Two Of The BEST Affordable Mechanical Dress Watches - Orient Bambino vs. Seiko Cocktail Time 

Hey Everyone, just a quick correction, there is also a less talked about 42 mm Bambino I failed to mention when going through the sizes. Safe to say both of these lines offer a lot in the size department. Best of luck with the purchase decision for those looking to make the best choice and thanks for watching!

Teddy, I am really mad at you. Here I am just over 50 years old, only having watches in my past for pure utility and not knowing anything about them. Six months ago I found your channel to see a review of a watch I've had for years. Then I binged your channel a bit, and since learning from your videos and expanding to other channels, too, I have come to love watches so much and am now obsessed with mechanicals (especially ones with exhibition backs so I can see the movement). One of my favorite channels has a guy who repairs old Rolexes (and the like), takes them completely apart, repairs or replaces broken/worn parts,, and puts them back together again. Just fascinating. This new interest is in large part due to you. So I'm not really mad, actually appreciative, that you introduced me to a world in which I never knew I would have any interest. Thanks, man.

I bought a Bambino cream dial with roman numerals & blue hands for myself based on your earlier videos. On the day of my elder son’s wedding June 21, 2019, while I was assisting him put on his tie I noticed he didn’t have a watch on so I took my Bambino from my closet and gave it to him. Perfect for his blue suit & tie with brown belt & shoes, and to this day he wears it with pride. That Bambino is priceless! Always enjoy your videos Teddy and thank you.

I had the choice between the Bambino and the Cocktail time. Price was not the issue. Chose the Bambino Gen 2 Version 2 in cream because I found it to be more unique and versatile for formal events, as well as being thinner at 11.8mm. The entire execution of the watch is so well done. I have no regrets about this purchase, it is an excellent watch. I may change out the leather strap at some point but thats it!

Just bought a Bambino a little over a week ago and after watching this I still would have picked the Bambino, just a simple yet clean and elegant look!

I considered the Cocktail Time. I really liked it. But the Bambino in cream is a true triumph, a very beautiful dial and well made. Excellent for formal occasions.

I'm a fan of the channel. I love the way you cover multiple price points with a complete lack of bias or snobbery. Pure class.

I wasn't even looking for a dress watch, and because of this video, i just bought an Orient bambino v2. Your videos have been a lot of help as all I've been able to wear for six years is a garmin. Thanks for all the insight!

I really like the side-by-side comparison format and look forward to seeing more content like this from you. Thanks.

Both are definitely punching above their price point, but Orient has significantly improved the Bambino through the introduction of the 38mm last year. Perfect dress watch size and improved flexibility of straps through the 20mm lug width. Been using one for the past couple of months and it has been great!

I got the black dial Bambino and the silver dial Presage for myself last Christmas. Love both, but the dial on the Presage is mesmerizing. It really stands out when I open my watch case.

Coming here from Nico Leonard channel. I appreciate that you actually explain stuff if a professional manner. I still like some of his videos, but I'm new to watch collecting and wanted some more depth to the hows and whys of the watch world

I love them both! My partner gifted me a Seiko this week, and although I'm really happy with it I found myself still wanting a Bambino. You can never go wrong with both.

My friend is considering both of these and we have been comparing them all week. So insane/ fitting that this came out today. Thanks!

Just bought the iced blue Presage Cocktail time after Christmas - I am extremely happy with it - the color (unusual to find) and the dial sold me. As I am extremely happy with the Orient Kamasu I have - the red dial, value for what you pay and inhouse movement sold me.

You have just raised one of the most profound, sensitive and emotional dilemmas in the world of watch enthusiasts, Seiko vs Orient. Have both. If I had to choose just one of them, it would be my Pressage. However, I can't live without my Bambino 2. Yes, the Pressage will come on top, but there is something sentimental about the Bambino it's hard to explain. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that the Bambino is so affordable and at the same time will always look on you as a fine dress watch no matter how broke you are as long as you have a clean shirt. Yes, I love my Pressage but it is the Bambino the one closer to my heart. If I had two kids applying for the same job right after graduation with same qualifications and one was wearing a Rolex and the second applicant had a Bambino, I would give the job to the kid with the Bambino. Why? Because the kid with the Bambino made the most out of his money, invested wiser and has the right perspective how to start growing. Bambino is the starting point. And if cannot a Bambino, Timex Expedition for $40 will do.

I agree, both are punching way above their price point. I own both. For me, adoring Orient is a continuation of my love of Seiko. The dial on the Seiko is exquisite! And its finishing is better, but which is the better piece- I can’t decide 🤷🏼‍♂️

I own the bambino 38mm and chose it due to the size being smaller than the seikos, and the overall value of the piece stood out to me as better. Would recommend

My God Teddy, and to think I was just thinking very hard between both of these watches the past couple of weeks, this video couldn't come at a better time. Thanks!

I own a seiko presage cocktail time piece (SRPB77 i think) and I never regretted it. Only reason why it was my entry into mechanical watches over the Orient Bambino was because I already had a similarly designed quartz watch from Timex. Can't go wrong with either, guys!

Purchased the Bambino about 6 weeks ago. Cheap so what the heck. I like it. Feels great on the wrist. I have not had an issue with the crystal. Keeps time as well as my much more expensive watches. If you are buying a watch for you, and not to impress other people, this is a good buy.

The bambino Gen 2 V2 was my first automatic and the gateway into watch collecting. I still adore how it looks, but it's been put on the shelf for almost a month as I've got so many watches in rotation. I will wear it again tomorrow in the office with a renewed sense of pride.

"Seiko is the brand people look back to with great reverence" - Teddy B

Hey Teddy, I was always on watch enthusiast but real thanks to you for introducing me to all new world of watches.

My first two mechanical automatic watches were the Orient Bambino and the Seiko Sarb033 back in 2018 thanks to you Teddy!

I don't have either brand but leaning hard towards Orient. Whatever your watch choice, I like it because you chose it.

Seiko Presage Espresso Martini (SSA345) is my first mechanical watch I bought in 2019. Last year I gave my wife the ladies version of Seiko Espresso Martini (SRP837) as her first mechanical watch. Thanks to you Teddy!

I will always pick the Seiko, because reasons. Actually when I went looking for a dress watch years ago the Cocktail Time just did something to me viscerally. I can't explain it. To me it just looks so much nicer and classy than so many others. I need to get them all to sate the collector in me, but that is going to be a long time coming.

I just bought a Seiko Negroni at a healthy discount. It looks so much nicer than the little I paid. Seiko rocks!

great content Teddy, I have the bambino 36, could not be happier, runs +7 a day!

Just bought a Seiko Cocktail Time, grey dial on a bracelet for my nephew. He won't take it off the wrist. His style is on the dressier side. So I'd say it's a great first mechanical watch.

Great responsibility comes with Amazons LPA33X. Who got the notification? Seems like many people didn't understand this yet this is why I'd write it, I know it's not a great spot and I apologize if you feel this is unrelated and too random. This is a message from the heart. I love the same vids like you do and I just wanna give something back so here it is haha

I feel like whatever watch searches I make the next day you have a video for that, like last week I was looking for heritage chrono, you had that yesterday I was searching for an bambino alternative, here you go.

I just ordered an Orient Bambino blue dial with the open heart! Should come in the mail tomorrow! I’m stoked!!

More quality content from Teddy. Thanks for what you do.

I have them both and love them both for their looks and features. Best of both worlds!

I have been torn between these two dress watches since the 38mm Bambino came out. I ended up going with a 38.5mm Presage. It looks good in photos and videos, but in person, it is the best looking watch I own. I think it also looks great next to my SRPE51/DressKX as a two watch Seiko collection (assuming I could live with only having two watches lol).

Excellent comparison. Honestly I just recently made this choice, and I went with the Bambino. I used the money leftover to pick up a nice diver/beater watch as well.

I love my Cocktail Time (Manhattan). The dial never fails to amaze me. It is something quite unique, especially at such a price point. I also got it on sale for around $350, so it was an even better price. The Bambino is great as well and I have considered obtaining one.

I have a Cocktail time and for a short time, I had a Bambino. Both good watches. Seiko wins because of the better finishing overall, the nicer dial, and the bracelet option is decent and thanks to aftermarket options like Strapcode or Uncle Seiko, you can even take the bracelet up a notch or two, as I did. That said, the Bambino is no slouch and I did like the Bambino, just not enough to keep it as I already had a Seiko Presage. So I gifted it to my son who enjoys it on a nice aftermarket strap. To to put a finer point on things, the Bambino is a fine budget every day dress watch for the money. On an aftermarket strap or bracelet especially, the Seiko looks like a much more expensive watch. If you blurred out the Seiko brand and told people it was a $1,500 watch, people might believe you. (looks more expensive. the movement is fairly pedestrian, but at least in my case, 4 years on and it still runs pretty accurately).

What an amazing outcome for a beautiful watch. Always a pleasure to see MaMaCoo work your magic. Thanks for sharing this transformation with us!

I've got an Orient Envoy Open Heart, which is closely related to the Bambino family (just slightly bigger at 43mm). Recently, I also bought the Seiko Cocktail Time Blue Moon. Well, to be brutally honest, even though the Orient was one of my first dress watches and I would never sell it, the Seiko won me over almost instantly. There's just something about the dial that is absolutely mesmerizing and fascinating. Plus, the execution of the hands and indices is exceptional. The Orient, while still being a great choice for formal occasions, just doesn't quite compare to the Presage which could easily be mistaken for a 600-100$ watch!

Love my two Bambinos. I found out about the brand through this channel Teddy, thank you. Don't own a Seiko yet, but I'm sure that will change.

Thanks again for another for another awesome video Teddy! I recently purchased an orient bambino 38mm and spent a lot of time thinking about my options. One thing that was a factor on my decision was the ease of access to obtain these watches. I am a consumer from Canada and there aren’t many boutiques or areas near me so I tend to shop a lot on Amazon. Orients lineup being so readily available on Amazon and other distributors helped me make my decision. I have also since picked up a Kamasu. Orient to me is like the Mazda of the watch industry. Really good value, great looks, reliable, and a cohesive package that is Japanese made. I find myself wearing the bambino so much it’s just so light and comfortable I forget it’s there 😅

Hats off to Orient - that's a stunning piece for the price. In fact, this may end up being my first Orient...

Fair and nice comparison. i am always surprised that today we can found a watch with a mechanical mouvement for less than 500 $ . It is great to have more choices. I like the seiko watche you present . Good choices of sizes and of colors . Thank you.

Fantastic review of these two watches. If you want precision with time and not spending a fortune: Orient Bambino. If you don't mind spending double the price, want more classy looks and heritage: Seiko Presage. Personally, I would go for the Seiko presage. 😍😍

I totally agree with the point system ... but your clarification at the end is spot on i.e. not all categories have the same weight. I went for a Presage as opposed to the Bambino for the dial design. The Presage is more of a conversation starter in my opinion. Thanks for sharing this head-to-head. And, by the way, I know I'm a little early at the time of my viewing Nov 27, 2023 (920K) but I see you're creeping up on 1M Subs ... way to go!! The way you're going, you'll get there in no time. Congrats! 🥳🎉

I was very interested in both of these but I ended up going with the Orient Sun & Moon! I specifically got Version 3 because of the dial texture. Very pretty watch.

Great video Teddy Thank You Man

I like them both. Probably would get the Seiko because of the styling especially the dial offerings. 😊

Just both Seiko SRPB43, such a beautiful dial. Very happy!

Went with the Bambino 38 for the price - found it on sale for $170 a few weeks ago. $200 after taxes and protection plan. Slapped a brown alligator strap on it and never looked back. I love the dials on the Seiko, but as a teacher, dropping $500 on a watch is just not feasible. As stated below, the "white" (light silver) dial is truly mesmerizing. And for those considering one of the older ones for the character, 38mm is the perfect size for a dress watch. Unless you have an 8 inch wrist, 40mm is just too big.

always turning out the best content. I love orient

Well, since one of these will be my first decent watch, I really don't feel like I can go wrong, indeed. Good video, informative and detailed.

I had to made that decision..and i went through the Bambino, just because of the relation between “what you get” for the price. Great channel!

I just bought Orient Bambino yesterday. And damn, i fell in love with the watch the first time I saw it! ❤️⌚

I have orient ray 2 and bambino both black, they both keep awesome time, stays accurate and they both are pure class, gorgeous pieces for the price point

I have a collection of several expensive swiss watches. And I have the Seiko in blue. That's the one I wear most often (despite the flimsy bracelet) I think that tells the story. I love it.

Very nice and useful video. Thanks and regards from Portugal

Hey Teddy! I have the seiko presage and even though both watches are great. At the end of the day it’s hard to beat Seiko’s Dials. Even Mr Wonderful himself has said it’s the Dial the grabs people’s attention.

I bought my wife the pinky twilight cocktail time 33.8mm. Every time I see her wearing it, it stuns me how excellent it looks. The online pictures of these watches don't do them ANY justice. I went to Teddy's store in Crocker Park (Westlake, Cleveland). They had it, and all I had to do was see it, and it was over. Also of note, that watch has the calfskin strap with the buckle, which is really nice quality and not at all the "trash" Teddy's talking about. Of course, he's speaking relatively, but at least with the leather you get away from the lower quality bracelet issues.

I have both....love them both. The Orient is absolutely beautiful and the strap is an easy fix from Barton. I put a navy blue alligator strap on the Orient and it's stunning.

Fantastic dials on both, but it's the Orient for me. I think it's the proportions and the crown, but that white dial Orient is lovely.

Thank you Teddy for this nice video.. I did had to chose and I chose the cocktail time.. the martini version… the dial as you said is beautiful…. With brown leather strap… beautiful piece… both look more expensive than they are… Seiko however, for my taste, looks even more….have a good day… see you soon

Great video...as always. I recently purchased a Presage Cocktail Gimlet as I wanted more eye candy. However still tempted to get a Bambino small seconds. 🤔

I purchased the Black Cat Martini cocktail time (SSA393) and while it can run a little fast at times im absolutely in love with it. I just wish seiko had a moonphase watch in the basic presage lineup because while i like some of Orient's dial layouts i much more prefer the dial finishing of Seiko.

I have a Bambino and a Cocktail time. Both earn their reputation for punching above their weight. That said, I'll add another well documented gripe about the Bambino is the weird lug widths. Important given the low quality straps they come on. My 40.5 diameter has a 21mm lug width. The 36mm Bambinos are 21 or 19mm. The new 38mm seems to have found the goldilocks just right proportions though w 20mm. Great content as always Teddy!

I honestly believe the Cocktail Time is a classic. It's very impressive in person.

Great video! Thanks!

Orient Bambino for sure is the best value hands down and I am happy with my purchase!

I like 'em all . Either of these two would be lucky to have for sure . Very nice watches .

I bought the green Cocktail Time before my Bambino Open Heart, the first thing I noticed is the difference in the finishing. My Bambino had a scratch on the minute needle, maybe I was just unlucky, but the difference overall is noticable even from a beginner perspective. But I like both!

I just got the Seiko srpb43 a week ago and it's even more beautiful than the pictures!

Bought a vintage King Seiko 56 in perfect contition a few years ago. Never considered another dress-watch again. Pure perfetion of what a dresswatch should be.

I got my first, what I consider really nice watch, a Seiko Cocktail Time Grasshopper with the open heart aperture on the dial about 3 months ago. Since then I discovered your channel @teddybaldassarre ... I now own two seikos, two casio digitals and have an orient pilot on the way! Thank you for all that you do man!

The Bambino small seconds, black dial was my second automatic watch. It still works for me.

I like your analysis and summary for the two watches. They are both on my list. But I'll get the Seiko first. I tried on the 41mm in white a though it was gorgeous. Yes, it punches above its weight class. I love the sophisticated simplicity of it. Very New York City IMO.

Great video!

I bought an Orient Bambino as my first automatic watch with my first salary as a lawyer. I just feel giddy whenever I wear it or just by looking at it. I hope to get a Seiko Presage as well in the near future.

I own the cocktail time with the brown leather strap and green dial, honestly it’s so beautiful. I will however be buying the bambino, it also looks great

So this has been a great video as I'm in the middle of looking for a nice dress watch. As I already have plenty of silver watches in my life I'm looking at something in either gold or rose gold, with either white, cream or black dial so I can have something to mix and match to any attire I currently own, and that with a bit of luck my daughters might then use later on. Based on previous recommendations of Teddy's I bought a Mako II and it's been a great watch for pretty much everything I've needed and between that and an late 70s Eterna matic 2002 with a linen dial and tv case that's from my dad. I agree with Teddy that the orient has been surprisingly accurate, and will deviate no more than 5s per day, which is way better than I expected from such an inexpensive mechanical watch. My insistence on having small seconds might imply that I will get the Bambino as that's the only one that offers that combination, but as Teddy has made me aware of Certina and found a very interesting gold option from them, I will probably get that and later on get a nice dark colored dial rose gold Presage once I either get the promotion I've been working for, or change to a better paying job. Orient is at the bottom of the list, not because it's a bad watch or anything, but purely because I already have one, and as someone that will not have a large and expensive watch collection, I want variety :)

I think a better comparison would be with the Orient Star Standard, a comparable level of finishing to the Seiko with a sapphire crystal at a similar price point. I love the Presage designs, but lack of sapphire and the 4R movements rule it out for me.

I just bought a Bambino v3 gen 2, it looks beautiful, my first automatic watch

Those Orient calibers may very well be THE most underrated component in all of the affordable watch industry. They are TRUTH!

Both very visually appealing, the difference to me is “in the hand” so-to-speak. Seiko feels so much more solid, the Orient rotor can be felt moving when worn and maybe is even a bit audible. I have and wear both, Seiko just has a bit more presence on the wrist.

Both are amazing in my opinion.

Hello, and thank you for this new thread as well. Firstly, I am not sure that a comparison between these two models of watches could be called a fair tournament. We all know that the Seiko´s family Pressage offers a higher level almost in the 90% of these categories in this comparison. Anyway, it has been interesteing checking how the brave beater Bambino can compete, and in that categorie related with the relation quality-price, there is no doubt that the Bambino family scores even higher than the Seiko Pressage Cocktail Time. NIce experiment Teddy. Saludos!

I actually own watches from both brands, and they are both amazing. I love them!!!

Ii have the Bambino gen 4, outstanding watch. I get many compliments on it. Money well spent. Can't go wrong with Orient.

Get both🤡 I like the feel of the seiko winding more.The bambino feels like a peppergrinder.Orient is a great dress watch alternative.

I recently got the new 38 mm Bambino and got a more decent strap for it, still amazed at how big a difference a proper straps makes!

My first mechanical watch is from Orient, so I'm thinking to have Cocktail Time as my second~ gotta start saving!

Teddy, where is that jacket from? I’m obsessed! Haha. Also huge fan of this video and the channel

I own 2 Cocktail Time models; one Blue Dial SRPB41 and one Ice Blue Dial SRPB43. I also own several Orient watches one of which is the Bambino Gen 2 Champagne with Roman Numeral Dial model FAC00009N0. While I like all 3 watches I think the actual difference in quality is negligible. However I feel that speaking in bang for the buck value that the Orient rates much higher in my opinion. To borrow a quote I heard awhile back from someone comparing Rolex to Grand Seiko; "I buy a Rolex to impress my friends; I buy a Grand Seiko to impress myself". This encapsulates to some degree how I've come to respect Orient watches in the affordable watch category. Coincidentally, I own multiple Orient Star model watches. And while they obviously don't compare with Grand Seiko in the realm of luxury pieces, I will say they offer much more than strictly "affordable" quality, craftsmanship, and pride of ownership to its owner than many Seiko watches priced comparably. Your thoughts?

This vid is really welcome! I’m looking for a dress watch and I’m considering these two watches. I’m leaning towards Seiko because the dial is more interesting and yeah… it’s a Seiko 😁 But… the question now is which cocktail time? 😂

I have a cocktail time srpb43j1. After one year, I can say that it is a gorgeous watch. Sometimes, I find myself looking at the dial in awe. For the movement, I can understand why seiko is worse according to the anecdotes. At first, the time keeping was hectic. It was like +-2 s for a few days, and +20 s after just 6 hours. But now after a year, it is bang on all the time. For the hardlex crystal, I feel like not all hardlex is created equally. I have a Seiko 5, too and its hardlex has a few minor scratches. But my cocktail time is scratch free.

The silver 'satin' dial of the Bambino 38 to me is mesmerising (the 'flatter' cream one -not so much) and together with the better movement for 1/2 the price - to me there is no contest.

Well, the obvious answer is to own both. I have the Seiko on my wrist right now, but I also see the Orient in my near future. PS great watch channel, keep up the good work :-)

Interesting story, got both watch. 1 from my ex and 1 from my current girlfriend lol