Orient Ultra Rare Super Auto Perfect Selfwinding Swimmer 21 Jewels Antichock
In 1961, Orient took its first step into the world of automatic watches with the release of the Super Auto Perfect Self-Winding. This historic timepiece marked Orient's entry into the competitive automatic watch market, setting the stage for future innovations.
At the time, Seiko had already introduced their first automatic watch, the Seiko 11A Indicator, in 1955, followed by the 290 series soon after. Citizen also joined the automatic revolution with their 3KA movement in 1958. These early automatic models paved the way for a new era of Japanese watchmaking (never mind that far across the ocean, Swiss brands were already 3 decades into automatics).
At the heart of the Super Auto was a movement that took inspiration from some of the finest automatic winding systems of its era. Based on Orient's high-grade Royal Orient hand-wound N-Type movement, the Super Auto introduced an efficient automatic winding mechanism, featuring a heart cam and a sickle-shaped winding lever.
Interestingly, watch enthusiasts have drawn parallels between this mechanism and IWC's famed Pellaton winding system, noting striking similarities in design and function. This observation suggests that Orient engineers were influenced by the best automatic winding technology available at the time, integrating it into their own movement to create a robust and efficient system.
The Orient "Super Auto" featured an understated aesthetic, characteristic of the early 1960s and not unlike other Orient models of that period; the brand did not go to great lengths to produce a design that would emphasize the revolution inside. Such are the cursive dial text, along with the simple dotted indices of the first version (case marked H72084). The dauphine hands, coated with luminous material, provide excellent readability, further enhancing the watch's utility.
A second version of the Super Auto (marked F91040) presented a somewhat fancier dial design, with a more elaborate, fluted hour track.
Despite the subtle design and new movement, the Super Auto was intended to be a practical and durable watch. The movement's 21-jewel configuration provided reliable performance, while the 6.4mm thick movement (2.2mm thicker than the base N-Type caliber) allowed for a relatively slim profile compared to competing automatic watches of the era. The 37.7mm case size, considered large for its time, offers a balanced presence on the wrist, while the deep silver sunburst dial enhances its sophisticated appeal.
The Super Auto was available in both waterproof and non-waterproof versions, with model variations such as the "Swimmer" and "Showerproof" lines, ensuring versatility for different lifestyles. Case materials included stainless steel (SS) and gold-filled (OGF) options, each featuring the proud engraving of "Perfect Self-Winding" on the case back.
The success of the Super Auto laid the groundwork for future Orient automatic watches. In 1962, Orient leveraged the same automatic winding system when introducing the LCW caliber, combining the self-winding mechanism with the new L-type movement. This decision cemented the Super Auto’s influence on Orient’s evolving lineup of automatic timepieces.
Furthermore, the automatic winding system from the Super Auto was later utilized in notable models such as the Grand Prix Almighty (64-jewel) and the 100-jewel models released in 1963 and 1964. These watches carried forward the Super Auto's legacy while refining and improving upon its innovations.
Today, the Orient Super Auto Perfect Self-Winding remains a sought-after piece among collectors and enthusiasts. Its unique blend of classic design, historical significance, and technical ingenuity make it a valuable addition to any collection of vintage Orient watches.
At launch, the Orient Super Auto was positioned as a premium timepiece. Over six decades later, its importance in Orient’s history remains undeniable, yet its price today is surprisingly modest. Typically selling for around 300 USD in decent condition, it seems a fair price to pay for a wearable piece of horological history.
And about that name – "Super Auto Perfect Self-Winding" might sound like a bit of overkill, but it’s got charm. It’s as if Orient’s engineers wanted to make absolutely sure you knew the watch was automatic, self-winding, and, of course, perfect and super.
(orientplace.blogspot)
| Marca | Orient |
| Carica | Automatico |
| Materiale della cassa | Acciaio |
| Materiale cinturino | Sintetico |
| Anno di produzione | 1961 (Anno approssimativo) |
| Condizione | Usato (Ottimo) |
| Corredo | Senza scatola originale né documenti originali |
| Genere | Orologio da uomo/Unisex |
| Luogo | Italia, GENOVA |
| Prezzo | 850 € |
| Disponibilità | L'articolo è in magazzino |
Calibro | |
| Carica | Automatico |
| Calibro/Meccanismo | SELF WINDING |
| Numero delle pietre | 21 |
Cassa | |
| Materiale della cassa | Acciaio |
| Diametro | 37 mm |
| Impermeabile | Non impermeabile |
| Vetro | Plexiglas |
| Quadrante | Argento |
| Numeri sul quadrante | Senza numeri |
Cinturino | |
| Materiale cinturino | Sintetico |
| Colore cinturino | Nero |
| Larghezza ansa | 20 mm |
| Chiusura | Chiusura ad ardiglione |
| Materiale chiusura | Acciaio |
Altro | |
| Secondi centrali, Vintage |