It always amuses me that when we have watches passing through the office, a piece costing several grand from a big name brand can come and go without much fanfare but as soon as a cool, accessible watch arrives, everyone clamours to get a look. That’s probably because regular humans can add watches like this to their collections without breaking the bank. The object of today’s interest is the new Orient Bambino Small Seconds collection.
As the name suggests this collection builds on the standard Bambino with the addition of a small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock. There are four models in the new collection, all of which I have here. To list them off quickly, there’s a silver-white dial option, a cream-ivory, a black edition with silver subdial and lastly a second silver-white option but this time with a gold-coloured case.
My personal preferences mean that straight out of the box, the black dial Bambino Small Seconds was the first I strapped on. Measuring 38.4mm in diameter, it sits right in the pocket of vintage sizing that’s popular the moment, small without being diminutive. The overall shape is very restrained and classic featuring a smooth polished bezel and brushed flanks as well as relatively slim lugs. The steel is also plenty durable and scratch resistant while also being fairly lightweight due to the size (a weighty tool watch this is not).
All four dial variations have Roman numerals interspersed with bar indexes, sitting inside a peripheral minute scale. The hands are beautifully thin in a dauphine style – silver on the black model, blue on the white and ivory and then golden on the gold colour edition. It’s certainly not understated or minimalist but there’s also an elegance to it that strongly appeals.
Turning any of the four Babino Small Seconds watches over reveals the exhibition caseback and the calibre F6222, an in-house movement with a 40-hour power reserve. In addition to the hour, minute and seconds complications there’s a date window at 3 o’clock. A perfectly reasonable movement considering the price, which is £287.99 for the exposed steel models and £299.99 for the gold coloured one. As a daily wearer on the more elegant end of the spectrum, there’s really not much more you could ask for. Which is your favourite?
Price and Specs:
Model:
Orient
Bambino 38 Small Seconds
Case:
38.4mm
diameter x 12mm thickness, stainless steel or gold coloured stainless steel
Dial:
Black
or silver
Water resistance:
30m
(3 bar)
Movement:
Orient
calibre F6222, automatic, 24 jewels
Frequency:
21,600
vph (3 Hz)
Power reserve:
40h
Functions:
Hours,
minutes, seconds, date
Strap:
Leather
Price:
£287.99
(steel), £299.99 (gold colour case)
More details at Orient.
Oracle Time