Class Watches Designed to Perfection – Oris SA is a luxury mechanical watchmaker based in Switzerland. The company is based in Hölstein, in the canton of Basel-Landschaft, and was formed in the early 1900s. Paul Cattin and Georges Christian founded Oris in Hölstein, Switzerland. They purchased the recently shuttered Lohner & Co watch factory, and the two men signed a deal with the mayor of the town. They launched the industrial manufacture of pocket timepieces and named their new watch company Oris after a nearby creek. Oris had 67 employees in its first year.
In the early 1900s, the company established an assembly facility and a second factory in the neighbouring town of Holderbank, followed by a factory in Como. Oris had grown to be the major employer in Hölstein by the 1910s, employing approximately 300 people. It erected housing and apartments for its employees to tempt more watchmakers, and it developed so that by the 1920s, it had new factories in Courgenay, Herbetswil, and Ziefen.
Culture, Motorsport, Diving, & Aviation: 4 Main Categories of The Oris Catalog
Each watch category in the Oris catalogue caters to a specific profession. While many Oris watches are designed as professional tool timepieces, collectors of all lifestyles use them for their distinct aesthetic and features. Iconic watches such as the Chronoris motorsport watch, the Big Crown ProPilot Aviation watch, the Aquis divers watch, and the classically-styled Artelier, to name a few, are among the most renowned timepieces from each category.
Oris’s First Automatic Movement, The Caliber 601
The 17-jewel movement was Oris’ first self-winding movement, and it debuted in the 1950s. It had a battery reserve indication and was praised for being able to keep extremely accurate time. The Cal. 601 was released just as Oris was entering its self-proclaimed “Golden Years,” which saw the brand introduce a slew of new movements, including the firm’s first chronometer, the Caliber 652.
Entirely Mechanical
The Oris SA group was formed as a result of the new management buyout, to become completely mechanical. Chairman Ulrich W. Herzog was accountable for the re-release of the iconic Pointer Date, an economical and reliable automatic wristwatch. This piece was a forerunner in terms of global mechanical watch trends, and the complication would go on to become Oris’ defining feature.
Oris Watches Distinct Red Rotor
Oris holds the distinction of being one of the few remaining independent Swiss watchmakers. The brand prides itself on making high-quality, inexpensive Swiss-made luxury timepieces, which was celebrated in the 2000s with the introduction of the now-iconic Red Rotor. This feature is considered the brand’s defining trademark, and it can be seen through the transparent case backs of many Oris watches.
Recent Developments
The organization has focused on the areas of diving, culture, aviation, and motorsports since the turn of the millennium. The Red Rotor has been Oris’ registered trademark and distinguishing characteristic since the 2000s. Following that, the Quick-Lock Crown system was created, which required only a single 120-degree clockwise spin to secure it in place. In 2009, Oris created the Rotation Safety System, a technology that prevents unintentional adjustment of a diving watch’s unidirectional revolving bezel while underwater. In 2013, Oris patented the Oris Aquis Depth Gauge, the company’s first mechanical depth gauge. At 12 o’clock, a small opening permits water to enter a canal. Under pressure, water enters the hole, forming a watermark that corresponds to a depth gauge. Oris commemorated 110 years of watchmaking in 2014 by releasing its first in-house movement in 35 years. Caliber 110 was a 10-day power reserve hand-wound movement with a patented non-linear power reserve indicator. Oris released the Caliber 400 in 2020, a self-winding movement with a 5-day power reserve (120 hours) and a 10-year recommended service interval.
Oris Classic Collection
Timepieces with classic, easy-to-read dials can be found in the Oris Classic range. The three-handed design is complemented by Roman numerals at quarterly intervals on hour track, as well as a highly textured dial surface on some occasions. A modest date window at 6 o’clock and a scratch-resistant sapphire glass face complement the Oris Classic 42mm silver dial with rose gold accents.
Of course, Oris Divers watches are designed for daring explorers. Those who require the highest level of security when exploring the ocean’s darkest depths. Professional and recreational divers alike need the highest level of precision. These diving companions, like the Oris Divers Sixty-Five watches, are packed with features, including anti-corrosive stainless steel casings, vintage-inspired bubble curved sapphire crystal, and outstanding water resistance, to name a few.
Takeaway
Oris has been producing timepieces in Switzerland for nearly a century. The all-mechanical varieties have a particular design and are stamped with the company’s signature red rotor pattern, which has been a symbol of success since 1904. An Oris watch is designed to last a lifetime, and with so many distinctive designs to pick from among their established collections, many people find that finding a lifelong partner is just the beginning of their Oris adventure. The precise timekeepers have also evolved into designer statements — excellent Swiss-made luxury wristwatches that can be passed down through generations.
