Oris is an attractive choice when it comes to choosing a mechanical watch. Its independent brand structure, its unique branding of only producing mechanical watches, and its well-balanced pricing with quality have earned it the support of many watch enthusiasts. In addition, Oris is a brand that offers ideal elements when it comes to choosing a watch that is an item that can express your individuality and fashion sense. Here, we will introduce five carefully selected current Oris models.
Text by Kento Nii
[Article published on January 25, 2025]
Consistently independent and passionate about mechanical watches
Oris was founded in Hölstein, German-speaking Switzerland, in 1904. It rose to prominence just a few years after its founding, and by the 1930s had grown into one of the largest manufacturers of watches at the time, producing approximately 7000 watches a day. Having survived the Second World War and the rise of quartz watches, Oris now produces a wide range of collections to meet the needs of a wide range of people, regardless of age.
One of its defining features is that it has maintained its position as an independent brand, something that is rare in the modern watch industry. In the 1970s, it was temporarily under the umbrella of ASUAG (later the Swatch Group), but in the early 1980s it became independent again and has continued to forge its own path ever since. Another sign of its uniqueness is that it was founded in Hölstein, far from the heart of Swiss watchmaking, and continues to manufacture watches from there to this day.
Another major feature is that Oris now claims to only manufacture mechanical watches. This is a branding unique to Oris, which has a history of providing high-quality mechanical watches for both civilian and military use, and its excellent watchmaking skills are also backed up by its track record of producing over 280 in-house movements.
Furthermore, Oris watches are known for being high quality yet affordable. Since its founding, Oris has had the philosophy of "providing high-quality watches at prices that ordinary people around the world can afford," which is probably why Oris has gained support from people of all ages and genders.
These appealing aspects of Oris make it a good choice when choosing a mechanical watch. In an age where convenient electronic watches such as smartwatches and solar-powered radio-controlled watches are everywhere, Oris is one of the most appealing brands that helps people rediscover the appeal of mechanical watches.
Below, we will introduce five of Oris' current models.
Oris Aquis Date Caliber 400
Oris's Aquis is a diver's watch that represents the brand's authentic style. All models in the collection are water resistant to over 30 bar, feature the excellent legibility of a diver's watch, and feature a unidirectional rotating bezel with a diving scale printed on it. Meanwhile, the stylish design, which was updated in 2024, makes it adaptable to a wide range of situations and highly comfortable to wear.
Automatic movement (Cal. 400). 21 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 120 hours. Stainless steel case (diameter 41.5mm). Water resistant to 30 bar. Price: 907,500 yen (tax included).
From Aquis, we picked up the 41.5mm diameter model of the "Aquis Date Caliber 400" equipped with the next-generation movement Cal. 400. Incidentally, Aquis was the first to feature this Cal. 400.
It has a sunray-finished dial with a blue gradation, and its design reminiscent of the sea gives it a cool and unique look on the wrist.
One of the features of this watch is its excellent functionality thanks to the Cal. 400 movement. In addition to a long power reserve of approximately 120 hours, it is also anti-magnetic, making it an ideal choice for everyday wear. The fact that it comes with a warranty period of up to 10 years is also a welcome addition for a mechanical watch that you will love for many years.
The bracelet on this watch can be easily replaced with other straps thanks to Oris' patented quick strap change system, and the quick adjustment system allows for fine adjustment of the length to suit your needs.
Oris Aquis Date Chronograph
Automatic movement (Cal. 771-1). 27 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 62 hours. Stainless steel case (diameter 43.5 mm). Water resistant to 30 bar. Price: 748,000 yen (tax included).
Also from Aquis, we picked up the blue model of the Aquis Chronograph. The inclusion of a chronograph enhances its role as a tool, making it a model that can be enjoyed on both land and sea.
The dial layout features three horizontal subdials, with a 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock, a 12-hour counter and date display at 6 o'clock, and a small second at 9 o'clock, creating a sportier design. Each subdial has a circular finish, ensuring legibility essential for a measuring tool while remaining the same color as the main dial.
The case size is a little large at 43.5mm, making it a watch that will definitely make an impression on your wrist. The movement is Cal. 771-1, which has a power reserve of approximately 62 hours. The transparent case back allows you to see the movement and the red rotor, one of Oris' trademarks.
Oris "Divers 60th Anniversary Edition"
Automatic movement (Cal. 733). 26 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 38 hours. Stainless steel case (diameter 40mm). Water resistant to 10 bar. Price: 907,500 yen (tax included).
From the Oris Divers series, which inherits the classic Oris diver's watch design, we have picked up the Divers 60th Anniversary Edition, which was just released in January 2025. This is a special watch commemorating the 60th anniversary of the birth of the brand's first diver's watch, which was released in 1965.
This model faithfully reproduces the design and functionality of the original model. The pencil-shaped hands and uniquely fonted indexes are coated with ivory-colored luminous paint, giving them the feel of a well-worn watch. The dial also reproduces the original inscriptions, including the retro brand logo, "ANTI-SHOCK" lettering, and the number of jewels in the movement, giving the watch a truly vintage feel. The domed sapphire crystal that covers this special dial also contributes to the consistent design of the reproduction.
The watch is water resistant to 10 bar, which is a bit low for a modern diver's watch, but it's also a good fit for its vintage look. The case is 40mm in diameter and is powered by the non-date Cal. 773-1 movement. The power reserve is approximately 41 hours.
Oris ProPilot X Miss Piggy Edition
Oris has been a brand that has produced many pilot's watches since its founding, and the ProPilot collection continues this tradition. Featuring a simple yet highly legible dial design, the bezel that surrounds the dial is modeled after a jet engine turbine, making it one of the collection's iconic motifs.
Automatic (Cal. 531). Power reserve approximately 42 hours. 28,800 vibrations per hour. SS case (diameter 34 mm). 10 bar water resistance. 476,300 yen (tax included)
From the same series, we have selected the ProPilot X Miss Piggy Edition, a collaboration model with Disney's The Muppets. This model is based on the character Miss Piggy from The Muppet Show, and features a vivid pink dial that perfectly matches her image.
This collaboration model is packed with playful touches, giving it a unique look for a pilot's watch. A lab-grown diamond is placed at the 12 o'clock position, and the various hour markers are colored pink to blend in with the dial, making it a watch that fully expresses the charm of the character. There's also a small window in the solid case back, through which Miss Piggy's face can be seen, a unique feature.
The case diameter is 34mm, which is smaller than other ProPilot X models. It is a size that can be worn by both men and women. The movement is the non-date Cal. 531, and has a power reserve of approximately 42 hours.
Oris Big Crown Pointer Date Caliber 403
The Big Crown Pointer Date is a pilot's watch that first appeared in 1938. A classic Oris model with timeless appeal, it features a dial design that prioritizes visibility, a pointer date with a central hand and date display on the outer edge of the dial, and a large crown that is easy to operate even while wearing gloves.
Automatic movement (Cal. 403). 24 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 120 hours. Stainless steel case (diameter 38mm). Water resistant to 5 bar. Price: 907,500 yen (tax included).
From this collection, we have selected a navy dial model equipped with the Cal. 403 movement. This watch combines classic elements such as rounded Arabic numerals and a small second hand in a compact 38mm case. The only contrasting color on the dial is the red pointer date, allowing for accurate date reading.
On the other hand, the performance of the Cal. 403 it is equipped with is quite modern, and not only does it have stable accuracy due to its high beat of 28,800 vph, but it also has excellent magnetic resistance and a power reserve of approximately 120 hours. With an iconic look and a cutting-edge movement, this is the perfect watch to experience the charm of Oris.
The warranty period for this product can also be extended to 10 years by using the extended warranty service.
