Has Orient killed off the Tristar line?
I have not seen any Tristar watches on the Orient page in a while and sellers seem to be becoming harder to find. Has Orient killed the line off? Did I miss the news being announced? My google skills may be lacking as I cannot find a definitive answer.
I thought that maybe they where revamping and that is why I was not finding anything but it has been some time now, at least 6 months I think.
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Kevin
Welcome to my WatchCrunch profile.
Virginia, USA
Member since
Last active: 1 min ago
7.20” / 18.29 cm
Watches are often discontinued without much fanfair. The Orient Tristar seemed to me like a less attractive brother of the old Seiko 5... there might be a revival coming, but there were five years between the old 5 discontinuation and release of their revamo.
Watches are often discontinued without much fanfair. The Orient Tristar seemed to me like a less attractive brother of the old Seiko 5... there might be a revival coming, but there were five years between the old 5 discontinuation and release of their revamo.
I can see that. I will admit most of the lineup did not interest me, but every line seems to always have at least one interesting watch, I way more surprised as I thought it was a good line to get people started with.
I can see that. I will admit most of the lineup did not interest me, but every line seems to always have at least one interesting watch, I way more surprised as I thought it was a good line to get people started with.
True. I remember, there was a small red dial frenzy a year or two ago, when people in my local FB group hunted for red dial Tristars, them being the first to become rare.
So perhaps they've been discontinued for longer and a relaunch is coming sooner...unless Orient have different plans.
True. I remember, there was a small red dial frenzy a year or two ago, when people in my local FB group hunted for red dial Tristars, them being the first to become rare.
So perhaps they've been discontinued for longer and a relaunch is coming sooner...unless Orient have different plans.
I guess part of the fun of this hobby is the speculation. I just do not get why brand abandon the entry point of the market. I would think you go for hook them in when they start and move them up the ladder would be the best model for sustainability.
I guess part of the fun of this hobby is the speculation. I just do not get why brand abandon the entry point of the market. I would think you go for hook them in when they start and move them up the ladder would be the best model for sustainability.
Seems like they have the stats...
My guess is the entry level is being overtaken by Chinese brands and the Japanese can't or won't compete on price. They can only go upmarket.
Japanese person: "What a wonderful watch. Would be an awful shame if I... stopped producing it."
It seems they must have discontinued them. I know the last time I was on OrientUSA website they had them but now they are gone. I didn't like most of them but I have one green dial TriStar that I love. There were a couple more I wouldn't mind owning.
Seems like they have the stats...
My guess is the entry level is being overtaken by Chinese brands and the Japanese can't or won't compete on price. They can only go upmarket.
You are probably right on this. We do see it in other industries as well.
Japanese person: "What a wonderful watch. Would be an awful shame if I... stopped producing it."
That is how it seems.
It seems they must have discontinued them. I know the last time I was on OrientUSA website they had them but now they are gone. I didn't like most of them but I have one green dial TriStar that I love. There were a couple more I wouldn't mind owning.
I do not own any but am looking for quality entry watches for others and they had come to mind. Trying to stay with brands that have a history under $250 USD. Want them to be comfortable getting into the hobby. Micros and Aliexpress are great for collecting but I am reluctant to recommend to a newbie.
I am not entirely sure but I do think the Tristar has never really had a proper online presence in their websites or in their official lineup in western countries. The Tristar was launched back in the 70's, I believe, to offer cheap and robust mechanical watches for developing countries and areas where fresh batteries for quartz watches were hard to find back in the day.
So, the Tristar was actually never aimed at our western market to begin with. At least not officially.
I have no evidence but I wouldn't say it's discontinued though. They have also slightly updated the Tristar design roughly about the same time the Seiko 5 was relaunched some years ago.
I am not entirely sure but I do think the Tristar has never really had a proper online presence in their websites or in their official lineup in western countries. The Tristar was launched back in the 70's, I believe, to offer cheap and robust mechanical watches for developing countries and areas where fresh batteries for quartz watches were hard to find back in the day.
So, the Tristar was actually never aimed at our western market to begin with. At least not officially.
I have no evidence but I wouldn't say it's discontinued though. They have also slightly updated the Tristar design roughly about the same time the Seiko 5 was relaunched some years ago.
Interesting, I know a year or so ago on Orient-USA they had a section for them, I know the lineup was not huge but still it was there and now it is gone and retailer pages are coming up with no inventory listed.
Interesting, I know a year or so ago on Orient-USA they had a section for them, I know the lineup was not huge but still it was there and now it is gone and retailer pages are coming up with no inventory listed.
That is weird indeed. I'm also wondering what their plan might be, maybe a possible relaunch to compete with the Seiko 5 ? That would be great.
But on the other hand there are plenty of Tristars available used. I enjoy hunting down the ones with interesting dials.
The Tristars seem to have been huge in former Soviet countries and eastern Europe, there's plenty of them available from Ukraine.
That is weird indeed. I'm also wondering what their plan might be, maybe a possible relaunch to compete with the Seiko 5 ? That would be great.
But on the other hand there are plenty of Tristars available used. I enjoy hunting down the ones with interesting dials.
The Tristars seem to have been huge in former Soviet countries and eastern Europe, there's plenty of them available from Ukraine.
Thanks for the info. I will keep that in mind. My biggest issue is for a newbie in particular I try to steer toward a new watch or at least one bought from a watchmaker that has serviced the watch and warranties the work. For the Tristar line that service could make the watch to expensive.
Decided to wear my 2008 Tristar today.
Decided to wear my 2008 Tristar today.
That is an outstanding looking example and the kind of watch they need to keep around in a few sizes and dial options!
Ever since Epson fully took over Orient (2017), they've slowly been phasing the TriStar line out and branding as just Orient and Orient Star. I think it's a smart decision.
Ever since Epson fully took over Orient (2017), they've slowly been phasing the TriStar line out and branding as just Orient and Orient Star. I think it's a smart decision.
I can see your point. I just hope that buffer being deleted is the catalyst to all the watches taking a jump in price.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=orient+tristar+watch&_sacat=0&rt=nc&LH_ItemCondition=1000