Bracelet

In terms of the bracelet, I have to say it’s the feature I’m least impressed with. There isn’t anything particularly wrong with the fully brushed Oyster-style design, but I simply feel that this is the area Nick needs to address immediately if he plans on taking this watch (and future models) to the next level. For smaller brands, bracelets are some of the hardest components to execute properly and the cost involved with the process is nothing to sneeze at. Thankfully, it does taper and the thin, brushed links allow for a comfortable fit that compliments the rest of the Calamity’s slim and easy-wearing design.

The clasp itself is graced with a really cool Orion logo and it’s a simple flip-lock mechanism that’s very similar to some of Seiko’s entry-level clasps. It works, but at this price point I’d like to see a little more refinement and creativity. In some ways I’d actually like for the Orion logo to be milled out in a way that’s similar to what Monta does with their Oceanking Dive Watch. It’s a comparison I’m not really excited to bring up, but I think many potential buyers will be comparing these two models if they’re planning on dropping this kind of cash on a younger watch brand. Still, I can’t say there was much to complain about while evaluating the bracelet but I’d just like to see Orion achieve less of a generic feel when developing future versions.

Movement

Another critical choice that helped push the Orion Calamity to its final form involves the movement. For this watch, Harris opted to utilize the seldom seen ETA 2892; and I say that only because it’s typically rare to see smaller brands take on the additional cost associated with this movement. But, the key here is realizing that the ETA 2892 is nearly 28% thinner than the everyday ETA 2824. This allowed for some extra wiggle room during the case design process and I’m sure the 3.6mm movement thickness helped keep the Calamity as slim as possible. Because of this and the superior shock protection of the 2892, unit cost is slightly more expensive and this is one area to consider when looking at the watch’s price.

I personally find that it’s justified, especially when noticing just how comfortable the slim and fully custom case wears on the wrist. We’re probably splitting hairs if we’re at the point where we’d have to compare tiny upgrades between the 2892 and the 2824. But again, the thinness is where the movement really shines. Otherwise, specifications are pretty standard and the movement operates at 28,800 bph with a 42-hour power reserve.

Conclusion

There’s a lot to like about the Orion Calamity and like I said before, I find it very impressive to see this watch take things to the next level in today’s saturated microbrand world. To witness so many “cash grab” micros pop in and out of the scene is really disheartening, and after a while I think watch enthusiasts will eventually learn the true ephemerality of those business models. A product like the Calamity is refreshing and potential buyers will also quickly realize the dedication Nick puts into his designs and every aspect of his business. The watch, however, does have an uphill battle to deal with and that’s mostly due to the price. At $1,400 it might be tough for some to justify, but I personally find it acceptable if you’re looking for something that’s well-designed and developed with greater care than what’s seen at some of the larger brands. orionwatch.com

Necessary Data
>Brand: Orion
>Model: Calamity
>Price: $1,400
>Size: 40mm Case Diameter, 48mm Lug-to-Lug
>Would reviewer personally wear it: Yes.
>Friend we’d recommend it to first: Someone that enjoys slightly more original sport watch designs that isn’t afraid to drop a little extra cash for a big jump in quality.
>Best characteristic of watch: The contoured caseback and the comfort that results from the greatly reduced case thickness.
>Worst characteristic of watch: The bracelet and clasp could be a little more refined.