Re-issue Orient King Diver RA-AA0D01B1HB 70th Anniversary

Orient King Diver 70th Anniversary Edition RA-AA0D01B1HB, Image Credit

Orient is a Japanese watch company that is best describe as a brand that many would recommend to watch enthusiasts who are just getting into mechanical watches. To commemorate the companies 70th birthday, Orient released a re-issue Weekly Auto King Diver model, which was first debuted back in 1965. Don’t let the name “King Diver” fool you, this diver watch featured a 40m of water resistance, which is quite insignificant today. However, when the King Diver was first introduced back in the day, it was classified in the category of “skin divers” that was more than enough water resistance for free and light recreational diving.

With the re-issue models, much of the design were kept to the likes of its predecessor. However, the movement has been upgraded to the Orient caliber F6922 automatic, 22-jewels, hand winding, quickset day and date. The water resistance level has also been upgraded from 40m to 200mm. Though water resistant up to 200m, this Weekly Auto Orient King Diver Limited Edition is admittedly not an ISO-certified dive watch.

Case Back For Orient King Diver 70th Anniversary, image credit

Turning the watch over, it features a laser etching of a diver holding a spear gun. The design was used on the original King Diver, but it was only stamped. The only difference you’ll find on the case back would be the “Limited Edition XXXX/1000”, display on top of the diver.

Full collection of the Orient King Diver 70th Anniversary, image credit

With the Orient King Diver 70th Anniversary editions, there are 4 variants for each market. In Japan, there’s a black model (RN-AA0D11B), a red dial with black dive bezel (RN-AA0D12R), a green dial with a green bezel (RN-AA0D13E), and last but no least, a bronze-coated case with a gold dial (RN-AA0D14G). Each Japanese version is limited to 1,000 pieces. The bronze-coated piece comes with a brown leather strap with pin buckle while the rest are on bracelets with push-button folding clasps. Limited edition of 1,700 pieces with a graduated gold-to-black colored dial reminiscent of the vivid colors of the popular ORIENT Jaguar Focus watch from the 1970s.

Specifications:

Case Material: Stainless steel
Dial: Blue, red, green, gold
Dimensions: 43.8mm
Crystal: Mineral
Water Resistance: 200 meters
Movement: Caliber F6922
Strap/bracelet: Stainless steel bracelet
Price: $475

Reference Number of the four models :

• Black model (RN-AA0D11B)
• Red dial with black dive bezel (RN-AA0D12R)
• Green dial / green bezel (RN-AA0D13E),
• Bronze-coated case / gold dial (RN-AA0D14G)

The watch was released in July 2020

Orient King Diver 70th Anniversary