Introducing the Orient Stretto: A 75th Anniversary Collection
2025 marks a major milestone for Orient. Seventy-five years ago, in 1950, the Tokyo-based company launched its first watches under the Orient name, quickly establishing itself as a brand that built robust in-house mechanical movements at prices enthusiasts could actually afford. From early icons like the Orient Star to modern cult pieces such as the Bambino, Orient has consistently managed to balance mechanical credibility with real-world value.
That heritage continues today. Now part of the Epson/Seiko group but still producing its own calibres in Japan, Orient has chosen its 75th anniversary not to look back, but to look forward — with the launch of an entirely new line: the Stretto.
Design Language
Stretto is introduced within Orient’s Contemporary Collection, and it’s more than just another case style. The design is rooted in architectural ideas: wedge-shaped indices that suggest skyscrapers, curved arcs that echo skylines, and clean proportions that make the watch wear modern without abandoning traditional elegance. The name itself, Stretto, is borrowed from music, meaning a quickening of the tempo — a fitting nod for a company that has steadily built momentum for three-quarters of a century.
The Anniversary Models
Two limited editions headline the launch, each carrying commemorative details: a 1950s cursive Orient logo, a grey sunburst dial with orange highlights, and a numbered caseback engraved for the 75th year. All are powered by F6-series movements, offering automatic winding, hand-winding, hacking, and ~40 hours of reserve.
Stretto Date (RA-AC0R04N30B) – At 38.5 mm, this is the cleanest and most balanced of the set. A simple three-hand with date at 3 o’clock, it showcases the new design language without complication. Individually numbered out of 2,900 pieces.
Stretto Sun & Moon (RA-AK0311N30B) – Larger at 41.5 mm, this version introduces a pointer-day and a sun-and-moon display for added visual depth. Limited to 2,500 pieces.
Each of these anniversary pieces arrives on a steel H-link bracelet with sapphire crystal front and exhibition back.
The New Stretto Date Collection
The Stretto isn’t just a commemorative exercise; Orient has placed it firmly in the core catalogue with three Date models. These share the same 38.5 mm case, sapphire crystal, and F6722 automatic movement as the Date LE — but with their own distinct dials and finishes.
- RA-AC0R01S30B – White dial with gold-tone accents, refined and dress-oriented.
- RA-AC0R02L30B – Blue sunburst, paired with steel bracelet. This is a WatchNation Exclusive colourway in the UK, not available through other authorised retailers.
- RA-AC0R03Y30B – Brown dial with gilt accents, delivered on a quick-release leather strap.
Why the Stretto Matters
For 75 years, Orient has been defined by access: mechanical, in-house watchmaking that doesn’t price enthusiasts out. The Stretto captures that ethos. It’s not a nostalgic reissue, nor an overcomplicated flagship — it’s a new daily-wear platform with the right proportions, durable spec, and just enough detail to reward close inspection.
The limited editions mark the anniversary with subtle cues rather than overstatement, while the regular production models ensure the design will live on in the collection. The fact that Orient chose to launch an entirely new line at its 75th year tells you something about its confidence in the future.
At a Glance: Stretto Collection Specs
Production: Limited Edition counts – 2,900 (Date), 2,500 (Sun & Moon), Standard production continues for White/Gold, Blue (WatchNation Exclusive), and Brown/Gilt.
Case sizes: 38.5 mm Date / 41.5 mm Sun & Moon
Movements: F6722 (Date) / F6B24 (Sun & Moon)
Crystal: Sapphire
Caseback: Exhibition, numbered on anniversary editions
Power reserve: ~40 h
Water resistance: 50m
Final Thoughts
For enthusiasts, the Stretto is exactly what you’d hope to see at a milestone year: new design language, credible mechanical spec, and restrained but thoughtful anniversary editions. Whether you lean toward the classic proportions of the Date or the complication of the Sun & Moon, Orient’s 75th anniversary collection feels like an investment in the next chapter rather than a rerun of the past.
Discover the New Orient Collection here.
