I like things that can be repurposed from their intended use. For example, on my desk is a coffee mug that I use to hold pens. I once lived in an apartment whose previous tenant had left behind a coffee table fashioned from an old door (and not in a college squalor way, but in a well finished artisanal way). There?s an appeal in discovering a hidden use for something, and we may have found one in this new, smaller, Orient Bambino (officially, the Orient Classic Date). Conceived as a ladies piece, this new dressy watch from the budget-focused Japanese brand is actually a perfect classic sized gent?s watch. It also might be a useful gateway for modern watch lovers to explore vintage inspired sizes.

Orient Classic Date “Bambino”
Case Material: Stainless steel
Dial: White sunburst

Dimensions: 36.4mm

Crystal: Mineral crystal

Water resistance: 30 meters

Crown: Push/pull

Movement: Caliber F6222

Strap/bracelet: stainless steel bracelet

Price: $324; $352 (two-tone Rose Gold plated version)

These new Bambinos come in two flavors, differentiated by the handset and bracelet. First we have a version with a basic white dial, black hands, and applied silver toned hour markers. The steel bracelet has a combination of brushed and polished finishes.

There?s also a two-tone model with the same dial, but this one has rose gold colored accents on the bracelet and dial furniture to match. On both watches, the dial...