Orient RA-AA0009L Men's Kano Stainless Steel Blue Bezel Blue Dial Automatic Dive Watch

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Considering its price, the Kano offers great value in terms of movement, build quality, and finishes. In fact, they are practically the same as those found in more expensive watches from the brand. I wish they'd done a Mako XL 2 like the Mako 2, which solved it's issues. But they probably couldn't increase the crown size, and it'd have meant recasting the case to fit crown and de-pimple. Maybe they tried, but it didn't look right. Our quotes are based on historical sales and real-time market data allowing us to give fair prices without all The Orient Kano comes with either a rubber strap or stainless steel bracelet, depending on the model, both designed to fit 22 mm lugs.

Additionally, the lug-to-lug measurement is 50 mm, which makes the watch appear even larger and more voluminous on the wrist. To be pedantic, when looking at the Ray vs. Mako (either both Gen1 or both Gen2) they're basically identical watches 'under the skin' -- same case, same bezel, different bezel inserts, different hands and different dial. The bracelet version is also slightly different in style between the two (a polished section on the Ray vs. all-matte on the Mako) but the links, clasp, etc. are functionally the same as well. Not much should be expected of bracelets in this price range, but I’m quite tempted to say I really like this one. Yes it has folded end links, a stamped clasp and isn’t particularly resistant to scratches despite being a mostly brushed finish, but that doesn’t make it a bad bracelet. Visually, the case is polished on the sides and brushed on the top, a classic design feature of dive watches. The Orient Kano is a relatively new model line having only been released in 2019. This watch effectively fills the gap for an updated, larger sized entry-level dive watch. On paper, it seems like Orient just produced a larger Mako/Ray. Its execution however, which I will go through in this review, is what really impressed me. This is not simply just an upsized Mako/Ray and I will explain why in a bit.Currently, there are many different models of the Orient Kano available. Let’s take a closer look at each one. What makes each model unique? According to the manufacturer, this movement has a precision of -15 to +25 seconds per day, but many users have reported that their watches are much more accurate, with a range of -1 to +5 seconds per day. The Orient Kano is one of the latest additions to the Japanese brand’s dive watch collection, known for its larger size and vintage inspiration. It’s not a bad thing that this watch bears a resemblance to past successes, as it’s intended to resemble retro diving watches from other times. The dial on this watch is simple and easy to read, which is essentially what is needed in a dive watch. The hands are large and sword-shaped, with applied hour markers framed in metal.

Biggest difference between the Kamasu and usa II are the indicies on the dial. I also believe the bezel design on the Kamasu fits better, height wise, to the crystals top/finished edge. The usa II bezel insert is raised above the crystal by 1mm. What I’d change: Why not play around with some wilder color combos, if not on the dial, on the bezel insert? Inside the Kano beats the Orient F6922 caliber, a precise, reliable, and in-house automatic mechanical movement.Don’t be fooled by the -15/+25spd accuracy specification because more often than not you’ll find these running well within these specifications. In my experience, all my Orients with these movements typically run within the range of +0/+15spd. This is quite a bit better than other watches I’ve had around this price range and easily gets close to watches that cost two to three times as much. As far as summertime-ready dive watches go, the Orient Kano looks to fit the bill. You’ve got an almost-oversized steel case and mineral crystal protecting that Epson movement (the same F6922 that’s in the Kamasu), with a reasonably-svelte 12.9mm height. This means, particularly on the bracelet, the watch will be ready for some summertime gatherings that are leaning more towards the formal. It also looks like it will be a solid platform to start playing around with some more robust textile strap options as well. Like everything Orient manufactures, the Kano offers an excellent value for money, as it is both affordable and highly durable. These hour markers also incorporate a generous amount of luminescent material, making the time more legible in low-light conditions. There are 3rd party replacement bracelets that, despite being ~half the price of the watch, are a big upgrade over the original. Unless you really want the Ray I would get a new bracelet.

While the hands and markers provide plenty of real estate for lume application, I was honestly hoping it would be a bit brighter than it actually is. Now don’t get me wrong as it is still on par with the lume found on the Mako and the Ray, however the size of the markers didn’t really offer as much luminescence as I had expected. It is still very useable, just that given the amount of room there is on the hands and markers, I did expect it to be a bit closer to the brightness of the Orient Stars.Then again, for me, the star of the Orient Kano lineup is going to be that blue bezel set atop the 44mm steel case, especially paired to the steel bracelet. It is worth noting that, while the bracelet itself is solid link, the end links are not solid. Probably not a deal breaker at this price point, but something worth noting if you find yourself being a bit rough and tough on your bracelets. This movement is exactly the same as the one found in more expensive watches from the brand, such as the Orient Mako II or the Kamasu.