A hundred quid of domed Japanese glass that shames a Tudor, sabotaged by a frankly stupid 21 mm lug width
Two Bambinos, one generation
I've had two of these on the cushion. First, the Gen 2 Version 3, brand new, belonging to my dear friend Christoph, so the plastic stays on the caseback. Then the one with the gold-tone applied Roman numerals and the dauphine handset, sharper than a Shogun sword. The versions describe different dials and handsets. The generations describe the movement: Gen 1 had no hacking or hand winding, Gen 2 does. In-house F6724, 21,600 an hour. All Orient watches feature in-house movements. You Swiss think you're so clever, but you're not.
Five versions to choose from: small seconds, open heart, bracelets, Roman numerals, and the V3's Bauhaus stick hands and indices. The V3 is the best version, in my opinion. Some of the others are horrendously disgusting.
Look at that dome
This super-domed boxed mineral crystal is a sight to be seen. Even the dial is domed under it, and the handset is curved to fit the domed dial. Quite remarkable in itself. The boxing on that crystal is stunning. Let me not forget to remind you how wonderful that is. Look at him. Look at that.
On the Roman numeral one, the dial has a wonderful pearlescent, iridescent sunburst, like nacre, the stuff molluscs secrete to protect their inner workings. Quite lovely to behold. And an onion crown that turns like a charm. On the V3, look closer: white printed markers, but at 12, 3, 6 and 9 there are applied faceted indices. Only the truest watch nerds will notice. Quite great. I'd have liked dauphine hands on it, but it's irrelevant.
The worst thing about this watch
21 mm lug width. A frankly stupid size. There aren't many 21 mm straps, and you will need one, because this strap is stiff as a board. Genuine leather? I don't think so. Plain, smells like leather, extremely poor quality, poor edging on the tang buckle. I've had the V3 on my wrist twice and it has almost delaminated. Look at the state of it. I respect the decisions of the Japanese, but that one is ludicrous.
40.5 mm, 46.5 lug to lug, about 12 mm thick. A shade too large for a dress watch. I'd prefer 37 to 39. Not painfully large, though, and it'll slide under your cuffs. 30 metres: splash proof. Do the washing up in it by all means, but don't take her on the log flume. Don't say Gethin didn't warn you.
What do you get for your hundred pounds?
Under a hundred pounds. I've seen it for 96. It's almost unbelievable. Simple case, as a dress watch should be: high-polished bezel and lug tips, brushed flanks, polished screw-down caseback. Rated plus 25 to minus 15 a day, but the V3 has been running far more accurately. I could spend less than 100 pounds on this or three thousand on a Tudor and get the same accuracy. The Japanese will destroy you.
Verdict
Stunningly beautiful and elegant, with a few things that disgust me, mostly that strap and those lugs. I am quite fond of it. A true warrior, not for the faint of heart. I would buy one now if I were you. Stay freaky, and never give up.
