Orient Watch is a Japanese watch brand that has been around since 1950. It was originally founded as a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate, Tama Keiki Co., Ltd., which had been producing watches since the early 1900s. In the post-war era, Tama Keiki Co., Ltd. saw an opportunity to create a new brand that would appeal to a younger and more modern audience, and thus, Orient Watch was born.
Orient Watch quickly gained popularity for its reliable and affordable timepieces. The company’s early success was fueled in part by its partnerships with other well-known Japanese watch brands, such as Citizen and Seiko, which helped to establish Orient Watch as a trusted name in the industry.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Orient Watch continued to grow and innovate. The company introduced new technologies, such as the “power reserve” feature, which allows watches to continue functioning for a set period of time even when they are not being worn. Orient Watch also began to expand its product lines, offering a wide range of designs, from classic dress watches to sporty dive watches.
In the 1980s, Orient Watch faced stiff competition from other Japanese watch brands, as well as emerging competitors from other countries, such as Switzerland. To stay ahead of the game, the company continued to invest in new technologies and designs. In 1986, Orient Watch introduced its “multi-year calendar” feature, which displays the day, date, and month for four years without needing to be manually adjusted.
In the 1990s and 2000s, Orient Watch continued to innovate with new features, such as the “retrograde” display, which uses a curved hand to show the passing of time in a non-linear fashion. The company also began to experiment with different materials, such as titanium, which is known for its strength and light weight.
Today, Orient Watch remains a popular brand, known for its reliable and affordable timepieces. The company continues to innovate with new features and designs, while also honoring its heritage with classic styles that pay homage to its early years.