Orient Star M34 F8 Date – a meteor shower on your wrist

The inspiration for the two new models (RE-BX0002S M34 F8 Date LE and RE-BX0004L M34 F8 Date) in the M34 collection from the Contemporary line is the Perseid meteor shower, spilling its glow across the deep black of the night sky. We already have this limited edition in stock, and it’s simply amazing!

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The New Orient Star M Collection

Orient Star is the premium line within the Orient brand. Its watches are designed to meet the demands of discerning customers who seek timepieces featuring exceptional craftsmanship, superior finishes, and the finest mechanical movements.

Thanks to its long tradition of watchmaking and continuous innovation, the Orient Star brand is able to fulfill these desires. And on top of that, it never ceases to surprise us with its new releases. Proof of this can be found in the latest additions to the M Collection, which the brand has prepared for us and which will enchant you with their dials. And Japanese brands really know how to make dials.

The M collection under the Orient Star brand is still a relatively new addition. Each model has its own story, complemented by a unique design, and the brand’s lineup now includes a total of three. The letter “M” in the name refers to the Messier catalog, an astronomical list of celestial objects that includes nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies.

The M Collection encompasses the main watch categories

The M collection currently includes all types of watches:

• Sports – the M42 collection, featuring models that reflect the rich history of Orient Star sports and diving watches, which take their name from a star cluster in the constellation Orion

• For every occasion—the M34 collection, named after a star cluster located in the constellation Perseus. Year after year, a meteor shower emanates from this constellation, and we can watch its bright flashes across the August night sky. The shower has inspired not only the dials of this collection but also the cases, with their sharp, clean lines. The resulting models are a modern take on watches designed for everyday use and any occasion.

• Dress Watches – The M45 collection features very elegant watches that clearly bear the hallmarks of classic Orient Star models. The dials feature Roman numerals at the hour markers, and leaf-style and cathedral hands were chosen to display the time. The cases feature very simple lines and delicate, elongated lugs. This time, the numeric designation conceals the Pleiades star cluster from the constellation Taurus.

Orient Star M34 F8 Date Models

The M34 F8 Date models symbolically take the reins from the series’ previous uncrowned rulers—the M34 F7 models with a view of the balance wheel—and become the new flagship of the M34 collection. You’ll understand why at first glance. That’s because they feature an unconventionally designed dial—one that is, in a sense, another unique offering within the brand’s lineup.

If you’re captivated by the artistry of Grand Seiko and its stunning dials, but find the price tag on this Japanese watch a bit too high for your budget, now is the perfect time to consider an affordable alternative. That’s because the dials of the new M34 F8 Date offer similar perfection and craftsmanship.

The new designs, inspired by the Perseid meteor shower, come in two colors: a silvery shade that takes on warm champagne tones depending on how the light hits it, and an indigo blue that, when held up to the light, surprises with even more nuanced hues. Both dials are adorned with the same pattern, which is embossed using a hand-carved mold. At first glance, it most closely resembles the hammered finish found on certain pieces of jewelry.

Silver Limited Edition

The Orient Star Contemporary RE-BX0002S M34 F8 Date model with a silver dial depicts a shining meteorite against a dark night sky. The bright, glowing surface of the dial is strikingly accented by a gliding blue seconds hand, which is, of course, heat-treated to achieve its blue hue. Only a small number of watch enthusiasts will be able to enjoy this timepiece. It is being released as a limited edition of just 160 pieces (a limited edition of 200 pieces was originally planned for the Chinese market, which also included a leather strap).

The classic blue is right up there with the rest

In contrast, the Orient Star Contemporary RE-BX0004L M34 F8 Date is part of the permanent collection, so if you’re looking for something new and don’t have much luck with the limited edition, there’s no need to be disappointed. Even the blue version, representing the dark night sky, will be worth every penny.

You might also find the manufacturing process of this dial particularly interesting. Its captivating color was achieved using a special nanotechnology from Epson, which creates a color tone effect on the metal surface of the dial. The optical, multi-layered transparent film on the dial’s surface affects light reflection and transmission. The result is an effect that could not be achieved through a standard painting process.

But it’s definitely not just about the dials

What both new models have in common is the movement used, and the resulting functions of the watches and the layout of the dial. The Orient Star brand’s DNA is evident at first glance: the typical power reserve indicator is present at the 12 o’clock position, and a small date window sits at the 3 o’clock position. I appreciate how the color of the date ring matches the dial—dark for the blue version and light for the silver one. The hour markers are raised indices with beveled, polished edges and a faceted top surface. The hands are similarly refined.

The M34 F8 Date models come in a modern, intricately detailed case with a comfortable 40 mm diameter, a lug-to-lug width of 47.3 mm, and a height of 12.9 mm. Even on paper, these specifications suggest that this will be a very comfortable watch, and with its sporty yet elegant look, it could be an excellent choice for a versatile everyday timepiece.

This would be further enhanced by a higher water resistance rating of 100 m and the use of sapphire crystal not only on the dial side but also on the screw-down case back with a view window. In addition, the crystal protecting the dial features a double-sided anti-reflective coating, so viewing the dials will certainly be an experience free from any glare—allowing their texture and color to truly stand out.

Silicon Improves Accuracy

Another important feature of both models is the movement, which is revealed by the open caseback. They are equipped with the F8N64 caliber, which utilizes advanced technologies and materials, enabling a longer power reserve of 60 hours and excellent accuracy within a range of +15 to -5 seconds per day. However, based on experience, you can expect a stable deviation that hovers close to zero.

The longer power reserve was achieved thanks to a newly developed silicon stepper wheel, which is lighter and manufactured with greater precision (using MEMS technology), thereby increasing energy transfer efficiency. Its vibrant blue color and unique spiral shape evoke the Milky Way galaxy and symbolize the overarching space-inspired theme that permeates the watch’s design.

The silicon stepper wheel, manufactured using MEMS technology, has become one of the defining features of the exceptional Orient Star models since its debut in 2021 to mark the brand’s 70th anniversary. The movement is, of course, in-house, and its beautiful decoration is a delight to the eye—featuring blued screws, pearled bridges, and a rotor with Geneva stripes.

We’ve already seen the limited edition in person

Both color variants come with a steel bracelet that, like the case, features pleasingly sharp lines and combines brushed and polished surfaces. As in the past, you can expect a high level of finish quality and meticulous craftsmanship from these new models. The bracelet is 20 mm wide where it attaches to the case, so those who like to experiment with straps will also find something to their liking. These new models could look great with them, too.

We already have the silver limited edition in stock, and I have to say it has lived up to our expectations—it’s gorgeous. We’ll see if, along with its blue counterpart, it will turn out to be the most interesting addition yet to the brand’s already diverse and fantastic lineup.

It’s still true that Orient Star is unfairly overlooked, and if you give the brand a chance, it will pleasantly surprise you—and I dare say, even amaze you —especially when you realize what a great price you get for a meticulously crafted watch that, as an added bonus, features an in-house movement (the Orient Star Contemporary RE-BX0002S M34 F8 Date Limited Edition for 75,900,and the Orient Star Contemporary RE-BX0004L M34 F8 Date for 81,900).

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