Gnomon’s Special Picks: Sports Watch of The Week

So, let's start with the helmet, also grab your water bottle. You really don't want to travel for long periods of time without wearing padded shorts. However, you'll want to wear a watch when getting ready for a bike ride – zipping up your jersey and clipping on your shoes. Instant legibility and long-term durability are needed for a successful one to withstand all-weather conditions and the occasional crash. And if those conditions are met, you will have plenty choices of sport watch.

Here we have picked 4 sports watches you can have on your wrist while running or cycling or any outdoor activity, suited for both men's fashion and women's slender wrists.

Orient Star Sports Watch Semi-Skeleton Black Pwr Rsv Ref. RK-AT0101B & Cappuccino Ref. AT0102Y

The Orient Star Sports Watch Semi-Skeleton Cappuccino Pwr Rsv Ref. RK-AT0101B and Semi-Skeleton Black Power Reserve Ref. RK-AT0101B, their premium Sports Watch range 200m all-rounder with an evergreen classic black bezel and openwork dial theme, were unveiled in 2019 by Orient. 

Case

For starters, the Orient Star Sports Watch Semi Skeleton Cappuccino Power Reserve Ref. RK-AT0102Y features a SUS316L stainless steel case with dimensions of 43.2mm wide, 13.7mm thick, and 49.2mm lug to lug, making it a capable 200m sports watch. Since this is part of Orient's luxury series, the entire case is finished with a byzantine satin-brushed finish, while the back of the watch is completely polished. Even the PVD blackout bezel gets a satin finish, with intricate grooves that create a subtle two-tone effect.

Bezel

The black bezel for the insert is made of aluminum and is set into a SUS316L PVD steel bezel with the ever-important diver's elapsed time markers. It rotates smoothly in an anti-clockwise direction with 120 clicks. The bezel sits nicely on top of the watch, with tight clicky action and a strong feel that you'd expect from a top-of-the-line Orient.

Dial

The Orient Star Sports watch, when viewed through its sapphire crystal, has a coffee sunburst brown backdrop with a mixture of added baton-shaped hour markers and Arabic numbers for the 12, 3, and 6 o clock markers. The fan-shaped power reserve indicator at 12 o'clock, which shows how much juice is left on the watch, distinguishes Orient Star watches from the competition. Thankfully, the dial legibility is excellent even with this complication and their trademark touch of openwork to show the escapement. To support the already legible dial, the semi-skeleton handset has the same color-tone luminous as the hour markers. Finally, the Orient Star logo with the addition of "auto" is placed at the bottom of the dial, providing a more balanced look in coherence with the power reserve indicator on the top.

Movement

The in-house caliber F6R42 is the top-of-the-line automatic movement that can only be used on Orient Star watches. This amazing engine can be found in the Sports Watch Semi-Skeleton Black Pwr Rsv Ref. RK-AT0102Y and Cappuccino Ref. RK-AT0101B. The 22-jewel, 50-hour power reserve F6R42 Automatic beats at 21,600bph with a power reserve indicator at 12 o'clock (somewhat iconic across the entire Orient Star flagship line) and an openwork view of the escapement at 9 o'clock, with a regular tolerance of +25 to -15 seconds per day. One of the best horological movement in an affordable sport watch.

Strap

The sports bracelet goes well with the watch case. The bracelet is well-made, with a satin finish at the top and polished bottom, as well as a double folding clasp. When strapping the Orient Star diver on the wrist, the bracelet folding clasp is signed with the flagship brand logo, ensuring a safe and secure fit.

Overall, the Sports Watch Semi-Skeleton Cappuccino Power Reserve Ref. RK-AT0102Y and Black Ref. RK-AT0102Y sound modern and practical, with a delicate blend of Orient's watchmaking heritage dating back to the 1950s. It is the new "luxury" line all-rounder tool watch under the Orient Star line, and although it may not be cheaper than the other entry-level Orient divers, it is the latest "luxury" line all-rounder tool watch under the top line. The Sports Watch Semi-Skeleton Cappuccino Power Reserve Ref. RK-AT0102Y is as solid and well-made as a JDM Sports model can be. Even with the solid bracelet and 200m water case clad with its unique automatic power reserve caliber, this watch offers a lot for your money, and it is unquestionably a collector's watch. 

Price:

Sports Semi-Skeleton Cappuccino: $714 USD

Sports Semi-Skeleton Black: $714 USD

Seiko Spirit Automatic Sport Black Ref. SZSB015 & Green Ref. SZSB018

Case & Bezel

The Seiko Spirit Automatic Sport Black's and Sports Green's 100m water-resistant, 40mm stainless steel case resembles the previous SARB character at first glance, but it begs to differ. The case has been sharpened, with a more dynamic profile visible from the center of the case and a thicker bezel. Seiko also keeps the lugs to lugs gap at 48mm and the height at 12mm, resulting in a well-balanced overall appearance when worn on the wrist. The 2mm improvement over the previous SARB line gives it more presence, allowing you to enjoy the more exceptional multi-finished case, which is available in both satin-brushed and high polishing finishes. The mirror polished strap and case bezels are a stark contrast to the satin case top, which creates a comfortable case profile. Suited both for professional and casual look.

Crown

The "eagle's beak" crown guard that flanges the knurled crown is another distinguishing characteristic of the Spirit Automatic Sport. The gentle curves of the curving lugs towards the wrist end flush with the screw-in case-back. Oh, and Seiko knocks it out of the park with the drilled lug holes, allowing the wearer to change out their current strap for another of their choosing (as long as its 20mm).

Dial

The Seiko Spirit Automatic Sports watch shines brightly under its first-of-its-kind flat Hardlex crystal with a magnifying Cyclops. The SZSB018 is a first-of-its-kind product that retains some of the charm of the previous SARB017 Alpinist Green. It went in a different direction than the Spirit collection's "dressier" side. From the semi-skeletonized handset to the one-of-a-kind capsule applied markers. The SZSB018 is the more sporty version of their Spirit Automatic Sport line.

Starting with the markers, the sunburst forest green dial has eleven capsule-shaped markers, with the one at 12 o'clock being doubled up. The high polished trims on all of them are almost identical to those on the GS. As lights reached each marker, they created an excellent lustre, which was only enhanced by Seiko's Lumibrite, which glows brightly in the dark for night readability. On the new sword-shaped handset, the same execution can be seen, with one half skeletonized and the other luminous, all in the name of Seiko's finesse. Both the applied index and the handset are hand polished to a high standard using the same GS Zaratsu polishing technique to a greater degree.

The date show, as previously stated, has the beautiful "GS" fat fonts in black on a white background that blends in with the rest of the dial. The numbers will still fill up beautifully, and the "bubble" magnifier will have excellent readability.

Both the applied "Seiko" logo and the texts on the top and bottom of the dial are directly derived from previous SARB versions, which seem to be in keeping with the spirit of its predecessors. Furthermore, the sunburst dial adopts a “GS” concept, dancing in various shades of green depending on the lighting, ranging from subtle deep forest green in low light to incredibly vivid in brighter conditions. All of this is only enhanced by their sporty indices and handset, resulting in tight elevated execution and a pleasing aesthetic.

Movement

Seiko's original 4R35 automatic caliber can be seen inside the Spirit Automatic Sports Watch via the caseback. The 4R35 is a direct replacement for Seiko's long-running 7S26 movement, with only minor changes. The dependable movement has hacking and hand winding capabilities and runs at 21,600 BPH (3 Hertz). It has 23 jewels and a Spron 110 mainspring that provides a power reserve of approximately 41 hours. This amazing timepiece is available on Gnomon Store.

Price: $494 USD