WWR #33: Orient Flight ref ER2A003B Pilot Watch

Looking for your first pilot watch?  One of our favorite watch brands from Japan, Orient, has just release a new Pilot watch. And this ain't like the previous "Aviator" watch where it didn't look nearly anywhere in the cockpit of a flying machine.  This is actually the first Japanes Branded Pilot watch that is very true to the original Beobachtungs-uhr which meant Observation Watch of the Germans way back in World War II.  It even has the dial Type B of a B-uhr watch.

When I first saw this, I just couldn't believe it had an Orient badge on it.  One would assume it to be photoshopped but no, this appears on Orient's website under the model number ER2A003B.  I then did a fist pump as I have dreamt for a bang for the buck pilot watch for years and Orient has answered my prayers.

The watch comes with a 48743 in house movement which I would suspect to be a workhorse automatic watch that will have no winding or hacking function.  This is the same movement as their popular Bambino.  Honestly, I never felt the need for a winding/hacking function especially Orient watches were the second hand instantly runs even as I pick-up the watch.

Another great thing about this watch is YES it has a date window at 3 o'clock marker.  Usually, B-uhr inspired watches don't have this, and is the deal breaker for me for not purchasing them.  A big plus for Orient.

And, for collectors, this comes with lots of colors to choose from.  Personally, I liked the classice black dial stainless steel version, the PVD black dial version and the blue dialed stainless steel version (a great first blue dial watch if ever you don't have one yet).  The blue dial seems to come with a brown leather strap, contrasting but matching color combination.  

Here are some specs from Orient's site.

Mechanical Movement : ORIENT caliber 48743 Made in Japan
Self-winding movement
21 jewels
21,600/hour vibrations
Date indicator

Stainless steel case
Crystal glass
Screw caseback, Screwed-down crown
Genuine leather strap
Water resistant to 100m
Diameter 42.00mm
Thickness 11.65mm


I haven't seen this watch in the metal yet nor have I seen any live pictures of it.  This was just practically released just a few weeks ago and I believe SOT featured this first.  I have no word on pricing yet and haven't found any for sale yet but I'm pretty sure this will be around $150-$200 price range which is pretty affordable.  Will update you guys if I have further information on this, for now, this is SOT's Weekly Watch Recom #33.

Recent updates everyone, Orient Flight has now landed in Long Island.



Available for $159 here.