Then, Affordable Japanese watch brandsOrient joins Seiko and Citizen, and Casio On our Mount Rushmore. Despite being one of the least well-known companies, the company has been making quality watches since 1951, but its roots go back even further.

In the same year that it relaunched as the brand we know today, Orient also debuted the more upscale Orient Star label, quickly recognizing that the community deserved both value and luxury at the same time. Orient Star, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, has debuted several limited edition M Series models. Most notable is the first model with a meteorite dial. Let’s take a look…

Cosmic connections finally become literal

The M34 F8 Dateline has always been inspired by the Perseid meteor shower. The name itself references Messier 34, a star cluster within the constellation Perseus. Previous iterations used multi-layered dial technology and gradient effects to express that. heavenly atmosphereBut this 75th anniversary production jettisons that trope entirely. Inside the 40mm stainless steel case, Orient Star sources an actual Muonionalusta iron meteorite for the dial, featuring the naturally occurring Widmanstätten pattern, a geometric crystalline structure that forms over millions of years as the meteorite cools in space.

Each dial has a thin silver vapor coating to protect the pattern from corrosion. The result is a unique silver-gray surface, reinforced by Roman numerals at 12, polished hour markers and metal hands leaning into a monochromatic aesthetic. The Orient Star’s signature power reserve indicator is located at 12 o’clock, and the date window is at 3 o’clock.

If it wasn’t broken…

Beneath the sapphire exhibition caseback is the automatic caliber F8N64, Orient Star’s in-house flagship movement dating back to the legendary Cal. 11. Equipped with a silicon escape wheel (introduced by Orient Star in 2021), the F8N64 operates at 21,600 revolutions per hour and offers a power reserve of over 60 hours with manual winding function and hacking seconds. Finally, the watch is adorned with a stainless steel bracelet with a tri-fold deployment clasp.

spec sheet

Price and availability

The Orient Star M34 F8 Date Meteorite is limited to 255 pieces worldwide and will be available in March for €3,250 (approximately $3,500 USD). Please check the Orient Star website for regional availability and retailer information.