Great video John! Can't wait to see the finished studio! The original Kamasu (I have one in emerald green) is a FAR better executed timepiece than this new Mako 3. My advice would be to skip this new Mako and go with an original Kamasu that can usually be found for less than what they are charging for the new Mako 3.
Great review John, I enjoy your sense of humour as well 😄. Too many minus points to this watch as you say. A real shame, could have been so much better....
Appreciate the info. Ive always liked orient. I have an orange ray, and green mako chronograph both of which have pretty good ar coating seems strange the mako3 lacks there.
I happen to own a modded Mako II a good friend has given me. It has a double domed sapphire crystal, a ceramic bezel insert, and a 5-link "J-style" bracelet from Long Island watch. Absolut love this thing. But I have to say: I really like this new version. The gilt hands, the orange colour dipped second hand, and the earthy coloured bezel insert work so well together. I also notice the made the second hand a little longer. Great watch! Orient have understood why the Kamasu is such a huge success. It's in small parts because of the sapphire crystal. The bracelet with its tinny end links, of course, is a letdown.
I too came upon a black Mako II that was modded by its prvs owner with blue AR sapphire dome & LIW jubilee brac. I upgraded the bezel to a coin edge (CrystalTimes) and a minimalist glass/sap. bezel insert (DLW) for a vintage skindiver look (I didn't know what a 👑 Milsub was when I made it, but it kinda looks like a Milsub). *That Mako is by far one of my top 3 favorite meachanicals to wear,* alongside a very similar Islander Bayport (black) and my Sinn 104 I St Sa (grey). The Mako II actually keeps more precise time than the Sinn at about -3 sec/day. (The Sinn is still new-ish, I hear those ETA movements have a break-in period; that said it is currently gaining about 5 sec/day - I can live with it gaining and not losing time, but still... The Orient in-house movements for the win!?)
Wasn’t sure about the colour at first but it’s growing on me. I miss the Kamasu teeth, but a big fan of the brand, would love to get a defender in for review this year.
Hey buddy. The defender is a strange one...with a larger wrist I imagine it would be fine but on my wrist the watch looked unbalanced but there was no denying the quality. Go to Creation watches to see if they have one there ;)
Glad to see it has a better bezel now. My biggest gripe with the mako 2 was how hard it is to turn the bezel. Too bad it’s still not aligned properly. The AR coating is a bummer. At $300 there are a lot of options out there, even among the main brand watches. I never heard why you took some time off but get the sense something happened. Hope you are ok John. Glad to see you’re back at it. Take care.
That intro though.. 😂 Great point about value. This used to be the go-to value watch, but Chinese brands have really changed the game over the past few years.
I have a Kamasu 2 (round indices, gray gradient dial), and I love it. I really like the white/champagne dial of this watch but if I pick it up, it will have to come down considerably in price. Thanks for the great review. Sorry your SN0121G turned up with QC Issues. Mine is thankfully great. Take care.
Hi buddy. Glad yours was ok. It happens sometimes. Great to know I am not treated any differently and that they don't send me pristine samples! Would have been nice to review and compare with the Seestern but I must say I prefer the look of the Seestern and the bezel action on both is just about the same, which was surprising!
If a brand is going to utilize a sapphire crystal, I would much prefer they also add an AR coating underneath. I also don't mind paying a little more for solid end links. If the hollow end links bend enough, the watch can pop right off your wrist. There's also the nasty gap they tend to leave. They can leave the clasp alone, but I believe hollow end links should be banned from the industry.
Hollow endlinks are just so lazy, same for the pressed clasp. Like, that is NOT where you save money and boost profits. AliX brands can do it for 80-100 USD, therefore every brand can. They choose not to. 🤦🏼
The Original Kamasu mark one is at a good price point now and they have great colours to choose from. Other than that,the Mako 2 is still great value and you can buy a sapphire and a bespoke bracelet from Long Island Watch!
I do like the subtle colourway of this one and the "new" old handset. Orient's names are a complete dog's dinner especially when you add in Tritons, Neptunes and mini-Tritons. At least I think most of us are clear about the M-force and Star Diver ranges. The price is too high but so is the RRP of many Orients. I'm sure in time these will sell well under £200 as the Kamasu does now.
This is tempting. This just might be the perfect size on my 18cm wrist, even though I really like 38-40mm. But could you take on you to do a review on the Proxima PX 1701? I can't find any on youtube video but any watch reviews out there got it's CW brother, PX1967. I bought the PX1701 because of reviews like yours of the PX1697, as it got the same case.
Hi there. Unfortunately I cannot review every watch as I have to weigh up who will watch it, how it is selling and whether or not I would be able to move it on. I have reviewed a few Proxima watches now and do rate them very highly. They have the best customer service on the platform.
Great review! Hi can you please help me which one is good looking watch RA-AA0819N19B or RA-AA0810N19B please suggest i want to buy my first diver watch.
The first rule of watch collecting is this...buy whatever makes YOU happy. You have asked me to make a decision for you that I can't really make. It's your choice. They are a good choice for your first diver :)
Not really. I have handled over 200 watches in the last 18 months, including my personal collection of Hamilton , Seiko, Citizen, Sam Martin, Clemence , Nivada Grenchen, Lorier, Erebus and many more. This watch is not very good.
Great video John! Can't wait to see the finished studio! The original Kamasu (I have one in emerald green) is a FAR better executed timepiece than this new Mako 3. My advice would be to skip this new Mako and go with an original Kamasu that can usually be found for less than what they are charging for the new Mako 3.
Thannks for watching Keith. It is rather a strange decision to release this now :)
got the same one and love it!
Just bought one. Am curious, dis you change the bracelet and if so to what? Thanks.
@@c.s2001 Nope, the bracelet is fine for me, i stabbed my hand adjusting mine but otherwise it's fine.
Great video and I agree wholeheartedly with the whole model number vs. name thing.
thanks for watching and leaving a comment :)
Great review John, I enjoy your sense of humour as well 😄. Too many minus points to this watch as you say. A real shame, could have been so much better....
...and should have been so much better. I was and still am a fan of the Mako ll...maybe I should buy one and do a mod...now there's a thought!
Appreciate the info. Ive always liked orient. I have an orange ray, and green mako chronograph both of which have pretty good ar coating seems strange the mako3 lacks there.
I happen to own a modded Mako II a good friend has given me. It has a double domed sapphire crystal, a ceramic bezel insert, and a 5-link "J-style" bracelet from Long Island watch. Absolut love this thing. But I have to say: I really like this new version. The gilt hands, the orange colour dipped second hand, and the earthy coloured bezel insert work so well together. I also notice the made the second hand a little longer. Great watch! Orient have understood why the Kamasu is such a huge success. It's in small parts because of the sapphire crystal. The bracelet with its tinny end links, of course, is a letdown.
I too came upon a black Mako II that was modded by its prvs owner with blue AR sapphire dome & LIW jubilee brac. I upgraded the bezel to a coin edge (CrystalTimes) and a minimalist glass/sap. bezel insert (DLW) for a vintage skindiver look (I didn't know what a 👑 Milsub was when I made it, but it kinda looks like a Milsub). *That Mako is by far one of my top 3 favorite meachanicals to wear,* alongside a very similar Islander Bayport (black) and my Sinn 104 I St Sa (grey). The Mako II actually keeps more precise time than the Sinn at about -3 sec/day. (The Sinn is still new-ish, I hear those ETA movements have a break-in period; that said it is currently gaining about 5 sec/day - I can live with it gaining and not losing time, but still... The Orient in-house movements for the win!?)
Is the crown substantially bigger then the ray 2 crown?
Not that much bigger but it does protrude outside the crown guards and is better knurled for grip. I would say it is half a mm in diameter larger.
Wasn’t sure about the colour at first but it’s growing on me. I miss the Kamasu teeth, but a big fan of the brand, would love to get a defender in for review this year.
Hey buddy. The defender is a strange one...with a larger wrist I imagine it would be fine but on my wrist the watch looked unbalanced but there was no denying the quality. Go to Creation watches to see if they have one there ;)
@@johnswatchjoint Defo a watch for Gorillas, good to hear the cabins finished, looking forward to the virtual tour👍🏻
Glad to see it has a better bezel now. My biggest gripe with the mako 2 was how hard it is to turn the bezel. Too bad it’s still not aligned properly. The AR coating is a bummer. At $300 there are a lot of options out there, even among the main brand watches. I never heard why you took some time off but get the sense something happened. Hope you are ok John. Glad to see you’re back at it. Take care.
Yeah it was awful. Lost a close friend of the family. My age and fighting fit.
@@johnswatchjoint so sorry to hear that John. ❤️
That intro though.. 😂
Great point about value. This used to be the go-to value watch, but Chinese brands have really changed the game over the past few years.
Thanks Harvind. Sometimes humour can help when times are rough and it has been a sad week...but you can't keep us chirpy Scots down !
I have a Kamasu 2 (round indices, gray gradient dial), and I love it. I really like the white/champagne dial of this watch but if I pick it up, it will have to come down considerably in price. Thanks for the great review. Sorry your SN0121G turned up with QC Issues. Mine is thankfully great. Take care.
Hi buddy. Glad yours was ok. It happens sometimes. Great to know I am not treated any differently and that they don't send me pristine samples! Would have been nice to review and compare with the Seestern but I must say I prefer the look of the Seestern and the bezel action on both is just about the same, which was surprising!
If a brand is going to utilize a sapphire crystal, I would much prefer they also add an AR coating underneath. I also don't mind paying a little more for solid end links. If the hollow end links bend enough, the watch can pop right off your wrist. There's also the nasty gap they tend to leave. They can leave the clasp alone, but I believe hollow end links should be banned from the industry.
It is a major disappointment 😥
Hollow endlinks are just so lazy, same for the pressed clasp. Like, that is NOT where you save money and boost profits. AliX brands can do it for 80-100 USD, therefore every brand can. They choose not to. 🤦🏼
This watch does not need end links, as the slots are placed inset enough as to minimize the gap that you speak of.
Do you think it would be too small for a 7.25 inch wrist?
No. In my opinion that size would be spot on 😉
@@johnswatchjoint Thank you!
No problem. My wrist size is 6.75 inches and it's just a little large for my preference
I agree with your observations John . Which Orient dive watch to you believe is the best for under $300 ?
The Original Kamasu mark one is at a good price point now and they have great colours to choose from. Other than that,the Mako 2 is still great value and you can buy a sapphire and a bespoke bracelet from Long Island Watch!
I do like the subtle colourway of this one and the "new" old handset. Orient's names are a complete dog's dinner especially when you add in Tritons, Neptunes and mini-Tritons. At least I think most of us are clear about the M-force and Star Diver ranges. The price is too high but so is the RRP of many Orients. I'm sure in time these will sell well under £200 as the Kamasu does now.
Yep. It is a waiting game. Top high just now for sure.
This is tempting. This just might be the perfect size on my 18cm wrist, even though I really like 38-40mm. But could you take on you to do a review on the Proxima PX 1701? I can't find any on youtube video but any watch reviews out there got it's CW brother, PX1967. I bought the PX1701 because of reviews like yours of the PX1697, as it got the same case.
Hi there. Unfortunately I cannot review every watch as I have to weigh up who will watch it, how it is selling and whether or not I would be able to move it on. I have reviewed a few Proxima watches now and do rate them very highly. They have the best customer service on the platform.
Will this brand ever do the "normal" 38mm diver watch ?
...you may be in for a long wait...but it does wear well on my 6.75 inch wrist and I loved my Mako ll when I had it a few years back.:)
Great review! Hi can you please help me which one is good looking watch RA-AA0819N19B or RA-AA0810N19B please suggest i want to buy my first diver watch.
The first rule of watch collecting is this...buy whatever makes YOU happy. You have asked me to make a decision for you that I can't really make. It's your choice. They are a good choice for your first diver :)
@johnswatchjoint we don't have any retail store for orient here in india. That's why I confused. Thanks for replying 🙂
I understand. We don't have Orient here in our stores either :)
Buying this one only. Can you please suggest me from where to buy this watch. I need to be deliver in australia
I am sorry, I wouldn't know where to buy for your location
i like it
Berapa harganya
It's in the video
I ordered 0821. I dont like kamasu indexes.
Nice one :) 😃
One step forward, one step back ☹
for 200-250 bucks with everything it does I think you super pesimistic
Not really. I have handled over 200 watches in the last 18 months, including my personal collection of Hamilton , Seiko, Citizen, Sam Martin, Clemence , Nivada Grenchen, Lorier, Erebus and many more. This watch is not very good.
@@johnswatchjoint will buy one to see it..I love my orient star retrograde I'll tell you that