ORIENT STAR Skeleton models mark 70th year with innovative watch technologies

ORIENT STAR announces a new generation of its most emblematic model, the Skeleton, from its iconic Classic Collection. Featuring a new hand-wound movement with 70 hours of power reserve, this innovative new model combines classic design elements with the latest technologies to create a bold commemoration of ORIENT STAR’s 70 years of watchmaking.

Since its birth in 1951, ORIENT STAR has strived to create mechanical watches that would become “shining stars.” Throughout its history, the brand has produced high-quality made-in-Japan watches that combine traditional craftsmanship with the latest watchmaking technologies. In celebration of its 70^th anniversary this year, ORIENT STAR is releasing new models with a unique combination of technology and aesthetic appeal based on the theme of “NOWHERE, NOW HERE” (meaning, it was nowhere else to be found, but it’s here now).

The Skeleton model shows detailed workings of the whole watch. Achieved by leaving just the base plate structure, bridges and components of the movement, its exceptional design is distinctive of mechanical watches, popular among watch enthusiasts all over the world. The skeleton movement first launched in 1991, and now in its 30th year, consists of more than a hundred precision parts, hand assembled by dedicated and skilled watchmakers in Akita, Japan. 

The latest in-house 46-F8 series movements (F8B62 and F8B63), feature longer power reserves of 70 hours, surpassing the 50 hours of the current models, making them more practical than ever before. When the main spring is fully wound, the watch can be removed on Friday night and still have more than enough power to keep running until Monday morning. The longer running time is achieved thanks to the new silicon escape wheel which is lighter and processed with higher accuracy, improving the energy transfer efficiency of the escapement.

The new silicon escape wheel with spring mechanism is developed in-house and created utilizing the MEMS technology also used in the manufacturing process of Epson’s high-precision printheads. The escape wheel visible through the watch’s skeleton structure uses Epson’s semiconductor technology to control the film thickness at the nanometer level to adjust its light reflection, resulting in an eye-catching blue. The vivid blue and a unique spiral shape evoke the Milky Way Galaxy, symbolizing the universe-inspired design theme of ORIENT STAR’s 70th anniversary.  

The intricate and sophisticated detail of the Skeleton movement, visible through the open-work dial, does not compromise the watch’s features and functionality. The new 46-F8 series movements have longer running time as well as a high accuracy of +15 to –5 seconds per day even with the ultimate skeletonisation. The movement part at the nine o’clock position is designed in the shape of a comet with two tails, again expressing ORIENT STAR’s theme of the universe.

There are also contrasting cut patterns on the front and back of the movement—a spiral pattern on the dial and a wave pattern on the case back, and delicately chamfered components add an elegant sparkle. The incredibly detailed finishing represents the pinnacle of ORIENT STAR master craftsmanship and the anti-reflective coating on both sides of the dual-curved sapphire crystal allows the wearer to view every intricate detail of this high-quality movement—a true joy for every mechanical watch fan. 

The model is available in two color combinations: a champagne dial with a gold color movement and a white dial with a silver color movement. Both models use high-quality SUS316L stainless steel for the case and come with a hand-stitched genuine crocodile leather strap.

Product Specifications