Orient Defender 2 Review & Strap Alternatives

Review + Strap alternative combination, this time of the affordable Orient Defender 2 field watch. This RA-AK0401L10B variant comes with a blue dial with a stunning grainy texture and a brushed metal bracelet with solid links (hollow end-links) to match the brushed stainless steel case!
This watch by Orient packs a serious punch regarding its price. Solid (& upgraded from 1st generation defender) in-house movement, 100 meters water resistance, great lume, signed screw-down crown... etc.

In addition to a review, I show you how the size of the watch compares to a Seiko SKX009, a Sinn 556A and a Citizen Nighthawk. Then, in the usual fashion, I show you how the watch sits on a variety of different straps, both off the wrist and on the wrist (all the 22mm straps I happen to have). There's leather straps, nato straps, a zulu strap, a perlon strap, a Barton Elite Silicone strap and the likes! I think you will find it useful in order to really get a feel for the scale of this watch on a slimmer (6,5 inch) wrist like mine.

The Authorized Dealer for Orient Watches in Finland is Timanttiset:

(If you want to help the channel out)
Amazon affiliate links to some great DEALS on the Orient Defender 2 watches on the video! (different variants)

United States:

United Kingdom:

Germany:

This was the first time ever a watch was sent to me for review. To be completely transparent, I get to keep the watch afterwards. That being said, this watch will get the same "review-treatment" as any other watch that I've reviewed on the channel, as I think you will notice.

TIMESTAMPS:
00:30 Presenting my newest addition to the watch collection (Sinn 556A)
01:30 Packaging and reference number
02:15 Brief summary on Orient Defender 1 versus Orient Defender 2 differences
02:47 Showcasing the different color and strap versions of the Orient Defender 2
03:20 Brief comments on the price. (Grey market / Authorized Dealer / Second-hand)
04:25 Dimensions and size of the Orient Defender 2
05:03 Orient Defender 2 vs. Sinn 556A size comparison
05:08 Comments on the case and water resistance
05:37 Comments about the Orient Defender 2 bracelet and clasp
06:46 Closer look at the Orient Defender 2 blue dial and subdials
09:10 Closeup on the dial texture and hands
09:33 Lume on the Orient Defender 2 (lumeshot)
10:22 Specs of the Orient F6B22 automatic movement
11:10 Winding, setting the time.(video only) Comments on the crown..
11:26 Weight of the Orient Defender 2 (before and after removing of links)
11:45 Orient Defender 2 on my 6,5 inch wrist (wristshot) T-shirt & Long sleeved shirt
11:37 Orient Defender 2 size comparison with Seiko SKX007 & Citizen Nighthawk
14:30 Strap alternatives showcase begins! (First off: grey Barton Elite Silicone)
15:03 Orient Defender 2 on black leather with white stitching (Hirsch Liberty 22mm)
15:55 Orient Defender 2 on grey Zulu strap
16:43 Orient Defender 2 on grey paratrooper strap with white stripe
17:30 Orient Defender 2 on green nato strap
18:15 Orient Defender 2 on grey seatbelt nato strap
18:49 Orient Defender 2 on red seatbelt nato strap ( Burgundy / Wine Red )
19:25 Orient Defender 2 on grey perlon strap
20:03 Orient Defender 2 on bond style black and grey nato strap (Zuludiver)
20:48 Orient Defender 2 on all black seatbelt nato strap
21:20 Wrapping it up

#orient #orientwatches #nordicwatchchannel

A short video where I show this watch on many straps:

Orient Bambino 36mm review:

[KabobHope]

That watch is pretty sharp. I'm not the biggest fan of bracelets over straps, but the bracelet looks like one of the nicest at this price point. I am looking at one of the Orient divers and all of their watches tend to offer good value and good finishing. Thanks for the review.

[Akalipts]

the watch with the second strap (leather) 15:02 looks amazing, ,, i think thats the best strap for that watch

[danielee]

I like that you present the watch on your wrist with different straps. Like that nato strap with the black strap with 2 grey stripes. Thanks for showing the luminosity of the watch in the dark. This watch comes in black, green, blue and a cream dial. After watching your review, I would get the blue dial. Thanks.

[daleclark]

Good review. Just ordered one of these today for $152.25. I have had three of the gen 1 models for years (black, green and cream dial) but I like the color blue and the new movement. Thanks for showing all the straps.

[silveribis]

Saw this on Amazon and came here, saw this review, and Orient was right to send you this, you did a fantastic job of talking about it...and then going through so many awesome straps and that does give us so many options. Great great review, and I might...really might want to make this Orient my third piece.

[rbmwiv]

I bought mine brand new for $130. Identical to the one in the video. I had some coupons and they were running a site wide sale. I really like it and have had it a few months. I wish you could find a sapphire crystal for it. I put the bracelet off my Mako 2 on it, much nicer with 4 holes for micro adjustment.

[pokie]

My Defender arrived a few days ago. Its got a weird dial. In low light indoors it looks black but outside, or in bright light it changes to dark blue. I thought my eyes were playing tricks until I got someone else to confirm. Strange but very cool. Best of all so far it's running at about +3 seconds a day which is astounding. At the price it's definitely worth considering.

[rdstone]

I really like that blue dial with a subtle structure on it. Still think it could be a couple of mm smaller even though that size works.

[markwilkinson]

Thanks for the video - I've just come across the Defender 2 and was looking for this sort of review. I have a slightly larger wrist, but this would still be one of the larger watches I would wear. It works well on you.

[christiank]

I like this Orient! Orient usually has an interesting price point on their watches. I have eyed upon many Orients in the past but have never pulled the trigger. After seeing this video I might have to order a Defender 2 🙊

Nice content and quality, you are improving! 👍 Keep up with the good work!

[DeliPlays]

Just ordered this watch because of your review! I had some problems with quality control on Orient watches before, I hope it turns out well

[SK-xgrs]

Looks like this is a strap monster👌🏻... good review mate👍🏻

[FlyingFilm]

Excellent review and congrats on the airbus type rating. I love the look of this watch, but the size puts me off.

[jamesthomas]

Great review! Just one question is changing the strap difficult with female end links?

[RM-pgjs]

They should have named this watch IronBoy...this watch can take a beaten...i dropped mine from a second floor porch..still working..8 mounths later !

[Ferien]

It would be cool to include the weight in grams also

[EastMontana]

Ok, what is the watch the you have on your wrist? Can’t understand a word you say….

[yoinkhaha]

Here the Orient looks better than I had been picturing it. Obviously the bracelet is not great at this price point but you can switch that out as you did... My main issue is this watch seems to be shooting for some tooly aesthetic with those subdials without actually providing any functionality. Why have all this ridiculous off-center subdial positioning if I can't even set a second time zone? Why do I need a big, weirdly positioned circle to tell me the day? Of course they are shooting for the entry market, but also seemingly trying to trick inexperienced buyers a bit with the subdial design..