I do not have an Orient Ray Raven, however, I have the Orient Mako. It's quite reliable, keeps time well for the price range, and it even has handwinding, which is really nice. It's also quite water resistant (200m, I believe it's the same as the Nezumi Baleine). If the Ray Raven is anything like the Mako then I think you'll be pleased if you want a reliable, functional, water resistant, and relatively stylish dive watch at this price range. I've taken the Orient Mako into the shower, swimming pool, and gym with me. It's taken quite a beating and still works well and looks relatively good.
Here are some reasons why I love my Orient Mako watch, which it shares some similarities with the Ray Raven II:
- Raised/applied Orient Logo at 12 o'clock, not just a printed logo. It's just way classier.
- Raised/applied indexes at each of the hour locations, not just printed. Again, it's just classier and adds dimension to the dial.
- Pearl/Dot at 12 o'clock on Bezel has lume. It drives me nuts when dive watches don't have lume on the bezel to indicate how much time as elapsed underwater. Do I dive? No, but if a watch is a dive watch then it should have it. The Seiko Sport Five dive watches do not have this, at least the older models don't. Many other dive watches don't either.
- Handwinding is in the Orient Mako's and Ray Ravens, which is helpful when you want to wind the watch up after not using it for a while or just giving it some power to run without shaking the watch.
- Water Resistant features - No sapphire case back, but it has a nice screw down caseback to ensure water resistance. It also has a screw down crown just like a Rolex Submariner or Omega Seamaster to ensure more water resistance.
- Day-Date complication at 3 o'clock position has a black background and white numbers/days. This is unique to the Ray Raven II. Most watches don't have the day-date complication disks with the same color background as the dial color. It's a nice attention to detail.
It's biggest weakness, which it shares with most watches at this price range, is its mineral crystal instead of sapphire glass. However, most watches I've seen under $500 will share this same weakness. Otherwise it's a great watch. I have a Seiko Sport Five dive watch but it isn't nearly as tough as the Orient Mako. I've cracked the bezel of the Seiko Sport Five by accidentally hitting the watch against the wall. I've done similar things with the Orient Mako against doorways but the bezel and watch are fine. So I assume the Orient Ray Raven will be just as tough as the Orient Mako.
With all that said...I actually think if you really want the Nezumi then you shouldn't settle for anything less than what you want. If you know you'll get a substitute watch but won't wear the substitute watch because it's not exactly what you wanted then it doesn't make sense to get the substitute. Instead save up for the one watch you like most. However, if you just want a good watch then you honestly can't go wrong with the Orient watches.
Also, you can try reading reviews and watching reviews of it online. They're helpful.
Orient Ray Raven 2:
https://youtu.be/b6Ekp77s6fc?t=12m22s
Nezumi Baleine:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWTCwf22Faw
Just from the Nezumi review above, the Orient Mako/Ray Raven will wear slightly larger on a wrist than the Nezumi Baleine. It also seems that the Nezumi does not have steel straps. So these are things you should take into consideration too. I always get a watch with a steel strap whenever possible and buy leather/Nato straps later. The watches look different, too. From my perspective, the Nezumi Baleine looks more like a vintage inspired watch, however, the Orient Ray Raven looks like a more contemporary dive watch. It's exciting, you should share with us your final decision afterwards.
