Orient Defender 2nd Generation The second-generation of the outfit's field watch, this handsome timepiece tows the line between technical pieces and everyday sport watches.

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Orient has long offered some of the best value for money in watches. Suffice to say, you won’t see too many mechanical timepieces selling in such an affordable price range as their watches normally do. The second-generation of the Orient Defender, the brand’s designated field watch, continues that bang-for-buck tradition.

Billed as a “bridge between technical pieces and everyday sport watches,” the timepiece combines a mechanical movement with a redesigned dial layout that’s equally handsome and useful in everyday use. Seriously, there’s enough style here to make it pair well with most any outfit, whether you’re going for a casual look or a more dressed-up ensemble.

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The Orient Defender 2nd Generation still retains the same elements that made its predecessor a standout field watch, albeit with a subtle rework. Specifically, the weekly and 24-hour sub-dials have had their positions and sizing switched, while the date has been moved to the three o’clock position, which is a more conventional spot. Both the sub-dials retain their original functions, though, so they’re still just as useful as before. The rest of the dial maintains the same familiar design from the original Defender, from the hands and the hour markers to the 60-minute markers on the outer ring. We do appreciate the hints of red in the handsets, which give it some added flavor.

It has a slightly bigger case that measures 42.4mm, up by 0.4mm from the last generation, with the offset crown moved to the three o’clock position, which, again, is its more conventional location. Other than that, though, the case design and structure remains the same, with the reliable stainless steel construction still finding its way for the case and bezel. It measures 12.2mm thick.

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The Orient Defender 2nd Generation has a screwed-down crown and a water resistance of 100 meters, making it safe to jump in the water when the yacht you’re partying on gets raided by a merry band of pirates. You know what’s not safe, though? Swimming far from shore, so maybe you’ll just want to get back on the yacht and let them have the watch since you bought it at an affordable price anyway. Instead of using the same movement as before, the new timepiece is powered by the outfit’s Caliber F6B22, a 22-jeweled automatic, hand-winding, and hacking movement with 40 hours of power reserve, which Orient says is a definite upgrade from the one in the previous model.

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Other features include a mineral crystal, 22mm lug width, and four style options: a blue dial with silver case and stainless steel band, a green dial with silver case and stainless steel band, a black dial with dark gray case and nylon strap, a black dial with silver case and nylon strap. The first two are, obviously, for pairing with more formal outfits, making it feel almost like a dress watch (albeit, it’s a little too thick for that), while the last two are much more casual and will likely work better for everyday wear.

Want one? The Orient Defender 2nd Generation is available now, priced starting at $230.

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