The Orient Star M34 F8 Date Meteorite

This year marks a significant milestone for Orient Star. The Japanese watch brand turns 75 and plans to celebrate with several limited‑edition releases. Each model will highlight Orient Star’s heritage, craftsmanship, innovation, or a mix of all three. The brand also seems ready to introduce several firsts. Among the five models set to launch in March 2026, the Orient Star M34 F8 Date with a meteorite dial stands out. Limited to 255 pieces worldwide, it uses the rare Muonionalusta meteorite, a material that formed over millions of years. It also marks the first time Orient Star has used a meteorite dial.

As part of the Contemporary Collection, the Orient Star M34 F8 Date draws inspiration from the Perseid meteor shower. Orient Star also referenced this cosmic event in earlier M34 Date models. The brand first released a blue-dial version in 2024. A green-dial edition followed in 2025. The 160‑piece limited-edition reference RE‑BX0009B best expressed the concept through multilayered technology. Its dial used nanometer‑sized metal particles to create a dramatic effect. The result captured the feeling of a meteor shower. Even without knowing about the Perseid meteor shower or the Perseus constellation, the dial remains captivating. It even recalls the “jump to lightspeed” scene from Star Wars.

Orient Star M34 F8 Date Meteorite Dial

After the stunning RE‑BX0009B last year, Orient Star raises the bar again for its 75th anniversary. Last year’s 160‑piece edition offered a rich star‑themed dial. Using genuine meteorite now feels like the ultimate tribute to a meteor shower. Even the M34 name comes from Messier 34, a star cluster with around 100 stars within the Perseus constellation. The dial is crafted from the rare Muonionalusta iron meteorite, which is composed of iron and nickel. Its geometric Widmanstätten pattern forms during millions of years of cooling in space. Each of the 255 dials shows a unique crystalline structure, so no two watches are exactly alike. To protect the pattern, Orient Star applies a thin silver vapor‑deposited coating to resist corrosion.

The dial includes a date window at 3 o’clock and a power reserve indicator below the Roman numerals at 12. The steel date frame and metallic hands enhance the silvery‑gray tones. A 40 × 12.9mm 316L stainless steel case holds the automatic in‑house F8N64 caliber. You can view the movement through the case back’s sapphire display. It includes a silicon escape wheel and offers a 60‑hour power reserve. Accuracy ranges from +15 to -5 seconds per day. The watch also supports manual winding and hacking seconds. A 20mm steel bracelet keeps the look sporty and includes a trifold deployant clasp. Despite the bold meteorite dial, the watch remains legible and ready for daily wear. The Orient Star M34 F8 Date Meteorite costs €3,249.99 / £2,824.99 and will launch this March as a limited run of 255 pieces.

Final thoughts and impressions

Orient Star deserves attention this year. The brand continues to advance both design and technology. It introduced an in‑house silicon escape wheel in 2021 to improve power reserve. Orient Star also pushes creative dial designs, supported by Seiko Epson’s printing expertise. One area for improvement is accuracy tolerance. Japanese brands often keep performance specs conservative, but higher accuracy would help justify rising prices on special models like this meteorite edition.

Orient Star is planning more releases to commemorate its 75th anniversary this year. For now, keep an eye out for the new M34 F8 Date Meteorite and try to see it in person. For more details, visit the Orient Star website.

What do you think of this new Orient Star limited edition? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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