Orient Defender & Pilot: Field and Aviation Watches

Orient's tool watches are not limited to divers. The Defender and the Orient Pilot bring the brand's in-house automatic value to field and aviation styles, with legible dials, 100 metres of water resistance and prices well under US$500.

The Defender

The original Defender , introduced around 2013, combined a military-style dial with a multi-function layout including a 24-hour subdial and day display — unusual on an affordable field watch. In 2019 the Defender Gen 2 rebalanced the dial, swapping the positions and sizes of the day indicator (now at 10 o'clock) and 24-hour subdial (now at 5 o'clock) for better legibility, with a date window alongside.

The Gen 2 uses a 42.4 × 12.2mm steel case with a mineral crystal and 100 metres of water resistance, powered by the in-house F6B22 automatic with hand-winding, hacking, 22 jewels and about 40 hours of power reserve. It launched from US$330 in blue, green, grey, black and khaki on bracelets, leather or nylon straps.

The Orient Pilot

The Orient Pilot (RA-AC0H series) takes a cleaner, classic aviation approach: a 42.4 × 11.6mm case with a 49.5mm lug-to-lug, a screw-down crown, mineral crystal and 100m water resistance, with large printed numerals and luminous hands. It runs on the in-house F6722 automatic with day-date, hand-winding and hacking, and lists at around US$405.

How They Compare

Both compete with the Timex MK1 and Expedition field watches and, further up, Hamilton's Khaki Field (see our coverage of the Hamilton Khaki Field Murph). The Defender stands out for its 24-hour subdial and day display; the Pilot for its cleaner, more traditional dial. For more options, see the best watches under $500.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Orient Defender?
A field-style automatic with a 24-hour subdial, day display and date; the Gen 2 version arrived in 2019.

What movement is in the Orient Defender Gen 2?
The in-house F6B22 automatic, with hand-winding, hacking, 22 jewels and about 40 hours of power reserve.

How big is the Orient Pilot?
The RA-AC0H Pilot measures 42.4mm x 11.6mm with a 49.5mm lug-to-lug.

How water resistant are the Defender and Pilot?
Both are rated to 100 metres.

Related Reading

• Orient: Brand History
• Timex Expedition & Camper
• Orient Kamasu