Real owners lean toward the Orient Bambino Version 2: 92% of 91 owners recommend it, vs 80% of 83 for the Kamasu.
Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score
Owners land in much the same place on the Kamasu: at around $300 it gives them more than they expected, and the complaints are about the parts bolted to it rather than the watch itself. Those who wear it swimming, cycling, on a farm, and in a commercial kitchen report it still running years in, and several who have since bought watches many times the price say it stays in the rotation. The dials, the green and the red in particular, draw more unprompted praise than any other feature; the green reads nearly black indoors and opens up in sunlight, which owners treat as versatility rather than a compromise. The bracelet is where owners split, with most calling it the weak link and a good number swapping in an aftermarket bracelet or strap, while a minority insist it is fine for the money and gets more criticism than it deserves. The bezel is the other soft spot: the colored aluminum insert picks up scratches fast, sometimes on day one, and fades with constant pool and ocean use. Accuracy is the one thing no owner can promise a buyer, since reported rates run from a few seconds a day to roughly thirty.
“Orient Bambino This was my very first mechanical watch! Will never get rid of it. I still wear it because I love the look of the dial. Wish it were a bit smaller though for a dress watch.”— torpedo109 on Reddit
“The Bambino is a V2 Gen 2 white face with blue hands. I’ve owned two other versions of the Bambino (V1 and V4) but this one has definitely caught my eye more than the others. It wears smaller than my other Bambino’s and still has a subtle sunburst.”— ohheyitsdeejay on Reddit
“I first purchased an [Orient 2nd Generation Bambino Version 2](https://www.amazon.com/Orient-Bambino-Japanese-Automatic-Stainless/dp/B01N45HWRM) based upon the great reviews the company gets on this subreddit and my fondness of the styling...but I was a bit underwhelmed when the watch arrived.”— vaca2018throwaway on Reddit
“Loved mine, ended up giving it to a buddy who loved it more! That red dial is just so good! This watch and the BB58 Burgundy are easily my favorite red dial watches that I know of.”— rivers_to_rooftops on Reddit
“the red kamasu has been a placeholder and it's a great watch”— hgonz14 on Reddit
“I got a green one and the very first day I got a gnarly scratch on the bezel hahah. Only ceramic inserts from here on out for me.”— lodermoder on Reddit
Real owners lean toward the Orient Bambino Version 2: 92% of 91 owners recommend it, vs 80% of 83 for the Kamasu.
Owners point the Orient Bambino Version 2 at first-time mechanical or dress watch buyers on a budget, and people needing an affordable suit or interview watch.
Owners point the Kamasu at first-time buyers of an automatic or a dive watch, and anyone who wants one watch for the beach, the pool, and the yard.
The most-cited downside of the Orient Bambino Version 2 is mediocre, stiff stock leather strap that owners often replace. For the Kamasu, it's the stock bracelet has hollow end links, a rattle, and a stamped clasp.