Two men, Paul Cattin and Georges Christian founded Oris in 1904. They bought the Lohner & Co watch factory, which had recently closed, and named the company after a brook in the Swiss town of Hölstein. In less than a decade, the company has expanded to include another factory and an assembly plant, becoming the largest employer in Hölstein. By 1929, they had six factories in total.
Oris is one of the few Swiss watchmakers that only produces mechanical watches. The watches are distinguished by a distinctive red rotor design, which represents the company’s mechanical approach to the watchmaking process. Because they only use the best materials, the company promises that their watches will last a long time. Since it is Swiss-made, the customer can be confident that the company employs strict quality control and adheres to the highest manufacturing standards. Here’s the list of the finest Oris watches.
Aquis
The Oceans Project limited edition Oris watch, based on the classic Aquis watch, is one of the watches in the Aquis series. It is part of the company’s new series that aims to raise awareness about the threat to the world’s oceans. This stainless steel (43.50mm) watch features an eye-catching gradient blue dial, a circular date window, and a unidirectional rotating bezel. This is water-resistant up to 300 meters. The Aquis collection comes in a variety of versions and features.
Another notable Aquis model is the new Aquis GMT Date, which debuted at Baselworld 2019. This 43.50mm watch has three time zones as well as a yellow-tipped second time zone hand. The dial is a blue sunburst with Super LumiNova hands. This watch is powered by the caliber 798 and has a power reserve of 38 hours.
A chronograph version with a stainless steel case and a rubber strap is also available in the Aquis series. This, too, is 45.50mm in diameter and features a unidirectional revolving top ring with an appealing black ceramic divers inlay.
Divers
The Oris Divers line dates back to the early 1960s, and the current models combine the brand’s vintage aesthetic with cutting-edge technology. You can select from a variety of models with varying designs and technologies, such as the Divers Sixty Five, a reintroduced version of the Oris diver’s watch that debuted in the 1960s. This 40mm watch is made of anti-corrosive stainless steel and is an excellent dress watch that you can also use in water activities for it is water-resistant to 100m. It has a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal as well as an anti-reflective coating that keeps the watch legible even when submerged.
The Divers Sixty-Five Chronograph is a stainless steel vintage-style watch with a sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating inside, a leather strap, and a bronze bezel. This one is slightly larger at 43mm and is also water-resistant to 100m.
One noteworthy watch in this collection is the Oris Movember Edition, which is part of the company’s ongoing effort to collaborate with groups for a good cause. This edition is a joint effort with the Movember Foundation’s Change for the Better Campaign. This one has a stylish leather strap and an extra NATO strap with buckle and changing tools.
ProDiver
The Oris ProDiver is the final series in the Diving collection, and it features an Oris-patented RSS bezel locking system. These models are ideal for serious diving activities, as they have 1,000-meter water resistance. This collection includes three models: a ProDiver GMT with a titanium case, a rubber strap, and an automatic helium escape valve. The ProDiver chronograph, with a 51mm titanium case, highlights the brand’s innovation—the Rotation Safety System, which the company claims is the safest system available.
Artelier
The Artelier is part of the brand’s Culture collection and focuses on calibers developed in-house by the company. This line includes a diverse range of watches, allowing you to select from a variety of technologies and designs, such as stainless steel and leather straps, diamonds, chronometers, skeleton styles, and so on.
The Classic Date, a simple yet stylish timepiece with engraved numerals and indices, a blue dial, and a three-piece stainless steel case, is also part of the same collection. With a diameter of 28.50mm, this watch will look great on both small and large wrists.
Big Crown Propilot
This watch line is aimed at pilots who appreciate the ProPilot’s cockpit-ready functionality and aesthetic. However, one does not need to be an aviation enthusiast to appreciate and enjoy the impressive design and functions. These handsome watches have the classic pilot watch features, such as large and bold numerals, a day window, luminous hands and markers, and a large case. Each model has its distinct features, such as GMT and altimeter.
There are also several limited-edition models available, such as the 40th Squadron Limited Edition (collaboration with Belgian Air Force rescue team Squadron Helo) and the Oris GIGN edition ( partnership with the French police’s special operations unit Groupe d’Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale).
Big Crown
The Big Crown collection showcases the brand’s signature creations. These pieces’ styles were introduced in the 1930s, making this a superb collection to invest in if you’re looking for a classic pilot watch design. The Big Crown 1917 is a limited edition 40mm watch that pays tribute to the brand’s first pilot watch.
MotorSport collection
The Motor Sport collection is classified into four categories, one of which is the Williams series, which began in 2003 as a collaboration with the Williams Formula 1 Team. The Williams FW41, a limited edition chronograph, is one of the most recent releases.
They have also introduced newer models, such as the lightweight Williams Chronograph C.F.C. watch, a 44mm chronograph with a titanium case, and a long-lasting rubber strap. There’s the new Williams Chronograph Carbon Fibre Extreme, which brags a manufacturing technique that the brand claims has never been done before in watchmaking history. Artix GT, TT1, and Chronoris are also part of the Motor Sport collection.
Takeaway
Oris created high-quality mechanical movement watches and is one of the most dynamic watch brands out there. Oris watches embody luxury that can compete at a lower price with some of the most expensive brands on the market today. You can check out The Watch Company for the best deals on Oris timepieces!
