The Orient Mako XL has been around a few year now, but since the release of the Kano and Kamasu, it’s gotten even more affordable. With a total of five different variations, the black dial/orange bezel combo is by far my favorite one. The dial is matte black and the deep, metallic orange of the bezel contrasts it beautifully.

It is perhaps reminiscent of the Omega Planet Ocean, but it’s not a blunt copy – it’s not even a homage – it’s very much its own thing. The big, bold hour-markers and the broad arrow hands make the Mako XL absurdly legible and possible to read the time in a glance. The bezel action is smooth, yet very solid. The screw-down crown and the date pusher also work flawlessly. The entire thing is a rock-solid hunk of metal – even the solid link bracelet is not too shabby, even though it has hollow end-links and a pressed clasp – but then again, what could you expect at this price point?

But while Orient’s diver line-up was mostly upgraded with a newer, hacking and hand-winding movement, that’s not the case with the Mako XL – it still uses the 46943 caliber, which has none of the above. And yet, what this movement lacks in specs, it makes up in reliability and robustness. The 46943 has been around since the ‘70s and has remained virtually unchanged since. And for a good reason – it works!

The Achilles’ heel of the Mako XL has to be its lume – or the lack of it. While Orient has made huge strides in the lume department in the last years, this obviously happened after the release of the Mako XL. There is some lume, all right, but it fades quickly in comparison to the newer Orient offerings and it’s not as nearly as bright.

The Orient Mako XL is not infallible watch – nor it can be, at this price range – but it is still one of the best affordable divers for the big(er) wrist!