The Orient Ray | family history
ISO 6425 certification at under $250 with an in-house automatic. The Ray III is the most honest answer to the entry-level dive watch question, and it has been that answer for decades.
Orient's sport/dive collection. The Ray III Automatic 43mm delivers 200m water resistance and an in-house Japanese automatic caliber at sub-$200: the benchmark value dive watch by any measure.
1964-2000 · The original Orient Diver line
Orient has produced dive watches since the 1960s under various names, drawing on the brand's manufacturing depth as one of Japan's vertically integrated movement makers. Early references are now collected for their idiosyncratic dial designs and reliable movement architecture rather than their vintage prestige.
No references from this era in the catalog yet.
2000-2020 · Ray I and Ray II
The Ray name formalized Orient's mid-range dive watch line. The Ray II (2014) established the core case shape: 41.5mm, 200m water resistance, rotating bezel, day-date display, and the in-house caliber. It was widely recommended as the honest alternative to much more expensive dive watches and drew frequent comparison to the Seiko SKX series.
No references from this era in the catalog yet.
2021-present · Ray III: ISO 6425 certification
The Ray III (2021) earned ISO 6425 certification, the international standard for dive watches that verifies saturation dive readability, condensation resistance, and shock resistance in addition to water resistance rating. The F6922 caliber carries a 40+ hour power reserve. At under $250, no Swiss manufacturer offers a comparable specification. The Ray III is the default recommendation for a first mechanical diver.
How to read this family
Two questions worth asking before buying a Ray:
- Does ISO 6425 certification matter for a non-diver? Probably not for water resistance purposes, but the certification process tests shock resistance, legibility, and condensation resistance in addition to depth. A certified watch is simply held to a higher standard. The Ray III passes that standard; most watches at this price point have not been tested to it.
- How does it compare to the Seiko SKX successor models? The Ray III sits close in size and price to the Seiko 5 Sport and SRPD families. Orient's in-house caliber is a competitive movement. The Ray III has the ISO certification advantage; the Seiko lineup has broader colorway selection. Both are honest buys at the price.
Related families: Orient Bambino · Orient Kamasu · Seiko Prospex Turtle
References in this family
Which ref to buy
The Ray III is Orient's sport diver: 200m WR, unidirectional bezel, in-house movement, under $250. The Ray family has been a benchmark for entry-level dive watches since the Ray II introduced the current design language.
- 1Open
Ray III -- 200m diver with in-house movement under $250, the Bambino argument applied to sport.
- The case for it:
- Same in-house movement advantage as the Bambino applied to a proper 200m diver. The Ray III is better specified than Seiko SKX at comparable prices and has a cleaner current production. For buyers who want a mechanical diver without spending $500, this is the recommendation.
- Consider instead if:
- The Seiko 5 Sports and SKX013 have stronger collector communities and better aftermarket support (straps, bezels, NH35 swaps). Orient's ecosystem is thinner.
Rankings last reviewed 2026-06-07. Editorial perspective only. Not financial advice.