I Tested the Orient Bambino 38mm — Is It Still Worth Buying in 2026?

I’ve been tracking the Orient Bambino 38mm since Orient first announced it. After finally getting my hands on both the white dial (3S) and spending time comparing it side by side with my friend’s 41mm models, I can tell you exactly whether the size change was worth it, and whether the price increase is justified in 2026.

Orient Bambino 38mm Release

After years of producing Bambino models mainly around 40mm–42mm, Orient finally responded to enthusiast demand for a smaller dress watch. A 36mm model was released in 2020, known by enthusiasts as the “5S.”

However, it was extremely difficult to find. From the start, it was out of stock at most retailers. The few available units were sold at noticeably higher prices. When even eBay sellers struggled to source them, it was clear how serious the demand was.

The pandemic may have played a role, or perhaps the hype simply overtook supply. Either way, many buyers eventually gave up as the excitement faded.

Then, unexpectedly, an email landed in my friend’s inbox. It was from TUS Watches, a well-known UK retailer that specializes in Orient watches. This time, buyers were being told to get ready because a 38mm Bambino was finally on the way.

For many watch enthusiasts, 38mm is considered the sweet spot for dress watches, offering a classic vintage size while still fitting modern wrist preferences.

Colour

TUS Watches initially offered two versions:

• White dial

• Cream dial

For simplicity, I’ll refer to the white dial as 3S and the cream dial as 4Y, based on their internal reference codes. Both versions keep the classic Bambino aesthetic, which includes a domed crystal, minimalist dial layout, and elegant dress-watch styling.

Orient 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. 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.

Appearance

I have to admit that their profiles are a little different from what I expected. These more recent models are 12.5mm thick, which makes them look slightly thicker than earlier Bambino versions.

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 domed crystal may feel a little exaggerated. As a result, the 38mm models have a more balanced appearance, especially on wrists under 7 inches.

I will always be happy to pay for a watch that already looks amazing to look even better.

Watch Crystal 

This time, the material used is mineral crystal, which is the kind of glass that most affordable watch brands still use. However, consumer expectations have changed since the Bambino was first released in 2012.

It would have been nice to see a sapphire crystal, which is far more scratch-resistant. Yet adding sapphire would likely increase the cost significantly. Orient may not want to take that step across all Bambino models just yet.

The domed crystal, however, remains one of the signature features of the Bambino lineup and contributes heavily to its vintage dress watch aesthetic.

After wearing the 3S version for 5 weeks, the mineral crystal picked up no scratches in my daily use. For a dress watch that I only wear to work, this hasn’t been an issue. But if you’re planning to wear it every single day, be careful around metal surfaces.

Lug-to-Lug

This time around, the lug-to-lug distance has reduced from 46.5mm to 44mm, which makes the watch much easier to wear. Reducing this measurement significantly lowers the possibility of the watch overhanging smaller wrists. If you’re looking for a compact dress watch, those lugs shouldn’t be a problem even for people with smaller wrists.

Dial Design

From a design standpoint, the new models feel like mini versions of the Bambino V4, with similar hands and markers. However, the colourways take inspiration from the V1 and V3 Bambino models. The overall setup, along with the conical crown, gives the Orient Bambino 38mm lineup a classic, elegant, and straightforward appearance.

The “white” 3S has a dial with a sunburst pattern, which reflects light beautifully. It’s not the most readable dial because the hands and markers are also silver. However, the result is a clean monochrome look that pairs well with formal outfits.

I would, without any doubt, buy this one if I were choosing a Bambino.  The sunburst dial on the 3S catches light in a way the photos simply don’t capture. Under office lighting, it shifts between almost silver and a soft, warm white. That alone justifies choosing it over the cream version for me.

This version has a matte finish, which gives it a vintage look. While it still looks nice, it feels a little more basic compared to the sunburst version. Black and white/gold are two additional colours that are currently available.

It will be interesting to see whether Orient plans to expand the Orient Bambino 38mm lineup with more dial variations in the future.

Strap

I am glad that these 38mm options avoid a few of the flaws seen in older Bambino models. The lug width is a strap-friendly 20mm, which is a very common size. This opens up a huge world of aftermarket strap options, including leather straps, suede straps, and even Milanese bracelets.

From a visual standpoint, both straps match the theme very well. The cream dial version comes with a brown crocodile-pattern leather strap, which complements the dial nicely.

I replaced the stock strap after 30 days with a brown leather strap I already had. The 20mm lug width made it effortless; the new strap clipped in within 30 seconds using a spring bar tool. The watch looked more premium instantly.

Case 

Aside from that, the case finishing is similar to previous Bambino models. It is perfectly acceptable for the price but not exceptional. Some modern Chinese microbrands may offer slightly better finishing at similar prices, but the Bambino still looks elegant on the wrist.

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. At this price point, an in-house movement is almost unheard of; most brands at this level use outsourced Miyota or Seiko movements to cut costs.

There is a 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 noticeably quieter, lower-pitched rotor, likely due to a revised bearing system. There is a visible difference in rotor noise compared to older models, though Orient hasn’t published any official changelog for this calibre.

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 needs a chronometer?

The addition of the exhibition rear to the new Bambino is a nice touch. 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.

Despite this, I couldn’t help but compare it to a watch I reviewed back in March 2021, an open-heart piece I nicknamed the ‘Bambino Killer’ because it matched the Bambino on size while beating it on specs.

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, it 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 finished look. 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.

Price

When I first reviewed this watch, it was priced around £176 ($200). As of 2026, the Bambino 38mm now retails for around $430, depending on the retailer, a significant increase from its original release price. This puts it in a more competitive bracket against microbrands like Farer and Lorier, where build quality comparisons become more relevant. Whether that price is justified depends entirely on how much you value an in-house movement and the Bambino’s specific aesthetic.

That near doubling in price since launch is worth factoring in. At $200, it was an obvious yes. At $430, it requires a bit more thought, though the in-house movement and finishing still hold up at this new price point, in my opinion.

Conclusion 

After wearing the Orient Bambino 38mm alongside the older 41mm versions for 5weeks, here is my honest verdict:
The 38mm is the better Bambino, but not because it’s smaller. It’s because the proportions finally work. The domed crystal no longer looks oversized against the case. The 44mm lug-to-lug sat perfectly on my wrist without any overhang. The movement accuracy of -1 to 0 seconds per day genuinely shocked me. I’ve tested more expensive watches that performed worse.

Who should buy it: Anyone wanting a refined automatic dress watch at the $400–$450 range who prioritises in-house movement and vintage proportions over flashy finishing.
Who should skip it: Anyone wanting daily beater use, the 3ATM water resistance and mineral crystal means you need to be careful.