Orient
Tokyo, Japan · Est. 1950
Founded by Shogoro Yoshida
Orient is a Japanese watch brand founded in 1950 and part of Seiko Epson Corporation since 2009. Known for producing reliable, fully in-house automatic movements at accessible prices, Orient is celebrated for its Star and Mako series and remains a favourite among enthusiasts seeking quality mechanical watches on a budget.
- Founded
- 1950
- Headquarters
- Tokyo, Japan
- Group
- Seiko Group
- Price Segment
- Entry
- Status
- Active
Key Collections
- Bambino — Affordable automatic dress watch beloved for its retro-inspired dials, domed crystal and exceptional value — one of the most popular entry-level mechanicals.
- Kamasu — 200m dive watch with an in-house automatic movement, sapphire crystal and bold dial colours at an accessible price point.
- Star — Orient's premium line featuring power reserve indicators, retrograde complications and open-heart dials with higher-grade finishing.
Timeline
- 1950 — Orient Watch Company is established in Tokyo, Japan, by Shogoro Yoshida as an independent manufacturer of mechanical watches.
- 1951 — Begins producing its own in-house movements, establishing vertical integration early in its history.
- 1971 — Launches automatic movements with day-date complications that become a brand signature.
- 2009 — Becomes a subsidiary of Seiko Epson Corporation while maintaining its own brand identity and movement production.
- 2017 — The Bambino gains worldwide popularity as enthusiasts discover its exceptional quality-to-price ratio.
- 2025 — Under Seiko Epson ownership, Orient continues producing affordable mechanical watches including the Kamasu, Mako, and Bambino lines. Seiko Epson announces the absorption-type merger of Orient Watch Co., Ltd. effective February 2026.
- 2026 — Orient Watch Co., Ltd. is formally absorbed into Seiko Epson Corporation on 1 February 2026. The Orient brand and watch production continue unchanged within the Epson Group.
Frequently Asked Questions about Orient
- Does Orient make its own movements?
- Yes. Orient has produced in-house calibres since 1951, making it one of the few affordable watch brands with genuine manufacture status.
- What is the Orient Bambino?
- A retro-styled automatic dress watch, widely considered one of the best value mechanical watches available, with multiple versions and dial variations.