Orient Sun and Moon

Orient, a Japanese watch manufacturer, has a reputation for producing mechanical wristwatches with fantastic value-for-money. This includes the many dress watches of the Sun and Moon series. Each timepiece is united by the presence of a day/night indicator, which uses a moon to represent the night and a sun to represent the day – hence the name "Sun and Moon." However, any search for a moon phase display will be in vain.

Instead, the Orient Sun and Moon comes with a subdial for the day display, as well as a date window. Most models get their power from mechanical calibers developed and constructed by Orient. This is especially remarkable considering how uncommon it is to find in-house calibers in this price range. These movements have a 40-hour power reserve and wind themselves while on the wrist thanks to their automatic winding rotors.

Orient offers the Sun and Moon with Roman numerals, Arabic numerals, or indices. There are also Open Heart editions with partially skeletonized dials. With designs ranging from classically elegant to sporty and modern, there's something for everyone. The cases measure between 41.5 and 42.5 mm in diameter and are water-resistant to 30 m (3 bar, 98 ft). Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal protects each timepiece from the front, while display case backs provide a view of the movement at work.

The Orient Sun and Moon Version 1 is one of the collection's sportier models. You can recognize this timepiece by the day/night indicator at 10 and date at 6 o'clock. There's also a day display with guilloché engraving between 1 and 3 o'clock. The stainless steel case measures 41.5 mm in diameter and is water-resistant to 30 m (3 bar, 98 ft), meaning you should take this timepiece off before taking a dip in the pool.

The gold-plated edition with a champagne dial has the most elegant feel. You'll find this model under the reference number ET0P001W. Be sure to have about 170 USD on hand for a mint-condition timepiece.

If you'd prefer something sportier, you should look at the ref. ET0P002B. This version has a black dial and a five-piece link stainless steel bracelet. You can call this watch your own for around 220 USD.

The Orient Sun and Moon Version 2 exudes classic elegance. Defining features include a day/night indicator at 10 o'clock and a date window between 7 and 8. The date display is large and shows three numerals at once. Another refined detail is the use of Roman numerals to mark the hours.

As for the dial, you can choose from black, silver, champagne, brown, or blue. The black and silver editions feature guilloché engraving, lending these models a particularly classic touch. Each watch has a 42.5-mm stainless steel case, which is water-resistant to 50 m (5 bar, 164 ft). You'll also find gold-plated editions with a brown or champagne dial. Regardless of which version you choose, it will come on a leather strap. The ref. ET0T001W has a gold-plated case and a white dial and requires an investment of roughly 280 USD. Those without gold plating cost slightly less. Both the Orient Sun and Moon Version 1 and Version 2 get their power from the in-house caliber 46B46.

Orient Sun and Moon 65th Anniversary Limited Edition

Orient also offers a limited-edition Sun and Moon watch. The Japanese manufacturer released this model, the ref. SET0T005Y, in 2015 in celebration of the company's 65th anniversary. The watch had a production run of only 3,000 pieces. It features a 42.5-mm case with rose gold plating. The caliber 46B46 ticks away below a champagne dial. Each watch has its serial number engraved in the case back. What's more, the Sun and Moon 65th Anniversary Limited Edition comes with a gift box. Prices for this model vary greatly and range from about 220 USD used to over 560 USD in mint condition.

Very little separates the Orient Sun and Moon Version 3 from the Version 2. Both use Roman numerals and are available in the same color palettes. They also share a 42.5-mm stainless steel case and a depth rating of 50 m (5 bar, 164 ft). Finally, both are available with gold plating. The main difference is the Version 3's caliber, the F6B24. This movement sees the day/night indicator shift to 5 o'clock, while the day display has relocated to between 9 and 11 o'clock. Only the date window has maintained its position between 7 and 8. One example, the ref. AK00002S, comes in plain stainless steel and has a silver guilloché dial. You can purchase this timepiece new for around 420 USD.

If you prefer watches with Arabic numerals, you should take a closer look at the Orient Sun and Moon Version 4. This model is largely identical to the Version 3 except for the use of Breguet Arabic numerals in place of Roman numerals. When it comes to the price, this watch is slightly less expensive than its sister model at about 340 USD.

Like the Version 1, the Orient Sun and Moon Version 5 is a sportier timepiece and uses indices to mark the hours. However, its day/night indicator is located at 5 o'clock, as seen on Versions 3 and 4. The subdial for the day display occupies the dial's top-left quadrant between 9 and 11 o'clock. Finally, the date window at 3 o'clock is only large enough to display a single numeral – i.e., the current date. In terms of color, the dial is available in your choice of white, black, or blue.

The Sun and Moon Version 5measures 41.5 mm in diameter, making it a bit slimmer than the rest of the Sun and Moon family. Its case is made of stainless steel and water-resistant to 50 m (5 bar, 164 ft). Orient also offers the Version 5 with rose gold plating. If you're interested in the gold-plated ref. RA-AK0304B, be sure to have roughly 220 USD on hand. The version with a stainless steel case, blue dial, and stainless steel bracelet costs around 400 USD new. This model is listed under the reference number RA-AK0303L.

Those who enjoy watching their timepieces tick are sure to love the Sun and Moon Open Heart. Orient offers this model with a black, silver, or champagne dial with central guilloché engraving or a blue dial with no engraving. Each dial has an opening at 9 o'clock, enabling the wearer to observe the caliber F6L24's oscillating balance wheel within. There's also a day/night indicator at 6 o'clock; however, the Open Heart lacks both day and date displays. The final result feels clean and uncluttered.

The Sun and Moon Open Heart measures 42 mm in diameter and is water-resistant to 50 m (5 bar, 164 ft). In addition to plain stainless steel, Orient also produces gold-plated and two-tone editions. The latter is found under the reference number RA-AS0001S and has a two-tone stainless steel bracelet. This model rarely goes up for sale, and when it does, you can expect to pay anywhere from 330 to 450 USD. The yellow and rose gold-plated variants sell for similar prices, as do the stainless steel versions.