This is the first instalment of our new series [OS (Orient Star) Style] in which we ask popular stylists to recommend new Orient Star models! Today, we feature the M34 F8 Skeleton Hand Winding, a limited edition model released in 2024.

Modelling the watch for us today is Kohta Kawai, a stylist with extensive knowledge of both Japanese and international fashion brands. We asked him to talk us through how he matched the watch with his personal style, as well as his impression of the M34 F8 Skeleton Hand Winding.

An elegant blue!

“The first outfit is centred around a long, woollen cashmere jacket that I’m very fond of. It’s a double-faced jacket with nuanced colours – navy on one side and greige on the other. I like pairing fabrics that look and feel soft with hard, tough-looking watches as an accessory.”

“I was pleasantly surprised to find that the mechanism visible beneath the skeleton dial is much shinier in real life compared to the photos I was looking at prior to the shoot. I had assumed that the watch would only suit certain styles, but when I saw it in person, I noticed that it has a delicate and elegant side to it as well. The colours are beautiful, too – especially the blue of the hands and escape wheel, and the black and blue gradation around the periphery of the dial. These elements of the watch exude a sense of elegance.”

Broadens your range of styles!

“The next outfit consists of a black denim jacket and jeans. Looking at the photo now, I realize that it might look overly tough or austere [laughs], but this kind of outfit makes me want to wear a watch that has just as much presence as the outfit.”

“When I wore the watch, the case size felt just right – not too big and not too small [editor’s note: width 39 mm, thickness 10.8 mm]. The metal bracelet with short pitch H-shaped links feels comfortable and looks good on the wrist.”

Recommended for mechanical watch beginners!

As someone who usually chooses a watch or accessory based on their outfit, Mr. Kawai says, “it felt refreshing to style an entire look around a watch this time.” The M34 F8 Skeleton Hand Winding is a model not only suited for business attire in professional settings, but also for styling up with fashionable outfits just as Mr. Kawai has done. It’s a great model if you want to explore even more ways of enjoying your watch.

The M34 F8 Skeleton Hand Winding is recommended not only for watch enthusiasts who care about design, function and performance, but also for young businessmen who are considering buying a mechanical watch for the first time.

Check out the model he wore!

The watch worn by Mr. Kawai is the M34 F8 Skeleton Hand Winding It is a limited edition version of the original model that was launched in 2022, featuring a modern, stylish design and elaborate details to express starlight shining in deep space.

Blue gradation on the periphery of the dial

The limited edition model’s grey-coloured skeleton movement expresses the abyss of outer space, while the surrounding grey-plated bezel reinforces the image of deep space. The new blue gradation around the periphery of the dial evokes starlight shining in darkness.

The model on the left is the original M34 F8 Skeleton Hand Winding released in autumn 2022, and the one on the right is the latest limited edition model, both of which are equally attractive.

The blue gradation on the periphery of the dial on the limited edition model. The difference between the two models is obvious when you look at the parts alone.

Powered by an in-house hand-winding movement

The model comes with the practical in-house hand-winding movement F8B61. Only the base structure of the movement is left, giving the wearer a full view of the mechanism.

By adopting the silicon escape wheel, developed in-house, the watch now has a power reserve of 70 hours along with high accuracy of +15 seconds to -5 seconds per day.

The crown on the side of the case feels pleasant when winding the mainspring – a sensation that can only be experience with hand-wound mechanical watches.