Introducing Orient Star Unveils Two New M34 F8 Date Watches

Orient Star, the elevated sibling of Orient under the Seiko Epson umbrella, has steadily carved out a place in the upper echelons of Japanese watchmaking. Known for its in-house craftsmanship and refined design language, the brand introduces the new M34 F8 Date series this year, a contemporary collection that welcomes two new additions inspired by the Perseid meteor shower.

Both references are housed in SUS316L stainless steel cases, a low-carbon variant of austenitic stainless steel engineered for exceptional corrosion resistance, particularly in chloride-rich environments. As an enhanced version of SUS316, the “L” signifies reduced carbon content, which helps minimize the risk of intergranular corrosion, especially in welded areas.

The case measures 40mm in diameter and 12.9mm in thickness, topped with a dual-curved sapphire crystal treated with an anti-reflective coating to ensure legibility under various lighting conditions. A sapphire crystal caseback reveals the mechanical movement, while the watches maintain a water resistance of 100 meters.

The limited edition RE-BX0009B stands out with a black dial crafted using a world-first multilayering technology. Layers of nanoparticle metal ink are applied to create a meteor shower pattern. Roman numerals mark the 12 o’clock position, and a concentric-grooved power reserve indicator is placed just below. Sharp, faceted baton hands and applied indices feature alternating brushed and polished finishes that play with the light. A date window sits at 3 o’clock, framed and color-matched to the dial.

In contrast, the RE-BX0006E, which joins the permanent collection, features a green dial created using a hand-engraved mold that mimics a shimmering, starry effect. Although the dial surface is stamped, an optical multilayer film is applied to enhance depth. Like its limited sibling, this dial is handcrafted in Nagano, Japan, at Orient Star’s dedicated studio.

Both models are powered by the in-house F8N64 automatic movement, operating at a frequency of 21,600 vph (3Hz) and offering a 60-hour power reserve. The movement includes a silicon escape wheel and boasts a daily accuracy range of +15 to -5 seconds.

The bracelet is crafted from stainless steel and fitted with a foldover clasp with twin push-button release and three micro-adjustment positions. The black dial variant is limited to 160 pieces and priced at USD 3,250 (approximately AED 12,000), while the green dial variant is part of the permanent collection, priced at USD 2,900 (approximately AED 10,700).

For more information, visit Orient Star’s official website.