If you're into watches, you already know the magic of Orient. They deliver that perfect sweet spot: high-quality mechanical movements, timeless designs, and prices that don't make you wince. For anyone who appreciates classic style and solid craftsmanship without the luxury markup, Orient is a go-to.
But when you're ready to expand your collection, where do you look? Don't worry, the watch world is full of incredible brands that hit that same mark. For those who love Orient’s commitment to quality and value, here are 19 similar watch brands worth checking out.
As Orient's fellow Japanese powerhouse, Seiko is the most natural alternative. They are famous for their in-house movements and impeccable reliability, offering everything from iconic affordable divers like the SKX line to elegant dress watches in their Presage collection. Seiko’s range is broader than Orient’s, with prices stretching from under $100 into the thousands.
If you love Orient's build quality but want more variety in design and technology, such as the Spring Drive, or even a step up in finishing, exploring Seiko is a must. Think of them as Orient's bigger, more adventurous sibling who still shares the same family values of quality and craftsmanship.
Shop now at seikowatches.com
Another titan of Japanese watchmaking, Citizen is best known for its revolutionary Eco-Drive technology, where watches are powered by any light source. This makes them a fantastic "set it and forget it" option for daily wear. Their collections include rugged sports watches and classic dress pieces, often at a similar price point to Orient.
While Orient is beloved for its commitment to traditional automatic movements, Citizen shines with its focus on cutting-edge, low-maintenance tech. If you appreciate Japanese reliability but prefer the grab-and-go convenience of a solar-powered watch, Citizen is your perfect match.
Shop now at citizenwatch.com
Welcome to the world of accessible Swiss watchmaking. Tissot is often called the "Swiss Orient" because it offers incredible value, classic designs, and reliable automatic movements, all with the cachet of being Swiss-made. Their collections, especially the Le Locle and Gentleman lines, have a similar elegant vibe to Orient's Bambino dress watches.
With prices generally in the $300-$700 range, Tissot is a fantastic entry point into the Swiss watch scene. It’s an ideal choice if you want to graduate from Japanese value to Swiss precision without a massive jump in cost.
Shop now at tissotwatches.com
If you're looking for bold designs and couldn't care less about subtlety, Invicta might be for you. Known for their statement-making, often oversized watches, Invicta produces timepieces that are impossible to ignore. Many of their models, like the popular Pro Diver, offer designs inspired by luxury classics at a very low price, typically between $80-$500.
While Orient focuses on understated, classic aesthetics, Invicta is all about getting noticed. If you admire Orient's value but want a watch that's loud, proud, and unapologetically flashy, Invicta delivers big style on a small budget.
Shop now at invictastores.com
Stuhrling is for the watch lover who appreciates mechanical artistry. They are best known for their eye-catching skeleton and open-heart designs that let you see the intricate workings of the movement. This brand makes the mechanics of the watch the star of the show.
While Orient often keeps its reliable movements hidden behind a classic dial, Stuhrling puts them front and center. With a similar affordable price point ($100-$500), it's a great option for someone who wants an automatic watch that’s also a conversation piece.
Shop now at stuhrling.com
For the die-hard Orient fan looking for an upgrade, there's Orient Star. This is Orient's premium line, featuring more sophisticated movements, higher-end finishing, and more complex designs, such as power reserve indicators and moon phases. It's the same brand DNA you love, just elevated.
With prices ranging from $500 to $1,500, Orient Star offers a luxury experience without the Swiss luxury price tag. Think of it as Orient in a tuxedo - sharper, more refined, and ready for a special occasion.
Shop now at orientwatchusa.com/collections/orient-star
With deep American roots, Bulova has a rich history of innovation, including the creation of the ultra-precise Accutron movement. Today, they offer a diverse catalog of watches that blend vintage-inspired aesthetics with modern flair, priced from around $150 to $600. Their automatic pieces, in particular, compete directly with Orient on quality and style.
Bulova stands out for its unique blend of classic designs and boundary-pushing technology, like their proprietary high-frequency quartz movements. They're a great choice if you appreciate Orient’s reliability but want a watch with a distinctly American design story and a touch of modern tech.
Shop now at bulova.com
Think of Frederique Constant as your next step into affordable Swiss luxury. Their tagline is "Accessible Luxury," and they live up to it by crafting beautiful, traditionally styled Swiss watches with in-house movements at a price point well below the big names. They specialize in clean, classic dress watches with elegant details.
While still more expensive than Orient at $700-$2,500, they offer a huge step up in refinement and brand prestige for a manageable price. If you’ve fallen in love with Orient’s classic watches and are ready to invest in a true Swiss timepiece, Frederique Constant is the brand for you.
Shop now at frederiqueconstant.com
With its Swiss precision and American spirit, Hamilton has carved out a unique space in the watch world. They are celebrated for their rugged field watches and military-inspired designs, as well as their cool, retro pieces. You've probably seen their watches in countless Hollywood movies.
Hamilton and Orient both offer exceptional value for automatic watches, but Hamilton leans more into a tougher, utilitarian aesthetic. If you're drawn to Orient's sporty models but want something with more heritage in aviation and military history, Hamilton’s watches are built to perform and look great doing it.
Shop now at hamiltonwatch.com
For a watch that is quirky, charming, and built like a tank, look no further than Vostok. This Russian brand is famous for its "Amphibia" dive watches, which are incredibly durable, functional, and ridiculously affordable (often under $150). Their designs are unapologetically functional and have a cool vintage military vibe.
Vostok and Orient share a commitment to producing tough, in-house mechanical movements on a budget. But where Orient offers elegance, Vostok offers utilitarian grit. If you want a fun, near-indestructible beater watch with a compelling backstory, Vostok is an unbeatable choice.
Shop now at vostok-inc.com
Owned by Seiko, Lorus is a brand focused on delivering reliable and stylish watches at an extremely accessible price, usually under $100. They focus primarily on quartz movements but offer a range of no-frills automatic watches that are perfect for a first-time buyer or someone needing an inexpensive daily watch.
While Lorus doesn't have the same mechanical prestige as Orient, it shares the same dedication to dependability, backed by the power of Seiko. It's an excellent choice for a budget-friendly and worry-free timepiece.
Shop now at lorus.com
As part of the Swatch group, Mido leverages deep resources to create high-quality Swiss watches that often fly under the radar. Mido is known for its elegant, architecturally-inspired designs and for using high-specced automatic movements, including some that are certified for their accuracy (COSC).
Mido competes more directly with Hamilton and Tissot, placing it a clear step above Orient in price ($700 - $1,500) and movement quality. If you want to move upmarket from Orient to a brand known for its technical performance and timeless design, Mido is an intelligent choice.
Shop now at midowatches.com
For the sportier Orient fan, Alpina makes "Alpinist" watches designed for the great outdoors. This Swiss brand delivers adventure-ready timepieces that are rugged, highly legible, and packed with features like chronographs and high water resistance. Think of them as purpose-built tools that also happen to look fantastic.
While Orient has capable sports watches, Alpina specializes in this department, offering a more premium and technical tool watch experience. If your tastes lean toward aviation or diving, and you're willing to invest in Swiss engineering, Alpina is a great fit.
Shop now at alpinawatches.com
Dan Henry is a microbrand tailor-made for lovers of vintage watches. The brand recreates iconic watch designs from the 1930s to the 1970s, offering that classic retro aesthetic with the reliability of modern movements, usually for under $500. Each model is inspired by a specific historical watch and produced as a limited edition.
Like Orient, Dan Henry delivers fantastic nostalgic style at an unbeatable price point. If you gravitate toward the vintage charm of the Orient Bambino collection but crave more variety in historical designs, Dan Henry's entire catalog will feel like a playground.
Shop now at danhenrywatches.com
Representing the best of affordable Chinese watchmaking, Cadisen offers dressy and minimalist automatic watches at prices that are almost hard to believe, often between $100 and $300. Many of their designs take cues from classic Swiss styles, all powered by reliable workhorse movements, making them fantastic value propositions.
Cadisen is a great alternative if your top priority is getting an automatic movement with a classic look for the lowest possible price. It’s an ideal way to explore mechanical watches without a significant financial commitment, much like Orient is for many newcomers.
Shop now at cadisenwatch.com
Steinhart is a beloved German brand that uses Swiss movements to create high-quality dive, pilot, and vintage-style watches. They are famous for offering impeccable build quality, sapphire crystals, and robust movements for around $500-$1,500, a price where other brands often cut corners.
While Orient builds everything in-house in Japan, Steinhart combines German design with globally sourced top-tier components to create a similar value proposition. If you dream of owning a premium Swiss-powered tool watch and value specs-for-the-money above all else, Steinhart is a champion.
Shop now at steinhartwatches.de/en/
Stowa is a German brand with a rich heritage dating back to 1927, especially known for making original "Flieger" pilot watches during WWII. Today, they produce beautifully crafted watches with minimalist Bauhaus, marine, and aviation designs. They offer a direct-to-consumer model that keeps their prices accessible for the level of craftsmanship, typically from $800-$2,000.
Stowa is a significant step up from Orient in both price and finishing, but it appeals to the same type of buyer: someone who appreciates historical design, quality craftsmanship, and brand integrity. If you are ready for a piece of watchmaking history, Stowa is a fantastic investment.
Shop now at stowa.de/en/
Don't sleep on Timex. While known for their tough-as-nails quartz watches, their automatic "Marlin" collection has been a huge hit, offering '60s-inspired vintage designs with reliable mechanical movements. Priced very competitively, these watches go head-to-head with Orient’s classic dress watch offerings.
Timex brings a sense of fun, nostalgia, and pure American heritage to the table. If you love Orient's affordability and timeless style but want something with a recognizable name and a slightly more playful, retro vibe, Timex is making some of the best-value mechanical watches out there.
Shop now at timex.com
Sea-Gull is a giant of watchmaking and one of the world's largest producers of mechanical movements. This Chinese brand is most famous for its 1963 chronograph, a cult classic that offers a ridiculously cool, vintage aviation design with a hand-wound mechanical chronograph movement for only a few hundred dollars.
Like Orient, Sea-Gull proves that you don't need a Swiss-made badge to get an incredible mechanical watch full of history and charm. If you want to add a unique, affordable, and mechanically fascinating piece to your collection, the Sea-Gull 1963 is an absolute icon.
Shop now at seagull-watch.com
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