Orient Bambino 38mm Review
Orient Bambino 38mm Review. The Bambino dress watches are from the Japanese company Orient. They have been a huge hit for a decade now.
These shiny timepieces, normally cost between $100 and $200. Each combines a rare sophisticated look with an easy favorable price point.
Even though they lack luxury features and the finest finishing when viewed on a large scale. They beat their modest price tag with ease.
A tight budget and watches that are as elegant as they can be? Those two cannot go side-by-side, right?
It appears that movie stars and celebrities who get a lot of attention also a lot of money. They’ll wear watches that cost thousands of dollars!
Bambino 38 mm release
A 36mm model was finally released in 2020. After years of sizing stagnation. You have to understand that the “5S,” as it was dubbed. This was as simple to get as Private Ryan in that war movie from the late 1990s!
This one was out of stock at most retailers from the start. The few that were available sold for considerable prices.
When eBay traders are unable to even get in touch with them, you know it’s bad!
Perhaps the pandemic played a role. Otherwise, their huge popularity led to their immediate sale. Who can say?
My friend gave up after a few months because the hype for what seemed like a “paper launch” had gone down.
Then, a fascinating email arrived in his inbox a few weeks later. It came from TUS Watches, a well-known UK company that specializes in Orient watches.
This time, people were supposed to get ready. To be able to get their hands on a 38mm version of the Bambino. A watch Orient assumed had ready for release.
The two colors that TUS Watches gave us are cream and white models. The screen displays their very long codenames for reference.
We will refer to the white one as 3S and the cream one as 4Y for ease of reference. These are the two-digit identifiers that are contained within the codenames.
Bambino 38 mm vs old Bambino models
I only have the 38mm Bambino. For the comparison, I need the old models of Bambino as well. I’m not so rich that I’ll buy the other models of the Orient Bambino.
“umm, what should I do?”
Then I remembered that my friend is a huge fan of Orient watches. So, I asked him to bring his previous 41mm Bambino along with a 41mm Bambino V3. A friend in need is a friend indeed.
Now let’s get to the comparison part.
Bambino 38mm vs Old Bambino models ; APPEARANCE
I have to admit that their profiles are a little different from what I expected. These more recent models are 12.5 millimeters taller than their old ones. This makes them look thicker.
I like slim watches, especially dress watches. But I have to say that older Bambinos have always looked a little too top-heavy when viewed from the side.
When combined with the very thin case. The huge covering may be a little extra. As a result, the 38mm models have a more balanced appearance.
I will be happy to pay for a watch that already looks amazing to look better.
Bamino 38 mm vs Old Bambino models ; WATCH CRYSTAL
This time, the material is mineral. Which is the kind of glass that most brands use. Only if consumer expectations have shifted somewhat. Since the Bambino was earlier released in 2012.
It would have been nice to see a sapphire that is more protective of scratching here. Yet, Orient may not want to undertake the costly agreement of bringing all its Bambino models.
The 38mm Bambino is a real treat to wear on the wrist. This will look better than the original. The original was a little too wide and flat, for most wrist sizes.
Bambino 38 mm vs Old Bambino models; LUG-TO-LUG
This time around, the lug-to-lug gap has reduced from 46.5mm to 44mm. Reducing the possibility of “extending” much.
If you’re looking for a real pack-down watch. Those lugs shouldn’t be a problem for people with larger arms. As they don’t close sharply either.
Bambino 38 mm vs Old models of Bambino; DIAL DESIGN
From a design standpoint, the new form feature mini versions of the V4. With hands and markers that are comparable, but colorways taken from the V1 and V3.
The setup, along with the conical crown, in the Bambino 38 mm. This gives the Bambino 38 lineup a classic, elegant, and straightforward appearance.
The “white” 3S has a dial with a sunburst pattern. It shines and looks like it did before. It’s not the most readable because the hands and numbers are also silver.
But it gives off a nice monochrome look that makes pairing outfits easy. I’d without any doubt buy this one if I were buying the Bambino.
I asked to look at the 4Y as well because I’ve seen that many watch brands use stock images. These images don’t show the cream dials accurately.
I figured showing you guys this one might be helpful, and I’m glad I did. The hands, which appear to be a very dark navy in person, are not as bright as they appear in the product shots.
Additionally, as against the “cream” listed. The dial has a greener color that appears to be more of an off-white color to the naked eye.
This one, unlike the others in the line, has a matte finish. While it looks nice, It doesn’t has the same luxurious feel. It has a vintage appearance but is also a little more basic.
As they appear black in many lighting conditions. I would have chosen to see those hands presented in a lighter blue. As they do not complement the dial as well as I had thought.
Black and white/gold are two more colors that are currently available.
It will be interesting to see if Orient plans to expand this line in the future. Either they will stick with this particular design, as they did with the 36mm version.
Bambino 38 mm vs Old Bambino models : WATCH BRACELET
I am glad that these 38mm options avoid a few of the flaws. This model didn’t make the same mistakes as the old models.
These flaws made previous larger versions difficult to wear. The lug width is surprising at a much more strap-friendly 20mm.
A standard size that opens up a world of possibilities. All the hands stretch to their markers. But, do these straps need to be changed?
Well, from a visual point of view, from my view, both match the theme very well. The cream watch’s brown crocodile complements the dial very well.
Still, the standard of quality is at best acceptable in general.
They are plasticky when held in the hands and used. Because they are still very much on point. I guess personal choice and fussiness will determine whether these are keepers.
Bambino 38 mm vs Old Bambino models : CASE FINISHING
Aside from that, the case finishing is of the same quality as previous models. This makes it usable for the price but not top-notch.
Although some Chinese microbrands are superior to the majority of low-quality fashion watches.
Bambino 38 mm vs Old models of Bambino : MOVEMENT
Although the majority of Orient’s watches, including these, are built in China. All their movements are still manufactured by Orient themselves in Japan.
This a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As it is at a cost where most brands outsource these to save money.
There is 22-jewel F6724 automatic movement in these 38mm watches. The same movement is also found in the larger V5 Bambino.
This movement gives the hand a reasonable sweeping motion. It looks more elegant than a quartz watch.
In theory, performance is comparable to that of the common Miyota 8000 or Seiko NH series. In actual use, I would choose this Orient over the Miyota at least.
It uses the same movement as the Bambino V3. But this one has a quieter, lower-pitched rotor that is also quieter.
Because there is a visible difference. Orient may have changed the mechanism in some way.
Because there isn’t much information about this caliber. I decided to put one of the new watches on the time graph to see how accurate it was.
Oh my God, it scored a crazy accuracy of between -1 and 0 seconds per day!
That is amazing for an automatic watch of any price. Let alone one on the budget side. Out of curiosity, I checked the white version right away.
Guess what, it turned out to be the same story. When Orient is offering this for pennies, who need a chronometer?
The addition of the exhibition rear to the new Bambino is a nice touch. As it lets you see this impressive automatic in action. Even though it only has a custom Orient rotor and no other decorations.
The window still adds some style. When compared to the sealed snap-back rear on the previous watches.
Although the Bambino is better suited to the meeting room than the beach. Its mere 3ATM splash resistance rating is hardly a flaw.
Bambino 38 mm vs Old Bambino model : RESEMBLANCE
Despite this, I couldn’t help but recall the 38mm “Bambino Killer” that I talked about on the blog in March 2021. In many ways, that watch was very much like the Bambino, so which one should you get out of the two?
On paper, the decision is clear. The same stainless steel was used to make that open-heart watch.
It also came with a solid-link steel bracelet, a better sapphire crystal, and standard lugs. Unlike the previous Bambinos, and has better water resistance.
Despite this, I’m much more interested in this new release.
While the open-heart model still felt more like an entry-level piece due to its less finishing. Less appealing dial, this one feels like it is punching above its weight class on the wrist.
The last mentioned is becoming increasingly difficult to get. Its prices are higher than when I saw it, making it less appealing.
Bambino 38 mm vs Old Bambino models: PRICE
While we’re on the subject, let’s discuss this Bambino 38mm pricing. It currently costs much more to buy than the older models.
Even though some sites are charging closer to $300 for this one. TUS Watches has the best price I’ve seen at £176, or over $200.
I’m not sure if this is a case of early supply and demand or if Orient is following in the footsteps of Seiko. Orient is attempting to move upmarket with higher RRPs.
In any case, the Bambino 38 mm is more affordable than the mysterious 5S. Which has only recently returned to some stores after a two-year of being absent!
Conclusion on Bambino 38mm
After comparing the Bambino 38 mm with the other Old Bambino models. I have to say that Bambino 38 mm is the best.
From the watch glass to the bracelet. This watch by Orient has a lot more than the old models of Bambino.
If you think a 41mm Bambino will fit you as well, you should save some money and get one. Except for the price increase. According to me, the small changes make this the new go-to entry-level dress watch.
