Although they have never risen to the level of a ‘household name’ like the brands of Omega, Replica Rolex, and Panerai, Oris is still a respected Swiss watch brand with over a century of history and a very impressive portfolio. Whether you are a fan of bulletproof tool fake watches, a lover of vintage design, or simply a watch industry history buff, the amount of conversation associated with Oris watches is staggering. While there aren’t enough words and pages to cover every aspect of the brand in a single buying guide, today we’re digging into the archives to give you a comprehensive introduction to the brand to help you buy the best Oris watch for your wrist.
To help you get a better understanding of the Oris catalog, we will start with the history of the company. Of the many watch brands that deal in more entry-level replica watches, few have as rich a history as Oris. The company was founded in 1904 by Paul Cattin and George Christian in Hölstein, Switzerland, taking its name from a small stream near the town. The first 21 years of the brand’s operation saw extensive expansion, and by 1925 the company had opened six factories, employing more than 300 people in Hölstein alone. By 1925 the factory also begins to move from the production of pocket watches to the world of wristwatches. In 1927, after the passing of George Christian, a very familiar figure in the watchmaking industry becomes a key figure in Oris. Jacques-David LeCoultre, who later co-founded Jaeger LeCoultre, becomes Chairman of the Board of Directors.
As the years passed on, Oris continued to move forward. In 1938, sees the birth of the Oris Big Crown, designed for pilots who often want to be able to operate their watches while wearing leather gloves. During the Second World War Oris makes a living by concentrating on producing alarm clocks and in 1952 the brand launches the 601 movement – their first automatic watch, showing hours, minutes, small seconds, and a prominent power reserve indication at 12 o’clock.
The Diver collection is a purposeful line of tool watches with water-resistant cases, luminous hour markers and hands, and reliable movements. It currently includes the new vintage Diver’s 65 and Aquis mentioned above. There are countless variations of each of these collections, so it’s easy to find the perfect dive watch to suit your watch tastes and lifestyle.
The Diver’s 65 is very similar to the design of the 1960s Oris dive replica watches, including the design of the hour markers and hands and the lettering on the bezel. There are two main dial variations, one with dotted hour markers and the other with vintage Arabic numerals. For the release of the modern version, Oris has made significant improvements to the case, including unidirectional bezel mounting, a larger diameter, and an upgraded sapphire crystal, just to name a few.
The Aquas is a modern diver with a more traditional dive watch aesthetic, including a 60-minute bezel and simple luminous hour markers and hands. Within this collection, you can choose from a variety of functions, including a date mechanism, an innovative depth gauge, moon phases, a GMT complication, and even a chronograph function. The collection also includes metal or rubber straps, various metal finishes, and many attractive dial colors. If you are in the market for a classic luxury dive watch, it’s hard to beat the variety and value that Aquis offers.
Almost every watch brand produces its own version of a pilot’s watch and Oris is no exception. Their current collection offers everything you need to keep perfect time anywhere in the world, whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, or flying a plane yourself. In this collection, there is a watch for you. The current range includes the new vintage Big Crown and the modern ProPilot and ProPilotX. Each model features Oris’ signature oversized crown for easy handling while wearing the pilot’s gloves. The collection includes several useful complications including GMT, chronographs, and even a few timepieces with altimeters.
The Big Crown collection features the brand’s signature pointer date, which has a dedicated hand and a calendar scale that wraps around the dial. Timepieces in the Big Crown collection are nostalgic in design, often featuring vintage-inspired cathedral hands. With the growing fascination with neo-classical watches, this collection fits perfectly with the trend.
In addition to a rich history and diverse product offering, there are a few key lessons that run through all things Oris. Firstly, and most importantly, value is king. In an industry where prices are skyrocketing, Oris watches continue to offer significant value. You get a well-executed Swiss movement, often based on a Sellita or ETA product, which is then customized to the brand’s exacting specifications. Unique, clever, and thoughtful design is also at the heart of the brand’s DNA. Whether it’s the thick integrated bracelet of the Aquis collection, the coin-edge bezel and large crown of the Aviation collection, or the considered dial layout of the Artelier Caliber 111, 112, and 113 models, Oris’ design philosophy bridges the gap between the traditional and the unorthodox.
When looking at most of their products (with a few exceptions) they are never so bland as to be considered boring, yet never outlandish enough to be considered too “out there” by more conservative replica watch enthusiasts. All in all, it’s a difficult position to reach and we’re eager to see where the brand goes next.