[Review] Orient Star GMT DJ00001B

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roo7
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[Review] Orient Star GMT DJ00001B

Post by roo7 » 24 Feb 2013 14:12

Visited Big Time yesterday, it's my first time there, so I was there with my family, wanted to visit them for the longest time, yet couldn't find the time to be there.

Nice to see a display of Seiko JDMs, Tunas and all the Orients and Orient Stars in the same place. My wife wanted to get a gift for me, so we were browsing around and I wanted to look at the Orient Stars that was posted recently by chris and eventually a few pieces caught my eye.

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Wife suggested the M-Force but I didn't like the design and it's kinda light for it's size. Tried the Orient Stars but I prefer my dress watches to be on leather as the bracelet makes the watch looks small, then finally... the GMT or they called it the Starseeker.

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I went on about this being the newer GMT model, although it was launched more than a year ago. Yeoman's review on it: http://yeomanseiko.com/2011/09/10/orien ... -dj00001b/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I had the chance to handle one in Japan, 3 years ago but it was the older model, the GMT hand was not independent. This however is, hand winding, hacking with a independent GMT hand. Basically like a ETA 2893 movement.

After handling it for a while, my mind is set, this is it.

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The mix of brushed and mirrored finishing of the case makes the black dial stands out with the polished hands and indices. The red GMT totally pops out.

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Flat sapphire crystal with a burst of light just take your breathe away.

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I can't help it but to emphasize on the dial, the star burst is rather subtle, it doesn't show up that obvious with a naked eye.

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As for the movement, I didn't expect a very detailed finishing for it's retail price tag of $1173.

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Still the rotor is decorated, I will put it's finishing to be on par or at least better than Seiko 6R15.

The bracelet however reminds me of Seiko MM300.

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Brushed with a slight touch of polished edges on the middle link.

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Signed clasp, although I will prefer a double locking clasp, although this is not a dive or a tool watch. Additional protection is always good.

Finally a wrist shot.

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The watch sits well on my wrist with the help of Big Time. If there's anything I can ask for on this model, it will be a heavier bracelet and a double locking clasp.

Enjoyed talking to the staff @ Big Time, extremely helpful. Even my daughter made herself at home running around the displays.
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lunarin79
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Re: [Review] Orient Star GMT DJ00001B

Post by lunarin79 » 24 Feb 2013 14:18

the Orient towel is part of the package as well?? :o

Nice review di di :mrgreen:
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roo7
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Re: [Review] Orient Star GMT DJ00001B

Post by roo7 » 24 Feb 2013 17:14

Oh it's for their customers... lol. Nice for a backdrop.
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chriscentro
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Re: [Review] Orient Star GMT DJ00001B

Post by chriscentro » 24 Feb 2013 18:49

Beautiful watch and nice photo, especially the strong light one.
Btw, they have Tunas for sale? Must go and have a look, never seen one before.
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Re: [Review] Orient Star GMT DJ00001B

Post by roo7 » 24 Feb 2013 19:24

Yes, they have 2 or 3 Tunas on display. The recent LE with red markers, the auto tuna.. There's a lot of JDMs models, a good range of 6R15s. Saw a guy hoot a 6R15, not sure if it's the cocktail or another model.
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chriscentro
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Re: [Review] Orient Star GMT DJ00001B

Post by chriscentro » 24 Feb 2013 20:49

ya, saw their FB page, got Brightz also.

A quote from BIG TIME web site "More discounts on Seiko JDM watches to provide unbeatable value" , yeah!
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roo7
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Re: [Review] Orient Star GMT DJ00001B

Post by roo7 » 25 Feb 2013 13:44

Oh yah, I think I saw a Brightz chrono there..

Really enjoying the watch now. Almost felt like a GS GMT.. lol
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big-e-294

Re: [Review] Orient Star GMT DJ00001B

Post by big-e-294 » 25 Feb 2013 17:06

Great review roo!
I almost wanted to hoot this at one point in time too!
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roo7
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Re: [Review] Orient Star GMT DJ00001B

Post by roo7 » 25 Feb 2013 22:05

big-e-294 wrote:Great review roo!
I almost wanted to hoot this at one point in time too!
Yea.. always wanted to pay Big Time a visit to look at this.. then forgotten about it .. :lol:
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stepper78
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Re: [Review] Orient Star GMT DJ00001B

Post by stepper78 » 26 Feb 2013 11:33

I have the same watch.

Just hope they can improve the logo, the "OS" logo looks kind of cheap. :oops:

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Re: [Review] Orient Star GMT DJ00001B

Post by dragonboat02 » 26 Feb 2013 21:32

Gxgx bro roo7.. Wear in gd health!
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Re: [Review] Orient Star GMT DJ00001B

Post by roo7 » 26 Feb 2013 21:47

Thanks. Still wearing it.. ;)
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CoolieND

Re: [Review] Orient Star GMT DJ00001B

Post by CoolieND » 23 Mar 2013 19:40

Nice pickup and pictures, roo7! While I've not worn mine for a while, this watch is one which Orient seems to be hanging their hat on. Not an expensive watch (relative, I guess! ;)) and it really packs in the VFM, really well put together.

If there's one watch to look for from Orient, unless you're on a budget this is it.
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Re: [Review] Orient Star GMT DJ00001B

Post by 004 » 24 Mar 2013 09:05

Well done , your new Orient Star GMT is spanking . I visted Big Time while i was last in Singapore , Daryl chang talked with me & shown me the entire range of Orients & Seiko JDM's he has in stock . Good service & range @ Big Time :)
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Re: [Review] Orient Star GMT DJ00001B

Post by roo7 » 24 Mar 2013 10:32

Thanks... totally agreed it's a VFM GMT model.
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nicktecky

Re: [Review] Orient Star GMT DJ00001B

Post by nicktecky » 02 May 2013 13:53

Love these set of watches!
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Re: [Review] Orient Star GMT DJ00001B

Post by Trident » 31 Jul 2014 20:42

r007, Nice write up.
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roo7
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Re: [Review] Orient Star GMT DJ00001B

Post by roo7 » 01 Aug 2014 00:16

Thanks will probably wear it tml. Lol
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kment

Re: [Review] Orient Star GMT DJ00001B

Post by kment » 01 Aug 2014 09:10

Mine is not getting enough wrist time after changing to leather straps , a bit uncomfortable , going to change back to ss , having said that I also got a issue on the stock ss , I feel the ss is to light weight ..
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Re: [Review] Orient Star GMT DJ00001B

Post by roo7 » 01 Aug 2014 11:22

kment wrote:Mine is not getting enough wrist time after changing to leather straps , a bit uncomfortable , going to change back to ss , having said that I also got a issue on the stock ss , I feel the ss is to light weight ..
Exactly ! I don't have a lot of watches with stock bracelets, so I usually prefer to keep them on their stock bracelets but this model has a very light bracelet to go with.

Still, the argument will probably be, it's not really a diver, utility watch, so weight should be on the lighter side for comfort.. ?
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