The Watch That Started My Collection — Orient Mako 75th Anniversary
"I have always been passionate about watches, but for years, the combination of pricing, the overwhelming variety of models, and the challenge of finding the right watch kept me from taking the first step toward building a collection of my own. In 2026, I finally decided to change that, and my first purchase was the Orient Mako 75th Anniversary. Looking back, I could not have chosen a more meaningful watch to begin this journey. What impressed me most about this Mako is its balance of simplicity, character, and versatility. The design is clean and understated, yet it has enough personality to stand out. It is the kind of watch that does not need to be flashy to be interesting. Every time I put it on, I appreciate its thoughtful design and the way it fits naturally into my everyday life. That is exactly why I chose it as my primary daily watch. There is also something special about owning a timepiece that commemorates 75 years of a Japanese watchmaking brand. Orient has built a reputation around mechanical watchmaking, distinctive designs, and making quality watches accessible to enthusiasts. I appreciate that philosophy because I believe a great watch should be about more than a name on the dial or a price tag. It should be about craftsmanship, character, and the experience of wearing it. My connection with Orient has become even more personal because my fiancée gifted me an Orient Bambino Open Heart for my birthday. It is a beautiful piece with a completely different personality from the Mako, and owning both has made me appreciate the range of styles Orient offers. The Mako is my everyday companion, while the Bambino brings a more elegant and expressive touch to my collection. I officially started building my watch collection in 2026, and Orient has already become a central part of that journey. I have several other models on my wish list, and although I need to be thoughtful about my budget and make each purchase at the right time, I know this will not be my last Orient. My next major goal is an Orient Star, particularly the Contemporary Modern Skeleton RK-AV0006L, with its blue dial, stainless-steel case, and black leather strap. To me, it represents a natural next step in exploring the brand’s mechanical watchmaking and more refined designs. What I find most appealing about Orient is that its watches offer their own identity. They are not simply trying to imitate the appeal of more expensive brands. They have a history, a design language, and a character that make them worth appreciating in their own right. For anyone beginning their watch journey, or for experienced collectors who appreciate well-designed mechanical watches without automatically chasing the highest price, Orient is a brand worth discovering. The Mako 75th Anniversary was my first step into collecting watches, but it has become much more than that. It represents the beginning of a hobby I have wanted to pursue for years, and it has given me even more reasons to appreciate Japanese watchmaking. Thank you, Orient, for creating watches that make this hobby accessible while still making each piece feel special. My collection started with the Mako, grew with the Bambino, and I look forward to discovering many more Orient and Orient Star watches in the years ahead. 2026 is the beginning of my journey as a watch collector, and I fully expect Orient to remain one of my favorite brands for a long time."
