The OSD, shrunk in the wash: a wearable Saturation Diver for normal wrists, with a bracelet you must bin
Nomenclature and taxonomy
Tonight, the Orient Triton. Nomenclature and taxonomy are specific to this watch, so his technical name is RA-EL0002L00B. Let's take him off the cushion.
It complies with the Japanese Industrial Standard for a Class 1 diver's watch, the JIS, which is equivalent to ISO 6425 or thereabouts. That means it's guaranteed to survive depths of 200 metres. Quite good. Hacking, hand winding, 22 jewels, 21,600 vibrations an hour, Orient's 40N5A calibre, and a 40-hour power reserve shown on the dial. Quite a rarity amongst divers. That's Orient's star turn, and you'll find it on its bigger brother too.
Saturation Diver, shriveled
The Triton fits in the lineup above the Ray and the Mako and replaces the now-discontinued M-Force. The M-Force was great, but the Triton offers much more refinement. Many consider it a scaled-down Orient Saturation Diver Pro 300, and it is very similar. The OSD was the criterion, the benchmark of sub-£1,000 Japanese dive watches. Nothing better in that price range. This surely is a worthy contender.
It's shriveled somewhat, and that's a good thing, because at this size it's much more wearable than the massive behemoth that is the OSD, which is not really a daily wearer.
Specs, and my calipers
Orient USA says 43.4 mm and 13.6 mm thick, no lug to lug. My digital caliper says 43.2 mm and 14.6 mm thick, because the bezel stands slightly above the flat crystal, so account for the extra millimetre. 51 mm lug to lug, so not too big. 22 mm at the lugs tapering to 20 at the clasp. I have no fear, Mr Spaghetti Arms: seven-inch wrists and slightly under will be accommodated. Extremely wearable.
Handset, bezel, caseback
The handset is the OSD's, slightly smaller, but the seconds hand is different and extends beautifully right up into the mini track, right into the rehaul. Absolutely proper. Three lines of text, a beautiful handset and great loom, applied absolutely fantastically. The bezel I can only compare to somewhere between an SKX and a Turtle. Very nice, virtually no back play, and the pip is shrouded and protected.
The caseback is embossed in the most fantastic way: made in Japan, and for the first time I've seen on an Orient, Epson, the holding company. Expertly etched crown with the two lions hugging the crest. Look at the quality of that.
The bracelet must go
Pin and collar, and a stamped clasp that's to be got rid of immediately. A fold-over deployant very similar to the one on Prospex watches like the Sumo and the Monster. And the diver's extension: totally pointless. I do not salute it. If you buy this watch, which I hope you will, the first thing you must do is upgrade to a Strapcode or a Crafter Blue strap. It is mandatory. They'll add wrist presence and beef up the watch. There is no excuse now.
Verdict
Next to its big bro the OSD 300 Pro you can't really compare them, and it wouldn't be fair to. Both are worthy. A fantastic piece. Stay freaky, bros, and never give up.
