By Wesley Wright
Meteors and Pearls
When I was asking Nick from Orion for a watch to review, we decided that one watch wasn’t enough. Two wasn’t even enough. So we landed on three. I, of course, will never turn down the opportunity to look at more watches than I bargained for. I have always had a fascination with exotic dials, from deep space feeling aventurine dials to warm stone dials.
When asking if I could review a Hellcat 36, I couldn’t resist asking for the meteorite dial, to which Nick said, “Why don’t we do the mother of pearl dial too?”Man, I love this job. In this article, we will look at the dials themselves, and the intricate details Orion puts into making them. For more information on the case and wearing experience, I just did an article on the purple dial model with all my thoughts there.
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Key Features of the Orion Hellcat 36 Meteor and Mother-of-Pearl
From the Stars…
Let’s start with the meteorite dial. Before I talk about the visuals, I need to say that meteorite as a dial material is insanely cool. First and foremost, it was in space. Okay. Cool. We are on the same page. The idea that the dial of this watch is a thinly sliced piece of a rock that was floating out in space and then one day barrelled into our planet, is truly a unique experience. When looking at this dial from afar, it isn’t flashy, unlike its purple counterpart; it is something to be admired up-close.
The natural patterns created in meteorite dials are a truly amazing thing as each dial is completely original and different from another. Because these are composed of natural materials like iron and nickel metals as well as silicate, the hues change in different lighting and angles.
The model I received for review is the light model, where the meteorite selected is a lighter colour. The colours that come through range from light grey/silver to darker slate with hints of greens and blues. When taking photos of this model I found even the slightest movement gave off different colours and reflections that really add to the depth of the dial and create a lot of visual interest.
To add to the visual interest of this dial, the numerals are done in a silver colour which blend in with the elements on the dial creating a softer look than the other models with the more stark white printed elements. This does not take away from the legibility however, as the numerals are still treated with BGW9 lume and are printed with a slight raise. Nick still employs the use of the syringe hands from the other models which gives a great through line on the design across their models. This dial is a great addition to their current lineup as a choice for exotic dials that don’t scream at you but instead show its character up close. It really is out of this world (Too cheesy? I think not).
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… To the Ocean
Moving to the other side of things I got a chance to get hands-on with the mother-of-pearl dial, and it is such a treat to look at. For those that don’t know, mother-of-pearl comes from the inner layer of mollusk shells. It is often used in jewellery and in more modern context as inlays in guitars. My Gibson Les Paul has some MOP inlays in the fretboard as well as in the headstock in the Gibson lettering. So, to use it on a watch dial, it’s a wild but interesting choice.
The best way I can describe how this dial interacts with light is like oil slick. You get a full spectrum of colours, with streaks of purple, red, blue, and green, on top of the teal-coloured base. Because of its iridescence it changes with every single movement, shifting and shining in different ways. Unlike the meteorite dial, this has a symmetrical, diamond pattern, which provides some uniformity to the unconventional dial.
Much like the purple dial, this pattern provides a very interesting texture that plays with shadows in such an interesting way and lets the mother of pearl underneath it shine in different colours. In certain lights, some portions of the dial get shadow which makes it seem purple and dark, and others in light, sparkly blue. The applied markers stand out well against the dial, with them being done in the same silver print the meteorite dial got. The difference here is that it contrasts very well and really pops, almost giving it an extra bit of lustre to the already dynamic dial.
The same syringe hands are used on this model as the others and uses the same great lume to fantastic low-light visibility. All together, this model gives such a contrast to the meteorite dial through its offer of dynamically shifting colours and an organic feel that truly feels unique.
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Final Thoughts
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.
Pricing & Availability
Both models are available on the Orion website and are priced at $975 USD (Approx. 1387 CAD) for the meteorite dial, and $835 USD (Approx. 1188 CAD) for the mother-of-pearl dial. These models are also in limited supply, with the mother of pearl only having 6 models left!
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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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