Sponsored: Unprecedented Delicate Dials Shine with Orient Star’s Technology — New Models Herald a New Era of Dial Expressions
Photographs by Masahiro Okamura
Text by Naoto Watanabe
Since its birth in 1951, Orient Star has continued to captivate many watch fans as an authentic mechanical watch brand. Although the brand is widely known for its Mechanical Moon Phase and Skeleton series, it has launched numerous models highlighted with delicately crafted dials in recent years. We illustrate the evolution of Orient Star’s dial designs that lead the way for a new era of the brand, reaping the benefits of its unique in-house production process.
M34 F8 Date Ref. RE-BX0004L that uses optical multilayer technology
The first model is the M34 F8 Date Ref. RE-BX0004L just released in August. Last year, Orient Star reorganized its collection ranges and launched M Collections, which incorporates new conceptual designs based on the theme of nebulae and star clusters. The M34 Collection’s name is inspired from the open star cluster M34, included in Messier’s Objects – a catalogue of nebulae, clusters and galaxies – by the French astronomer Charles Messier (1730-1817) and is visible near the constellation of Perseus.
Orient Star M34 F8 Date Ref. RE-BX0004L
In addition to the intricate pattern on the dial, the case is also inspired by the Greek hero Perseus from whom the constellation is derived and is crafted with a combination of polished and satin-finishes for a solid look.
Automatic mechanical caliber F8N64, 22 jewels, 21,600 vibrations per hour, power reserve of 60 hours, stainless steel case (diameter 40mm, thickness 12.9mm), water resistance to 10 bar (100m).
The design concept of the dial is the Perseid meteor shower. It is characterized by a pattern with a sense of depth that radiates out from the center, like a meteor shower falling into the night sky with its radiant point near the γ Persei.
This unique pattern is made through press stamping the hand-carved patterns on metal dies crafted by skilled artisans at the Dial Studio of the Shinshu Watch Studio.
The modeling is so delicate that it would normally be crushed in the painting process, but the optical multilayer film technology developed by Orient Star and introduced for the first time in this timepiece made it possible to produce its deep blue color while maintaining these minute uneven surfaces.
The base plate is hand-engraved stamped brass, wet-plated in silver color, deposited with optical multilayer film, and wrap coated with transparent coating. Because the date window is cut after wrap coating, the cut surface is re-plated. In addition, the dial is comprised of two pieces, the main plate and the power reserve indicator, to create three-dimensionality The bar indices, inspired by stars shining in the night sky, are all multi-faceted and extremely three-dimensional, with a grinded finish on the top surface and a polished finish on the beveled surface. Reflecting light from all angles, they will not appear buried.
A limited-edition white dial model with sparkling wet plated base also available
The M34 F8 Date is also available in a limited edition of 160 pieces, the Ref. RE-BX0002S, with an intricately patterned white dial and blue second hand, also based on the design concept of the Perseus constellation.
Orient Star M34 F8 Date Ref. RE-BX0002S
This is a normal painted dial, but with a very thin white layered paint that brings out the shimmer of the underlying silver-colored wet plating.
Fortunately, for anyone in the United States or United Kingdom the new M Collections it has never been easier to buy Orient Star watches thanks to the brand’s US and UK online stores.
For US customers: with ORIENT STAR (Orient Star Official Online Store) (orientstar-watch.com)
For UK customers: Orient Star | Orient Watches UK Official Website
And to learn more, click here.