Avant-Garde Skeleton Blackout Ref. RK-AV0A03B

Orient truly lives up to its name as the rising star of the Japanese watch industry, boasting a substantial following of watch enthusiasts seeking to spruce up their JDM watch collections. Crafting high quality timepieces with excellent value for money since the early 1950s, this watchmaker comes from humble beginnings. Orient’s roots can be traced back more than a century to a wholesale pocket watch shop set up by Shogoro Yoshida in Tokyo. It is impressive how this humble watch shop selling imported watches in 1901 survived the test of time and continues to produce reliable mechanical in-house movements even until today. In early 2000, Orient was taken under the umbrella of Seiko Epson, known for its reliable and affordable timepieces, which offers Seiko Watches encompassing the essence of Japanese fashion.

Till date, Orient maintains its reputation as one of the most widely-recognized watchmakers in Japan with exquisite JDM offerings. Featuring a wide variety of selections that cater most preferences from sophisticated, extravagant dress watches to action-ready sports watches, this Japanese brand showcases their own JDM luxury line comprising three categories namely Classic, Contemporary and Sports.

Orient Star Avant-Garde Skeleton Blackout Ref. RK-AV0A03B

Perfecting the craft since 1991, openwork watchmaking is no stranger to Orient which had released their first-ever semi-skeleton watch, the Orient Star Ref. WZ0011FH, in October 2003. And now, Orient presents the all-new Avant-Garde Skeleton line-up built to keep up with your active style as this renowned Japanese brand launches the star of this exquisite selection, the Orient Star Avant-Garde Skeleton Blackout Ref. RK-AV0A03B.

The expertise of this watchmaker is proudly showcased on the intricate dial workings of the Orient Star Avant-Garde Skeleton Blackout. Admire the stunning skeletonized cut-outs, especially at 9’oclock, which reveals the balance wheel in this fine timepiece on its sunburst black dial. Hence, the outstanding openwork on this watch reveals the watchmaker’s attention to detail in framing this cut-out with sleek metallic trimming and applying a high-polish to the balance bridge underneath, to bring out the aesthetics of this semi-skeleton dial. Moreover, the seconds sub-dial at 6 o’clock fits in seamlessly with the openwork design and balances the aesthetics of the watch.

Caliber F6F44 with power reserve indicator

Protected by a flat sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, the Orient Star Avant-Garde Skeleton Blackout shows off applied faceted metallic hour markers complemented with Roman numerals at 12 o'clock and a familiar power reserve indicator, inspired by the speedometer of a car, which is characteristic of Orient Star timepieces. These markers and handset also bear luminous glows in the dark. Additionally, its high dial legibility despite all these complications is testament to Orient’s horological prowess.

Displayed through the screw-in case back, the in-house caliber F6F44 is an exclusive automatic movement that is only used in Orient timepieces. In its skeletonised form, this stellar engine is crafted with 24 jewels, has a 50-hour power reserve and operates at 21,600bph.

Orient Star's top of the line Semi Skeleton watch

The Orient Star Avant-Garde Skeleton Blackout stands out with its blackout brushed SUS316L stainless steel case that measures 43.2mm in width, 13.7mm in height and has a lug width of 21mm. Fitted with a matching black screw-in crown that allows for a decent 100m water resistance, this timepiece flaunts a byzantine satin-brush and polish finishing on its case while the back of the watch features a full polishing, unique to Orient’s premium line. Complementing its black sporty case and crown flawlessly, its gleaming bezel shows off a full high satin polish treatment that bestows the timepiece with an alluring lustr.. This fixed bezel is designed with intriguing grooves and screw-like markings that mirrors the car tires aesthetic, bestowing this watch with a rugged sporty look.

Topping off the handsome colourway of its watch case, this timepiece’s perforated black leather rally strap forms a perfect fit on the wrist. With red stitching and lining that accentuate its rehaut markings, this strap comes with a deployment buckle and completes the trendy, purposeful look of this sports watch.

Glows green in the dark

Robust, remarkable and reliable, the Orient Star Avant-Garde Skeleton Blackout Ref. RK-AV0A03B achieves the functionality and style as expected of an excellent JDM mechanical watch. Marvel at the impeccable skeleton dial that continues the expert watchmaking legacy of Orient and unique bolted case design that sets this timepiece apart from its contemporaries. Indulge in the satisfyingly athletic aesthetics and sleek black colourway of this luxury Orient Star watch that brings you all the grandeur of Japanese horology in a single timepiece, a worthy addition to any collection.