
It’s time for the next edition of the Oracle Time Members Club giveaway! The watch that’s being given away this spring is the Orient Bambino 75th Anniversary Limited Edition. A fun, accessible dress watch that punches well above its weight in terms of style and build quality. It’s a little beauty. Find out how you can take part in this giveaway at the bottom of the article.
It’s a 40.5mm diameter watch with a thickness of 12.3mm, though on the wrist it actually wears much slimmer than those numbers on paper suggest. The lugs curve downwards quite steeply, meaning the watch sits very flat and comfortably on the wrist, ensuring that a cuff will slide over top of it very easily. It’s also the domed sapphire crystal that adds a lot to its thickness, which with its curve and smooth texture lets material slide over it effortlessly.
The dials are arguably the strongest feature of the Bambino collection with their combination of vintage elements and a clean, legible display. This Anniversary model has an off-white sunray brushed dial with rose gold coloured Roman numerals, vibrant blue hands and black minute scales. Between the creamy dial and rose markers, the overall impression is that of a cappuccino. One of the aspects I particularly like about the limited edition details is that they’ve simplified the logo at 12 o’clock, removing the normal coat of arms. It makes the watch look much cleaner and elegant.
Unstrapping the watch (it comes with an exchangeable beige calf leather number and a dark brown calf leather strap with faux embossed alligator texture) and turning if over reveals the exhibition caseback. The crystal bears a 75th anniversary marking below which you can see the inner workings of the in-house calibre F6724, which is automatic with a 40-hour power reserve. Beneath the the partially openworked rotor there’s a great view of the beating heart of the watch, the balance wheel in a golden tone oscillating back and forth.
The strongest plaudit I can give is that with a price of £329.99, it punches well above its weight in terms of build quality and construction. It has the bearing and feel of a much more expensive dress watch. It’s a limited edition of 9,500 pieces, which means it outnumbers many watches’ full production runs. Nevertheless, in recent years the Bambino has become a bit of a cult hit and the Bambino 75th Anniversary Limited Edition is one of the best expressions of the model I’ve come across.
In order to win the watch as part of the Oracle Time Members’ giveaway, you simply have to sign up to become a member before 30 June. Doing so will also gain you access to all the membership benefits including receiving 10 print issues of Oracle Time straight to your door, exclusive invitations to events and priority access to collaborations. As well as free entry to the upcoming Hands On Horology exhibition in Shoreditch this June.
Price and Specs:
Model:
Orient
Bambino 75th Anniversary Limited Edition
Ref:
RA-AC0027S
Case:
40.5mm
diameter x 12mm thickness, stainless steel
Dial:
White
Water resistance:
30m
(3 bar)
Movement:
Orient
calibre F6724, automatic, 22 jewels
Frequency:
21,600
vph (3 Hz)
Power reserve:
40h
Functions:
Hours,
minutes, seconds, date
Strap:
Brown
leather
Price:
£329.99
More details at Orient.
Oracle Time