Orient Star Contemporary vs Seiko 5 Sports GMT

Side-by-side comparison of specifications and features

Orient StarContemporary

RE-AU0

Seiko5 Sports GMT

SSK001

Key Differences

Best Value

Seiko 5 Sports GMT (SSK001)

Starting from $400

Price Comparison

Orient Star Contemporary

MSRP

$750

New

$899

Used

$445

Seiko 5 Sports GMT

MSRP

$400

New

$570

Used

$264

MSRP New (Amazon) Used (eBay)

Comparison of Orient Star Contemporary, Seiko 5 Sports GMT
Specification	Orient Star Contemporary	Seiko 5 Sports GMT
Pricing
MSRP	$750	$400
New Price	$899	$570
Used Price (Low)	$445	$264
Used Price (High)	$1,604	$1,023
30-Day Trend	↑ +22.7%	↑ +3.2%
Used Price Range	$445 - $1,604	$264 - $1,023
Identity
Reference	RE-AU0	SSK001
Nickname	N/A	N/A
Style	Casual, Sports	Sports, Tool
Release Era	2020s	2020s
Dimensions
Diameter	40mm	42.5mm
Thickness	N/A	N/A
Lug Width	N/A	N/A
Lug to Lug	N/A	N/A
Movement
Movement	Automatic	Automatic
Power Reserve / Battery	N/A	N/A
Accuracy	N/A	N/A
Case
Case Material	Stainless Steel	Stainless Steel
Crystal	Sapphire Crystal	Hardlex
Water Resistance	100m (recreational diving)	100m (recreational diving)
Bezel	Fixed	Bidirectional 24-hour
Dial
Dial Color	Blue/Black	Black
Luminous	Yes	Yes
Community
Review Rating	N/A	N/A
In Collections	N/A	N/A
On Wishlists	N/A	N/A
Forum Threads	N/A	N/A

Quick Summary

This Orient Star Contemporary vs Seiko 5 Sports GMT comparison is less about a universal winner and more about wrist presence versus easier fit, casual character versus sports versatility. Start with fit first — case width and lug-to-lug usually matter more than secondary features if wrist comfort is a concern.

How to choose

The biggest practical difference is usually movement and upkeep. Start with wrist fit and movement preference, then use water resistance and price to break the tie.

Orient Star Contemporary

Orient Star Contemporary is a better fit for smaller wrists, mechanical-watch enthusiasts, casual styling.

Seiko 5 Sports GMT

Seiko 5 Sports GMT is a better fit for buyers who want more wrist presence, mechanical-watch enthusiasts, sports styling.

Key Differences

Movement and upkeep

Orient Star Contemporary: automatic movement

Seiko 5 Sports GMT: automatic movement

Both use the same movement type, so maintenance differences are limited and fit or feature details should decide the purchase.

Size and wearability

Orient Star Contemporary: 40mm

Seiko 5 Sports GMT: 42.5mm

Fit is a real separator here — compare case width and lug-to-lug before deciding, especially if wrist comfort matters more than headline features.

Water resistance

Orient Star Contemporary: 100m

Seiko 5 Sports GMT: 100m

Water resistance is similar on paper, so focus on fit, features, and price instead.

Price and value

Orient Star Contemporary: $583

Seiko 5 Sports GMT: $400

There is a real price gap here — treat the more expensive option as an upgrade decision and confirm whether the extra spend buys something you will notice in weekly use.

Style and use case

Orient Star Contemporary: casual

Seiko 5 Sports GMT: sports

Orient Star Contemporary leans more casual, while Seiko 5 Sports GMT pulls toward sports use case — pick the one that matches how you will actually wear it.

Crystal and materials

Orient Star Contemporary: sapphire crystal · steel

Seiko 5 Sports GMT: Hardlex crystal · steel

Crystal choice can change long-term wear expectations — one may prioritize scratch resistance while the other keeps cost or vintage feel in check.

Why These Watches Are Often Compared

Orient Star Contemporary and Seiko 5 Sports GMT get compared constantly because both are sports watches, they share the same automatic movement — so the spec sheet alone will not tell you which to buy.

The Differences You Will Notice in Daily Use

Orient Star Contemporary has a sapphire crystal and Seiko 5 Sports GMT has a hardlex — the sapphire one resists scratches better over years of wear.
Feature split: Orient Star Contemporary keeps it simpler; Seiko 5 Sports GMT adds gmt.
Orient Star Contemporary is around $583 and Seiko 5 Sports GMT around $400 — about a $183 gap at typical listings.

Which One Feels More Premium

Orient Star Contemporary — Orient Star Contemporary has a sapphire crystal and Seiko 5 Sports GMT has a hardlex — the sapphire one resists scratches better over years of wear.

Which One Offers More Useful Features

Seiko 5 Sports GMT — Feature split: Orient Star Contemporary keeps it simpler; Seiko 5 Sports GMT adds gmt.

Which One Should You Buy

Orient Star Contemporary for most buyers — Orient Star Contemporary has a sapphire crystal and Seiko 5 Sports GMT has a hardlex — the sapphire one resists scratches better over years of wear. Go with Seiko 5 Sports GMT instead if you want gmt — Seiko 5 Sports GMT has it and Orient Star Contemporary does not.

Choose Orient Star Contemporary If...

You want a smaller case footprint on the wrist.
You are specifically shopping for a casual style watch.
You are comfortable paying more for a stronger feature set.

Choose Seiko 5 Sports GMT If...

You prefer more dial presence and a larger case feel.
You are specifically shopping for a sports style watch.
You want the lower current entry price.

Price and Value Notes

Seiko 5 Sports GMT is often the value play at current pricing, while Orient Star Contemporary makes more sense if you will use its extra features regularly.

There is a real price gap here — treat the more expensive option as an upgrade decision and confirm whether the extra spend buys something you will notice in weekly use.

Where to Check Deals

Check current deals on Amazon and eBay using the buttons below — listing prices, seller quality, and condition can change quickly.

Check current deals on Amazon and eBay

Prices change often, so compare the latest listings and condition options before you buy.

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Orient Star Contemporary

Check Price on AmazonOpens in new tab · Price may vary

Check Price on eBayFrom $583 · Live listings

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Seiko 5 Sports GMT

Check Price on AmazonOpens in new tab · Price may vary

Check Price on eBayFrom $387 · Live listings

Affiliate links — WatchCompared earns a commission on qualifying purchases. This doesn't affect your price.

Comparison FAQ

Which one is better for smaller wrists?

Orient Star Contemporary — it is 40mm wide versus 42.5mm.

Which is better for swimming or rough daily wear?

They are rated the same, so water resistance will not decide this. Choose on strap material and how much you mind scratching the case.

Is the more expensive one worth it?

Seiko 5 Sports GMT is the value pick at roughly $183 less. Pay more only if a specific difference above matters to you — otherwise the cheaper one is the smarter buy. Confirm live listings, since marketplace pricing moves.

What is the actual difference between Orient Star Contemporary and Seiko 5 Sports GMT?

Orient Star Contemporary has a sapphire crystal and Seiko 5 Sports GMT has a hardlex — the sapphire one resists scratches better over years of wear. That is the difference you will notice day to day; the rest of the specs are close enough not to matter.

Which one should I buy?