Orient Star GMT DJ00001B

Visited Big Time yesterday, it’s my first time there, so I was there with my family, wanted to visit them for the longest time, yet couldn’t find the time to be there.

Nice to see a display of Seiko JDMs, Tunas and all the Orients and Orient Stars in the same place. My wife wanted to get a gift for me, so we were browsing around and I wanted to look at the Orient Stars that was posted recently by chris and eventually a few pieces caught my eye.

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Wife suggested the M-Force but I didn’t like the design and it’s kinda light for it’s size. Tried the Orient Stars but I prefer my dress watches to be on leather as the bracelet makes the watch looks small, then finally… the GMT or they called it the Starseeker.

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I went on about this being the newer GMT model, although it was launched more than a year ago. Yeoman’s review on it:http://yeomanseiko.com/2011/09/10/orient-star-gmt-dj00001b/

I had the chance to handle one in Japan, 3 years ago but it was the older model, the GMT hand was not independent. This however is, hand winding, hacking with a independent GMT hand. Basically like a ETA 2893 movement.

After handling it for a while, my mind is set, this is it.

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The mix of brushed and mirrored finishing of the case makes the black dial stands out with the polished hands and indices. The red GMT totally pops out.

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Flat sapphire crystal with a burst of light just take your breathe away.

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I can’t help it but to emphasize on the dial, the star burst is rather subtle, it doesn’t show up that obvious with a naked eye.

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As for the movement, I didn’t expect a very detailed finishing for it’s retail price tag of $1173.

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Still the rotor is decorated, I will put it’s finishing to be on par or at least better than Seiko 6R15.

The bracelet however reminds me of Seiko MM300.

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Brushed with a slight touch of polished edges on the middle link.

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Signed clasp, although I will prefer a double locking clasp, although this is not a dive or a tool watch. Additional protection is always good.

Finally a wrist shot.

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The watch sits well on my wrist with the help of Big Time. If there’s anything I can ask for on this model, it will be a heavier bracelet and a double locking clasp.

Enjoyed talking to the staff @ Big Time, extremely helpful. Even my daughter made herself at home running around the displays.