Orient Automatic King Master Reissue WV0021AA JDM (similar to WV0011AA and WV0031AA) - JDM Classic, A Review (plus Video)

In 2015 Orient created a re-issue of its iconic Three Star King Master watch of the 1960s. There were three models in the series but all have been classified as JDMs. As such, you are only able to source it from Japan. Official information on the series is only via Orient's Japanese website.

I have been eyeing the watch for a number of years now. I happen to find one listed on Amazon via one of its affiliate merchant for a reasonable price. Given the choice, I would have picked the blue dial version but the black with gold trimming does hold its own appeal. After a few key strokes, the WV00021AA was on its way from Japan to Malaysia.

Since it was first launched until the date of this review, there was not much written about this series. The lack of access was one of the contributing factor to the minimum coverage. I do believe reviews have been written in Japanese but since I and a lot of other people don't read the language, information remains sparse.

The Watch

This King Master is a reissue of the popular 1960’s “Three Star” King Master, with it's compressor style layout and distinctly Japanese ornate detailing. Unfortunately, it is a JDM model so its hard to find one outside Japan.

Made out of stainless steel, the casing and the bracelet permeates the vintage look. The primary crown is located at 3 o'clock while a secondary crown that controls the internal bezel is located at 4 o'clock. Total weight is 153 gm.

The watch measures 42.1 mm wide (excluding the crown) and has a lug-to-lug length of 47.0 mm. Lug width is 22 mm. If you have a wrist of approximately 6.75 inch in circumference, the watch will be a nice fit.

This is tall watch. It has an incredible height of 14.3 mm for a watch that has a simple automatic movement. Since it does not have any other complications apart from the day and date windows, the height is primarily due to the external structure instead of an internal space requirement. The structure in question is the tall box crystal that sits above the dial.


The Dial

This King Master is decidedly Japanese when it comes to the dial design. The chapter ring which happens to also be the internal bezel has two major surfaces. The first is a flat surface that is marked with line and Arabic 5-minute markers in golden paint. The second surface slopes down to the dial surface and painted with golden line minute markers. At the peripheral of the dial surface lies the corresponding golden line minute markers which you can aligned with the internal bezel.



There are two sets of hour markers on the dial. The primary is an applied three-step winners podium metal strip allotted to every hour except for the 3 o'clock position. The secondary is a dot of luminous paint next to the primary hour markers except for the 3 o'clock position. Although it is not mentioned is any of the promotional texts, I suspect Orient uses LumiBrite since it is part of the Seiko family.

A larger date window takes up the 3 o'clock hour position on the dial. Surrounded on all sides by a golden painted metal frame, the wheel dial for the date has black numbering on a white background. Instead of placing the day complication side-by-side with the date, Orient decided to place it on the other side of the dial. Since the day wheel is smaller and turns on the inside of the bigger date wheel, the aperture does not affect the hour marker for 9 o'clock. 

The day wheel has two languages on it; Kanji and English. Adjust the language of choice when adjusting the day via the main crown.



There are six line of texts and logo on the dial. On the upper quadrant lies the logo and the brand which happens to applied to the dial. On the bottom quadrant lies the rest of the texts. Only the three stars are applied to the dial while the rest are painted in golden paint.

The two main hands are large broadsword-like and painted in golden colour with a portion of it covered with LumiBrite paint. The seconds hand is thin, painted in golden colour without any LumiBrite paint on it.



Protecting the dial is the thick box mineral crystal. This is the most spectacular crystal pane I have seen put on an Orient watch. The crystal is very tall and beveled which gives very interesting visual experiences when viewed at specific angles. If the crystal is also domed, it would just be spectacular in my opinion. Unfortunately the addition of the cyclops eye diminishes its beauty somewhat. Honestly, I do not see the justification of the magnifying glass at all. The date window is sufficient large anyway.


The Casing 



Located at 3 o'clock and 4 o'clock are the main crown and bezel crown, respectively. The main crown uses a push-in-pull-out system to engage the various gears in the movement while the bezel crown is free turning in both directions to move the internal bezel bi-directionally. Apart from the deep cuts made on the side for grip, both crowns have sterile tops.



The case-back is solid and is a screw-down. There is the logo and brand in the centre while other basic information about the watch is put at the peripheral. Note also the "EPSON" brand printed to signify that this watch was made after the brand was placed directly under Seiko Epson Corporation (or EPSON for short which is part of the bigger Seiko Group) back in 2017.


The Movement

Underneath the case-back is the Orient automatic in-house Caliber F6922. This 22-jewel movement has approximately 40 hours of power reserve and accuracy of between +25 seconds and -15 seconds per day. It has some anti-magnetic properties as well as day and date wheels. It can be wind manually and has a seconds hand stop mechanism (hacking).

Using the Toolwatch app, I was able to record an accuracy rate of +11.8 seconds per day straight out of the box. This is well within the stated accuracy rate.


The Bracelet

Paired with the casing is a solid looking stainless steel bracelet. There is a slight taper from 22 mm at the lugs to 20 mm at the clasp.

The folding clasp has a push-in button locking system and there are just two micro-adjustment points provided on it.




The Illumination

The illumination on the watch is adequate. However, from the photo below you can see why I am not that keen on replacing the 3 o'clock marker with the date aperture as well as having the Cyclops eye. First of all you cannot see any illumination at that position which breaks the symmetry of the dial. Second is the magnifying effect on the hands if they passes through the cyclops eye; it is visually disruptive.




The Wearing Experience

The watch wears well on my 6.75 inch wrist. The high box crystal is its call-to-fame and visually stunning when viewed at an angle. It is even more spectacular in the sunshine. I just cannot keep my eyes off it. The way light refracts through the crystal is mesmerising.



Above is the some angle shots of the watch on my wrist. The 22 mm bracelet does appear to be too wide for the casing. A 20 mm could be a better option. Below is a video of the watch on my wrist.



Style-wise, this watch is not for everyone. It has that 'grandad' feel to it that some may find hard to swallow. I have to admit my taste is getting very 'uncle-like'. In reality, who cares anyway? Tastes change and we should not be slaves to what society expects us to like.


The Purchasing Experience

I bought the watch via Amazon. The seller is a merchant called MOON-DOG Japan, operating out of Japan. Total transaction cost was RM1,336.44, out of which RM77.73 is for handling. MOON-DOG Japan uses JAPAN EMS courier service. Unfortunately, this time around, customs stopped the package and I had to pick it up at the main postal center in KLIA and pay the 5% SST (plus some administrative costs) which amounted to an additional RM85.90.

On hindsight, I should have chosen a merchant that get the courier service fulfilled by Amazon. It is easier to track and Amazon can help if faced with any problem.



The Orient King Master Series

There are there models under this series. These are all JDM models and has to be sourced via Japan to get one. These are:

WV0011AA MSRP: YEN40,000

WV0021AA MSRP: YEN40,000

WV0031AA MSRP: YEN40,000

Specifications

Drive System: Mechanical with automatic and manual winding capabilities
Caliber: F6922
Functions: Seconds hand stop system, 22 jewels, day & date wheels, anti-magnetic properties
Accuracy: Between +25 seconds and -15 seconds per day
Power Reserve: Approximately 40 hours
Case Material: Stainless steel
Glass Material: Spherical and box crystal glass (with lens)
Band Material: Stainless steel
Water Rating: 10 bar or 100 meters
Width: 42.1 mm
Length: 47.0 mm
Thickness: 14.3 mm
Lugs: 22 mm
Weight: 153 gm
Clasp: Push button folding type
Jurisdiction: JDM (Japanese Domestic Market)
Release Date: May 2015
MSRP: YEN40,000
Purchase Date: 26 August 2019
Merchant: MOON-DOG Japan via Amazon
Price Paid: RM1,422.34 (RM1,336.44 Retail + RM85.90 Import Tax)


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