Head-to-Head Comparison

Updated

Orient Mako 40 Green vs Stauer 1920s Retrograde

Orient's diver meets Stauer's dress watch

Quick Verdict

The Stauer 1920s Retrograde ($100–$150) delivers Quartz technology in the tier below the Orient Mako 40 Green ($250–$500). The 1920s Retrograde measures 43mm and is rated 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer. The Mako 40 Green justifies its premium with Made in Japan heritage and Automatic Caliber F6722. Both represent excellent choices in the luxury watch category.

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Orient Mako 40 Green

Orient

Mako 40 Green

$250–$500

Stauer 1920s Retrograde

Stauer

1920s Retrograde

$100–$150

Specifications Compared

FeatureOrient Mako 40 GreenStauer 1920s Retrograde
Price$250–$500$100–$150
Case Size40mm43mm
MovementAutomatic Caliber F6722Quartz
Caliber TypeOrient In-House Automatic (Hacking, Hand-Winding)Quartz
Power Reserve40 HoursBattery
Water Resistance200m (20 ATM)100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer
CrystalSapphire CrystalMineral crystal
Case MaterialStainless SteelGold-tone stainless steel (listing photo shows a gold-tone finish; Amazon spec table says stainless steel)
OriginMade in JapanStauer (USA brand, imported)

Category-by-Category Analysis

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Design & Aesthetics

Edge: Draw

Orient's design language vs Stauer's approach

The Orient Mako 40 Green features a Stainless Steel case at 40mm with Sapphire Crystal protection. The Stauer 1920s Retrograde offers Gold-tone stainless steel (listing photo shows a gold-tone finish; Amazon spec table says stainless steel) construction at 43mm with Mineral crystal. Both represent their brand's distinct design philosophy and heritage.

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Movement & Performance

Edge: Orient

Automatic Caliber F6722 vs Quartz

The Mako 40 Green runs the Automatic Caliber F6722 (Orient In-House Automatic (Hacking, Hand-Winding), 40 Hours power reserve) at 21,600 vph (3 Hz) frequency. The 1920s Retrograde uses the Quartz (Quartz, Battery reserve) at standard. The Mako 40 Green edges ahead on power reserve.

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Wearability & Fit

Edge: Orient

40mm vs 43mm — different wrist presence

At 40mm, the Mako 40 Green wears more compactly on smaller wrists compared to the 1920s Retrograde at 43mm. Water resistance differs: 200m (20 ATM) vs 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer.

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Value & Cost of Ownership

Edge: Stauer

Stauer sits in the lower tier

The Orient Mako 40 Green sits at $250–$500 and the Stauer 1920s Retrograde at $100–$150. On the specs that outlast any price: the Mako 40 Green uses Sapphire Crystal with 40 Hours, against Mineral crystal and Battery on the 1920s Retrograde. Service intervals are typically 5-7 years for both.

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Water Resistance

Edge: Orient

200m (20 ATM) vs 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer

The Mako 40 Green is rated to 200m (20 ATM) while the 1920s Retrograde handles 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer. The Mako 40 Green is better suited for water activities.

Our Verdict

Orient

Mako 40 Green

Choose the Orient Mako 40 Green if you prioritize Orient In-House Automatic (Hacking, Hand-Winding) engineering, Made in Japan craftsmanship, and 200m (20 ATM) water resistance. At $250–$500, it delivers Automatic Caliber F6722 with 40 Hours power reserve.

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Stauer

1920s Retrograde

Choose the Stauer 1920s Retrograde if you value Quartz technology, Stauer (USA brand, imported) heritage, and 43mm proportions. At $100–$150, the Quartz with Battery power reserve makes it a compelling choice.

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The Bottom Line

The Orient Mako 40 Green and Stauer 1920s Retrograde represent two distinct approaches to fine watchmaking — the Orient bringing Made in Japan tradition while Stauer delivers Stauer (USA brand, imported) engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Orient Mako 40 Green is the better buy if you want a mechanical movement; the Stauer 1920s Retrograde is the better buy if you want quartz accuracy with no servicing. For water, the Orient Mako 40 Green is rated 200 m against 100 m, which is the difference between swimming and diving on one side and splashes on the other. On price, the Stauer 1920s Retrograde sits a band lower ($100–$150 against $250–$500), so it is the cheaper way into the category. Neither is better at everything; the spec table above shows movement, case size, water resistance and crystal side by side so you can weigh what matters to you. We do not test units, so this is the makers' data, not a bench result.
The Stauer 1920s Retrograde offers better upfront value, sitting a tier lower at $100–$150. However, the Orient Mako 40 Green may justify its premium with superior finishing, heritage, or resale value.
Both are suitable for daily wear. The Mako 40 Green at 40mm with 200m (20 ATM) water resistance handles everyday situations. The 1920s Retrograde at 43mm with 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer is similarly capable. The Mako 40 Green uses Sapphire Crystal while the 1920s Retrograde uses Mineral crystal. Sapphire resists scratches noticeably better than mineral glass.

How This Page Was Made

Our comparisons are generated from a hand-maintained specification database and reviewed under our editorial standards. We use AI tools to assemble pages from that data. We don’t invent specs: every number traces back to the database, and when we correct an entry, the fix is applied site-wide. As an Amazon Associate, The Horologist earns from qualifying purchases.