By Wesley Wright
Watch brand with a story
I have a love for watch brands with a story. These stories usually translate into a display of passion in their construction. Orion Watches was born of this passion, and through Nick, its founder, it aims to bring more horology back to the United States. This is reflected in the way the lineup has taken shape, from the Calamity to the Hellcat.
I was introduced to Orion when I came across one for sale locally and just had to pick it up. My Hellcat is from the original series, with a 39mm case and matte blue dial. It is still one of my go-to pieces for the office, as it slips easily under a cuff and provides a great splash of colour.
After getting mine on wrist and liking it as much as I did, I had to start researching the other models. That was when I came across the Hellcat 36. A quick email later, and I had three to review. Don’t worry—the other stories are coming soon! To my delight, they are as good as I thought they would be.
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Key Features of the Orion Hellcat 36
The Dial: Purple Rain
For the purposes of this review, I am using the purple model sent over as the baseline for the case shape, while saving the other two for discussions of their own special features. That does not mean the dial is boring or uninteresting. Quite the opposite.
The sunburst purple colour has an amazing colour-shifting ability. It becomes a very deep purple in lower light before turning into a lighter, pearlescent purple in brighter conditions. If the colour and sunburst finish do not already make this dial pop, the triangular texture certainly will.
The dial has a mesmerizing triangular pattern that creates a sense of depth that is difficult to define. The pattern forms small ridges and valleys that play with the light in the coolest way. There are so many tiny reflections that each glimpse becomes a new viewing experience. The texture also casts shadows across the deep purple dial below, changing its appearance even further.
The hour markers and minute track are printed in a lovely white, providing good legibility against the purple backdrop. Applied indices appear at the 12, 3, 6 and 9 positions. The markers use blue BGW9 lume, which is quite legible in low-light situations. With so many dressier watches using small block indices and only tiny patches of lume, I truly appreciate that these are fully treated.
The same lume is applied to the syringe hands Orion has chosen for this model. I think this handset is perfectly suited to the watch and really elevates its style.
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36mm: The Return of Traditional Men’s Sizing
The iteration that followed my generation of Hellcat introduced a smaller 36.5mm case, creating a compact and elegant package. I thought it might be a little too small, but after sizing the bracelet and getting the watch on wrist, I had to rethink everything.
The way this watch conforms to my wrist is really quite amazing. Its 36.5mm diameter is matched with a 43mm lug-to-lug measurement, giving it a robust, substantial feel while retaining its compact size. This is complemented by the bonkers thickness—or thinness—of just 9.9mm, including the crystal.
One of the things I really like about Orion is its focus on creating a thin watch. This is something that needs to be experienced. With its slim profile and compact diameter, the Hellcat 36 disappears on wrist while still feeling very solid.
That thinness does not mean it is fragile. The watch features a screw-down crown with a heavily stippled texture, ensuring that it is easy to grip.
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The visual appeal of the case is also worth discussing, as it has so many small intricacies and details that help it shine. The upper surfaces and sides receive a brushed finish, complemented by beautiful polished bevels that lead into the stepped lugs and add another dimension to the design.
Another difference from my 39mm reference is the addition of an exhibition caseback. Through its sapphire crystal, you can see the highly detailed rotor that we will discuss later. Orion has also applied an anti-scratch PVD coating to the caseback to help protect it from marks caused by the bracelet.
The Bracelet
Orion puts this watch on its signature bracelet, which is sized for the Hellcat 36’s 18mm lug width. The bracelet features a mix of finishes, with primarily brushed surfaces and highly polished undercuts. This combination creates a great visual effect, with the polished areas catching the light in a luxurious yet understated way.
The links also have fantastic articulation, making the bracelet very comfortable to wear. The largest upgrade over the bracelet on my model is the tool-free micro-adjustment system. It is operated from inside the clasp through a very tactile push-button mechanism and offers six positions of adjustment.
I found this useful both when initially fitting the watch to my wrist and throughout the day as my wrist expanded and contracted. I had a salty lunch.
Calibre
Powering the Hellcat 36 is the Miyota 9039, a mainstay of the watch world and a reliable, accurate movement choice. The rotor has been customized with Orion’s distinctive tesseract pattern, exposing sections of the metal and making the beating heart of the watch as interesting as the front.
Along with this detailing, the rotor carries the Orion logo, which is also featured on the crown. I love when this movement is chosen because it is such a practical option, particularly when it comes to servicing and the availability of parts.
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Specs
| Case | 316L Stainless Steel 36.5mm Diameter 43mm Lug-to-lug 9.9mm Thick 18mm Lug Width 100M Water Resistance Exhibition Caseback /w PVD Coating |
| Dial & Crystal | Sunburst purple with triangular pattern Swiss Super-LumiNova BGW9 Sapphire Crystal Applied numerals |
| Movement | Miyota 25 Jewels 28, 800bph 42-Hour Power Reserve |
| Strap | Stainless Steel Bracelet /w Tool-less Micro-adjust (6 increments) |
Orion Hellcat 36
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Final thoughts
Going into this review, I was already used to my 39mm variant and was not expecting much of a difference beyond a new dial colour. After wearing the Hellcat 36 for a few days, I must say that I am surprised.
The reduced case size creates a fantastic wearing experience while retaining the details of the larger model. The purple dial is such a great choice, and it is genuinely one of the best purples I have seen on a watch to date.
I have had the watch sitting next to me while writing this, and I keep catching glimpses of the purple changing as the sun sets. This watch punches well above its weight, and I am very happy to have had the opportunity to check it out.
Pricing & Availability
The Orion Hellcat 36 Deep Purple is available through the Orion Watches website for US$765, or approximately C$1,060. The Hellcat 36 is also offered in several other dial configurations.
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About the Author
Based in Vancouver, BC, Wesley shares his passion for watches, photography, and EDC through his Instagram, @wesandwatches. With a strong interest for innovation within horology, he dives deep into brands with compelling stories, thoughtful design, and standout personalities. Beyond watches, Wesley keeps a close eye on men’s fashion and is an avid automotive enthusiast.
Off The Cuff articles are full-length, hands-on reviews of the watch in question and represent the opinion of the author only. All photos are original, unless specified otherwise. If you would like to have your watch reviewed on this site, contact us here.
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