Orient Watches Available on Amazon

I'm on many watch company email mailing lists.  Much of the incoming mail goes unread but I almost always pause to check out email from one company:  Orient.  This Japanese company has been making high quality timepieces since 1950.  They make their own in-house movements.  From a design perspective, the company  covers a broad spectrum of watch types from conservative dress watches to sport and dive watches.  Orient makes watches worth collecting.

Vintage Orient Tristar 21 Jewel Men's Watch, Manual Wind - Photo By Joe Haupt from USA (Vintage Orient 21 Jewels Men's Watch, Manual Wind) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Now, Orient watches are available on Amazon.com.  That's cool.  If you like the convenience of Amazon or if you have a gift certificate or Amazon Prime, it's great to be able to find these watches conveniently.  According to the Orient USA website, there are 6 different categories of Orient watches:  Orient Star, Diver, Sport, Executive, Classic, and Ladies.

Orient Star Watches

The top line watches in the Orient product line up are Orient Star watches.  These watches have fine automatic movements that rival the best from Switzerland.

Orient Star - Classic Watch - Photo By David Guinea (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

As of 2025, you don't see many Orient Star watches on Amazon.  When you do find them, they are sent directly from Japan by third party sellers. However, those Orient Star watches that you do see are very nice timepieces. For example, this Orient Star RK-A0006S Contemporary Standard Watch is highly rated.

An Orient Star RK-A0006S Contemporary Standard Watch (Amazon Photo)

To check this Orient Star watch out, click here on my Amazon affiliate program link.  

To read my latest review of an Orient watch, check out this post on the Orient Bambino Version 3 here on my blog.

Exclusive Exotic Moto Koure Watches

[2025 Update - Back in 2016, we were getting excited about a microbrand called Moto Koure. They are out of business now, but the few watches that made it out into the market command high prices on ebay.]

Wow! What kind of watch is that?  It's the question everyone asks when they see a dazzling new watch.  In this case, the answer will be this is the quartz Moto Koure Mark I.

Moto Koure Mk 1 Quartz Watch

Moto Koure: it's an exotic sounding name for a watch brand.  For many years, we could only marvel at exotic, exclusive, and elusive watches from afar.  Truly unique watches with iconic looks and timeless style were reserved for the very rich.  Now, the micro brand watch revolution is changing all that.   Moto Koure stands out as an up and coming brand from Australia that is bringing quartz and automatic watches to the market with a unique and exciting style.

The Moto Koure name sounds like a Grand Prix race or rally held in the 1950s.  Those of us who grew up reading Road & Track may think of drivers like Juan Fangio and Phil Hill.  While the brand name incorporates founder Jason Koure's last name, the moto is indeed inspired by motorsports.

A moment in the 1954 Italian Grand Prix: Ascari (Ferrari 625) chasing Fangio (Mercedes-Benz W196)

Each watch in the Moto Koure Mk 1 collection evokes the look of a vintage sports car dash.  This racing green automatic Mk 1 shows a richly detailed square watch with two subdials ringed with chrome and set inside a "dash" of wood-grain.  A date window lies at 6 o'clock.  The watch has a scratch resistant sapphire crystal.  The case is stainless steel.  The Mechanical watches are based on the reliable Seiko NE88 movement.  I like the details of this watch.  Even the crown appears to be interestingly textured.  The pushers look broad and comfortable.  The rich leather strap evokes the interior detail of a vintage sports car. 

Moto Koure Mk1 Automatic

There are 8 models in the Mk 1 collection, four are quartz and four are automatics.  Moto Koure is now taking 50% deposits for these new watches.  As with most startup brands, early birds got the best deals. But, pre-production pricing is still available.  Right now, it looks like the quartz models will cost just under $350.  The Mecha-Quartz models are based on the venerable Seiko VK quartz movement.  The automatic watches will cost just under $880.   Watch production is expected in June 2016.

I like these Moto Koure watches a lot.  They have a design that is both classic and unique.  As watch collectors, that is just what we want from a micro brand.  Moto Koure is also keeping collectors well-informed of their progress.  It's exciting to see this brand's designs come to fruition.  You should definitely check out the website at www.motokoure.com.  It's worth a visit just for the pictures.

[As of 2025, the Moto Koure website and the brand has disappeared. If you were able to get one of these watches, you have quite the rarity.]

What kind of watch does Justin Bieber wear?

I recently ran across this Justin Bieber watch at Walmart.  It's a pretty goofy young Justin Bieber pictured on the box and dial.  The non-rotating bezel features Bieber's name as well.  The strap appears to be comfortable silicone.  Since this watch has probably been on the shelves for awhile, it might need a new battery.

Of course, he probably doesn't wear a watch like the one bearing his name.  According to blogger Amit Dev Handa, Bieber was spotted at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards wearing a Rolex 18K Gold Day/Date II much like this Rolex available on Amazon.

The young Justin Bieber favored digital watches like the venerable Casio G Shock.  Here are a couple of photos of the young popstar from 2009 and 2010.  Fortunately, you can easily find Casio G Shock Watches on Amazon.

A Young Justin Bieber in 2009 - Photo by Kevin Aranibar of Kerosene Photography from New York, United States [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Justin Bieber in 2010 - Daniel Ogren [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

I guess it pays to sell lots of watches with your image on them!  But, then again, there aren't any Bieber mug shots from back in his the G-Shock days.  Sometimes, a back to basics approach is the best path.