The Casual Side of a Dress Watch
In October of 2022, I picked up this 38mm Bambino in the white dial variant. I went with this colorway because this watch was definitely checking the “dress watch” category for me.
And while I have been very pleased with this watch, I wasn’t as pleased with the strap that it came with and replaced it with the Italian Vintage Epsom leather strap from Vario.
With this new strap, I also wanted to “dress down” this dress watch just a bit so that it could be worn in more casual settings since it was sitting in drawer only to be worn for the few times a dress watch was appropriate.
Nevertheless, even with the added sportiness of the white stitching, it’s hard to dress down a black/white colorway.
It seemed like the beige/cream variant of this watch was a better fit for that casual jeans/sweater look with its toned-down dial and blue-colored hands.
Perhaps many others thought the same thing as the price for this particular model was much higher (at times as much as $100 or more) than what I had paid for the white dial version and held its price steadily over the last year or so.
Now, with the recent release of Orient’s newest generation of the 38mm Bambino (Limited Edition), this 38mm version is now yesterday’s news.
And you know what that means… Price Drop!
So I headed over to Jomashop’s winter sale and got this Bambino for just over $200 (w/tax).
And already being familiar with the low-quality strap that comes with the Bambino, and being satisfied with the previous Vario strap I placed on the other Bambino, I ordered this Espresso-colored strap from Vario (pictured below) which I think should go nicely with this watch.
So, I’ve already strayed from my 2024 watch buying strategy which is to stop buying multiples of watches that I already own (i.e., Promasters, Duros or the Casio MRW-200H and now, the Bambino). 🤪
However, I do see this watch being in the rotation much more than the white dial version and filling the “void” for a dress watch that leans towards the casual side of a dress watch in contrast to the much more formal black/white colorway.
I’ll post some pics (with the new strap) when it arrives.
Buying multiples of the same watch you like and enjoy for colorways is I think pretty common. On the lower end, probably perfectly fine - and fun angle of collecting. But I think you are right to not wanting that to become a habit - as diversity will bring more options and greater enjoyment. Using the changing of straps is a great way to make a single watch more versatile and refreshed.
The above is just a lot of words to say - I think you are collecting and enjoying the hobby in a rational and sound way. Well, if collecting watches is rational or sound that is.😄
It’s a top watch the bambino both of your models are great lookers, I love mine I went for the grey dial which is epic. I agree with you though about dress watches, in my world they tend to sit in the watch box until formal days crop up!
I guess that’s because I love the style of divers/ sport watches
It’s a top watch the bambino both of your models are great lookers, I love mine I went for the grey dial which is epic. I agree with you though about dress watches, in my world they tend to sit in the watch box until formal days crop up!
I guess that’s because I love the style of divers/ sport watches
That’s a great-looking colorway. I’m committed to getting the Bambino more wrist time in 2024. 👍
That’s a great-looking colorway. I’m committed to getting the Bambino more wrist time in 2024. 👍
They are super comfortable to wear and a pleasure for the eyes!
Enjoy it Bob 👍🏻
The new Bambino arrived last night. The new strap from Vario is arriving today. This is going to accomplish what I hoped it would. Especially with the new strap which should tone the whole presentation down even a bit more without that shiny, plasticky, looking strap from Orient.
Original Orient strap
Side-by-side with new Vario strap.
New Espresso brown strap.
A coupla of Bambinos.