Deep Dive: The Orient Kamasu Automatic Japanese Dive Watch
Luxury watches might be all the rage these days, but affordable automatic watches are also getting trendy in recent years with Japanese brands leading the charge. Among the standouts in this category is the Orient Kamasu, a timepiece that offers an impressive array of features and quality at a wallet-friendly price point.
It was released to great critical acclaim, with it even being hailed as a multi-generational keeper by some publications - perhaps not because of its appeal as an investment watch but because the watch is just robust enough to last until you can pass it on to your children. With a premise like that, this watch is indeed something that’s hard to miss.
Background on Orient and the Kamasu
Orient Watch Company is a subsidiary of Seiko and has been producing mechanical watches since 1950. The brand is renowned for its commitment to craftsmanship and value, with a lineup that caters to various budgets and styles. The Kamasu sits within Orient's sports watch collection, boasting a dive watch-inspired design and a robust in-house automatic movement.
Source: @thepartyoforient on IG
Key specifications of the Kamasu include a 41.8mm stainless steel case, a 200m water resistance rating, and a hacking and hand-winding automatic caliber with a power reserve of approximately 40 hours - all the right details for a diver of this caliber.
Design and Aesthetics
The Kamasu's design strikes a perfect balance between functionality and style. The case features a combination of brushed and polished surfaces similar to the SKX007, lending it a rugged yet refined appearance depending on which angle you view it from. The unidirectional bezel with a lumed insert adds to the watch's tool-watch aesthetic.
Source: @watchloverpr on IG
The dial is where the Kamasu truly shines. Available in various colorways, including a striking red sunburst variant, the dials feature intricate textures and patterns that play with light beautifully. The applied indices and handset are generously coated with luminous material, ensuring excellent legibility in low-light conditions. In addition, the watch comes with a sapphire crystal right out the box for a perfect view of the watch face.
The Kamasu is offered with either a solid oyster-style bracelet or a rubber strap, both of which contribute to its versatility and wearability across various occasions.
Movement and Performance
Powering the Kamasu is Orient's in-house caliber F6922, a reliable and robust automatic movement. This workhorse movement offers a smooth winding experience at 21,600bph and impressive timekeeping accuracy within the range of +25/-15 seconds per day.
Source: A Blog to Watch
With a power reserve of approximately 40 hours, the Kamasu provides ample runtime off the wrist, making it a practical daily wearer. Moreover, the movement's hacking and hand-winding capabilities add to its convenience and user-friendliness.
Value Proposition
One of the Orient Kamasu's most compelling aspects is its value proposition. Easily accessible and priced well around $350 for most variants, the Kamasu delivers a feature set and quality level that punches well above its weight class.
Compared to similarly specced watches from more established Swiss or Japanese brands, the Kamasu offers an exceptional bang for the buck. Its solid construction, reliable movement, and versatile design make it a compelling choice for enthusiasts seeking a capable and stylish automatic watch without breaking the bank.
Can you mod a Kamasu?
Source: @codigorelojero on IG
Despite all the hype from the previous sections, we’re afraid the Kamasu (otherwise known as the Mako 3) is not a very good choice for the modding community as compatible parts for it are few and far between. This may be a bit of a puzzler for some people, as the first 2 generations, the Mako 1 and Mako 2, can at the very least be modified with a bezel adapter that allows them to fit SKX007 bezel inserts.
If you still want to change its looks, you can still swap out the bracelet for one of our straight end stainless steel bracelets with universal fitment, or perhaps a rubber strap.
Wrap Up
If you’re just looking for a desk diver that you can wear to the office and bring to the beach on the occasional outing, the Orient Kamasu is going to deliver affordable excellence to your collection. With its robust specifications, eye-catching aesthetics, and impressive value proposition, the Kamasu has rightfully earned a place in the hearts of watch enthusiasts worldwide.
While our Orient Watch Mod Parts may not work for the Kamasu, we still have some interesting mods that you may want to look at if you own an Orient Ray 1, Ray 2, Mako 1 or Mako 2. Check out our adapter bezels that will allow you to fit your watch with SKX007 style bezel inserts, opening it up to hundreds of already existing parts that will have a great impact on the look of the watch with even just one swap.
Happy modding!