The Mako XL was created as a response to the community’s request for a larger Mako watch. As the name suggests, the Mako XL is an upsized Mako, measuring 3mm wider (44.5mm) and a third of a millimeter thicker (13.3mm). Rather than recreate the popular Mako design on a larger canvas, the design was tweaked, with bar hour markers and a 60-unit scale bezel that was devoid of a lume pip. The spear-shaped hour and minute hands and lollipop seconds hand are also hallmarks of the design. Above all, it maintains the signature diver features, including a unidirectional diver-style bezel, 200m of water resistance, strong lume, and a screwed case back, to name a few.

With its roots dating back to 1901, Orient Watch has specialized in the manufacture and growth of mechanical timepieces. Since 1950, Orient has been at the forefront of the production of mechanical watches in Japan. When it comes to watchmaking, Orient does not have an obscure history: Orient has been producing mechanical watches for more than 60 years. It is one of the top three watch manufacturers from Japan and produces 2 million watches per year. Frankly, it may be the biggest watch brand you’ve never heard of. All of Orient’s movements are exclusively made in Japan and no iteration in manufacturing is outsourced. The implicit value of possessing an Orient watch is that the only way to enjoy its tremendous quality is through ownership.

Orient prides itself on the premise that its timepieces are a “watchmaker’s watch”– a no frills mechanical watch that is robust and trustworthy.

    
• Our online reputation suggests that an Orient watch is reliable out of the box. This can be attributed to Orient’s undying dedication to mechanical watches.

    

• In the eye of the Quartz Revolution in the 1970s, the other top Japanese brands went on to predominantly manufacture quartz, while Orient remained focused on its mechanical movements. And while Orient does produce quartz watches, all movements are supplied by its parent company.

    

• So what’s the difference between quartz and mechanical? Despite the obvious difference in moving parts, the short answer is seen in the smooth sweeping second hand of a mechanical watch versus the choppy tick of a quartz movement.

As an in-house movement producer, Orient joins a short list of watch companies that actually manufacture their movements in-house and exclusively for their own use. In the industry, it is highly uncommon that a company produces their own movements in-house, and by doing so Orient Watch can ensure that the quality of their wristwatches are held to the highest standards— Orient’s watches have often been lauded for their rich styling, dependability, and tremendous value.