"For fans of motorsport worldwide, it takes just three letters to spell thrilling performances: STI --- An athlete's soul. A champion's heart. A high-performance legend..." Always love how well the Subaru STI attacking the tight corner.... It is a car with attitudes, maybe that is the very reason why I am so fond of every Orient watches associated with STI edition.
Found this insignificant black cupboard box of Orient x STI tugging underneath some other watch boxes. Bought this back in 2011 maybe or earlier....
The inner box is designed with striking black and chili red racing theme. Nothing too fancy, the achievement of the Orient sponsored Subaru STI team is stated on the inner box using silver print.
The 38th ADAC Zurich 24-Hour Race (The Nürburgring 24-Hour Race) was held from May 13 to 16. Subaru Tecnica International Inc. (STI) team skillfully completed the severe race, finishing 24th overall and 4th in the SP3T class.
This collaborative wristwatch is referred to as “Orient X STI 2010 Limited Edition II” or “Orient X STI Stage II”. It was launched in September 2010 to celebrate the excellent achievement of STI team with a limited 1000 pieces Worldwide.
From the first glance, you would notice its crown is positioned at 9 o'clock. Holding it for the first time, you would feel this is a pretty heavy and bulky wristwatch with a diameter of 42mm and a thickness of 11.65mm. Caressing it, you would feel the flat sapphire crystal glass and a grey coloured stationary bezel..... The bezel is decorated with 6 pentagon shaped screws.
This watch is replete with details that connected to the Subaru Impreza WRX STI. Its dial is made of carbon fibre material employed for the racing car and it has the 3D hologram effect. For easy reading and higher contrast with the carbon dials, this watch has a white colour illuminated hands and hour markers.
The power reserve indicator is located at the 6 o’clock position and is designed to resemble a gas gauge. Orient even put a gas gauge symbol on the dial. The power reserve indicator or should I say gas meter is in red in colour.
On the side of the round bezel, it is structured with cross mesh pattern. This gives the watch a rugged touch. There is crown guard that protect the screw in and locked knurling style crown. The crown has a pretty good firm grip and is relatively easy to operate.
The lug width of this watch is 24mm. It is equipped with a pretty thick and sturdy stainless steel bracelet. Despite that being said, the bracelet is relatively smooth, and with solid band for a comfortable fit.
Bracelet is fitted with the standard clasp with double push release button and is further secured with a catch lock mechanism. This is to secure the watch safely on the wearer's wrist as it has quite a weight.
The clasp has the logo of Orient engraved.
At the rear, you would see a clear and see-through case back. Apart from the watch information, each watch has a specific serial number engraved. In my case is 0948/1000. From the case back window, you can see the results of the race engraved on the rotor. I think Orient can do slightly better, maybe colouring the rotor or add a bit of decorative patterns or some coloured screws.... That way, you won't feel the mechanical movement so dull.
The watch is powered by the Japan made in-house 46N47 movement. This is a self-winding 21 jewels with power reserve indicator and a date function. One short fall of 46N47 is that it is a non-hacking and non handwinding movement. The power reserve is more than 40 hours with a vibrations of 21,600bph and a daily accuracy of +25 to -15 seconds per day.
This watch is water resist to 100m. If have it my way, I would love to see the second hand in bright red flaming colour.... which portrait a more fearsome racing spirit.......
