Either you've reviewed every watch on earth, or you manage to pick out almost every piece I am currently interested in. Either way, thanks. These reviews really are very in depth and most helpful!
Nick, I would have to take issue with Orient being describes as a budget division of Seiko. Orient is owned by Epson but Seiko and Orient are seperately run companies. Orient seems to have better quality and price than Seiko IMHO.
I totally agree, its amazing how good the build quality is on orient watches for the price. I love my ray 2 cant believe i only paid £110 for it. Just wish it had saphire, id have happily paid alot more for it.
nick, you are simply the best reviewer out there! if you buy a product after looking at your take i cannot believe anyone could possibly be taken by surprise. wonderful, detailed and so insightful...BRAVO
I love that you're doing more watch reviews. Although I don't think you can't fault a $150 watch for having Mineralglass. And yes 10 seconds are acceptable. Mean you need to set your watch once a week and are never too late or too early within a minute.
alittleolder Totally agree on the crystal and accuracy. On the accuracy subject, the watch has hacking seconds. Pull the crown out for 10 seconds at the end of the day, and you’ll never need to set it.
Best and most entertaining review ever of this fine Japanese watch ! And I have watched dozens of them over the last 5 years. I own the Mako 2, and it hasn't been off my wrist in over 4 years, still working flawlessly. One thing to note about this watch and I believe most automatics is you will need to buy a de-magnetizer for 20 bucks from Amazon, because they get magnetized easily and fairly often which will make them run fast, if you wear them 24/7. Again, great video, very informative for anyone that is looking for a 1,000 dollar watch for 200 bucks
This is the review I’ve been waiting for. I’ve had my eye on a Ray ll for a while now and this is going a long way to helping me make a decision. Although if I can get my hands on a Mako USA which addresses a lot of your noted deficiencies of the Mako ll I’m 100% springing for that.
I bought a Ray 2 and, for the money, it does the job. It scratches the itch to own a mechanical beater for occasional use without spending too much money and, unlike a Series 5/ SKX, features hacking and hand-winding . I ditched the bracelet and stuck a screen protector on the dial. 5ish seconds a day out but it's part of a rotation and not my regular watch. Totally worth the money impo.
Great video, but I disagree about the acuracy issue that you have. Caveat... I love mechanical watches. I love that you have a tiny machine on your wrist that won't need anything except YOU too power it. That being said, in my opinion a minute a week is perfectly fine. I feel that perfect time keeping, while possibleish with quartz, is not all that important. I don't cut important things that close that a minute will matter. That's just me though. Keep the videos coming😀
The Orient Ray 2 is my favorite Orient watch. The lume pips are large, and the lume is really very bright. It's up there with Seiko lume, perhaps it is the same compound.
These Orients are beautiful. When choosing between an Orient Ray and Seiko SKX009, I went with the SKX due to the crown being at 4 o'clock, plus I dig the Pepsi bezel and iconic nature of the SKX. Very pleased with it so far!
I got this watch almost a year ago, I bought a miltat bracelet with it. Having switched the bracelet, the mako is one of my favorite watches, the bezel is better than the skx, the loom is amazing, and it has nice features.
I purchased this as my first automatic watch. I decided to upgrade the strap (strapcode super oyster) and the crystal (sapphire with blue AR). Thanks for the review, would have never known about this watch otherwise.
I have a 6.75inch wrist and own the Pepsi version of this watch and the skx007. They both fit perfect. I just ordered the all blue mako 2 because the red on the Pepsi distracts me from enjoying that wonderful, amazing, trance-inducing blue that orient gave me on my mako.
I chose the Ray over the Mako due to preferring pips to numerals, but it's otherwise nearly the same watch, and it's one of my favorites. It's kind of my Goldilocks watch, being good enough in every category. I also own the Citizen BM8180 you had up next to it, which is another of my favorites. I think the two of these plus a G-Shock 5600 would probably be my pick for a great entry-level collection.
Came for the knife reviews stayed for the watch reviews. In my experience this watch is fine for the price with all the caveats you mention. Some of those bother some more than others most don't bug me much and mine tends to be pretty accurate. Just ordered another Orient as a backup (after bike crashes, dislocating shoulder in the woods, etc. I have a risk of busting up watches...) and I've had all kinds. What I really like about this is the blue dial reminds me of a Blue Dial Tudor sub I let go when I was young and stupid - but I don't have to feel worried wearing it at work, or while cycling or using tools the way I would if I went and got another Tudor (like I even have the $ to do so lol). Regarding fit - the band does stay wider all around than some watches, much less taper. As to the rattling band, a nato strap will fix that nicely!
Is that Orient a daily driver cos the bezel looks worn and the odd scratch , has it took a beating, or is the paint on the bezel low quality ? , thumbs up for the review ,,, Shane uk 🇬🇧
I have two of these Mako 2's and I can not get the dial back flush with the watch. When I first got it, I unscrewed it to set date and time and when I push it back in a and roll it forward, it doesnt go back into place at the base of the crown....any suggestions?
2 1/2 years after this review, you had a hand in talking me into this watch. For some, "nice enough budget watch" is probably a turn off. For me? Oh, music to my ears. Loving it so far.
Nick, a very honest review of this very nice and affordable Orient diver. Most affordable mechanical watches could never, ever compete with the accuracy of even a cheap quartz. But that's not why i bought this Mako 2. I just love the soothing ticking of the movement. For accuracy i have my Casio wave Ceptor, believe me, no mechanical movement can beat that accuracy.
Good review. The one you really want is is the MAKO II USA model. It adds drilled lugs, solid end links, a lumed pip on the second-hand arrow tip, and Sapphire crystal. Same movement and (fantastic) blue dial. Mine is running at +5 sec/day which is just fine.
I wonder if they fixed the fugitive red paint on the second hand. On my 10 year old original Mako, the tip of the second hand is pink because it's faded.
Good review as usual, that it can handle a construction jobsite environment speaks for itself and may account for the 10 secs/day, nothing which a bit of regulation can't improve. No Watch should be used in hot water - Spa's showers etc as the hot water expands the air inside the watch breaking the seals and then when it cools it will drag in moisture into the watch movement.
Love your reviews and that you do watches and knifes, two of my favorite things to collect! If only you were also into guns I would have a one stop shop for reviews 😂
I just got one of these on Friday and, as of right now, it's keeping perfect time. It may be a fraction of a second fast after 3 days but it's so close that I can't really tell. I have a few automatic/mechanical watches and I've never seen one this accurate. Maybe I just got lucky or maybe the accuracy will decline after a while. But, yea, the bezel action is horrible and the crown is too small. I actually think the bracelet is pretty impressive considering this watch cost 145 bucks. The watch isn't perfect but if anyone is expecting more than this for $145, they're delusional.
Have the Seiko SKX013 due to 38mm with 20mm lugs. Try to keep all watches at 20mm lug to have a few straps functioning on many styles. If the Orient had a smaller size diver would consider. My dress watch is the Orient Bambino g2 V3 grey dial with leather strap upgrade from Long Island Watch. At $200 all in price, will live with 21 mm lug.
is it right mako II got mineral glas and mako III saphire crystal? in the videos it seems the blue from Mako II is more intensive than from mako III it seems darker is that right or does both have same blue? is mako II and mako III both 42mm? I read different about and don´t know whats true. We do not have orient watch official in my country, so I can order only online. / NICE CHANNEL and video.
Hello is it normal that on my orient kamasu i have to move my crown to counter clockwise while adjusting time. While on seikos it is clockwise. Concerned it might be counterfeit but i bought it from reputable seller on amazon.
Hi! Im just curious. What is the difference between watches that have the "japan mov't" marking on the 6 and other who have "japan" marking only. Coz im planning to buy a mako 2 and the one that they sell here has the "japan" marking only not like the other mako 2 which sells online with the "japan mov't" so i was curious whats the difference between them. Thanks
My Orient Ray 2 was my first Diver and with the replaced Blue AR sapphire crystal it is one of my favorites. Get some minor scratches try Flitz polish, works like a charm.
I have the exact same mod with my ray, and definitely a great watch. With the domed crystal it gets this fisheye lensed diver watch effect that looks amazing, and I can't stop looking at the blue ar. I recently got a steinhart diver out of curiosity and I'm regretting it because the ray looks better.
Chris Walls I hope to do that with my Ray 2 when the crystal gets all scratch up. Just don't want to mess up the water proofing. I actually wear mine in the water.
teamhonn, There are modders out there that will replace the crystals and pressure check too. I had mine done by watchmakersfour with the pressure check and he charged about $40 I believe(don't quote me on that, I'm working with a faulty memory), with me providing the crystal from crystaltimes. Definitely worth the upgrade in my opinion, and once you upgrade to sapphire you'll be scratch proof so no need to wait on it.
Thank you good information. I have all the presses and things to make the change myself I was just concerned with the pressure test. I really have no way to test it other than let is it in water and see if anything leaks in, not a real test and not something I want to mess my watch up over.
I think I saw the youtuber minitwatch do a home test by closing the whole case without the dial and the movement, and screwing in the crown. This way the whole case is completely sealed as it would be during wear, and you can throw it into a pool or what have you without any fear of water damage to the actual watch. If you see any water in the case then you just open the case, wipe it off, reinstall the crystal, and retest.
Nice piece for those thinking about or just getting into horology. The day date complication at 3 o'clock is a deal breaker for me. That aesthetic makes any watch just scream cheap in my opinion. I'd prefer either just the date or nothing at all. Keep up the good vids Señor Nick.
Honestly the movement generally tracks much better than advertised! I fully agree with the bracket critique so I threw mine on a nato strap and I’ve had no problems with it at all. One is very hard pressed to find another watch in the $150 range that gives as much bang for the buck tbh, it’s a really impressive watch that you can wear knowing it’ll be mostly accurate with out the heartache of accidentally dinging it on a door or desk
It is a nice jewelry piece for $150 that gives the time and looks amazing. I have one, and I can testify to the rattle and scratches, but it still looks good when I feel like wearing a decent looking watch. The rest of the time, my fossil and g-shock are my daily drivers.
Had this watch, changed to a sapphire crystal, but still, I didn't fall in love with it , so it had to go.. but better movement than the SKX for sure. I have upgraded mine with a hacking and hand winding movement.
I kinda want to file or grind the crown guards off. I’ve already replaced the bezel with a 12 hour one, now I like mine a lot better but I still hate the crown guards
For those that own this watch, does the bezel stiffs to turn? Just got mine today (my first diver's watch too!) and quite disappointing with the bezel. It is very stiff and take a lot of effort to turn. Since this is my first diver's watch, i dont know if that stiffness is typical or maybe i got a defect one. Maybe it need to be "broken" in first?? Let me know what you guys think.
I wanted to add one more comment about the accuracy of this watch and, in general, of mechanical vs. quartz. If you are an accuracy freak like me, you reset ALL your watches to an atomic reference before wearing (radio-controlled being the exception since it does it itself). Even a good quartz movement will be off if left for some time. So the real question is the accuracy adequate for the length of time you wear the watch from the reference point. I generally wear a watch for a few days in a row before picking another in the collection so the 10-15 secs a mechnical might be off is less of an issue unless it is the only watch you own.
Just got orient mako 2. On the instruction they say i have to set time backwards. In the internet they dey i sould move hands with natural directiion. I dont wanna damage mechanism in fhe future.
Considering they are basically all the same with different dials/colors it would seem you’re looking at personal preference. Also the Ray Raven seems to typically cost a little more fwiw.
Nick, it should be noted that it is not a good idea to shower or be in a hot tub with a mechanical watch. Temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius can cause parts within the movement to warp and/or undergo a change in properties. This can ultimately disrupt watch accuracy by a huge margin. It should also be noted that temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius without the presence of water does not seem to have as much of an effect on the movement.
I have a ray ll as well. Bezel was almost stuck it was so hard to turn. I popped the bezel off pulled the rubber o ring out, lightly lubed it, put it back in, popped the bezel back on and it turns really well now. You might give it a try if it bugs you enough.
If you search youtube for orient ray ll bezel removal, there's a video called *changing the bezel on Orient Mako USA*. I pretty much followed what he did (although I would recommend covering the knife blade with some tape so you don't potentially cut yourself). I don't know if you have to remove the metal band or not because I have mine on a Nato strap, but you might be able to figure out a way to do it with the metal band still attached. I used silicon grease on the o ring (not sure if that is the correct grease to use, but it's what I used :))
A swiss watch mechanical I mean... With about +/- 10 seconds a day wil cost tou about five times as much as this watch... Or more... (Standard grade ETA 2824-2 movement itself costs double the price of this entire watch and id not more accurate). So I do believe that this timepiece is much more accurate than it could have been at this price range. (Seiko 5 movement I believe is stated about -20/+40 seconds a day I believe... 7S36 movement that is)
I have a ray II. It is absolutely beautiful, but it does not keep accurat time at all! The lume is bright, but doesn't last long at all. I don't see the point of lume if you have to bring a flashlight to make it glow every five minutes lol. The bracelet is also quite terrible. Didn't last me four months before it suddenly just snapped off because these bars inside get bend very easily. The power reserve of this watch is about a day, but if you're gonna wear this watch every day it doesnt matter. Do not expect the mark on the divers bezel to line up precisely like his. You will definetely feel and notice that this is a very cheap watch (even as my first watch), but overall it's a fair watch for the money. I really love the blue dial :D
I used to love simple symmetrical black dails but they get too boring especially for someone in their 20s like me. Now I want this one with the big day date window and the blue color.
The only thing that is putting me off this watch (except it being more expensive where I live) is typography on the day-date window. It really does look off.
Accuracy: I guess I’ve been lucky. I’ve had my Ray II (same movement as the Mako II) for a little longer than a year and a half and it is consistently more accurate than several Seiko 6R15 movement watches I have and even some Swiss ETA watches too.
Cheaper mechanical watches can be easily manageable, in terms of accuracy, when you get used to it. For this piece, setting it back a minute every Sunday keeps you within +/- 30 seconds, which is probably ok for most people.
The truth of the matter is that for divers, the dive watch has been supplanted by the dive computer. That doesn't detract from the functionality or beauty as piece of jewelry, but 'dive watch' is something of an anachronism.
Yeah, but they make perfect vacation watches. A dressy diver can be at home in a suit or tuxedo, and also keep up with any sport activity and swimming or snorkeling. I only have to wear one watch when I'm on vacation, because I bring a classy looking diver.
But a nanotechnology liquid protector on the crystal. Considerably harder than Sapphire and More scratch-proof in addition to actually being brighter as well. Buy a solid and leek strapcode bracelet for about 80 bucks. So, if you go to Amazon and get this watch for about a hundred and thirty and add the bracelet you are a $210 for a whole lot. Or spend 3k plus on a Seamaster ( which, I do not deny is a fantastic/ better watch, just a lot more)
This review mako me want to Orient my self in its direction and i feel as if ill wind up with a grate budget watch to wear out on a date on any day ......ill get my coat
Disregard my last message , didn’t watch all the video before I made a comment , it’s clearly someone’s work watch ,, explains the damage to paint on bezel thanks Shane
A very good review, though I would not consider Orient to be a 'budget' division of Seiko, but a separate company on par with Seiko. Orient has long been associated with cheaper watches, but this is not fair and this image is being sheken off thanks to watch collecters such as myself. Japanese watch makers are now creating watches to rival Swiss watch makers and will soon be on par with anything coming from Rolex, Omega, etc.
Whenever i hear "hacking movement" i cant help but picture a bunch of tiny cogs and springs typing away on a keyboard, smashing the enter key and saying "im in" in a way too dramatic voice
Mine is 4sec slow per day. Twice a month I adjust it a minute forward. I only take it off to shower otherwise it's a part of me. We've been happy together for four years now. Having said that, I'm lusting for the Seiko sumo big league right now.
He's done an honest review of an SNK-809 and was roundly flamed by many Seiko fans for it. An SKX review would almost certainly go in a similar way. SKX's benefit from the history and reputation of the Seiko brand. Their mechanisms are long in the tooth and would benefit from an upgrade.
