The Orient Bambino - Is It Still The Best?
Vložit
- čas přidán 5. 11. 2021
- Best Autos Under $500 Blog: teddybaldassarre.com/blogs/wa...
Best Watches Under $1,000 Blog: teddybaldassarre.com/blogs/wa...
Shop All Orient Watches:teddybaldassarre.com/collecti...
Shop Straps: www.teddybaldassarre.com/coll...
Written Content: www.teddybaldassarre.com/blog
In this video, I'll take a look at one of every watch enthusiast's first watches, the Orient Bambino. Quite frankly, a lot has changed since the Bambino was introduced over a decade ago, and I'd like to explore where I think the Bambino now sits compared to the much wider variety of great affordable watches on the market in 2021.
My List Videos Playlist: • Teddy's List Videos
Other Places to Check Out:
Instagram: teddybaldas...
Top Articles On TeddyBaldassarre.com:
50 Luxury Watch Brands You Should Know: teddybaldassarre.com/blogs/wa...
10 Affordable Watch Brands And Their Best Watches: teddybaldassarre.com/blogs/wa...
Best Watches Under $5,000 Complete Guide: teddybaldassarre.com/blogs/wa... - Jak na to + styl
This watch was gifted to me for Christmas by my daughter. It's a keeper.
In my opinion: *Yes. Yes it is* (especially for the price).
As Seiko (n.b. not referring to Grand Seiko, here) tries to position themselves as a more upmarket brand, I hope they give Orient the money they need to become the 'Casio' of mechanical watches.
The reception and success of the Bambino, Mako and Kamasu should be all the justification needed.
Ageed
Just bought one. Waiting for it to come in. Super excited. Glad I found this in my recommended. Been binging your content lately and really enjoy it.
This watch brand and specifically this Orient Bambino is what got me into automatic/mechanical watches thanks to you, Teddy. I always liked watches from an early age but this Bambino I feel like was my first "real" watch.
And to answer your question, this watch is still the best bang for its buck for a watch under $200.
I literally take my Bambino out, stare at it, and listen to it as part of my relaxation routine in the evening. It's that amazing!
True love 👍🏻
that is really amazing, can you tell me how the mineral glass is after a year? want to buy one myself
@@lolollolol5654 been wearing mine for 10 months, looks as good as new
@@mattperry5789 thank you ver much. at the end i bought the orient star AF02001S, similar looking to the bambino
Thanks Teddy for another great video. The bambino is my first auto dress watch. I have to agree, its a great intro into the automatic world of watches. As with almost all watch geeks, I have associated a lot of great memories with this little watch and will never part with it. No more apple watches...just me being present for every moment.
Teddy, I've just purchased my very first automatic watch thanks to you. I stumbled upon you by initially watching Courtney's videos and little did I know I would discover a new found love for watches.
The Orient Bambino Gen4 is my first watch in this new exciting journey. I'm already looking at Orients Maestro and Seiko 5 as future collections.
Thanks for the great work you do.
-Ryan
Just purchased this piece. It will be my first watch in my collection. Certainly a gateway! Looks wonderful on my wrist! Thank you Teddy!
I wore a bambino to my wedding, I'm not dressing formally often so for a budget formal watch the bambino is hard to beat. I've worn it a fair bit even though it's a bit more formal than my typical dress it's pretty classic and fits a lot of occasions, I have the first gen and I've gotten rid of the alligator strap and put on a more standard black leather strap.
I gave an orient bambino (open heart roman numbers dark blue dial) to one of my friend, he hadn't been in the watch world bedore that much but after that he did. He liked that watch so much that he started to buy cloths which is matching properly with his new Orient Bambino.
It's a great watch to step in the automatic world. Im amazed with this one tho...
Great video!
I keep recommending Bambinos to people that want to get into watches. I own one myself and gifted one to my dad. I also own Omega, Tag Heuer and Seiko, but the Orient has got a certain charm to it!
I have the model that you showcased. I usually wear it with my dress uniform, for formal occasions. The automatic movement’s been a consistent performer and I like the old-fashioned look of the dial. No issues with the strap, which does get more comfortable the more often I wear it. Possible competitors, I’d say the Seiko SUP-880 (solar Cartier homage), though it has no seconds hand, the Timex Marlin, or the Rotary Canterbury (aka the Sherlock watch).
I'm wearing my Bambino v2 right now on a gray crown and buckle nato! I love the looks of the blue hands against the gray strap. It's a beautiful watch!
Watched your video and just bought the New Orient “Bambino” 38mm see through back as my first mechanical watch. I also bought 1 36mm in rose gold for my wife. Loving it! It’s beautiful to look at. Thank you for your work. Very informative. 🙏
Thanks for all of your reviews. I’m 68 years old and have a variety of quartz watches. Rotary, Citizen, Seiko Swatch. I have ordered the Orient FAC00008W0. It should be arriving today. This will be my first automatic watch. I made my decision based on the excellent reviews. I live in the UK. I bought a watch winder also. I’m a bit old and lazy these days. Cheers! Update: the watch arrived and it is truly lovely. It keeps excellent time. The watch winder is great too. It is so quiet!
Teddy your obvious appreciation for this brand is what captured my attention towards the Kanno red dial. Every time I wear this watch I can’t believe how little I paid for it. Haven’t bit into the world of dress watches yet, but the Bambino just might be my first taste.
I purchased this watch with cream face about 10 days ago and it outdoes my expectations. Looks good, and the design of the face and hands still commands my attention. Accuracy is about +3 seconds a day. For $135 it’s a Best Buy. It’s my first mechanical.
I just purchased a vintage Orient RA-AP0002S Bambino Small Seconds white dial based on this video. Cant wait to get it and take it for a test drive. Thanks Teddy
Beautiful watch. I love my Orient watches, they will always be in my collection.
Great video Teddy.
Thank you Teddy, I will be purchasing the bambino pretty soon since I have always wondered about this brand and thanks to you I feel good about it now!
I have an the exact Orient Bambino that was in this video! My brother got it for me as a gift around 3 years ago. Fantastic watch! I'm a sales person by trade, and I catch a lot of my customers checking out my watch and stating that they are a "watch guy." It tends to be my daily wear, and it has me looking to buy more watches.
Thank you so much for the review Teddy. Planning to buy it as I'm just starting to get into watch lately. I think its great for newbie like me before stepping into higher brand
I am a new watch enthusiast also, and I am a big fan of your watch reviews. Your honesty about watches is unmatched on You Tube.
I have a lot of respect for Orient, having a Polaris GMT model and the Bambino version discussed here. They keep excellent time and seem to show more care with quality than the competitors. As far as comments on the Bambino, I would prefer a 39mm version which would get rid of the blank real estate next to the bezel.
I'm a new watch enthusiast, prefer dress watches and budget conscious. So the Orient Bambino line is right in my alley. I own 2 along w/ a Duke and Maestro. Thanks to Teddy I've become quite enamored by the Orient line. I also own a Kanno and Kamasu.
Hey Derek, out of the three Orients which one do you prefer the most? I end up wearing the bambino the most.
try Invicta bro there nice.
I'm the same... Love watches and mostly buy Fossil brand but have a Rado, Hugo Boss, and a Wenger as well (total owned 7) and just purchased the Gen 2 Bambino. Looking forward to wearing it for many years to come. This might just get me in the watch enthusiasts category.
@@toosmooth6124really man? Invicta? 😂
The watch i recommended to all my friends when they just started watch hobby. Even now after owning Omegas, Breitlings, Hamiltons, Panerai i still keep & use my Bambino ....and it always gets me compliments 😉👍
Funny how that is, right? No one notices when I'm wearing a "good" watch, but put on a Vostock and suddenly I get comments!
@@sheldorleconcher8870 Haha….so true 😁👍
No rolexes, APs, Pateks or VCs in your collection?
Moving on up Teddy! gotta love that dail, priced right. And yes 36 mm would be ideal. Keep up the good work.
I just ordered one tonight for this Sunday's Fathers Day dinner. My day-to-day watch is an Apple Watch series 7. But I just find it charming that for special occasions we can still go back to a purely mechanical option that's so beautifully styled and priced within reason.
My Bambino v5 (38mm) with a white dial, dark blue hands, and no numeral dial was my third watch. I bought a Starking, a Orient Defender 1 (blue dial) before they disappeared from the shelves, and then the Bambino. The Bambino is great. I wore it for a while on the metal bracelet and then went to a brown leather strap for my wedding. And now I have it on a blue nubuck leather strap and it looks so good.
Would've loved to see examples of the Bambino's stiffest competition. Great video. Appreciate you always taking the time to create interesting watch content. Have you checked out the recent Christopher Ward C63 Auto and GMT? They are looking quite amazing for a 39 mm GADA watch, and I'm digging CW's partnership to sell quality straps made from ocean plastic.
Hi. I entered into mechanical watch ownership just a couple of weeks ago with a Bambino almost identical to the one featured here but with added complications of a day dial and a 24 hour dial.
I absolutely love this watch and it hasn't been off my wrist since I got it. Beautifully retro in design, comfortable to wear and currently gaining 15 or 20 seconds per day.
One of my best purchases in quite a long time.
Thanks Teddy. Because of this review I went with a Japanese movement from my all Swiss watch collection. Around two weeks ago I bought the “Bambino” with champagne dial 40.5 mm with the 21 mm that I can put my leather bands and I can see the movement. I love this dress watch, the mineral crystal giving it that ballon look at the dial edges is just amazing. At the price it was such a great deal and addition to my collection. I will recommend it for sure!!
I've never considered a Orient watch but I have to admit the Bambino is a good looking watch. Good video Teddy.
I have recently bought a small seconds bambino with the cream dial, absolutely awesome timepiece!! At 169€ is an absolutely bargain unit. Awesome channel, congratulations!!
My first automatic… now I own an Omega. It’s a journey, horology. I still wear it, from time to time. I own a V2 in the off white, Roman numerals, and blue hands. A beautiful piece.
I Love mine. I bought a bambino with rose gold filigree and an alligator band. Historically I have been a watch fan but had stuck mostly to quartz movements. I felt great about my G shock and citizen sailhawk with a few budget Timex options that fit my college budget. I had always wanted to get into mechanical watches but thought they were generally unattainable to get something of quality for my limited budget. I watched a couple of your videos and began making some plans. I bought a Gen 2 bambino and a Seiko 5 at the same time, one as a daily wear and this as a dress piece. I have been blown away by how it feels on the wrist. I like the weight and feel and think that it will lead to many more mechanical watches for me. Thank you teddy!!
I will forever be indebted to you Teddy for getting me hooked into the world of Mechanical/Automatic watches with this gem of a watch!
Having collected many other brands & micro-brands by now, I can definitely vouch for the model shown here - the Gen2, V2 -- the finish, the movement, the simple, yet suave dial...the b'ful hands...and to top it all, the affordable price tag !
Hard to beat...and is easily one of the best value mechanical/automatic dress-watches out there IMHO!
Bambino V2 is a keeper, like until the end of days! The design are unique and CHARMING, with roman numerals, BLUE hands *wow, DOMED crystal, and thin case. It's is perfect (for me). I wore it on my casual and formal days.
I have one, same like yours, but I lost it somehow *so sad 😢😭, and now (like a few minutes ago) I just received the V6 from the mail... YEAY!!. I really-really-really like it, but still... the V2 aesthetics are my love of a lifetime ❤️⌚️✨️
The camera work is marvelous on this video 10/10❤
Orient Bambino Small Seconds with that champagne dial is a stunner!
What’s the reference number of that?
@@jimmymartone6947 RA-AP0003S10A, I believe.
i bought one yesterday!
@@joao-xj2zv congratulations brother; wear it in good health!
Hello and thank you very much again for bringing to us such a good information.
I generally consider Orient as the best brand taking into account the best value-money relation.
This piece's design is lovely, again, it is amazing that a piece with an in house movement just cost this amazing amount. I love you Orient!
Thank you Teddy
Saludos!!!
Gen 2 Version 4 was my first automatic mechanical watch. Love it. Now its getting colder, I can pair it with actual clothes ensembles. Love the Bambino.
I actually purchased the Orient Symphony III after seeing it in one of your videos! I love that watch and wear it almost every day!
Great piece! I bought a Kamasu based on your video and dont regret it! I dont feel the need to get anything else, truly a stunning piece.
Thanks Teddy! Just got my baby bambino yesterday! Love it so far! My first mechanical! Paid $176 but I don’t know if that’s overpriced or not so far looks good strap is leather rose-gold hopefully I’ll enjoy it!
I bought my first Bambino on the strength of this review. For the money, a beautiful watch. Thank you.
2nd Gen, version 3 was my first mechanical watch. It's so attainable and a friendly invite to the world of mechanical watches.
When I was looking for my first mechanical piece, I was a bit shocked at the prices lol. Now, of course I have a better understanding of different price points.
That being said, the Bambino is such a great gateway because of what you get for your dollar. It is the brand I recommend to my friends who have shown interest in mechanical watches.
Just purchased one! This is going to be my gateway watch.
Just decided to buy this watch after 2 years of collecting, the Cream dial with Romans, absolutely stunning. It is an amazing watch and the dial and hands are exquisite. This always came up in recommendations but I always relented. Great, great watch.
I'd never heard of the Orient Watch Company up until about three years ago. I now own the Orient Ray 2 diver and the classic Orient Bambino small seconds with the champagne dial. Excellent value watches 👍⌚
I was at the Omega store last week trying on a deville. I I took my Orient off and put it on the counter and the girl behind the counter asked if I already had an Omega. Granted it was out of the corner of her eye a few feet away. Orient is definitely the gateway into watches.
This (exact one, white dial and blue hands) was my first automatic watch and it’s the one that got my into watches. Will forever be in my collection, crazy how you can get this watch for like $120
Own the Orient Bambino with cream dial..Love it! I keep reaching for this humble watch compared to more expensive watches in my collection...Amazing value for the money.
I own the Bambino version 4 blue and now my favorite watch..love it!
I got the Cream dial version as well =) beautiful piece with that little extra nostalgia. It's got that humble spirit to it. you simply can't hate it. you gotta love it.
Another model i considered is Orient's champagne small seconds. A beautiful classy piece as well
Bought one for my wedding in 2018 version 2 gen 2 white dial (like your video). Still love looking and admiring it to this day. Had some scratch on its domed crystal but I polished it off and it looks like new again!
This is like a good essay about and review of the Bambino. I like the ten minute length.
I bought the version 2 with the roman numerals, in cream. I love it, and I did buy it after seeing your review!
I bought an orient Bambino as it was my first ever watch I bought myself. I bought the 4th generation Bambino with a grey dial and brown leather strap. It looks absolutely beautiful , I would definitely recommend to buy as an introduction to watch collection. My next buy is the Orient Kumasu
The kamasu is a great watch and fantastic value. You won't regret that purchase.
I've purchased 3 Bambino's, all second-hand, never paid more than $75 for one, and they consistently outperform the more expensive watches I've purchased with ETA movements.
Gen 2 v3 Here. I specially chose this one for the totally minimalist design. My first mechanical watch, actually first bought as a cheaper alternative to DW. Still wear it years later.
I just got my first Orient bambino open heart blue dial. I'm sure that I'll not be disappointed. First automatic watch in my collection.
Just bought this watch! This will be the first watch in my collection. :)
had (technically still have) a gen2 with the roman numerals. love that one and unfortunately had a strap failure and shattered the crystal. I've debated replacing the crystal but im not sure the movement is still in good shape. might be best to go but a new one. the sub dial seconds variant has my eye. Great video and reignited my love for the bambino.
One of the first watches I came across when gettinginto autos. Classic.
I never see Orient watches for sale at any regular jewellery or watch stores.... I live in western Canada..... and I have to agree with you teddy that is a lot of watch for the money and I appreciate the manufacturer's effort in producing it
I am the happy owner of a small seconds with a champagne color dial. I just love the low key look of the Bambino. It is elegant but absolutely not flashy. Every morning, when I put my watch on, I always have this split second thought: I love this watch!
I don't understand the 21 mm lug issue, I mean you still can get a good variety of 21 mm straps, and it's not like you are changing straps every month.
Totally agree on lug width. It's a weird decision, almost like a proprietary strap. However, a few days ago I tried a 22mm leather strap lying around on a 20mm Eco Drive and while it's not perfect it fits okay and doesn't even look weird at all. So I imagine placing a 22 into a 21 lug works even better, if the strap is flexible enough.
Great review brother
You look better with the that beginning beard! Great content as always
I picked up a gen 5 as my first watch, definitely happy with it.
I have a Gen 2 V2 Bambino. Rose Gold/Copper colored case with a black dial. It was my first decent mechanical wristwatch and I still have it and wear it. I treat it like a tool watch at this point on the original strap. It gets a lot of action and the crystal is pretty beat up. But it keeps good time for me and the size is just about perfect. It disappears on my wrist. I own some good Bulovas that I love for special days. But for the everyday wear my Bambino typically hangs along.
Purchased a bambino gen 2 with a creme dial for work and it’s my entry level watch
I just found it on an article for best affordable watches and couldnt be happier I chose this one
I own 3 Bambinos, this is the watch that got me into watches to begin with. They are the most valuable pieces in my collection, despite being the lest expensive.
I got the gen 2 v2 white dial with gilded markers a few years ago. While it no longer keeps good time, I’ll never get rid of it. Such a good looking watch, especially for its price.
I own two of the 36mm variation, the yellow gold and the regular stainless steel with blue hands. I wear both on "vintage" Horween leather straps.
Let me tell you, they are awesome and I got them brand new for around 150. The 36mm variation is definitely harder to find at those prices, but they are still around. In my opinion, you can't find better dress watches on the market, at that price point - if we are talking reputable brands and automatic watches.
I would love if Orient released more versions in 36, especially the small seconds. But hey, I am pretty much covered in terms of dressier pieces, with the two I have.
I also own this bambino model and enjoy wearing it . Found out from a watch repairer that it uses a tried-but-true older seiko movement....no wonder it's such a reliable timepiece. The more I look at the dial,the more I think the cursive writing is reminiscent of the font style of some of the 60s Seikos.....and it's a good size for a dress watch.
Orient uses there own movement but is owned by Seiko
I love my Bambino and I was even complimented by a person who wears a Breitling. Like you said watch “nerds” or enthusiasts stare at it!!! It gains respect with its movement and classy style! I have the same Gen 2 with Roman numerals and the white face stands out. My boss makes 300k more than me and wears a POS on his wrist. It makes a subtle but classy statement. Plus, the automatic movement and hacking is outstanding!
I love my Orient USA Makko II and TRI Star, and Thanks Teddy I want the F6724 and will order one tonight .
Teddy is absolutely correct about the 21mm lug width "problem". Unless it's a steel bracelet, 22mm straps work just fine. I've even used 22mm straps on watches with 20mm lugs. A 22mm strap often looks better on a larger watch with 20mm lugs.
I just put a Bambino on my wrist this morning, my first watch that is not 'cheap' I love it yet I do see your point on some aspects. It looks so good I feel like I need to be dressed up to wear it, lol.
Being a dive watch nut, my gateway watch was the Seiko srp637k1 i.e Shrouded Monster/Baby Tuna. Once I got deeper into watches, this Orient Bambino covers a lot of bases for a dress watch, especially at 40.5mm, a good size for those of us with large wrists sizes. Seems like everything is shrinking. I see people now saying 40mm is way too big, they want to see 38-39mm DIVE watches as the norm. Crazy imho. Great video though, as always!
Looks even better in real life. Seen a cream dial in a shop and decided on it instantly. Still loving it.
I agree that the Bambino is still the best "Dress Watch" under $300. I also have the Gen2 V2 Bambino and I love it. Big but though, I still feel that the Orient Mako or Ray divers are still the best watches for under $300. Bambino's do look classy and elegant specially for the price, but my lifestyle leans more towards the Diver's category. Great video, your reviews are always non-bias and very well thought out. Keep up the good work.
Creo que Orient es la marca que más valor y mejores características ofrece por el precio. Muy orgulloso de mi Orient Bambino!!
My first watch was an Orient Automatic day/date, which I received in the late 60s, and I still have it.
Thanks Teddy !
Gen 2 version 3 I believe. White dial with rose gold markers and hands. Not daily wear but more of a weekly/special occasion watch. It was my first mechanical watch and I still love it. I did get rid of the strap though
the version 2 with cream dial is a EXCELLENT value!!!!!! its looks wayyyy more expensive.
Exactly! i even put a FORSTNER komfit mesh bracelet on it , which costs the same as the watch :D nuts! (but worth it)
@@watch_a_mod354 i got a brown crocodile strap for my orient sun&moon V3 and a black aligator strap for my zeppelin LZ126. from long island watch. i should do the same
for me bambino V2 but the bracelet that comes with it alread looks good.
can someone please check out my orient sun and moon version 3 review thanks 😎👍
yes..true..v2 the best
This is a fantastic watch and it looks more expensive than it really is. Fantastic review Teddy. 😍😍
I have two watches the g-shock and french connection. lately, I've become a watch enthusiast and recently bought Bambino Gen 2. Ver. 2 on Amazon. Still waiting for it to be shipped and I can't wait to wear it. It's good to know you still recommend it.
Enjoy it!
First watch i bought...love the cream dial and blue hands....only watch i been complimented on so far...and i have a few...
Used to own a Bambino, pretty sure I reviewed it on my channel too. Loved it. Really loved it. For the price they're almost unbeatable. They look great and the accuracy was great. I did have a Mako II but really didn't like it - wasn't too accurate and the bezel was very very stiff. But the Bambino...yes, I'd buy another for sure.
Why'd you get rid of it?
I just bought one. I really love it. I bought it because of your high recommendation. The strap is brown and shiny, so I replaced it with a red strap, but I think I am going to buy a black strap for it. I love red, but I think black would look much better on it.
I have the same Bambino, but with the sepia-ish dial. It's my first Bambino and I love it... for the price elegant and an excellent time keeper for an automatic (certainly better than any of my beloved Seiko gen 1 and 2 Monsters).
My main criticisms would be the strap and, more more importantly, the crystal. I know this is a bargain watch but I would pay a bit more for sapphire glass... mine already has two small scratches after just six months, which is disappointing.
Just got this exact bambino delivered today. It’s a great watch for the money$ I have to say the matte white does seem to have some pearl essence to it looks better in person.
I recently got into watches after watching a joe rogan podcast where they talked about watches. Ive worn a garmin fenix 6 for a few years now but i only wore it because it told the time as well as many other useful features but I wasn't "into" watches. A few months ago a purchased a Citizen promaster dive watch and i really like it but i wanted a mechanical watch. After watching some of your videos i decided on the Orient Bambino (blue dial) as my first mechanical watch. It arrives tomorrow and im pretty stoked to see how it looks and performs.
Just bought the Orient Bambino polished gold version 2. I was thinking about buying the Nixon Sentry, but this video and a few others informed me about value of mechanical watches. The Nixon was roughly the same price as the Bambino, but I feel like I e made the right decision. Coming from an Apple Watch, this is my first mechanical watch. I hope I like it as much as I think I’ll like it.
I'm wearing my gen 2 ver 2 right now. Love it. I have the cream colored dial.
just received the open heart version and absolutely love it first watch besides my heritor auto from watch gang