The Orient Bambino is one of those watches that’s an undisputed enthusiast classic. For almost everyone currently involved in our hobby, they’ve come across the Bambino in one way or another. It’s one of the most recommended enthusiast watches for beginners because of its classic dress watch style, reliable mechanical movement, and authentic brand history and credibility. We were one of the very first outlets to review a Bambino all the way back in 2012, which should give you an idea of how long it’s been a part of the fabric of enthusiast watch culture. It’s a watch that immediately puts you inside of our community.
If there was an ongoing critique of the Bambino, it might be that until now it had only been available with a date complication. This flies in the face, somewhat, of traditional dress watch norms, but is a common concession that larger watch brands make for the modern, non-enthusiast consumer. After what must have been years worth of feedback from collectors, Orient has just introduced new Bambino models without a date that seem aimed squarely at the collector community.
The new Bambino 38 No Date is available in white, ivory, green and brown dial options, as well as a gray limited edition of 3,300. Dials have a pleasing symmetry thanks to the lack of a date aperture, with Roman numerals at the even numbered hours and simple baton indices elsewhere. The perimeter of the dial has a hash mark minute track in either white or black depending on the dial color.
The Bambino 38 No Date runs on the new F6524 automatic movement, which has a power reserve of 40 hours. Orient makes simple but reliable automatic movements which are notable for being produced in-house at a very approachable price point. Depending on how you define vertical integration and in-house production, you might consider Orient to be the most affordable brand producing their own movement. That, of course, is a big part of the brand’s appeal across the enthusiast landscape.
In addition to the new Bambino 38 No Date, Orient has added new dial colors to their Bambino Date in a larger case size measuring 40.5mm. New dial options include white and ivory as well as green, light blue, and purple. The latter three all have attractive gradient textures that distinguish them from the more straightforward dress watch the Bambino is often associated with.
I will admit openly that Orient sometimes feels like a brand you “start” with in watches and then move on from once you start experiencing a wider range of watches and brands that are doing varying levels of innovative things at compelling price points. But that’s shortsighted. Like many collectors, I owned an Orient Bambino in their enthusiast forum heyday, and while I ultimately moved it along to trade for something else, it’s impossible to deny that these watches have a certain charm that goes beyond entry level exploration. Given their price point generally better than you’d expect quality (the new Bambino 38 No Date retails for 340 euros – no word on American pricing just yet) these watches have a lot to offer for both new and experienced collectors alike. Orient Watches
Zach Kazan
2026-02-18 20:00:00