Orient Star RE-AU0109L an ice blue dress watch good to 100 m

What is new about the Orient Star Contemporary Date RE-AU0109L?

The news is the dial. In January 2025 Orient Star added four Contemporary Date models in what it calls earthy colours: green, copper, grey and this ice blue, which the press release describes as "reminiscent of crystal-clear water". Orient Star says the colours are unlike any it has used on the model before.

The layout stays the same. Three central hands, a framed date window at 3 o'clock and the brand's signature power reserve indicator at 12 o'clock, a feature Orient Star has used since 1996. Roman numerals at 12 and 6 and polished baton markers keep it on the dressy side of everyday. The pale blue is soft enough to wear with a suit, but it has more personality than the usual silver or white.

How big is it, and how will it wear?

Orient UK lists the case at 38.5 mm wide, 46.9 mm from lug to lug and 12.3 mm thick, with 20 mm lugs. Those first two numbers are modest, so it should sit well on small and medium wrists. The Chronos Japan writer who reviewed the grey sibling has a wrist of about 18 cm and found it comfortable, with a slightly vintage feel.

The 12.3 mm height is the number to watch if you want a true dress watch. It is a few millimetres taller than slim rivals, so it will not slip under a tight double cuff as easily. Under an ordinary shirt sleeve it should be fine. The 20 mm lug width makes it easy to swap the bracelet for a leather strap on more formal days.

What movement does it use, and how accurate is it?

Inside is the in-house calibre F6N43: automatic with hand-winding and hacking seconds, 22 jewels and a 50 hour power reserve. Orient Star quotes accuracy of +25 to -15 seconds per day. That is tighter than the figures often quoted for entry-level Japanese automatics, though it falls short of COSC certification.

The gauge at 12 o'clock is useful, not just decoration. If you rotate between watches, a glance tells you whether it needs a few turns of the crown before you strap it on. Chronos Japan reports that its review watch beat the quoted accuracy and stayed steady even when the power reserve was running low. An exhibition caseback lets you see the movement.

How well is it built?

The specification is strong for the money. You get a sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating, a stainless steel case that mixes brushed and polished surfaces, and 100 m of water resistance. That last figure is unusual for a watch this dressy, and it means a swim or a downpour is nothing to worry about. The bracelet is SUS316L stainless steel with a push-button trifold clasp.

That bracelet is where reviewers are less kind. Chronos Japan found it light and comfortable but called its looks only so-so for the price, and described the clasp as a basic pressed part. T3 said much the same about the closely related 75th Anniversary model, calling the bracelet a little dated and noting that the clasp is a common complaint across Orient, Orient Star and Seiko. Chronos Japan also points to fairly simple index finishing and a visible gap between case and bracelet. None of this is a fault, but it is where the money has been saved.

Is it good value against its rivals?

At £599.99 the RE-AU0109L sits right at the top of the £300 to £600 band. Its most obvious rival is the Tissot Le Locle Powermatic 80 at an RRP of £600 on leather. Tissot quotes a 39.3 mm case that is slimmer at 9.75 mm, an 80 hour power reserve and a sapphire crystal, but only 30 m of water resistance. The Tissot is the more classic dress watch. The Orient Star is the tougher all-rounder, with the power reserve display as a bonus.

Within the Orient Star range, the grey RE-AU0110N and the blue models share the same £599.99 RRP, while some newer colours are listed for less on Orient's UK site. If you like the case but not the ice blue, it is worth checking those before you buy.

What is the catch?

There are two. The first is the bracelet and clasp, which do not match the quality of the dial and case. The second is the white date disc. Chronos Japan felt it stands out against the muted dial colours, and on a pale blue dial it will be visible every time you check the time. Some buyers will not mind, but anyone who likes a tidy, symmetrical dial should look closely at photos first.

It is also a little thick for a strict dress watch. If you mainly wear formal shirts, a slimmer watch on leather may suit you better. If you want one smart watch you can wear every day, without worrying about rain or a swim, the RE-AU0109L makes a good case for itself.

“A dress watch that shrugs off rain, with a fuel gauge on the dial.”

What do owners say?

Themes from public owner feedback, paraphrased. We never copy Amazon reviews or ratings.

• Comfortable on an 18 cm wrist, accuracy better than the quoted figure, but the bracelet and pressed clasp look plain for the price (grey sibling RK-AU0110N)

  Chronos Japan (webChronos) review (opens in a new tab)

• White date disc stands out against the muted earth-tone dials

  Chronos Japan (webChronos) review (opens in a new tab)

• Bracelet feels dated and the clasp is a common complaint across Orient, Orient Star and Seiko (75th Anniversary Contemporary Date)

  T3 week-on-the-wrist review (opens in a new tab)