm. Every time I see her wearing it, it stuns me how excellent it looks. The online pictures of these watches don't do them ANY justice. I went to Teddy's store in Crocker Park (Westlake, Cleveland). They had it, and all I had to do was see it, and it was over.
Also of note, that watch has the calfskin strap with the buckle, which is really nice quality and not at all the "trash" Teddy's talking about. Of course, he's speaking relatively, but at least with the leather you get away from the lower quality bracelet issues.
Ii have the Bambino gen 4, outstanding watch. I get many compliments on it. Money well spent.
Can't go wrong with Orient.
Great video!
I have a cocktail time srpb43j1. After one year, I can say that it is a gorgeous watch. Sometimes, I find myself looking at the dial in awe. For the movement, I can understand why seiko is worse according to the anecdotes. At first, the time keeping was hectic. It was like +-2 s for a few days, and +20 s after just 6 hours. But now after a year, it is bang on all the time. For the hardlex crystal, I feel like not all hardlex is created equally. I have a Seiko 5, too and its hardlex has a few minor scratches. But my cocktail time is scratch free.
The silver 'satin' dial of the Bambino 38 to me is mesmerising (the 'flatter' cream one -not so much) and together with the better movement for 1/2 the price - to me there is no contest.
I have that satin white dial, I also recently realized that the cream dial that so many rave about doesn’t even have a sunburst effect. Definitely looks flat
@@Firenmage433 only when you shine the flashlight on that dial will you see that sunburst. I still love it (36mm cream)
@@Firenmage433 What I meant concerns not the dial colour, but rather the texture - the silver/satin finish is better at showing the actual convexity of the dial, so it looks more '3D'.
@@tubntxhwyaaj8264 interesting!
So this has been a great video as I'm in the middle of looking for a nice dress watch. As I already have plenty of silver watches in my life I'm looking at something in either gold or rose gold, with either white, cream or black dial so I can have something to mix and match to any attire I currently own, and that with a bit of luck my daughters might then use later on. Based on previous recommendations of Teddy's I bought a Mako II and it's been a great watch for pretty much everything I've needed and between that and an late 70s Eterna matic 2002 with a linen dial and tv case that's from my dad. I agree with Teddy that the orient has been surprisingly accurate, and will deviate no more than 5s per day, which is way better than I expected from such an inexpensive mechanical watch.
My insistence on having small seconds might imply that I will get the Bambino as that's the only one that offers that combination, but as Teddy has made me aware of Certina and found a very interesting gold option from them, I will probably get that and later on get a nice dark colored dial rose gold Presage once I either get the promotion I've been working for, or change to a better paying job. Orient is at the bottom of the list, not because it's a bad watch or anything, but purely because I already have one, and as someone that will not have a large and expensive watch collection, I want variety :)
I like your videos! Nice work!
Can you suggest an affordable Seiko automatic with sapphire crystal ? Thank you!
My first mechanical watch is from Orient, so I'm thinking to have Cocktail Time as my second~ gotta start saving!
I actually own watches from both brands, and they are both amazing. I love them!!!
Both are amazing in my opinion.
I have a blue Cocktail Time and enjoy breaking it out despite generally wearing much higher end pieces these days. It's one of the few watches that's gotten a compliment from a non-watch person, something that's normally only happened with the Cartiers, Grand Seikos, the Mr Jones, and the Rolex OP in my collection. I love the value proposition of the Bambino and do recommend for people looking at a first watch, but the Cocktail Time dials have more character to them and IMO are better for someone that doesn't need one watch to do everything (though I'd argue many of the colorways still can).
I own 2 Cocktail Time models; one Blue Dial SRPB41 and one Ice Blue Dial SRPB43. I also own several Orient watches one of which is the Bambino Gen 2 Champagne with Roman Numeral Dial model FAC00009N0. While I like all 3 watches I think the actual difference in quality is negligible. However I feel that speaking in bang for the buck value that the Orient rates much higher in my opinion. To borrow a quote I heard awhile back from someone comparing Rolex to Grand Seiko; "I buy a Rolex to impress my friends; I buy a Grand Seiko to impress myself". This encapsulates to some degree how I've come to respect Orient watches in the affordable watch category.
Coincidentally, I own multiple Orient Star model watches. And while they obviously don't compare with Grand Seiko in the realm of luxury pieces, I will say they offer much more than strictly "affordable" quality, craftsmanship, and pride of ownership to its owner than many Seiko watches priced comparably. Your thoughts?
Teddy, I love these watches almost as much as I love your jacket! I was wondering if you knew where you got it still?
Hello, and thank you for this new thread as well. Firstly, I am not sure that a comparison between these two models of watches could be called a fair tournament. We all know that the Seiko´s family Pressage offers a higher level almost in the 90% of these categories in this comparison. Anyway, it has been interesteing checking how the brave beater Bambino can compete, and in that categorie related with the relation quality-price, there is no doubt that the Bambino family scores even higher than the Seiko Pressage Cocktail Time. NIce experiment Teddy.
Saludos!
Between the two, if I am looking for fancy watch that passes for dressy I would go for the Orient open heart models, maybe the ones with sun and moon complications as well.
By the way, what does Seiko SNXS79 compete with if I am looking for an Oyster-lite?
I own a Bambino V2 Gen2, and I really like it. One of my favorites.
Seiko Cocktail Time can't compete as it is. For me to consider replacing one for the other, it would need to have a 6R movement and Sapphire.
I just bought my first orient small secondhand, I cannot believe the quality of the watch for the price range the detail, and every part of the watch is by far much better than some higher and Watches. I also have some high-end Watches like Omega, Rolex, Cartier and this so far is really a good watch for the price
Any suggestions for a better band/strap to swap out? My 17 yr old son has the Orient Bambino or Contemporary Classic 40 mm white dial, sliver case.