Orient Day Date Review

I recently received this watch as a gift and thought that others might like to share my impressions of it.

Watch Data
Manufacturer	Orient Watch Company Ltd.
Model Number	EV04-C0
Model Name	Day Date
Movement	21 Jewel Automatic Day and Date, 21,600 BPH
Power Source	Automatically wound mainspring
Accuracy	+- 3-10 Seconds per day. Dependant upon state of regulation
Hands	3 hands, Hour, Minute, Second
Watch Dimensions
L - 41mm D - 36.5mm C - 6mm T - 13.5mm B - 19mm
Weight	103.85 Grams (with bracelet)
Construction
Case	Solid Stainless steel.
Crystal	Domed Glass Crystal
Face	Patterned white with chrome markers
Crowns	1- crown
Back	Crystal see-through screw down back.
Water Resistance	50 meters (165 feet).
Bracelet/Strap	Solid link stainless steel bracelet with 8 removable links. Signed push button clasp.
Suggested Retail	$195.00 (Est.)


Initial Impressions.
	The watch was received in a generic plastic box with the watch rattling around inside having fallen off of the holder in shipment. No protection was on the front or back of the watch and there were no instructions found, only a warranty booklet listing warranty stations throughout the world. I removed the watch from the box and inspected it for scratches and defects. There were none found.

Band, Case and Bezel
	I proceeded to remove links to size the watch for my wrist. This band uses the familiar push out split pins found in most Asian made bracelets. I observed that the clasp does not have any adjustment holes for "fine tuning" the fit. Adjustments can be made with whole links only. The crystal protrudes about 3mm above the bezel so care will have to be taken not to gouge or nick it.

	The case is a solid stainless steel screw back unit which fits nicely with the other components of the watch. The crown is quite large compared to the rest of the watch and the small shoulders offer minimal protection from impact. The bezel is smooth and devoid of markers. Additionally it is narrow which enhances the face making the watch seem larger than it is.

Legibility	Daytime legibility is good by virtue of the sharp, dagger shaped hands. Like other Asian watches the day and date windows are too small so you will have to put on your glasses to read the date. Nighttime legibility is POOR. There is no glow paint on the hands or markers so you will have to bring a flashlight or stand under a lamppost to read the time at night.
Movement
	The movement in the Orient seems about the equivalent of similar 21 jewel movements used in Seiko and Citizen watches. The auto winder appears to be uni-directional since putting it on my watch winder one way will cause the power reserve to discharge, and turning it the other way will cause it to charge. The winding counterweight is copper colored and the large bridge under it is solid and prevents the rest of the movement components from being seen. The quickset date is set by pulling the crown out to the first click. Turning clockwise sets the date, counterclockwise sets the day.

Accuracy	This is my second Orient watch, and like my first has delivered -3 sec. per day since I got it. This is remarkable performance from a low cost mechanical watch and speaks well of the design of the Orient movements.

Closing Thoughts	The Orient Day/Date is a well made, good looking dress watch for those who like styling similar to a Rolex President.

Other images (Click to Enlarge)
Left Side	Crown and Crystal