Article of the week
The Summit Collection: A Strong First Step for New Brand Earthen

Earthen Company is one of the freshest names to enter the watch market, founded in Hong Kong in 2025 by a group of passionate collectors and enthusiasts. Co-founder Jonathan Chan, also a key figure behind The Horology Club, explains that the team approached this project as collectors first, not as traditional watchmakers. 

The result is a debut that doesn’t chase trends but instead offers something unique, a series of ceramic, field- and pilot-inspired watches at an accessible price point. With the launch of the Summit Collection, it’s clear Earthen intends to make an impression from day one.

Orient

Orient is a well-known Japanese watch manufacturer with a rich history that dates back to 1901. It was originally established as Tama Keiki Company and later changed its name to Orient Watch Company, Limited. The company's founder, Shogoro Yoshida, began his venture by opening a wholesale shop called "Yoshida Watch Shop" in Ueno, Taito, Tokyo, Japan. Initially, the shop dealt with the distribution of watches. However, as time passed, Yoshida expanded his business and started producing gold wristwatch cases.

In the year 1950, the company was officially recognized as Orient, and it has been operating under this name since then. Orient mainly focused on marketing mechanical watches, which are known for their craftsmanship and precision. However, they also diversified their product offerings by manufacturing quartz, light-powered, and radio-controlled models.

In 2001, Seiko Epson Corporation acquired a majority stake in Orient, becoming its major shareholder. This partnership brought significant advancements and synergies between the two companies. Finally, in 2017, Seiko Epson fully integrated Orient into its operations, strengthening its presence in the watch industry.

One interesting aspect of Orient's history is that they introduced several notable watch models over the years. Some of these watches gained popularity among watch enthusiasts. Examples of such models include the "Dynamic," "Grand Prix 100," "Fineness," and "Tenbeat".