Orient Mechanical Revival Watch World Map Diver Forest Green Dial RA-AA0E02E (similar to RA-AA0E03L, RA-AA0E01S and RA-AA0E04Y) - A Modern Vintage, A Review (plus Video)

To commemorate the Orient's 70th anniversary, the Revival Collection has been created which offers modern reinterpretations of iconic Orient watch models from the brand’s past. At this moment, Orient has the King Diver, SK Diver, and the Retro Future Camera models issued under this collection. The latest offering is the World Map Diver.

In 1969 the first Orient Map Dial World Diver was created. The watch featured an eye-catching multi-colored world map and a 24-hour time display.

In February 2021, Orient launched the World Map Diver to honour the 1969 iconic design under the Revival collection. There are four models to choose from and I chose the green dial RA-AA0E02E for the collection.

To be honest, I wanted the limited edition RA-AA0E04Y model as this is as close to the original in design. Unfortunately, all were sold out before I could get my hands on one.

The Series

There are four models under the World Map series. Three are standard models while the fourth is a limited edition timepiece. Below is the whole series. From left to right: RA-AA0E04Y (limited edition), RA-AA0E03L, RA-AA0E02E and RA-AA0E01S. 

When compared to the original, tabulated below are some of the key uniqueness of both models (please note that the 1969 model closely resembles the limited edition model, the RA-AA0E04Y). Only 1,200 units of the RA-AA0E04Y is produced. 

	Original 1969 Model	Revival Series
Water Rating	40 meters	20 bars or 200 meters
Case Diameter	42.0 mm	43.5 mm
Date Change	Push button	Crown setting
Crystal	Box plastic	Curved hardened glass
Hands	Diamond cut	Diamond cut
Inner Rotating Bezel	Metal (flat)	Plastic (with taper)
Bracelet	Rolled	Solid

The map transcribed on the original and the limited model is centered on the South Pole. There are concentric circles bands to reflect the major latitudes and various shades of yellow on parts of the map to show areas within the same time zone.  

The 1969 Orient World Diver

The homage to the 1969 Orient World Diver has the advantage of modern manufacturing processes. As shown in the table above, the revival model is slightly wider but with a bracelet that is more solid. The modern manufacturing process also increased the water rating to 200 meters without even needing the crown to be a screw-down.

Officially, the colours on the dials on the non-limited edition models are called mountain cream white (for the RA-AA0E01S), forest green (for the RA-AA0E02E) and ocean blue (for the RA-AA0E03L).

The Watch

The Revival World Map has a design that is uniquely Orient. Although there are watches that have maps on the dial such as Piaget's Altiplano Scrimshaw watch or the world-timer watches from Vacheron Constantin, Jaeger-LeCoultre and Montblanc, the complications seen on the Revival World Map are unlike the rest. Moreover, the stainless steel lug free casing, the internal 24-hour bezel and the fluted fixed bezel give out a vintage vibe that is refreshing when compared to contemporary designs today.

With a width of 43.5 mm, the watch is sizable. Although its does not have any complicated mechanism apart from the automatic movement, the need for space to add the internal bezel makes the height of the watch to be a tall 13.9 mm.

The most visually striking aspect of the watch must undoubtedly be the dial. Using a special processing technique which polishes the dial surface to a mirror finish and shaping it to appear spherical due to the lens effect, you can literally see yourself if you look intently on the dial directly. Orient also added the world map in line drawing which can also be clearly seen. The forest green colour on the dial shifted its tone when viewed from different angles caused by the lens effect on the dial surface.   

The minute markers (in white) can be found at the extreme edge of the dial. Next to it is the applied golden disc hour markers. The 3:00 hour marker has been replaced by a wide rectangular aperture, framed in golden colour. Within the aperture is the day and date complications. The day and date wheels have white painted backgrounds.

There are six lines of logo and texts separated evenly between the two horizontal halves of the dial. The applied brand logo, the applied brand name and the laser printed word 'Automatic' are placed on the upper quadrant. The words 'Water Resist', '20 bar' and 'MOV'T JAPAN F6922-UAKB R 2' can be found on the lower quadrant.

The handset for the Revival World Map is golden and both the hours and minutes hands have streak of luminous paint to provide some visibility in the dark.  

The design of the internal bezel is intriguing and has a distinctive outline. The bezel plate is painted black and is tapered on the dial edge. The bezel has been equally divided into 24 numbered sections and separated by white lines. Every white line after an even number will have a luminous strip added to facilitate legibility in the dark (only after the number 24, an additional luminous strip is added to demarcate  the end/start of the 24 hour cycle). On the tapered edge, an elongated triangle in black is painted in white and centered in each numbered sections where it should denote the correct referencing of the bezel markers. However, what is intriguing is that that triangle does not correspond to the luminous strip. Hence, in the dark, your reference point shifts.

The internal bezel is controlled by the crown located at the 4:30 position. The bezel can be rotated in either directions.

Protecting the dial is a curved hardened mineral glass. I don't believe there is any AR protection on the glass. The original 1969 World Diver uses plexiglass (or acrylic) to make the box crystal.

The external fluted fixed bezel reinforces its vintage roots.  

The crowns of the watch are located on the right side of the watch. The main crown that adjust the time, day and date is located at 3:00. This crown is signed with the Orient sub-logo and uses the simple push-in/pull-out system to engage the controlling gears. A similar crown is also located at 4:30 to control the internal bezel. A departure from the original 1969 World Diver is the elimination of the date change button at 2:00. The newer Caliber F6922 is capable to make the change using the crown directly.

 

Despite not having these crowns as screw-downs, Orient's engineers can still confidently states the water resistant of the watch to be 200 meters!

The case-back is a solid plate and screwed down. Information about the watch are etched in fine font at the peripheral and a small logo at the center. This leaves a lot of empty space. The AD that I bought the watch from offers a special laser etching service where one can put personal messages on the case-back. I didn't put anything on the the case-back but the offer is still there if I ever wanted it in the future (a complementary service). 

 

Underneath the case-back is the in-house Caliber F6922, a 22 jeweled movement operating at 21,600 BPH. It has a stated accuracy of -15 and +25 seconds per day and has a power reserve of approximately 40+ hours when fully wound. Compared to the 1969 World Diver which uses the Caliber 4694, a 21 jeweled, 21,600 BPH movement (I was made to understand the first few examples of the 1969 World Diver used an even older movement, the Caliber 4971, a 27 jeweled and operating at 18,000 BPH engine). 

The watch casing is paired with a bracelet via the 20 mm hidden lugs. Orient utilizes a faux design which visually appears that each link consists of three separate pieces. In reality, it is just one piece per link as the 'ribs' are actually part of the link but machined differently from the rest of the link. The simple signed push-button clasp has two micro-adjustment points. As a package, the bracelet design has that yesteryear look to it.    

Below is a photo of the watch in the dark. The illumination is more than sufficient for normal use.

The Wearing Experience

The watch is rather large for a homage to a vintage design. Nevertheless, for those of you that like contemporary size watches, the Revival World Map Diver fits the bill nice. On my 6.75 inch wrist, the watch does not look too overpowering.

Personally, what I like about the watch is the dome crystal, the dial surface and the fluted fixed bezel. While the dome crystal and fluted fixed bezel are vintage in design the dial surface is unique and surreal. It looked curved but in reality the dial is flat. Using a special process on the dial surface creates a 'lens effect' that I have not seen done on other watches before.

The Buying Experience

When I bought the watch for the authorised dealer, Solar Time in Mid Valley, I was offered a complimentary laser engraving service. This service is given to all purchases in the shop. If you want to engrave anything else, a fee will be charged.

Specifications

Collection: Revival

Series Name: World Map

Case Material: Stainless steel

Bracelet Material: Stainless steel

Buckle: Trifold deployant buckle with push button

Dial Colour: Forest green
Case Diameter: 43.5 mm

Lug Width: 20.0 mm

Thickness: 13.9 mm

Lug-to-Lug: 47.0 mm (approximately)

Case-Back: Stainless steel screwed down plate

Glass: Curved hardened mineral crystal 

Water Resistance: 20 bar

Movement: Orient inhouse F6922 Caliber
Type: Automatic with manual wind capability

Jewels: 22
Complications: Day, date, internal rotating bezel and hacking mechanism
Frequency: 21,600 BPH
Accuracy: -15 and +25 seconds per day

Power Reserve: 40+ hours

Launched Date: February 2021

MSRP: RM2,000

Purchase Date: 19 January 2022

Purchase Price: RM1,500

Vendor: Solar Time, Mid Valley Megamall

Serial Number: C120425

Photo Gallery

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