Whats Better Orient Ray II Or Orient Mako II?

Orient are one of the best budget watchmakers on the market. The Japanese brand, owned by one of Seiko’s subsidiary companies, is known across the globe for its high-quality in-house movements, put inside well built, budget watches. 

Whilst they have watches across the sport and dress watch categories, it’s two of their dive watches we’re comparing today with the Orient Ray II and the Orient Mako II. 

Given the watches are so similar, it leads many watch fans to wonder what the actual differences are between the two. Well, in this article, we’ll help you answer that question. We’ll compare both watches on their design, specs and price to help you understand which watch might be the one for you!

Note – The naming of Orient watches varies from region to region. As such, we’ll be comparing the following references: Orient Ray II (Ref: FA002004B9) and the Orient Mako II (Ref: FAA02001B9).

Ray II vs Mako II: Design

When you first see the designs of the two watches, it’s easy to see why so many fans struggle to separate them. 

Starting with the Orient Ray II, we see a traditional dive watch combination of large dot hour markers and thick arrow hands. As is standard with dive watches, we see a high contrast colour scheme with the white lume markings easy to read against the plain black dial. A red-tipped/white seconds hand completes the package alongside a day/date window at 3 o’clock. 

With the Mako II, we see Orient favour a combination of numbers and thin rectangular hour markers instead of the circles of the Ray II. Whilst this ventures away from the traditional dive watch model, it does mean the watch also delivers a bit of a sporty feel. There are slight differences in the details of the hand designs, with the hour hand arrow a little thinner and longer than the Ray II, with the seconds hand tip slightly thinner and a deeper shade of red. 

The bezels on both watches combine a black and white design, with the numbering on the Ray II slightly more prominent and bolder than the Mako II. Again, this difference in style means the Ray II looks like a quintessential dive watch, whereas the Mako II tips towards a sportier feel. 

In terms of design, as always, it’s going to come down to personal preference. Both watches offer a slick black and white dive design that’ll look nice on the wrist even out of the water. It’s really down to whether you want a traditional looking dive watch with the Ray II, or something a bit different and sporty with the Mako II. 

Ray II vs Mako II: Case & Bracelet

From here on out, the differences between the two watches become very, very slim. 

Both watches have exactly the same 41.5mm steel case to house their various designs. Both watches are also 13mm thick, come with a mineral crystal and a screwdown crown. 

Whilst the lug-to-lug width of both watches is 22mm, the only real difference between the two here is in the exact design of their bracelets.

You’ll see from these two Orient product images above that the central section of the bracelet is designed slightly differently. The Ray II has an additional level of detail and design on the outer edges of the central section, whereas the Mako II is plainer. 

Both bracelets link up with Orient’s double push-button safety clasp, again leading to no real separation between the two. When it comes to deciding between the two watches, the case and bracelet are practically identical and are unlikely to feed into your decision. 

Ray II vs Mako II: Movement

We hate to sound like a broken record, but when it comes to the movement of these two watches, there’s nothing to separate them! 

Both watches use Orient’s F6922 movement, delivering the following specs:

• Automatic movement type
• Hand-winding
• Hacking movement type
• 40 hours power reserve
• Day/date complication
• 200m water resistance

At this price point, no matter whether you go for the Ray II or the Mako II, you’re getting a high-quality automatic movement that’s made in house by Orient’s watchmakers.

Ray II vs Mako II – Bonus Comparison – Lume

Before we look at the price, there’s one last comparison we wanted to run you through based on honest customer feedback. If you’re taking either of these watches diving, you want to ensure the lume is powerful enough to keep track of time accurately. 

You’ll see from Orient’s product shots that the circle-marker Ray II has by far and away the more powerful lume of the two watches. This aligns with feedback from real watch owners, with those who opted for the Mako II disappointed that the watch is tricky to read in the dark. 

In a comparison where two dive watches are so so similar, the lume really separates the two and makes the Ray II the clear choice if legibility in the dark is a crucial priority for you! 

Orient Ray II vs Orient Mako II Price Comparison

We’ll finish up by looking at the price of these two models. As we’ve already mentioned, Orient watches are known for their great price, and the good news is that it’s the same story with these two models. 

There’s only a matter of dollars between the two, as you’d expect, given their specs are so aligned. If you go and buy directly from Orient, you’ll be able to pick up an Orient Ray II for $350 or an Orient Mako II for $340. Like with so many comparisons between these two watches, that minimal $10 swing means that price is unlikely to be a deciding factor here. 

But wait, there’s more! If instead you head onto Amazon, you’ll actually be able to pick up an Orient Ray II or Orient Mako II for around $140. At that price, it means you could even buy both and still have change out of $300! 

Especially at that $140 price point, both watches represent some of the best value in the dive watch market!

Orient Ray II vs Orient Mako II – Summary

It’s easy to see why Orient fans struggle to separate the Ray II and the Mako II. Both watches are so similar and offer an excellent way for dive watch fans to get their hands on an automatic watch for under $150. 

When comparing the two, we think it comes down to two factors – design & lume. The Ray II is definitely the better ‘pure’ dive watch. Its round hour markers and bezel stylings speak to the traditional dive watch design with its high-powered lume easy to read in all situations. On the other hand, the Mako II will appeal to those who want a sportier watch that still keeps in roots in the diving world. 

In the battle of the Orient Ray II vs Orient Mako II, you’re always going to be a winner no matter which model you chose!

Source for Orient Ray II Images – Here

Source for Orient Mako II Images – Here