Q. Dear Gonzo,

I’m to buy my first significant watch. I graduated last year and I’m about to join my first job in the administrative department of one of the best-known 5 Star hospitality setups in the town. In my best efforts to learn about what watch brands and styles are offered to meet the dressing requirements (and also budget) of someone who will keep running between the front desk and arranging/supervising banquets (and couple more similar things) – at least for the rest of 2022 – I keep returning again and again to the Orient Bambino. This particular series I like for its classic, uncluttered dials and for an absence of today’s uber-muscularity that pushes the proportions overwhelmingly for almost all credible watches everywhere.

I have been able to fall in love with the ORIENT Bambino and while there’s no doubt about it, I’m lost between the ‘Generations’ and the ‘Versions’. I agree that all of them are great watches and they look great too; it’s just that I’m unable to decide which among these would be a better choice – if nothing, then at least – from the technical viewpoints.

Or, is it that my taste is too narrow? In that case, what would be your recommendations?

A. Congratulations on your first job, young man and I can’t help but feel carried away with your preferences for the first true watch you are going to wear with your business and smart casual attires.

Now, to business.

I’d like to answer you frankly, without prejudice; that appreciation does not seem to be your problem. Instead, it’s about you being bit confused about what truly deserves your appreciation within the Bambino range. I have nothing against believing that you have gone through – in their minutest details – the story of not just Bambino but that of Orient as a whole, so let’s not waste time going over again the collective greatness of the brand and this particular line-up. Let’s focus on the technicalities and a few of the structural aspects instead. Straight away.

Before that, however; I must admit I’m bit surprised with your choice of an essential dressing accessory; especially, for at this tender age, when others are eyeing the snazzy, hefty slabs of steel and/or titanium, you’re settling for value. It gives me the impression that you are very much aware of your preferences – at least on the aesthetic sides – and what you don’t like is too much of a complexity into stuff that’s essential only to satisfy the needs of a situation. You have the powers to appreciate value without the dopamine surge of overspending. That way, the Bambino will be equally comfortable when you are in your living room.

An easy explanation of the Orient generations and versions would be:

• Generation: Refers to differences between the internal mechanisms.
• Version: Refers to the difference in dial deigns.

Points you must remember are:

• Generation 1 & 2: Visually differentiated by the writings on the dials (Gen. 1 – Water Resist; Gen 2 – Water Resistance) except for the Bambino Small Seconds with just the Orient logo on the dial.
• Versions I-III: Present in both 1^st and 2^nd generation Bambino watches. The versions are identical to look at. The differences between the versions of Gen 1. Bambino and Gen. 2 Bambino are only internal. All versions (for each generation) feature similar watch cases and domed crystals that bring Bambino its classic look.
• Versions IV & V: Doesn’t exist in 1st Generation line-up of Bambino.

Additionally, there are the Small Seconds Bambino and the Open Heart Bambino versions.

• Bambino – Small Seconds:Seconds-hand moved to a small sub-register at 6, no water resistant text, see-through case back.
• Bambino Open Heart(below) takes the design cues from the Version 4, removes the date window and adds an open heart view into the watch mechanism. It uses a different movement, but unlike the Version 4 watches it uses a 21 mm lug size.

To distinguish them readily:

• Version 1: Thicker, pointed hour markings, triangular hands.
• Version 2:Roman numerals (hour indices), train-track chapter ring.
• Version 3:Bauhaus-styled, no numbers, clean lines; simple, squared-off hands, thicker hour markers at every quadrant.
• Version 4:Close to 1 with more refined hands and indices; seconds-hand tipped in red, sunburst dials, larger watch case.
• Version 5: New fonts, curved hands, slightly sunburst dial.

Differences between the Generations

• Generation 1: Orient Caliber 48743 movement. Seconds-hacking and hand-winding not available.
• Generation 2 (except Ver. V)/Small-Seconds: Orient Caliber F6722 movement. Version 5 uses the F6724 movement. Allows seconds-hacking and hand-winding.
• Bambino Open Heart: Orient Caliber F6T22 movement. Allows seconds-hacking and hand winding.

Among the similarities:

• Domed Mineral Crystals: Doubles the thickness of the watch visually with their curvature.
• Screw-down Case-backs, Signature Crowns & Stamped Buckle: The Orient logo stays emblazoned on the metal of the case-backs; on the crown tips and on the buckle clasps..

Following all that, now we come to the actual question: “…which among these would be a better choice?”

The Orient Bambino – be it of any generation or version, proves to be elegant timepieces with all the opulence that you can imagine at this price point. But here, we have to look into the key characteristics of each of the versions from the 2nd generation. For, the 1^st Gen Bambino will require you to mature a bit more; gain a little more experience out of your job and life before it can make way to your wrist.

Orient Bambino Version 1: The thick set of rhomboid hour markers bring it a commanding (but not loud) presence, both in black and white dial colours. This will be a good choice when you are behind the front desk. The presence of the date window – despite the flak from conservatie people thinking a dress watch should show nothing but time – is an added privilege for work-related scenarios. There is no denying its usefulness. Better to stick to the white dial/stainless steel combination; the gold tones (yellow/rose) and black dials are fine for the banquet, though.

Orient Bambino Version 2: The most old-school of all available 2^nd Gen Bambino versions, it has a busier dial than the rest because of a minute-marker train and Roman numeral hour markers. It definitely brings a retro Flieger vibe but not quite for your front desk job. It’s less sleek than what you would need there for its thicker case and a larger, tapered, onion-shaped. In the banquet or at a client meet, however, you may wear the white/steel version with pleasure.

Orient Bambino Version 3: Orient seems to be heavily inspired by the German Bauhaus design concepts and that reflects in the Bambino Version 3. That’s how it came to be known as the Bambino Bauhaus edition; the model that takes minimalism to a whole different level. The absence of any numeral apart from in the tiny date window turns the thin, clean indices and minute markers all the more prominent. Just the quadrant indices are a bit thicker than the rest. They break the monotony that would have otherwise set in and also make the dial more legible.

The square-end hands are very Bauhaus and almost resemble the thicker hour markers, adding more to the parity and harmony of the overall dial design. This one, by far, seems to be the most appropriate piece for you! You also get a blue and a black variant, which are excellent to wear after evening 6.

Orient Bambino Version 4: The green dial Orient Bambino Version 4 is fine if you are invited to a dinner and cocktail but go with the blue version only during the evening and the black one when you are supervising an event outdoors, irrespective of the time of the day. The Ver. 4 is mockingly called the Diet Version 1 due to its slimmer hands and markers but a date window identical to that of the Version 1. The slim white borders of the well-rounded, tapered hour markers complement the slim markers. The red-tipped seconds hand is very subtle, yet stands out against the sunburst dials. Classy with enough flair.

Orient Bambino Version 5: A classy watch because it restrains itself. There’s no going overboard with classic elements to be recognised as a classic; its simplicity in design and form, takes you over by storm. The Japanese brand surprises with its distinct, old-school Version 5 models with a sportier vibe than in the rest of the Bambinos. Good if you can carry it in the office with your given responsibilities.

Orient Bambino Small Seconds: Certainly more attractive than the usual Bambino, from either generation. Best for the times when important persons and special guests are around. The Small Seconds version of the Bambino shifts the central sweeping arm within a smaller territory underneath. A clear inspiration from the 5196R – CALATRAVA by Patek Philippe.

It has a lot of similarity to Version 4. The Arabic numerals and the dotted minute train at the edge of the dial you readily come to notice, although upon a fairly close inspection. Now, whether that’s good or bad is entirely up to you to decide.

The see-through case back lets you admire its movement and this is the first Orient Bambino model to showcase this feature. The silver is for special day work; the yellow/rose gold for celebrations and similar events.

Orient Bambino Open Heart: The boldest spin Orient played on the Bambino series on the dress watch collection. Simple, elegant and stands out with its porthole view of the moving balance wheel and hairspring of the polished calibre F6T22, a movement specifically made to power open heart watches. There’s no date window – there could never be!

The domed dial and crystal creates the classic shape. Wear only if you are invited to a party. It’s not an everyday wear. Indubitably excellent – if two words at all need to be applied!

Lastly, know that with a Bambino, there’s no need to tread with extreme caution. A good return is guaranteed.

You’ve had your fill. Decision should be easy now.

F.A.Q. – EVERYTHING ELSE THAT YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT THE ORIENT BAMBINO WATCHES