Orient Triton Neptune Star Diver Watch review 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A RE-AU0302L00B

Orient Triton/Neptune vs. Orient Star Diver Watch Review. Is the Star Worth the Upgrade? (RA-EL0002L00A vs. RE-AU0302L00B)

Orient watches live in a strange shadow of bigger brother Seiko. They usually offer better specs for the price, but the designs are often not as well thought out. There are, however some bright spots in the lineup, The Triton/Neptune being one of them.

With Seiko's retirement of the SKX, it could be argued that the Neptune, (aka Triton), with its very similar case shape and superior water resistance is a better replacement than the "5KX."

Orient also offers its lesser-known Orient Star Diver, which, on paper is very similar to the Neptune. MSRP for the Neptune is $710, but it's not hard to find Orient watches at significant discounts from reputable sellers. They typically sell new for under $500, and used for under $300.

Orient Triton Neptune Star Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A RE-AU0302L00B orientstar

The Orient Star diver typically sells new and used for about $200 more than the Triton. Is it $200 better? Let's find out!

 

A note about the photos. Both watches are photographed on either the Triton bracelet, or a StrapHabit Rubber Quick Release Strap (my normal choice when wearing these watches). In the bracelet section, you'll read a comparison of the bracelets to find out why.

First Impressions

From first glance, the OS has a more upscale and mature look than the Triton. Even from a distance, it is clear that this is a more expensive watch.

Case

The OS has brushed edges and tops of the lugs, whereas the Triton has polished sides. The OS also has sharper edges compared to the Triton. It's still a bit coarse, and not what I would call end, but it is enough to make the OS feel more premium.

Orient Triton Neptune Star Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A RE-AU0302L00B side view

The sizes of both watches are within tenths of a mm.

Triton: 43.4mm diameter, 13.6mm thick, and 51mm lug to lug

OS: 43.6mm wide, 14mm thick and 51mm lug to lug

Orient Triton Neptune Star Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A RE-AU0302L00B side view

 

The offset crown of the triton and thicker lugs add some visual heft, but the bezel of the OS has a smaller surround, plus it has no crown guards. In the end, they have similar wrist presence. 

Orient Triton Neptune Star Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A RE-AU0302L00B dial wrist shot on wrist wearing orientstar

The wearing comfort is slightly better on the OS due to the lug shape, but the difference is minimal. Both models feature drilled lugs. 

Orient Triton Neptune Diver Watch review comparison 200m wrist shot wearing on
Orient Star Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue wrist shot wearing bracelet
Orient Triton Neptune Star Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A RE-AU0302L00B wrist shot wearing on

The OS also features a cleaner motif on the caseback.

Orient Triton Neptune Star Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A RE-AU0302L00B caseback case back

Bezel
I much prefer the coin-edge bezel, and cleaner markings on the insert of the OS. The triangle lume pip is also more unique on the OS.

Orient Triton Neptune Star Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A RE-AU0302L00B bezel crown lugs

The click feeling on the OS bezel is sharper and more precise than the triton, leading again to a higher quality feel. Again though, the OS is not quite premium, as every other click has a slightly different sound and feel.

Orient Triton Neptune Star Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A RE-AU0302L00B bezel crown

Crown
The clean theme continues with the crowns.

Orient Triton Neptune Star Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A RE-AU0302L00B side view crown lugs bezel

The Triton features a larger crown, with a black ring around the center, and chunky grips.

Orient Triton Neptune Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue dial

The OS crown is more subtle, with a small OS logo, and coin edges to match the bezel.

Orient Star Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RE-AU0302L00B dial on wrist wearing on orientstar

Both crowns screw down, providing 200m of water resistance.

Dial
In my opinion, the logo is reason enough to pay the extra for the OS. I'm not sure why "regular" Orient still uses this busy and old-fashioned logo, but I much prefer the stylized "OS" of the big brother.

Orient Triton Neptune Star Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A RE-AU0302L00B dial bezel front view orientstar

The date window on the OS is also in a better location, and I prefer the matte surrounds on the hour markers compared to the polished ones on the Triton. The splash of yellow text also looks nice against the blue.

Orient Triton Neptune Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A dial lume markers hands

The OS dial also has a slightly nicer sunburst pattern, whereas the Triton is more matte. The dial also looks slightly bigger due to its lack of chapter ring.

Orient Star Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RE-AU0302L00B dial hands markers orientstar

The Lume on the OS is a slightly whiter green at night, but both offer such impressive brightness and duration of glow that I can't name a winner. Note that the power reserve hand is only lumed on the Triton.

Orient Triton Neptune Star Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A RE-AU0302L00B lume shot dial night dark

Hands
Both watches have a unique handset. The Triton hands have black centers, and a mix of arrow and sword hands.

Orient Triton Neptune Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A RE-AU0302L00B on wrist pocketshot pocket shot

The OS hands are more modern looking, with rounded edges and hollowed out portions. All hands have a matte finish, but for some reason the seconds hand is a slightly lighter shade of silver. The overhang of the hands looks strange in stock photos of the watch, but they come together better in person.

Orient Star Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A RE-AU0302L00B pocket shot on wrist wearing pocketshot orientstar
Orient Triton Neptune Star Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A RE-AU0302L00B

Crystal
Not much to report here, as both watches have a flat sapphire with AR coating that is slightly recessed below the dial. I did not notice any differences between models.

Orient Triton Neptune Star Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A RE-AU0302L00B side crystal crown lugs

Bracelet
The bracelet on the Triton is nothing special, but appropriate for a watch in its price range. The finishing and quality of the clasp (with dive extension) is on par with a similarly-priced Seiko.

Orient Triton Neptune Star Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A RE-AU0302L00B bracelet clasp

Unfortunately the OS bracelet is minimally upgraded. The differences are so small that they can only be noticed when placed side by side. In fact the endlinks seem to be identical, and both bracelets fit both watches.

Orient Triton Neptune Star Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A RE-AU0302L00B bracelet clasp

The logo and finishing on the clasp is slightly nicer on the OS. They also have different part numbers. Otherwise they seem to be the same.

Orient Triton Neptune Star Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A RE-AU0302L00B bracelet clasp

Movement
The movements in both watches feature 22 jewels, and beat at 21,600 vph and are rated for +25/-15 sec/day accuracy.

Orient Triton Neptune Star Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A RE-AU0302L00B dial bezel markers hands

If you've already looked carefully at the dials, you will have noticed that the Orient Star's F6N47 movement receives an additional 10 hours of power reserve over the 40 hours provided by the the Triton's 40N5A .

Conclusion
At the end of the day, I only need one blue dial 43(ish) mm Orient diver with a power reserve indicator in my collection. I had the budget available for the more expensive OS, so the Triton was the one that ended up getting sold. 

Orient Triton Neptune Star Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A RE-AU0302L00B

Even though the Triton is a great watch, I didn't find myself reaching for it when pulling a watch from my watch box. The differences are all subtle, but all of the small improvements combined make the Orient Star more enjoyable to wear, and helped it to stand out against the other watches in my collection. There were also a few times that I ended up grabbing it because the extra 10 hours of power reserve meant that it was still running, thus I wouldn't need to set the time.

Orient Triton Neptune Star Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A RE-AU0302L00B on wrist orientstar

If you don't have the budget to the Orient Star, the Triton is still a winner, and a worthy upgrade over a 5KX, or other Seikos in the price range. My recommendation though is to spend the extra OS if you can.

Orient Triton Neptune Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A RE-AU0302L00B on wrist bracelet wearing

Your Thoughts
Which Orient diver would you pick, and why? Let us know in the comments.

Orient Triton/Neptune vs. Orient Star Diver Watch Review. Is the Star Worth the Upgrade? (RA-EL0002L00A vs. RE-AU0302L00B)

 

Orient Triton/Neptune vs. Orient Star Diver Watch Review. Is the Star Worth the Upgrade? (RA-EL0002L00A vs. RE-AU0302L00B)

Orient Triton/Neptune vs. Orient Star Diver Watch Review. Is the Star Worth the Upgrade? (RA-EL0002L00A vs. RE-AU0302L00B)

 

Orient Triton Neptune Star Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A RE-AU0302L00B dial bezel

 

Orient Star Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A RE-AU0302L00B on wrist
Orient Star Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A RE-AU0302L00B on wrist wearing blue rubber strap
Orient Triton Neptune Star Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A RE-AU0302L00B bracelet on wrist wearing
Orient Triton Neptune Star Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A RE-AU0302L00B dial on wrist bracelet
Orient Star Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A RE-AU0302L00B on wrist bracelet
Orient Triton Neptune Star Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A RE-AU0302L00B on wrist wrist shot
Orient Triton Neptune Star Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A RE-AU0302L00B wearing on wrist
Orient Triton Neptune Star Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A RE-AU0302L00B bracelet
Orient Triton Neptune Star Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A RE-AU0302L00B bracelet
Orient Triton Neptune Star Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A RE-AU0302L00B bracelet
Orient Triton Neptune Star Diver Watch review comparison 200m Blue RA-EL0002L00A RE-AU0302L00B bracelet end links
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7 comments

Great review! I appreciate your detailed comparison between the Orient Triton/Neptune and the Orient Star Diver. Your analysis of the design& features like the case, bezel, movement, bracelet, and hands are insightful and helpful in understanding their differences. As a watch enthusiast, I found your article well-written and engaging. Keep up the excellent work! Looking forward to more watch reviews from you in the future. You provided images really well. For more about Orient Watches read the blog https://orient-watches.org/

Genelia

I own the Orient triton neptune in blue. It is my favorite, even over my mido ocean star. I had considered the OS, but all the negatives about the Orient are pisitives. I do recommend the Orient.

Kevin F

Excelent compration. Two great piece.

Alvaro

David, thanks for your comments! I feel like the small improvements made the OS worth its small price increase, but I do agree that the OS watches are nothing extremely special. It would be nice to see them have a wider spread between the lines. Maybe not as much as Seiko vs. Grand Seiko, but something along those lines.

Nick

I own Orient and OS watches and honestly I don’t see a big difference in quality. I would recommend the watch that has your eye. I don’t like the long counter-weights OS uses on their hands, and I think the Orient version is more unique looking. OS missed an opportunity to set themselves apart here.

David

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