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A 100% N.O.S. New Old Stock Orient AAA Automatic Crystal from the 1970s. Retro and funky! Bring back the good old 1970s. Fresh out of original plastic bag after more than 30 years. Ticking with the crisp “Orient Sound”.
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A truly rare model of Orient's legendary “AAA” serial, unlike the vintage ★★★ Orient models you can find now. You may know Orient’s AAA series is more superior (movement grade) and finer (materials) than the more common ★★★ series. Selling prices for AAA Orient were higher than ★★★ Orient in the old days indeed. I have checked for days. Cannot find this type of AAA anywhere else in online auctions and in all major watch trading forums. Please feel free to check this.
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100% Made in Japan. Whole watch original and intact. With original Orient tag and original Orient plastic factory bag. This bag is a proof that it is genuine N.O.S. right out from factory to the watch shop. To save space and transport cost, watch factories almost never ship watches in watch boxes. Boxes are ordered separately by local sole agents.
The movement is the 'WC' Grade Orient Movement. I cannot see this from the Orient Movement Database by Dan and Adriano. FYI: Dan is famous as a devoted Orient fan. Adriano is a heavy-weight authority for Seiko, especially for their movement structures, as he is a superb watchmaker himself.
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How to Judge Orient Watch Grades?
"The two letters found on the case and dial of each Orient watch designate the movement grade. Here is a partial list of grades... Although there are many grade designations, there seem to be only three major grades. This info is from a 2001 catalog. Thanks to Adriano from SCWF, who posted this info."
Source: http://watches.zsebehazy.com/orient_movements.htm
FC, EG : +10~-5 sec / day
FA, EX, FE, ER, EM : +25~-15 sec / day
PF, NR : +40~-30 sec / day
My Small Finding:
I read this table very very carefully. You can realise the critical letter is the second one, NOT the first one. The second letter is crucial to decide the grade of the movement. The same first letter can mean different grades, like F and E. But the second letter dictates the real grade. You cannot find the same second letter appearing in two or three grades. Therefore, I believe the 'WC' would be the same highest grade. Judge this yourself of course.
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Faceted Genuine Crystal
If you are over 40 and remember the 1970s well, you should know the faceted crystal well.
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This faceted crystal is superbly cut into 9 surfaces. Each surface creates deflection at a certain angle, resulting in a light effect of layers of patchwork. Very beautiful under light. Your eyes will agree they are much more beautiful than in the photos.
My veteran watchmaker pointed out 2 things:
1. This mineral crystal is genuine crystal, NOT common glass crystal as glass cannot withstand the compact force in cutting these facet surfaces. This is exactly why ‘Crystal’ is printed in italic on the dial.
2. Facet mineral watch glass crystal was popular during early 1970s. Orient, Seiko and a number of Swiss watch manufacturers all made watches with facet crystal.
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All watch maunfacturers stopped using such facet mineral crystal after late 1970s because of:
A. Complicated cutting procedures using optical equipment to cut it + very accurate reflection calculation in optics. It similar to cutting lens for eyeglasses, camera and medical equipment
B. Much higher material cost. This piece of natural crystal to be much thicker than the normal ones so that it can go through 9 times to cutting to create 9 surfaces.
C. High wastage rate: A much higher than usual wastage rate
Watch companies cut cost from 1980s. This piece of crystal costs 4-5 times of a common flat crystal of the same material. No doubt we have not seen this kind of facet mineral on watches since 1980s.
A fine piece of crystal in itself.
Dial: Silver sunburst dial. Orient AAA Crystal 21 Jewels. Spotless.
Dial Number: 8K-46946407-WTIT.
Lamination of the hour/minute hands and the hour spots are amazingly strong and fresh! Can feel this even under normal lighting.
This dial is rarely found today, even used ones. I have searched all past transactions in this forum and the Bay. Cannot see another one. Not to mention in N.O.S. state.
Date/Day: Date/Day wheels are made of steel in the old style. Not plastic as in modern Seiko or Swatch now.
Display design in older Orient design. Mon1, Tue2, Wed3, Thu4, Fri5, Sat6, Sun* Sunday in red, others in black. In both English and Chinese. Day/Date change is the slow style from 23:00 to 03:00.
Movement: Mint 469640. Like new from factory. Automatic 21 Jewels. Date-Day. WC Grade. Push the button at 2 o’clock to quick-set weekday. Running strong and accurately.
The movement is amazingly clean and working properly. This is very important for a N.O.S. as it does not have the oily dirt resulted by dried lubrication oil. NO rust or corrosion absolutely.
Case: Width: 37mm, excluding crown. Lug to lug: 42 mm. Lug width: 18 mm
All stainless steel. Extremely fine brushed finishing.
Crown: Original. Recess crown.
Case Back: Signed Orient. Marked ‘Water Resistant, All Stainless Steel’. Model number: 469640-7J. Serial number: 61174. Still with the original transparent protective sticker and the original hologram Orient sticker. Sticker marked 1EM1U0 02WC. Same number printed on the Orient tag.
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Look at the photos showing the case back closely. This case back is much more elaborated than the newer Orient. Yes, this case back pattern suggests this Orient is 100% Made in Japan from the past. Same as older and newer Seiko.
Case back absolutely unopened. No scratch from case-back opener. I do not have the case back opener so I cannot open it to take a photo of the movement. My watchmaker has opened the case back of the one I keep for myself to check the movement. This is why I can see the movement is like new as described above.
For more information about Orient movement and Orient, check Dan’s renowned webpage: http://watches.zsebehazy.com/orient_movements.htm
Bracelet: Width: 18mm. All original. Stainless Steel. Signed ‘Orient’ with logo on clap. It is longer than normal size for Asian market. Can fit normal to thick wrist.
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I am a keen collector of Seiko, Orient and several Swiss brands. This Orient, I can honestly say, is a rare find and 100% mint. Experienced members may know original NOS do not come with boxes. 'Original' watch boxes in those days were all ordered by sole agents in different countries respectively. This was precisely the state the watches left the factory in 1970s: with the Orient tag, packed in simple Orient plastic bags. It's the same for the Swiss NOS I bought before. It was not sensible to send so many boxes from Switzerland and Japan to all over the world.
Price: Euro 80-
Shipping: Euro 12- Registered airmail to Germany, Austria, Switzerland or other parts of the world with receipt and reference number (i.e. International signed-for mail). I make sure it will reach you safely. Professional packing. Watch is in Hong Kong. Around 6-8 working days to Europe.
When I sell, I make sure my description AND photos are honest and accurate. References available from buyers of this Orient from me from different states in the USA. Sold one to New York State last week. Took 5 working days by airmail from Hong Kong to New York State. Below is from his email on Oct. 5:
“They just arrived at 2pm..my time and they are beautiful.....They arrived safe and sound and so lovely....! The Green One is Like beautiful Jade...and the white one is soo Classy...
I think I want two more for my son in law....Are they Available...?
Accept Paypal. No extra charge. Glad to provide more photos. For any question or more photos, please email me anytime: [email protected]
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A truly rare model of Orient's legendary “AAA” serial, unlike the vintage ★★★ Orient models you can find now. You may know Orient’s AAA series is more superior (movement grade) and finer (materials) than the more common ★★★ series. Selling prices for AAA Orient were higher than ★★★ Orient in the old days indeed. I have checked for days. Cannot find this type of AAA anywhere else in online auctions and in all major watch trading forums. Please feel free to check this.
Insert image:
100% Made in Japan. Whole watch original and intact. With original Orient tag and original Orient plastic factory bag. This bag is a proof that it is genuine N.O.S. right out from factory to the watch shop. To save space and transport cost, watch factories almost never ship watches in watch boxes. Boxes are ordered separately by local sole agents.
The movement is the 'WC' Grade Orient Movement. I cannot see this from the Orient Movement Database by Dan and Adriano. FYI: Dan is famous as a devoted Orient fan. Adriano is a heavy-weight authority for Seiko, especially for their movement structures, as he is a superb watchmaker himself.
Insert image:
How to Judge Orient Watch Grades?
"The two letters found on the case and dial of each Orient watch designate the movement grade. Here is a partial list of grades... Although there are many grade designations, there seem to be only three major grades. This info is from a 2001 catalog. Thanks to Adriano from SCWF, who posted this info."
Source: http://watches.zsebehazy.com/orient_movements.htm
FC, EG : +10~-5 sec / day
FA, EX, FE, ER, EM : +25~-15 sec / day
PF, NR : +40~-30 sec / day
My Small Finding:
I read this table very very carefully. You can realise the critical letter is the second one, NOT the first one. The second letter is crucial to decide the grade of the movement. The same first letter can mean different grades, like F and E. But the second letter dictates the real grade. You cannot find the same second letter appearing in two or three grades. Therefore, I believe the 'WC' would be the same highest grade. Judge this yourself of course.
Insert image:
Faceted Genuine Crystal
If you are over 40 and remember the 1970s well, you should know the faceted crystal well.
Insert image:
Insert image:
Insert image:
Insert image:
Insert image:
Insert image:
This faceted crystal is superbly cut into 9 surfaces. Each surface creates deflection at a certain angle, resulting in a light effect of layers of patchwork. Very beautiful under light. Your eyes will agree they are much more beautiful than in the photos.
My veteran watchmaker pointed out 2 things:
1. This mineral crystal is genuine crystal, NOT common glass crystal as glass cannot withstand the compact force in cutting these facet surfaces. This is exactly why ‘Crystal’ is printed in italic on the dial.
2. Facet mineral watch glass crystal was popular during early 1970s. Orient, Seiko and a number of Swiss watch manufacturers all made watches with facet crystal.
Insert image:
Insert image:
All watch maunfacturers stopped using such facet mineral crystal after late 1970s because of:
A. Complicated cutting procedures using optical equipment to cut it + very accurate reflection calculation in optics. It similar to cutting lens for eyeglasses, camera and medical equipment
B. Much higher material cost. This piece of natural crystal to be much thicker than the normal ones so that it can go through 9 times to cutting to create 9 surfaces.
C. High wastage rate: A much higher than usual wastage rate
Watch companies cut cost from 1980s. This piece of crystal costs 4-5 times of a common flat crystal of the same material. No doubt we have not seen this kind of facet mineral on watches since 1980s.
A fine piece of crystal in itself.
Dial: Silver sunburst dial. Orient AAA Crystal 21 Jewels. Spotless.
Dial Number: 8K-46946407-WTIT.
Lamination of the hour/minute hands and the hour spots are amazingly strong and fresh! Can feel this even under normal lighting.
This dial is rarely found today, even used ones. I have searched all past transactions in this forum and the Bay. Cannot see another one. Not to mention in N.O.S. state.
Date/Day: Date/Day wheels are made of steel in the old style. Not plastic as in modern Seiko or Swatch now.
Display design in older Orient design. Mon1, Tue2, Wed3, Thu4, Fri5, Sat6, Sun* Sunday in red, others in black. In both English and Chinese. Day/Date change is the slow style from 23:00 to 03:00.
Movement: Mint 469640. Like new from factory. Automatic 21 Jewels. Date-Day. WC Grade. Push the button at 2 o’clock to quick-set weekday. Running strong and accurately.
The movement is amazingly clean and working properly. This is very important for a N.O.S. as it does not have the oily dirt resulted by dried lubrication oil. NO rust or corrosion absolutely.
Case: Width: 37mm, excluding crown. Lug to lug: 42 mm. Lug width: 18 mm
All stainless steel. Extremely fine brushed finishing.
Crown: Original. Recess crown.
Case Back: Signed Orient. Marked ‘Water Resistant, All Stainless Steel’. Model number: 469640-7J. Serial number: 61174. Still with the original transparent protective sticker and the original hologram Orient sticker. Sticker marked 1EM1U0 02WC. Same number printed on the Orient tag.
Insert image:
Insert image:
Insert image:
Look at the photos showing the case back closely. This case back is much more elaborated than the newer Orient. Yes, this case back pattern suggests this Orient is 100% Made in Japan from the past. Same as older and newer Seiko.
Case back absolutely unopened. No scratch from case-back opener. I do not have the case back opener so I cannot open it to take a photo of the movement. My watchmaker has opened the case back of the one I keep for myself to check the movement. This is why I can see the movement is like new as described above.
For more information about Orient movement and Orient, check Dan’s renowned webpage: http://watches.zsebehazy.com/orient_movements.htm
Bracelet: Width: 18mm. All original. Stainless Steel. Signed ‘Orient’ with logo on clap. It is longer than normal size for Asian market. Can fit normal to thick wrist.
Insert image:
I am a keen collector of Seiko, Orient and several Swiss brands. This Orient, I can honestly say, is a rare find and 100% mint. Experienced members may know original NOS do not come with boxes. 'Original' watch boxes in those days were all ordered by sole agents in different countries respectively. This was precisely the state the watches left the factory in 1970s: with the Orient tag, packed in simple Orient plastic bags. It's the same for the Swiss NOS I bought before. It was not sensible to send so many boxes from Switzerland and Japan to all over the world.
Price: Euro 80-
Shipping: Euro 12- Registered airmail to Germany, Austria, Switzerland or other parts of the world with receipt and reference number (i.e. International signed-for mail). I make sure it will reach you safely. Professional packing. Watch is in Hong Kong. Around 6-8 working days to Europe.
When I sell, I make sure my description AND photos are honest and accurate. References available from buyers of this Orient from me from different states in the USA. Sold one to New York State last week. Took 5 working days by airmail from Hong Kong to New York State. Below is from his email on Oct. 5:
“They just arrived at 2pm..my time and they are beautiful.....They arrived safe and sound and so lovely....! The Green One is Like beautiful Jade...and the white one is soo Classy...
I think I want two more for my son in law....Are they Available...?
Accept Paypal. No extra charge. Glad to provide more photos. For any question or more photos, please email me anytime: [email protected]
