Customer Reviews

'The best buy in an all-around mechanical watch' Review by Smaug

Rating

Solid link, heavy, non-tapered bracelet. Beautiful shade of metallic cobalt blue, which changes with the ambient light. Better factory regulation than Seiko mechanicals. Fits under sleeves easily. Think of it as Everyman's Omega Seamaster Pro. Day-date is also nice, and the day pusher is protected from accidental actuation with the screw-down surrounding part. The only place it falls short is that the bezel serrations are not quite sharp enough, so it is hard to get a good enough grip to turn it. Seiko 007 is better here, but at the expense of being hard to fit under sleeves, and it costs more too. This is not enough of an issue to subtract a star though.
(Posted on 2/21/13)

'can't beat this price' Review by Wesley Clarke

Rating

You can try to compare the quality between the Mako and any other dive watches out there, but you won't find much of a difference if you can find any. Try comparing the price between the Mako and another top dive watch and you'll know why I chose the Mako. As a watch collector for about 16 years, I've done plenty of research on watches over the years and I am really pleased with the Mako.
(Posted on 3/23/12)

'Hellooo blue Makoooo' Review by Adan Rozman

Rating

When I saw the blue Mako for the first time I was impressed. I really like the simplicity of this diver watch. You can't really hate this watch. Give it a try and you'll probably end wearing it everyday
(Posted on 3/23/12)

'Great Watch' Review by Jerms

Rating

Got as a gift from my father. This is a great watch. Whenever I wear it I get plenty of compliments (i have the blue one). I love how it has it's own styling (unlike most invicta watches and so forth).

The blue is just stunning. I've had my watch for more than 3 years now and I really enjoy wearing it.

This watch started my fascination with automatic watches and I'd definitely buy another Orient watch (if I had money-poor college student here).

Fits really wear with a dress shirt or suit. It's not too big for my tastes either and I have pretty stick-like wrists for a guy.
(Posted on 2/11/12)

'Has real charm and charisma' Review by Kevin

Rating

Sure, this isn't built as well as a $6,000 Submariner, but the Rolex sure isn't $5,892.50 better than the Mako. The Mako can hold its own against watches that cost 4x more. Its time-proven Cal. 46943 gives it charm and accuracy, and the beautiful execution gives it real presence on the wrist. A great buy.

If you want the prestigious name, buy the Rolex. If you want a great watch with a soul, buy a Mako.
(Posted on 1/8/12)

'Blue Mako' Review by Hai

Rating

I have never owned a watch and I've been looking for a watch for a while now, and stumbled across the Orient brand in one of the watch forums I visited. I have to say that the reviews from Orient watch owners sold it for me and I just had to get one. As with the other reviewers, this is just a stunning looking watch for a great price.
(Posted on 1/1/12)

'Spending more is foolish' Review by TheBronze

Rating

I've looked at Tag Heuer and Rolex and Omega, and God knows how many others. At the end of the day I wanted a watch I could wear every day and not panic if it got dinged. I ended up with the Blue Mako. I wear it every day to work or out on the town. It's as accurate as a quartz and has class without being a copy. I like the feeling that I got a real quality watch without being taken to the cleaners. It makes me feel like I'm part of a special club that only Orient owners know about.
(Posted on 7/4/11)

'5.0 out of 5 stars Superb automatic diver for low price, great with smaller wrists' Review by J L

Rating

The Orient Blue Mako is known as a budget-minded classic for at least 3 good reasons -- it's attractive, accurate, and solidly built. Factor in the price of less than $100 (if you buy it from the Orient USA site with one of their ubiquitous 50% off coupons), and this watch ranks as one of the best value purchases one can make.

The Mako's blue dial is captivating. For a while, I was vacillating between the black version and this one. Blue has turned out to be correct choice -- depending on the ambient light, the dial can appear black or a shimmering blue. The bezel also has a black vs. blue quality. In essence, I got a Blue and Black Mako in one watch!

The lume of the hands and numbers is good. Even after several hours of darkness on a bedstand, it will glow sufficiently bright to read in the morning.

The bracelet is also fine. The links are solid stainless steel, matte finish on the top and bottom, polished on the sides. Although many reviewers online complain about the hollow end-links, no problems for me, i.e. no rattles or loosening.

The accuracy of this automatic movement, in-house Orient and made in Japan, is extraordinary. <5 sec slow a day thus far. Other reviewers online generally confirm such marvelous accuracy.

The one negative is the flimsy crown stem. Pulling out the crown (which itself is nicely engraved) reveals a rather delicate stem with some wobble during the time/date adjustment process. Care must be taken here, lest the stem get bent. This is an area where the sub-$100 price shows.

Finally, for those with smaller wrists (mine is a shade less than 6.5" in circumference), the Mako sits well and looks terrific. I ended up removing two links from each side for a total of 4 removed (using SE Watch Band Link Remover Set (5 Piece Set), but I've read folks with 6.5" wrists removing just 3 links total and bringing the micro-adjustment down to the smallest setting.

This combination of features and extremely compelling design (not a replica/homage of more famous, expensive watches, but a cool design of its own) makes the Orient Blue Mako a true best buy. Highly recommended.
(Posted on 5/19/11)

'Stunning watch...great value!' Review by Will

I got this as a birthday present from my sister (she is awesome!!!) I had been searching for a nice, simple, automatic watch (specifically with a blue dial). I have a few quartz watches (Movado, Festina and Swatch chronographs etc.) and wanted a watch that looked clean, and elegant and was inspired by the Submariner style without being a direct copy of it. I came across the Orient Makos based on several reviews and instantly knew I had found the watch for me. When I received it, I was very impressed with the look and feel of it. It looks great on my hand and the dark blue dial shimmers/changes color depending on the angle of the light. The movement is very smooth....this is a great watch for a "first" automatic. It looks good dressed down as well as with a suit. The blue and metal make equally easy to coordinate with blacks, blues, grays, and browns. My only complaint is that the crown is very hard to move. The accuracy seems to be on par with other reviews. I will keep track of it over the next few weeks to make sure. Over tall, I am very pleased with it.
(Posted on 5/19/11)

'I think it is a great watch !' Review by biblo

Rating

First time in my life buying automatic watch.It was a dream from my childhood.Before I make this step I was searching for a lot of opinions in the net.I red all the left feedbacks about this watch ORIENT -blue Mako.I started with the worst-some first then I looked trough the best-some.I'm so grateful for all the warnings ,such about the loose stem of the time setting crown,$20 requirement for shipping expenses if any warranty is claimed,the unanswered e-mails to ORIENT USA and many such as: not so hard mineral glass,the weakness of the bracelet and .......
Any way I took the risk and now I can give my own opinion.
Yeah , ORIENT USA have to pay more attention on the customer service.The problem with the stem is just a single accident. Nothing else should be mentioned.
The watch is made perfect.Every one have to consider that the automatic watch like this is made of many,very small and delicate components inside and have to handle it with care.The glass is fully exposed and the smooth polishing of the case needs respect too.
It is a delicate machine whose time is over a long time ago.
I would recommend this watch to the people that can appreciate the real craftsmanship.
If some body need a watch to dig potatoes with ,better buy a plastic,disposable one for $10-15 at most.
(Posted on 5/19/11)

'Nice Watch,' Review by Andy

Rating

I just got the Blue Mako yesterday and am quite impressed. Its a solid nice looking watch. I had a titanium Wenger before this Mako and the Wenger was much lighter so that will take a little getting used to. On the plus side however, the lume on the dial last MUCH longer and I was still able to read the numbers at 5am the next morning. The clasp is also much stronger on this watch then the Wenger.
(Posted on 5/19/11)

'Worth more than the price' Review by Jay

Rating

Like most watch people the newest watch always steals your wrist for a while. But I dont think I have worn any of my other watches more than 3 or 4 times since I got this watch a couple months ago. The power reserve is lacking thats pretty much the only problem, I will eventually get a winder for this and my other 2 autos. I switched bands a couple weeks after arrival to a peanut bund strap but I switched back pretty quickly. The other reviews say that the band is noisy and it is just a tiny bit, but those reviews make it seem like the band is cheap, and its not its a good solid steel band for sure. This watch looks like it cost at least a grand and it keeps time just as good. I have had to reset it a couple times because it died on me (short power reserve). The time variance is sometimes up to 20 seconds, however Im pretty sure that was only because I hadnt worn it for a few days. On average it ranges from correct to the second or up to 4 seconds slow. Oh also, at times I wish the blue was a little lighter, but then when the sun hits it the blue is awesome and I like the subtleties of the blue. Either way buy this watch its worth much more than $100, but do keep in mind this is written only a couple months after purchasing.
(Posted on 5/19/11)

'You cannot beat the value Orient gives you!' Review by Angelis

This watch is a solid masterpiece. It is so solid, and so well-made, you won't believe how little you paid for it---a comparable Swiss piece would have cost at least $350.00 more. The blue dial is simply stunning--with a wet/glassy look to it. The contrasting blue bezel is beautiful, with very smooth clicking.

It has proven itself reliable to me, and it's a dressy dive watch. Let me tell you about the lume--very bright green.

It's one of Orient's best, and so so affordable.

I am sure you will love it, and it makes the perfect gift.

SPECS:

Movement Calibur: In-house 469, 21 jewel
Case material: Brushed solid stainless steel casing
Case dimensions: 40mm in diameter without the crown, 43mm in diameter with crown; 13mm in thickness
Bezel: Stainless steel
Crystal type: Scratch resistant mineral crystal
Crown: Signed screw-in crown, screw in date pusher
Water resistant: 200 meters
Face color: Blue--mirror-like
Lug size: 20mm
Band type: Brushed solid stainless steel bracelet with folding clasp with push button
Band length: 8.75 inches including the watch, sizable down to 6 inches
(Posted on 5/19/11)