Orient Star Contemporary Semi Skeleton vs Orient Bambino 38

Buy the Orient Star RE-AT0001L if you want an open-heart dial, sapphire crystal, a power reserve indicator and 100m water resistance. Buy the Bambino 38 if you want a smaller, thinner, simpler dress watch that costs far less. The Orient Star is the better-built watch: sapphire, 10 ATM, 50-hour reserve and a decorated in-house movement. The Bambino 38 wins on size and value, but its mineral crystal and 30m rating are the weak points. Owners of both praise the dials and the smooth winding; the common Bambino complaint is the mineral glass scratching.

• Choose the Orient Star RE-AT0001L if you want a semi-skeleton dial, sapphire glass, a power reserve subdial and real water resistance.
• Choose the Bambino 38 if you want a compact 38mm dress watch with a clean dial and a leather strap at an entry-level price.