Orient New Multi-Year Calendar – JDM - Automatic 21 Jewels – late 1990s, approx. 43 mm

Finally, a watch from Japan for people with large wrists!

A calendar watch that has nothing in common with the usual date ring – and probably the most idiosyncratic complication that the Japanese watch industry has mass-produced.

This Orient bears the dial imprint "New Multi-Year Calendar" and operates with an automatic movement with 21 jewels. The case back is embossed with the reference 46D701-81, the lettering ORIENT WATCH CO., LTD., the designation 5BAR, and ALL STAINLESS STEEL / WATER RESISTANT, and features the Orient swallow insignia in the center.

The Multi-Year Calendar

Orient, founded in Tokyo and for decades the third major movement manufacturer in Japan alongside Seiko and Citizen, never positioned itself on prestige but on its own mechanical constructions at affordable prices. The Multi-Year Calendar is the most striking example of this.

Instead of a rotating date ring, the watch works with permanently printed segment scales: In the upper dial area, the months are listed in columns next to each other, below which a hand moves over a year scale; in the lower area, there is a weekday table with the date numbers. From the combination of month column, year marker, and table, the weekday for any given date can be read – a mechanically astonishingly simple solution for a task that other manufacturers undertook with considerable effort.

The case back engraving 46D701 refers to Orient's 46 series automatic family, which supported this model range for many years. The dial indicates the movement has 21 jewels.

Design

Despite the density of information, the silver-colored dial is remarkably calm. The month and year sector is located at the top between 11 and 1 o'clock, the weekday sector at the bottom between 5 and 7 o'clock, and a framed date window with a gold-colored border is at 3 o'clock. Between the scales, there is enough free space for the time display to retain its primary position.

The gold-colored applied bar indices have luminous dots and are enclosed by a fine double minute track at the edge of the dial. The hands and indices are kept in warm tones and create a clear contrast to the cool stainless steel case. The red Orient crown insignia below 12 o'clock gives the dial its only splash of color.

The watch is operated via two elements on the right side of the case: the pusher at 2 o'clock for adjusting the calendar and the crown at 4 o'clock for setting the time. The watch comes with its original stainless steel bracelet.

Dating

The case back does not bear a datable serial number. However, a clue can be found on the dial itself: The year scale of the calendar covers the period around the turn of the millennium and begins at 97. Since these scales were printed for their respective operating periods from production, this suggests manufacturing in the second half of the 1990s.

Condition

The dial is very well preserved: no stains, no discoloration. All calendar scales are sharply printed and fully legible, the applied indices are firmly in place, and the luminous dots are all present. The crystal is clear and shows no damage that would impair readability.

The case is polished and shows fine signs of wear and storage on the flanks. The case back shows light scratches, with fully legible embossing and a clearly preserved swallow insignia. The signs of use are more visible on the original steel bracelet: Scratches and scuff marks can be found on several links.

The crown and pusher operate smoothly, and the watch runs in automatic mode.

The actual condition is shown unretouched in the product photos.

Technical Data

• Brand: Orient
• Model: New Multi-Year Calendar
• Reference (case back): 46D701-81
• Movement: Automatic, Orient 46-series movement family
• Jewels: 21 Jewels
• Functions: Hour, minute, central seconds, date, month, year, and weekday display via segment scales
• Case: Stainless steel
• Diameter without crown: approx. 43 mm
• Height: 11.4 mm
• Lug-to-Lug: 48.2 mm
• Lug width: 19 mm
• Weight incl. bracelet: 104 g
• Water resistance from factory: 5 bar
• Dial: silver-colored with gold-colored applied indices
• Bracelet: original Orient stainless steel bracelet
• Dating: second half of the 1990s
• Origin: Japan

For whom?

For collectors of Japanese calendar complications who appreciate Orient's independent path alongside Seiko and Citizen. For wearers looking for an automatic watch that tells more than just the hour and minute on its dial. And for anyone who wants a mechanical watch that can be worn without caution in everyday life.

Warranty (used)

This is a used item. The limitation period for claims for defects under the statutory warranty is 12 months from delivery.

Note on water resistance

The original designation 5 BAR / Water Resistant refers to the new condition of the watch. Due to its age, no current water resistance is guaranteed. To protect the movement, the watch should not come into contact with water or moisture.