I was allowed to write a review of the Orient Bambino FER24004B almost roughly two years ago. The watch had left me stunned. It was spectacular, utterly unique (particularly about the price range), and surprisingly inexpensive. It is one of the very few watches available that can be described as being downright cheap (in a positive sense), coming in at a lower price than the typical quartz watches while providing a great deal more. Every single view of it was appealing, the overall design was right on for its retro-coolness, and the craftsmanship and finishing were both of a reasonable standard. It was impossible to find a better deal on a watch than this one, which, after using a coupon, cost only $182. The watch’s popular appeal and the frequency with which it was sold out provided evidence of this.
Two years have passed, and now I get the opportunity to evaluate the Bambino once again—or re-review it if you prefer—and I could not be more thrilled about it. During the following two years, I tried on many watches, some of which were satisfactory, some outstanding, and some less than satisfactory. Therefore, before the watch came, the thought running through my brain was, “Will I still feel the same way about it two years from now…?” The experience of trying on a large number of watches, many of which are only slightly differentiated from one another, has, if anything, highlighted the exceptional characteristics of the Bambino watch even more.
The model that I am looking at right now, the FER2400BW0, is not the same as the one I researched and considered two years ago. It features a different dial and crown, but the casing, the crystal, the movement, and the price remain the same. Although it also has a vintage look, it aims for a look that is even more retro, reflective of the early 20th century and has a classical touch. Although I am not going to declare that one is superior to the other, the new model does give the impression of being an improvement on the concept and even seems a little more elevated.
Orient Bambino FER2400BW0 Review
CASE
Stainless Steel
MOVEMENT
Orient Cal 48743
DIAL
White w/ Rose Gold
LUME
N/A
LENS
Domed Mineral
STRAP
Leater
WATER RESISTANCE
30M
DIMENSIONS
40.5 x 46mm
THICKNESS
12mm
LUG WIDTH
21mm
CROWN
6.45
WARRANTY
1 Year
PRICE
$260
Case
When I initially took the Bambino out of its packaging, I saw that the casing and crystal were the focal points of the watch. I mentioned this in my initial review. That is true even now. I cannot think of any watch with such striking proportions at this price point. It is not that the case itself is so unusual; it has a familiar look and feels. Rather, it’s the domed crystalline crystal that’s large enough to contain a whole ecosystem inside of it. And rather than counteracting the thickness of the upper and lower cases with a somewhat thick middle case, they went in the opposite direction and made the middle case unusually thin. When you combine that with a casing polished on the top and brushed on the side with precision, you end up with a stunning piece.
With dimensions of 40.5 by 46 by 12 millimetres, the case is, like the one it is based on, bigger than one may anticipate or wish for the aesthetic (to the top of the dome). Even though it is maybe the only contentious aspect of the watch, I have to admit that I loved it this time. As a result of the dial’s enhanced intricacy, the watch seems to be of a more manageable size, despite its actual dimensions. Watches with a vintage-inspired design that have been “modernized” by increasing their size often have an inflated appearance and feel, destroying the proportions that made them appealing in the first place. Even while the first Bambino I examined did not exactly feel that way, I got the impression that bringing it in a little bit would have made it a little bit sharper. This time around, I do not have those feelings. Everything appears to be in harmony.
This time, the only new evidence added to the case is a stunning new crown. It has the shape of an onion or a diamond and tapers out to a ridge that is textured before terminating with a surface that is flat and plain. It has a measurement of 6.45 millimeters by 3 millimetres, but its form is what gives it power. Working with the early 20th-century style of the dial, it adds a little classical embellishment that fits in nicely with the case and pulls it closer to the style of a dress.
Dial
The new dial is really lovely in its own right. The top has a rounded dome and an iridescent white or silver surface with sunbursts. The fact that it is energetic, elegant, and just lovely provides a great background for the other particulars. The surface can appear alive with glints of iridescent light or as a soft, gentle cream hue when seen under various lighting conditions. Both of these appearances are possible. Both of these options are effective. On top of this is the main index, which comprises polished rose gold lines and huge roman numerals…
Rose gold is among my favorite metals, but I can only stand it in trace amounts; thus, this is almost ideal. While doing so, it softly contrasts the steel of the case while picking up the warmth from the pearlescent dial. It does not make the watch appear pompous or unduly elaborate, but it does give it a rich flourish that complements the overall design. This watch goes from being enjoyable and well-styled to something that can be described as handsome thanks to a certain touch.
The model before this one that we looked at only had markers applied, but the model that we are looking at now also has printed indexes. The size of the watch becomes relevant at this point in the discussion. The minute/seconds index is quite detailed, with marks for each minute/second, numerals every 5, and sub-second markings that go all the way down to a quarter of a second, all of which are surrounded by a black outline. It has the air of being technological, yet it also has an aesthetic that fits in well with the surroundings. Another delineated index with markings every minute and second may be found around that index. The outside index is unnecessary and does not truly serve a practical purpose; nonetheless, combined, they form a false stop to the dial, which gives the impression that it is more compact than it is. This ensures that the watch seems balanced and does not appear to have an excessively large size overall.
Instead of an applied marking at position 3, there is a date window. It does not appear out of place; nevertheless, it does not appear quite appropriate. Even though the area has maintained some symmetry, it is vacant because no marker has been put. In addition to that, a variation of this dial that does not have a date would be fantastic.
The former model’s hands were bulkier and more obvious in appearance; however, the hands-on this newer version is more delicate and refined, which is appropriate given the more intricate design. The hour and minute hands are dauphine forms of polished rose gold and have a subtle three-dimensional impression. The second hand is similarly made of polished rose gold but is much thinner than the minute hand. Nothing can be said about them other than that they were appropriately sized and constructed for the watch.
Movement
Based on my most recent analysis: The Orient Caliber 48743, manufactured in Japan and has 21 jewels, powers the Bambino. This automatic movement does not have hacking or hand winding capabilities but includes a date display. The movement has a frequency of 21,600 bph, which can be interpreted as six beats per second. Consequently, the second hand ticks discernably, even though it is still a sweep of seconds. The time and date are set according to what was anticipated, and the experience of setting the time, that is to say, the resistance of the crown and the smoothness of the hands’ motion, is all very nice. Setting the date is also successful. I have brought this up due to watch’s low price and the fact that lower-end mechanical watches may occasionally have a shoddy “feel.” The movement has a nice feel to it, it is accurate, and it has a good power reserve of forty hours. One thing to remember is that the rotor may be rather noisy; nevertheless, if you are anything like me, you could like that particular feature.
Straps and Wearability
The Bambino is equipped with a leather strap with a faux croc finish, measuring 21 millimetres in width. For an overall dress design, it has a straight cut and is constructed with a very small cushioning and fine thread along the edges. Before I go into what I like about it, let me start with what I do not like: it has a 21mm band (which I also mentioned in my initial review), making finding straps difficult. Since the watch would have looked perfectly acceptable with lugs measuring 20 millimetres, the logic behind this choice is difficult to pin down. The second distinguishing feature is that it has a straight cut rather than tapers. Straps for dresses often have a tapered end, as do straps for “retro” style dresses. If the strap had been reduced from 21 to 18 millimeters, I believe it would have given the watch more elegance.
The hue is one of the things that appeals to me. It is a very dark and deep brown color with specks of black and accents of red, which resonate with the rose gold on the watch’s dial. It is more fascinating and dynamic than a straightforward black or flat brown would have been having they been chosen. In addition, the crocodile grain and somewhat glossy finish combine well, contributing texture to the whole design. The fact that it is 21 millimeters means that you will probably be using this strap quite a bit, and despite its flaws, it goes fairly nicely with the watch.
I had forgotten how much joy it is to have the Bambino on your wrist when you wear it. The watch’s components, including the case, the crystal, and the domed dial, create a mesmerizing timepiece. I was worried that, in two years, I would look back on the watch and think it was nothing more than a gimmick or a cheap watch trying to pass itself off as something it isn’t. However, this is not the case in any way. The Bambino is its unique entity, and its execution of it is really strong.
Finding a dial design that can compete with the new dial design included in this specific model isn’t easy at this price point. It has a refined and sophisticated air and is understated but brimming with character. It unmistakably harkens back to an older era in watch design, but at the same time, it does not come across as archaic or out of place. It has a classic look that will at never point become outdated in the fashion world. When you pair it with apparel, you may play off the rose gold’s added warmth, character, and a sense of preciousness since it has these qualities. It is undeniably a dressier model than its predecessor, and wearing it with shorts would be an odd choice; yet, pulling off a suit or business casual attire is simple. The hues contained therein will be brought out by the blues, the grays, and the khakis.
In terms of dimensions, the watch has a diameter of 41.5 millimeters. It measures 46 millimeters from lug to lug, making it suitable for most wrist sizes while being large enough to make a statement. Despite the height of the crystal, it appears and feels rather flat, and it may be hidden discretely beneath the sleeve of a shirt. As I have mentioned, even though it appears larger than a vintage watch and larger than a vintage watch, I believe this model is successful at this size. You do not get the impression that it is big only to be big.
Conclusion
It is easy to lose track of the Orient Bambino costs $182. I certainly do not think I am discussing a watch that costs that much. Even today, as I look at it, I still do not find a watch that comes in at such a low price. If you were to deliver it to me and tell me that it was $1,200, I would not scoff at that number even if I did not know what it was. The execution and the design work together nicely here. Add to it the mechanical movement produced in Japan, and the question is answered.
The only things that bothered me were the maybe unneeded date window and the uncomfortable 21mm lugs. Other than that, it was perfect. Both are minor flaws that may be easily overlooked in light of the watch’s many strengths before considering how reasonably priced it is. If you want something dressier, you should consider purchasing this watch because it has a lot. You will not find anything comparable for less than $200, and there are very few watches that can compete visually with it for less than $1,000.
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