Oris Watches is actually one of the top wrist watch brands on the market. Oris’ watch collection is of equivalent quality to that of some top luxury brands but at a lower price point. The rigorous use of mechanical watch movements in all of its products, although the market is dominated by quartz watch movements, is one aspect of Oris watches that demonstrates its distinct appeal with timepiece enthusiasts.
Vintage Oris watches are popular among watch collectors because of their classic, subtle designs and well-documented heritage of superior Swiss performance. Because Oris has been revolutionizing the watch industry for well over a century, chances are you’ve seen a vintage Oris watch in the window of your favorite jeweler. Before you put on that vintage Oris watch, you should know a bit about the brand’s origins and the watches they’re known for.
Brief History of Oris
On June 1, 1904, Paul Cattin and Georges Christian founded their company in Holstein, Switzerland, and named it Oris after a nearby stream. According to the brand’s webpage, this Swiss watch company rapidly increased in numbers and ended up joining other entrepreneurs to fit “bracelet buckles to pocket watches, turning them into fully-fledged watches.” Sad to say, the company experienced major complications when the Swiss government implemented the “Watch Statute” in 1934, which regulated the watch-making industry and obliged the Oris watch to adopt the new movement mechanisms that their competitors were already producing. Nonetheless, the company continued to develop iconic watches, each of which belongs to one of the four ‘Oris Worlds.’
Vintage Oris Watches
Oris watches are widely regarded as some of the most reasonably priced Swiss watches available; thus, high-quality, functional vintage Oris wristwatches can be found for a fraction of the price of other Swiss luxury watch brands such as Omega and Rolex. Here are some of the most sought-after vintage Oris watches to look for.
- Oris’ Big Crown
The original version was introduced in 1938 as one of the earliest forms of a dedicated pilot’s watch, and Oris has always had a model with the somewhat unconventional take on the date complication in their portfolio. The newest generation was released in 2018 to commemorate its 80th anniversary, with 36mm and 40mm sizes available, all with a slew of styling cues designed to give you that warm feeling of nostalgia.
- Oris’ Mid-Century Calibres
In 1952, Oris introduced its first automatic movement watch, the Calibre 601, ushering in the postwar era. Throughout the mid-twentieth century, the company continued to develop their Calibre series, and in 1968, they released their first chronometer watch, the Calibre 652. The Swiss Observatoire Astronomique et Chronométrique awarded this vintage watch the coveted Full Chronometer Certification, so anyone would be wise to add it to their collection.
- Oris’ Diver 65
Oris’ first diver watch, indeed the company’s most well-known vintage watch, was released in 1965. The Diver 65 was advertised as having a rotating bezel and a timer scale that could withstand water depths of up to 100 meters. In fact, Oris considers the Diver 65’s function and form to be so desirable that the watchmaker created a modern Diver Sixty-Five series in honor of this legendary watch.
- Oris’ Chronoris
If you like chronographs (watches with a dual display and a stopwatch function), an authentic Oris Chronoris might just be the watch for you. The Chronoris, which debuted in 1970, was the company’s first venture into chronographs and was inspired by motorsports. Oris reissued the Chronoris for their modern clientele, as they did the Diver Sixty-Five.
- Oris’ Players Watch
Though this 1990 Oris Players Watch does not match up into one of the company’s stylistic ‘worlds,’ it piqued the interest of football fans all over the world. This one-of-a-kind timepiece featured four independent counters across its dial, and an original Players Watch recently sold at a private auction for $1,770.
- Oris’ Worldtimer Watch
Oris’ 1997 Worldtimer Watch was masterfully crafted to solve every traveler’s worst nightmare: time zone differences. This enabled watch owners to move the time on their watches forward or backward in one-hour increments. While those who must travel throughout other time zones will find this watch extremely useful, those who must observe daylight savings time will do well to find their own Worldtimer to purchase.
- Oris Gold Plated 1960s
This is a stunning piece created by Oris. This watch has a 10-micron gold plated case that is in excellent condition. It has a mint Cream dial and clean stainless steel back. Cal.654 7J is the model number of the movement.
The watch is powered by a hand-winding 17-jewel Oris 394 movement. It has a diameter of 33mm, excluding the winding crown and lugs. The case’s main body is gold-plated, while the screw-on case back is stainless steel.
- Oris Artelier Small Second Pointer Date
Many people consider the pointer date to be Oris’ signature complication. It has a dedicated hand that corresponds to a date display on the dial. This component was first shown in the 1930s on Oris Large Crown watches and then revived in 1984. The pointer date complication is still in use and can be discovered on a variety of different Oris watches, including several models in the Artelier collection.
The Oris Artelier Small Seconds Pointer Date features a steady seconds register following the 9-hour marker rather than a conventional centrally mounted second hand, hence the name “Small Seconds Pointer Date.” This Artelier version is functional without compromising a clear, refined design set.
Beware of Fake Vintages
In an effort to appeal to consumers’ nostalgia, the company has reissued some of the most iconic vintage Oris watches in recent years. This makes locating genuine vintage Oris watches difficult, especially since many auction houses and resell retailers do not list the estimated ages of their products. As a result, to make sure that you’re buying a genuine vintage Oris, carefully evaluate any potential purchase for its age and authenticity.
Takeaway
Eventually, vintage Oris watches offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for people to purchase high-quality vintage products at a fraction of the price of their competitors. Finding a deal like this is nearly impossible, as vintage lovers and collectors are well aware. So, if you have the opportunity to purchase a well-preserved vintage Oris watch, do not pass it up.