Where Are Orient Watches Made in 2023?

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Written By Alan

Would you believe a G-Shock I was gifted in 2014 by my grandpa started my lifelong journey of a watch geek?

🕑  Last Updated: March 28, 2023

Although markets such as Japan and Switzerland are known for their excellent craftsmanship when it comes to watches, it’s not unusual for watchmakers from these countries to outsource the production of their timepieces to less expensive countries, eg. China.

Even though there’s been immense progress in Chinese-made watches over the last few years, the “Made in China” label is still often associated with sub-par quality.

When it comes to highly-rated, low-budget watchmakers, there are not many that can compete with Orient. The Japanese brand has been at the forefront of affordable automatic watches for many years.

Because the prices of Orient watch models are very often unbeatable, one question that is often popping up in the watch community circles is…

Where Are Orient Watches Made?

The Japanese watchmaker was founded in 1950 in Tokyo and for more than 30 years, it was manufacturing its watches exclusively in the “Land of the Rising Sun”.

However, from the 1980s, part of the Orient’s production was moved overseas.

So, where is the Orient watch manufactured today?

As of now, the brand has factories in Japan, China, Singapore, and also Brazil. With that said, the vast majority of Orient timepieces are manufactured and assembled in Japan.

The question that now arises is: how do you figure out if the watch your want to buy was made in Japan, the desired destination, or somewhere else?

It’s pretty simple.

Normally on the caseback you will find an engraving suggesting the origin of the timepiece. Watches that are fully manufactured and assembled in Japan bear the inscription “Made in Japan”, while those that are put together in Orient’s other manufactories around the world carry the engraving “Japanese Movement”.

Here it’s worth pointing out that absolutely all Orient watches run on Japanese calibers produced by the brand in-house. This fact is one of the main reasons why many aficionados consider Orient as one of the best bang-for-the-buck watch brands on the market today – since all these watches, despite the affordable price tags, are mechanical. Timepieces that are assembled outside of Japan are still using Orient’s movements produced in Tokyo.

Equally important to mention is the regulation in the Japanese law that states the following: “…a watch which is manufactured overseas in a Japanese-owned (or contracted) factory to Japanese quality control standards under Japanese supervision by a Japanese-owned firm may be labeled “Made in Japan”.”

The above essentially means that even watches technically assembled outside of Japan can still be labeled as Japanese-made.

Although all of the above might sound a bit confusing, it’s safe to say that Orient watches can be considered Japanese watches, regardless of where they were assembled.

For the most part, the only real difference between an Orient watch made in Japan and one assembled in China is the price tag – since production costs are significantly lower in the latter country, you can expect most models without the “Made in Japan” label to be more affordable. Some Orient dive watches are a good example of this.

With that being said, it’s important to point out that Orient never compromises on quality, regardless of where the watch was put together. The company uses the same quality materials and movements for all its watches, no matter the price or origin.

So, if you’re looking for an excellent value-for-money automatic watch, don’t hesitate to check out what Orient has to offer. You can be sure that you’re getting a quality product, no matter where it was made.

Frequently Asked Questions

We hope that the above information helped you get a better understanding of where Orient watches are made. If you have any further questions, feel free to check out the most frequently asked ones below.

Are Orient watches high quality?

Yes, all Orient watches provide excellent value for money. The fact that more than 90% of Orient timepieces are mechanical and listed at such affordable prices makes the brand one of the best bang-for-the-buck automatic watch manufacturers around.

Are Orient watches worth buying?

Orient watches are definitely worth considering if you’re looking for an affordable, yet high-quality automatic timepiece. With that said, it’s important to keep in mind that Orient is mostly known for its entry-level and mid-range watches. If you’re looking for a luxury watch that will hold or appreciate in value, Orient might not be the best option.

Who owns the Orient watch company?

Orient Watch was transformed into a wholly-owned subsidiary of Seiko Epson in 2009. Then, in 2017, Seiko Epson and Orient Watch joined to create even more synergy.

Are Orient watches as good as Seiko?

While both brands offer excellent value for money, it’s hard to compare them directly since they cater to different segments of the market. In general, Seiko watches tend to be considered slightly higher-end than Orient and, on average, are also more pricey.

Who makes movements for Orient watches?

All Orient watches are powered by Japanese movements manufactured in-house by the brand. The watchmaker is one of few worldwide that is entirely powered by its own movements.

Is Orient Stary a luxury watch?

Orient Stary is Orient Watch’s luxury line of watches. Even though the prices are significantly higher than what the brand usually charges, Orient Stary timepieces are still considered entry-level luxury watches. All are fully manufactured and assembled in Japan.

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