Is the Orient Bambino still the best affordable dress watch?

You know, I am not sure if you can find a lower price dress watch with an in-house movement, but there are other dress watch options under $200 that definitely offer competition for the Bambino. Some of them come from microbrands, but Orient also offers other great dress watch options in that price range; the Sun and Moon, the Maestro, the Monarch, and other dress watch options, including an open-heart Bambino, that all can be had for around $160-$170 or less.

They would be perfect at 38mm.

It's pretty difficult to do better than the Bambino for a cheap, well made dress watch.

Yes

I think the only real competition for the Bambino comes from some of the Seiko Essentials, but Orient still takes the cake. 

I started my collection with this very Bambino and still have it...... it is truly striking...... my Bambino keeps my humble and grounded in that horology is not all about Rolex, Tudor and the Omega etc. Seiko, Orient, Casio and others deserve respect as the high end Brands. I do love high end stuff, but I also love my 2 Bambino's also :)

I would to that and say that Orient similar to Citizen and Bulova are in the bracket of their own. A lot of these brands offer great value WITH in-house movements whereas some of these small microbrands and independent brands offer niche specs for example NOVE coming out with their crazy version of what I would call a "Reverso on crack" with their Gemini Collection.  As long as Orient and these similar brands keep listening to their customers and perfect their watches, they will stay on top. But what the heck do I know haha...

Love this. This was also my second follow-up to what really got me hooked into watches. It may not always be my most worn watch but the sentimental value alone helps keep it in rotation haha. 

Great alternatives in their own space. Great call out!

A nerd like us could dream... Although the newer Bambino Small Seconds does have me wondering if I should cop one. May scratch my itch for the Omega Aqua Tera Small Seconds (MAY).

hello, im also wering bambino v3. its a lovely watch for formal purpose. whats your dresswatch microbrands recommendation for that pricepoint? 

Hmm from a mechanical stand point it gets a bit difficult. I think a great contestar to this would have to be the  Seagull 1963, if We’re talking about a well made mechanical watch with some heritage and a great starting point to trigger this crazy obsession we call a hobby 😂. I do Know a brand that may be viable, but I believe they stopped making these watches. The brand is called Duku and Co based out of Chicago. Solid specs and a stunner of a watch. I personally own one and the build quality is great and presentation value is through the roof. I will be reviewing it shortly. Here is the alternative model though selling for much under what I paid: https://dukuandco.com/collections/the-homage-collection/products/homage-black-ops

i check on them, it is beautiful👍. not a fan of the black case though, and why is it called homage series 😂

Yeah not a fan of the black case either haha. I had the blue strap version. Apparently they were pulling inspiration from other watches but no direct copy. not sure I’m in love with that name either Haha.

True, my Bambino is great but for a dresser it could be a bit smaller.

Coming from someone who has never held either, I think I prefer the Maestro...

They do have a 36mm bambino, which flew under the radar I suppose.

I have a Seagull 1963 and seriously consider getting the cream Bambino, it is absolutely stunning.