Orient Ray vs Mako: Comparison & Review

Orient Ray vs Mako: What Are the Differences?

After looking at the overview, you might be wondering: What are the differences between the two watches?

So, we compared the two watches using 8 categories:

1. Movement
2. Markers
3. Hands
4. Bezel
5. Band
6. Water Resistance
7. Case Size and Material
8. Price

Don’t have time to go through each? Might be anti-climactic, but it’s a tie!

Confused? Read the following parts, and you’ll see why.

Movement

Both automatic watches feature the new Orient Cal. F6922 movement. Orient developed this as the successor to the Cal. 46943 movement.

Both movements have 21,600 vibrations per hour and have a 40-hour power reserve. But they do have a few differences, such as:

• 21 jewels (Cal. 46943) vs. 22 jewels (Cal. F69220)
• -25/+35 seconds (Cal. 46943) vs. -15/+15 seconds (Cal. F69220)
• Day quickset button (Cal. 46943) vs. Keyless works (Cal. F69220)
• No manual winding (Cal. 46943) vs. Has manual winding (Cal. F69220)
• Does not hack (Cal. 46943) vs. Hacks (Cal. F69220)

The Orient Cal. 46943 is a trusted movement that has been used for 40+ years. However, it did have some issues, including:

• Accuracy issues
• Lack of hacking
• Strange date change button

The new Orient Cal. F6922 movement addresses all of these issues. It was first introduced in April 2016 to the two automatic watches, Orient Ray II and Mako II.

The first thing you’ll notice is the lack of that quirky date change button.

Second, it’s now possible to hack the new models.

The hacking feature allows you to stop the second hand to set the time properly. This way, the time will be more accurate as opposed to waiting till the power runs out.

Third, manual winding is also possible. Manual winding means your dive watch will keep going even if you’re not wearing it for a while.

Markers

The Ray II has circular markers mixed with tapered markers at the 6, 9, and 12 o’clock spots. These markers are covered in lum, which is an important factor for a dive watch.

The visible minute markers around the bezel make it great for BETTER VISIBILITY even underwater.

Overall, the Ray II looks sportier and closer to a traditional dive watch.

On the other hand, the Mako II has a more stylish appearance. It has Arabic numbers placed at the 12, 6, and 9 o’clock positions.

The markings are thinner compared to the Ray II. This gives it a more elegant, sophisticated look, which is great if you want to use it as a dress watch too.

The day/date on the dial is also very similar.

Both watches use legible capital letters for the day. The color is black for most days, except for Sunday which is marked as red. The numbers are in black.

Hands

Though not a huge difference, you’ll notice that Ray II and Mako II have a slight distinction.

The Ray II has thicker hands.

The hour hand on the Ray is big and tapered, and the minute hand is less tapered. Plus, the Ray has a thicker head on the second hand.

The big hands mean there will be more lume applied on the Ray. This is what you want to see in a dive watch: legibility wherever you are, whatever the time is.

The Mako II has a thinner look than the Ray. The hour hand and second hand are noticeably less tapered.

This makes the piece look sleeker, but not so sporty. But it is still a dive watch, so it is finished with lume.

Bezel

Upon closer inspection, you’ll also notice that there’s a slight difference in the bezels.

The numbers and markers on the Ray II are bigger.

The triangle at the 60-minute mark (12 o’clock position) can be seen on both watches. However, the one in Mako II is sharper and more pronounced.

Both watches also have minute markers up to 10 minutes. They also have ribbed edges on the exterior of the bezel.

Both dive watches support a 120-click unidirectional rotating bezel with a coin edge. This is an “improvement” from the first generations, which had a 60-click unidirectional bezel.

The clicks really boil down to personal preference. Many people in watch forums have said it doesn’t make a huge difference to them (and I agree).

However, for the sake of comparison, the 120-click is technically better, especially for a dive watch. This allows you to time things more precisely as opposed to the 60-click where you have to round up.

Band

The difference in the band isn’t obvious—blink and you’ll miss it.

However, if you take a closer look, the Ray II has a more traditional look. It’s a 3-piece stainless steel band with a beveled line on each side with a slightly different finish on the metal.

The Mako II also has a 3-piece stainless steel band, but it’s flat with no lines or bevels. This makes it look more modern.

The stainless steel band size is also different. The Ray II is 22 mm, whereas the Mako II is 20 mm.

Granted, the 2 mm isn’t a big difference. However, some customer reviews have said that the stainless steel strap in the Mako is too thin, making it flimsy and weak.

Water Resistance

Water resistance is one of the most important aspects of a dive watch.

For both watches, you’ll be glad to know that it is water-resistant up to 200 meters (660 feet).

This means it’s suitable for marine activities and water sports. Though it can handle diving, take note that it’s NOT an ISO-certified dive watch.

Both watches feature a screw-down crown. So you’ll be assured that it won’t accidentally open up while underwater.

Case Size and Material

Both the Orient Ray II and Mako II have a case diameter of 41.5 mm (without the crown). This makes it suitable for most guys’ wrists.

The thickness for both watches is also the same at 13 mm. It’s also the same for the dial window material, which uses mineral crystal.

Mineral crystal isn’t as great as sapphire crystal, of course. But for a watch that’s under $200, that’s already a bargain.

Mineral crystal is a better material than an acrylic crystal in the sense that it’s been heat-treated to make it resistant to scratches.

Price

Last but not the least, price is a huge factor to consider when buying any product.

More so if you’re investing in a diver watch, you want to make sure you’re getting the best bang for the buck.

Both models have a similar price point.

The Orient Ray II costs about $128 to $129, with the exception of the Orient Ray Raven II (FAA02003B9) which costs $210.

On the other hand, the Mako II’s prices range from $129 to $135 for all models.

So the starting prices for both watches are essentially the same. Both are high-quality dive watches that don’t skimp out on accuracy and reliability.

Check out the following links on Amazon for the latest prices:

• Orient Ray
• Orient Mako

The Verdict: Which Watch Is Better?

This brings us to the last part of Orient Ray vs Mako. Which watch is better?

Well, it’s a tie for us!

Why? The two watches are only slightly different.

Plus, Orient makes great watches without the hefty price tag. So whether you’re looking for a dress watch or dive watch, Orient will have you covered.

Still on the fence? Orient is actually owned by Seiko. Seiko is a large Japanese manufacturer of watches, electronic devices, and semiconductors.

Orient also sells a lot of specialized parts. This includes a leather strap, bracelet, end links, or spring bars. All you have to do is leave a request on the ‘Contact Us’ tab on their site.

This makes Orient watches a companion you can have for years.

Here’s a quick rundown of our impressions:

Get the Ray II If…

• You’re looking for a more traditional style in a dive watch
• You like large markers with more lume
• You prefer a thicker bracelet (22 mm)

Get the Mako II If…

• You want a dive watch that can also act as a dress watch
• You prefer a more minimalist look with less prominent markers and bezel
• You want different dial colors to show off your personality

Conclusion

Both the Orient Ray and Mako are great options for a first watch without having to cost an arm and leg.

The two models are very similar with only a few differences. This includes the thicker bracelet and the larger face markers on the Ray.

As such, when it comes to choosing a watch, it boils down to personal preferences.

Between the two, which watch do you like better? Leave a comment down below!