Section
Two watches at similar prices, checked line by line against the makers’ own specifications. We say which is stronger in each area and which one we would buy.
16 stories
Comparison
Two Japanese mechanical watches have become entry points into traditional watchmaking. We compare their movements, finishing, dimensions and price.
| Bambino 38 | Presage | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $295 | $475 |
| Crystal | Domed mineral | Box-shaped Hardlex |
| Water resistance | 30m | 50m |
Comparison
Fourteen dollars separate a Japanese dress watch with a published in-house caliber and an American retro cushion case on a steel bracelet. Each one wins where the other is weakest.
| Bambino 38 | Marlin Draper | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $295 | $309 |
| Crystal | Domed mineral | Mineral glass |
| Water resistance | 30m | 50m |
Comparison
The Hamilton brings a Swiss movement with 80 hours of reserve and a smaller case. The Orient brings twice the depth rating and a longer warranty, and costs $600 less.
| Kamasu | Khaki Navy Scuba | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $375 | $975 |
| Crystal | Sapphire | Sapphire, anti-reflective |
| Water resistance | 200m | 100m |
Comparison
One is a 200m diver with sapphire and a screw-down crown for $375. The other is a 100m sports watch with a display back and a famous family tree for $450.
| Kamasu | Seiko 5 Sports | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $375 | $450 |
| Crystal | Sapphire | Curved Hardlex |
| Water resistance | 200m | 100m |
Comparison
One is a domed-crystal dress watch on a bracelet, the other an integrated-bracelet sports watch. If you can only own one, the specification sheet makes a clear case.
| Bambino 38 | Tsuyosa | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $330 | $495 |
| Crystal | Domed mineral | Sapphire |
| Water resistance | 30m | 50m |
Comparison
Both are 200m automatics with sapphire crystals and screw-down crowns. The Citizen brings an ISO claim and a longer warranty. The Orient is smaller, tighter on accuracy and $250 cheaper.
| Mako | Promaster | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $375 | $625 |
| Crystal | Sapphire | Sapphire |
| Water resistance | 200m | 200m, ISO compliant |
Comparison
Two blue-dial automatics with sapphire crystals, display backs and 50m ratings. The Orient is smaller, cheaper and rated tighter. The Citizen has the integrated bracelet, the better documented finishing and two more years of warranty.
| Stretto | Tsuyosa | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $315 | $495 |
| Crystal | Sapphire | Sapphire, anti-reflective, with date magnifier |
| Water resistance | 50m | 50m |
Comparison
One is an automatic with a domed crystal and a movement you can watch. The other is a 7.07mm Swiss quartz watch with sapphire. They cost about the same and want very different owners.
| Bambino 40.5 | Everytime | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $295 | $325 |
| Crystal | Domed mineral | Sapphire |
| Water resistance | 30m | 50m |
Comparison
Both are light-powered quartz chronographs on steel bracelets with sapphire crystals. The Orient is tougher on paper and far cheaper. The Citizen tells you more about its chronograph and backs it for five years.
| TX02 | Endeavor | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $350 | $650 |
| Crystal | Flat sapphire | Sapphire |
| Water resistance | 200m | 100m |
Comparison
Both are 40mm automatics with sapphire crystals and 120-click bezels. The Orient goes to 200m with a screw-down crown for $155 less. The Citizen answers with a display back, better documented finishing and five years of warranty.
| AC0Q Diver | Tsuyosa Shore | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $370 | $525 |
| Crystal | Sapphire | Sapphire with date magnifier |
| Water resistance | 200m | 100m |
Comparison
The Seiko brings a 70-hour movement and a diver’s rating for air diving. The Orient matches its accuracy rating in a far smaller case, and costs $530 less.
| AC0Q Diver II | Prospex SPB177 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $370 | $900 |
| Crystal | Flat sapphire | Sapphire with magnifier (cyclops) |
| Water resistance | 200m | 200m diver’s (air diving) |
Comparison
The Orient has the sapphire crystal, the smaller case and the tighter accuracy rating, and it costs $175 less. The Seiko is the one rated for diving.
| Kamasu | Prospex SRPF03 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $375 | $550 |
| Crystal | Sapphire | Hardlex |
| Water resistance | 200m | 200m diver’s (air diving) |
Comparison
Both are 200m automatics with sapphire crystals and screw-down crowns. Only the Seiko is a diver’s watch rated for air diving, and only the Orient is still sold by its maker in the US.
| Mako AA08 | King Turtle | |
|---|---|---|
| Crystal | Sapphire | Sapphire with magnifier (cyclops) |
| Water resistance | 200m | 200m diver’s (air diving) |
| Power reserve | About 40 hours | About 41 hours |
Comparison
The Mako has sapphire, 200m and a screw-down crown for $375. The Seiko has a 38mm case, a display back and a $350 price. For most buyers, the case size will decide it.
| Mako | Seiko 5 Mid-Size | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $375 | $350 |
| Crystal | Sapphire | Hardlex |
| Water resistance | 200m | 100m, not a diver’s watch |
Comparison
The Orient is smaller, thinner and cheaper, with sapphire and 200m. The Seiko is larger, shows the day as well as the date and puts its movement on display.
| AC0Q Diver | Seiko 5 Sports | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $370 | $400 |
| Crystal | Sapphire | Curved Hardlex |
| Water resistance | 200m | 100m, not a diver’s watch |
Comparison
One is a 200m diver with a screw-down crown for $290. The other is a 100m sports watch with a display back for $350. Neither has sapphire, which is where the Kamasu comes in.
| AA02 Diver | Seiko 5 SRPD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $290 | $350 |
| Crystal | Mineral | Hardlex |
| Water resistance | 200m | 100m, not a diver’s watch |
No stories match that filter yet.
