Orient Chandor Quartz - rectangular case, black dial - gold-plated stainless steel

Black dial, gold-tone indices, rectangular case – the classic combination for a Japanese dress watch, here in Orient’s Chandor line.

The case back bears the Orient crest as well as the engravings SS+GP, WATER RESISTANT, STAINLESS STEEL, the reference C25291-40 CS, and JAPAN. The dial is marked with QUARTZ and the Chandor lettering.

Orient and the Chandor line

After Seiko and Citizen, Orient was the third major Japanese manufacturer with its own in-house movement production. Under the name Chandor, the company launched an upscale dress line in the 1980s: flat cases, understated dials, and carefully executed finishes.

The choice of material is noteworthy. While competitors in this price range relied primarily on base metal cases, this case is made of stainless steel and finished with a gold plating—the case back engraving SS+GP indicates exactly this. The difference is not merely cosmetic: a steel core ages differently than base metal, and the plating sits on a stable foundation.

The 1980s were the decade of the flat quartz watch in Japan. Once movement manufacturing had moved past the mechanical competition, the focus of the rivalry shifted to design—and watches like this are the result.

Design

The dial is deep black and kept perfectly serene. It features slender, gold-tone baton indices at all twelve hours, paired with matching narrow hands. The lettering QUARTZ is placed in small print below the 12, and the model name Chandor is written in a cursive font below the center of the dial.

The contrast between the black background and the gold-tone elements is the actual design highlight: it makes the watch legible at arm's length despite its small size and gives it a gravity that a light-colored dial would lack.

The rectangular case is flat and transitions via short lugs into the link bracelet; the crown is positioned on the left at the height of the center of the dial. At 6.3 millimeters in height, the watch is one of the flattest in this class.

Dating

The case back bears the reference C25291-40 CS, but no serial number that can be dated using a publicly documented system. The case shape, dial design, and movement execution place the watch in the 1980s.

Condition and origin

The watch comes from a specialized Japanese watch shop and was tested there prior to sale.

The dial is very well preserved: the black is even, without spots or discoloration, all indices are firmly attached, and the hands are undamaged. The crystal shows light scuff marks in the lower left area.

The case shows signs of wear and polishing, as is inevitable with a gold-plated surface; the plating is intact. The back is slightly scratched with a fully legible engraving. The original bracelet is complete and shows light signs of use.

The actual condition is shown unretouched in the product photos.

Technical data

• Brand: Orient
• Model: Chandor
• Reference: C25291-40 CS
• Movement: Quartz, battery-operated
• Functions: Hour, minute, second
• Case: Stainless steel with gold plating (SS+GP), rectangular
• Dimensions without crown: 26.7 × 29.1 mm
• Height: 6.3 mm
• Lug-to-lug: 36 mm
• Lug width: 20 mm
• Weight incl. bracelet: 59 g
• Dial: black with gold-tone baton indices
• Bracelet: original link bracelet
• Dating: 1980s
• Origin: Japan

For whom?

For wearers looking for a small, flat watch to wear with a suit and who prefer black-and-gold over the standard silver tone. For collectors who want to document Orient beyond the automatic lines. And for those who value having steel underneath the gold plating.

Warranty (used)

This is a used item. The statute of limitations for claims for defects under the statutory warranty is 12 months from delivery.

Note on water resistance

The original Water Resistant marking refers to the watch when it was new. Due to the age of the seals, current water resistance is not guaranteed. To protect the movement, the watch should not come into contact with water or moisture.