Introducing: Five New Orient Mako 40 Models With Gradient Dials
Orient builds on its sporty Mako 40 line with five new compelling dial colors. The range introduces green, navy blue, brown, gray, and copper dégradé dials, each bringing a different personality to the collection. The last two are available only during the 2026 calendar year rather than being individually numbered limited editions. Brushed stainless steel bezels frame the dials nicely, while the 60-minute diving scale and deep notches at 10-minute intervals provide welcome grip and functionality.
The Mako occupies the budget-friendly corner of the Orient catalog. I hesitate to call it a true “diver’s watch” because it lacks ISO 6425 certification. Not that a certification is necessary to compete in the category. However, sibling brand Orient Star goes to great lengths to meet the standard. Watches that achieve ISO 6425 can carry the “Diver’s” designation on the dial. The Mako 40 instead highlights its 20-bar (200m) water resistance and automatic movement. Interestingly, these details appear in a cursive script. The contrast with Orient’s traditional applied logo feels slightly disconnected. I would have loved to see the cursive branding extended to the Orient name itself, much like the recent 75th Anniversary models.
Orient Mako 40
Despite the name, the Mako 40 actually has a 39.9mm diameter. You would think Orient could have found the extra tenth of a millimeter… Naming quirks aside, the stainless steel case feels compact and nicely proportioned on the wrist. The 200m water resistance is equally impressive at this size. Better still, the case has a mere 12.8mm profile. That compares favorably with the 14.5mm-thick Orient Star M42 Diver 200m, which shares the same depth rating. As much as I admire the M42, it could benefit from shedding a little bulk. Like its bigger brother, the Mako 40 uses a screw-down crown but omits crown guards.
Where the Mako 40 loses some dive-watch credibility is the bezel. The triangular marker lacks a luminous pip, relying instead on a cutout that exposes the steel beneath. It works well enough in daylight but disappears in low-light conditions. That detail nudges the Mako 40 closer to the “casual sports watch” category than to a serious underwater tool. The new dial colors reinforce that impression. Each fades from a dark outer edge to a brighter sunburst center, creating a subtle yet attractive effect. My favorite is the gray-beige variant, which pairs particularly well with the steel case. None of the dials scream for attention, but they add just enough color to lift the mood and stand apart from the usual black-dial crowd.
Final specs, thoughts, and pricing
All five references run on Orient’s in-house F6722 automatic caliber. The movement offers more than 40 hours of power reserve and an accuracy range of +25/-15 seconds per day. Those figures are hardly groundbreaking, but they are more than acceptable at this watch’s sub-€500 price point. The three-row stainless steel bracelet, complete with a push-button clasp and folding safety lock, also feels reassuringly sturdy. My only concern is that the folded end links, which use retaining tabs, could mark the underside of the lugs over time.
An all-steel case back features Orient’s playful twin-dolphin emblem. Up front, a date window sits neatly at 3 o’clock alongside broad sword hands. A sapphire crystal is another welcome inclusion and helps the Mako 40 punch above its price bracket. Orient keeps costs in check by manufacturing the watches in Thailand rather than in its native Japan, but little feels compromised as a result.
At €439.99 / £379.99, the new Mako 40 remains one of the more compelling value propositions among affordable sports watches. It may not be a true ISO-certified/compliant diver, but it delivers plenty of capability, attractive dial options, and everyday versatility for the money. You can learn more about the new Orient Mako 40 models here.
