Oris dive watches are a popular choice for those who love adventure and exploration. These watches are designed to be reliable and durable in any situation, and they also come in a wide variety of styles and designs, so you’re sure to find something that suits your taste.
From modern recreations of vintage watches, to contemporary models featuring the latest Oris technology, the brand’s dive watch range offers a superb choice that appeals to seasoned collectors and casual enthusiasts alike.
Oris, a Swiss watch brand known for its mechanical timepieces, was founded in 1904 by Paul Cattin and Georges Christian in the small town of Hölstein, Switzerland. Named after a nearby brook, the brand has a rich history of watchmaking, marked by several milestones and innovations.
The Early Growth of Oris (1904-1920)
During its early years, Oris quickly grew to become one of the largest employers in Hölstein. The company expanded by building additional factories and acquiring other watchmaking businesses in the region. By 1920, Oris was producing alarm clocks and pocket watches, in addition to wristwatches.
A Focus on Wristwatches (1920-1950)
In the 1920s, Oris began to focus more on wristwatches, which were becoming increasingly popular. The company adapted its pocket watch movements for wrist watch cases and soon became well-regarded for its reliable and accurate timepieces.
Introduction of the Automatic Movement (1950-1970)
In 1952, Oris introduced its first automatic movement, the calibre 601. This marked a significant milestone in the company's history, as it moved towards producing more sophisticated timepieces. During this period, Oris also started to develop watches for specific purposes, such as the Oris Star for pilots and the Oris Diver for professional divers.
Oris During The Quartz Crisis (1970-1980)
Like many Swiss watch brands, Oris faced significant challenges during the Quartz Crisis, which saw the rise of affordable and highly accurate Japanese quartz watches. In response, Oris released a few quartz models; however, it struggled to compete with the influx of more cost-effective alternatives.
A Return to Mechanical Watches (1980-present)
In 1982, Dr. Rolf Portmann and Ulrich W. Herzog, two former employees, purchased Oris and refocused the company's efforts on producing high-quality mechanical watches. This marked a new era for Oris, as it began to create innovative and unique timepieces that appealed to watch enthusiasts.
The Original Oris Diver
Oris released its first dive watch in 1965, entering the increasingly popular dive watch market that had been growing since the 1950s. During the early years, Oris released a number of variations including the beautifully designed ‘Oris Waterproof’ and ‘Oris Super’ dive watches, which featured elegant yet adventurous styling typical of the era.
The first Oris dive watch laid the groundwork for the brand’s future dive collections, and featured a 36mm stainless steel case which was considered sizable for the time. It had a unidirectional rotating bezel for tracking dive time, a crucial safety feature for divers. The watch also included a black dial with bold, luminescent hour markers and hands, ensuring excellent legibility underwater.
The timepiece was powered by an automatic movement, manufactured in-house by Oris, and had a water resistance rating of 100 metres (330 feet), making it suitable for recreational diving.
Contemporary Oris Dive Watches
Today Oris offers a wide range of automatic dive watches, available in two distinct collections. As well as regular models, Oris also regularly releases special and limited edition models by working in partnership with artists, charities and other organisations.
The modern Oris dive watch lineup is made up of the Divers Sixty-Five the Aquis collections. Oris Divers Sixty-Five models are heavily inspired by the brand’s early dive watches in terms of style and design, but manufactured using modern materials and movements for reliability and performance.
Oris Aquis watches are a more contemporary take on the dive watch concept, and represent the evolution of the brand’s design and development in the segment.
First launched in 2015, the Oris Divers Sixty-Five collection is perfect for collectors who love the elegant styling of watches from a golden era of dive watch design, but also appreciate modern quality and reliability.
The Sixty-Five range includes recreations of iconic Oris Divers from the 1960s, and has proved to be incredibly popular since it was introduced. Oris has subsequently expanded the Divers Sixty-Five range to offer watches in a variety of sizes, colours and materials, as well as a number of special edition models.
Oris Divers Sixty-Five 40mm
Considered by many to be the sweet spot in the range in terms of dimensions, the Divers Sixty-Five 40mm features a stainless steel case with a slender profile that’s versatile enough for most wrists. Many variations include a date window at 6 o’clock and dials are available in a range of colours including blue, black and green.
The 40mm watch is also available in bi-colour versions which combine stainless steel with bronze for an extra unique touch. The watch is available on a stainless steel riveted bracelet for a vintage look, as well as leather and rubber options, and is powered by the Oris calibre 733, based on the reliable Swiss Sellita SW200-1.
Oris Divers Sixty-Five 42mm
For larger wrist or anyone who wants a bit more wrist presence, the 42mm Oris Divers Sixty-Five uses the same design language as the 40mm version in a slightly larger case diameter. With elegant lugs and a thickness of 12.8mm, this slightly larger model remains suitable for most wrists.
The 42mm version of the watch has a date window at 3 o’clock and is also available in a range of colour options including blue, black and grey dials. The watch is available on a stainless steel bracelet, as well as leather or rubber straps, and uses the same movement as the 40mm version.
Oris Divers Sixty-Five 36mm
In 2018 Oris released the Divers Sixty-Five in a 36mm diameter option This is actually the same size as the original watch from the 1960s, so is a good choice for collectors looking for a watch with authentic dimensions, or anyone with smaller wrists.
The 36mm Divers Sixty-Five offers the same 100m water resistance as the larger versions, with stainless steel case and sapphire crystal. Blue and black dial options are available, and the watch comes either on a stainless steel vintage oyster style bracelet or leather, rubber or nato straps.
Oris Divers Sixty-Five Cotton Candy
Debuting in 2021, the Cotton Candy range of Divers watches from Oris add a pop of colour and extra personality into the range. They are available with some great dial options including blue, pink and green.
Housed in a 38mm bronze case, the Cotton Candy range are available with a full bronze bracelet or a perlon-type strap to match the dial colour. The bezel is also made in bronze, with embossed hour markers.
Oris Divers Sixty-Five Calibre 400
While many versions of the Divers Sixty-Five use the Oris calibre 733, the brand has also started to use its impressive Calibre 400 within the range. This is a new movement developed and manufactured in-house by Oris, and offers a 5-day power reserve, 10-year warranty and 10-year service interval.
First used in the Chronos Limited Edition watch, with 38mm case and blue gradient dial, Oris now offers the Divers Sixty-Five Calibre 400 in a 40mm case with 12 hour timing bezel, classic black dial and choice of stainless steel bracelet or leather strap.
Oris Divers Sixty-Five Chronograph
Boasting the same vintage inspired styling as the time only versions, the Divers Sixty-Five Chronograph uses Oris Calibre 771, a reliable mechanical chronograph movement based on the Sellita SW 510. Housed in a 43mm case, the watch features two chronograph sub dials and is water resistant to 100m.
The Divers Sixty-Five chronograph is available in a number of options including stainless steel or steel with bronze outer bezel. Other options include blue or black dials with gilt or silver markings, and a choice of stainless steel bracelet, leather or rubber straps.
The oris aquis Collection
Launched in 2011, the Oris Aquis collection is a range of watches designed for those looking for a reliable and stylish timepiece for the most extreme underwater adventures. Aquis watches are instantly recognisable with contemporary designs and integrated bracelet or strap options.
Oris Aquis Date
The Aquis Date is the foundation of the Aquis collection, and is a highly capable dive watch that is also great for everyday wear. The Aquis Date is available in a range of size options for mean and women, including 36.5mm, 39.5mm, 41.5mm, 43.5mm case diameters.
The Aquis Date also offers a vast range of colours, including dials in blue, red, green, black and grey, as well as special editions featuring artistic dials, such as the Sun Wukong edition, or made from recycled plastic in the Oris Aquis Upcycle.
Bezels are also available in a wide range of colours to match the dials, as well as in stainless steel relief. The Aquis Date is water resistant to 300m, made in durable stainless steel, and features sapphire crystal front with a display window back on most versions.
Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400
The latest version of the Aquis family, the calibre 400, uses Oris’ state of the art in-house movement. The Calibre 400 movement offers a class leading power reserve of 5 days when fully wound, and is backed by a 10-year warranty with a 10-year service interval for an incredibly convenient ownership experience.
The Aquis Calibre 400 is available in multiple size options including 41.5mm and 43.5mm. The range offers a choice of dial colours including black, blue and green sunray effect, with cases in stainless steel or steel and bronze bi-colour.
Like the rest of the family, the Calibre 400 includes the famous Aquis integrated bracelet and strap design for superb levels of comfort and security on the wrist.
Oris Aquis GMT Date
For those who like to travel, the Aquis GMT Date offers GMT functionality that enables the wearer to track the time in a second place. This makes it a great choice for keeping an eye on the time at home while you’re away. The watch is housed in a 43.5mm stainless steel case and is powered by the Oris 798 calibre, a modified version of the reliable Sellita SW330-1.
The Aquis GMT features a 24 hour external rotating bezel, as well as internal 24 hour ring within the blue dial to help track time in multiple zones, and is available on either a stainless steel bracelet or rubber strap.
Oris Aquis Depth Gauge
The Aquis Depth Gauge is a revolutionary watch that uses the Boyle-Mariotte Law to measure depth during a dive. The watch features a sapphire crystal with a hole cutin at 12 o'clock, allowing water to flow into a channel milled around the crystal, creating a visible gauge.
The watch has an improved depth gauge system for increased accuracy and legibility, a metres to feet conversion chart set at 90 degrees to the 12 o'clock position, and Oris's patented Quick Strap Change system for easy strap or bracelet changes.
Oris Aquis Titanium Date
Available in 43.5mm, the Aquis Titanium Date offers a lightweight, durable take on the Aquis concept. The case and bracelet are made from high-grade titanium, which is lighter than steel, while the bezel insert is made from scratch resistant ceramic.
Like the regular Aquis Date, the titanium version is watcher resistant to 300m and is powered by the Oris 733 calibre. The watch is available either with a full titanium integrated bracelet, or rubber integrated strap with titanium clasp and integrated diving extension.
Find your perfect Oris Dive watch
Whatever type of dive watch you’re looking for, you’re sure to find something to love in the Oris range. From vintage inspired pieces, to dive watches offering the latest technology in movement and materials, Oris has you covered.
At Mark Worthington Jewellers we’re an official Oris dealer and supply the full range of Oris watches in brand new condition, complete with full manufacturer’s warranty. We also stock pre-owned Oris watches which are verified for authenticity and backed by our 12 month warranty or the remaining manufacturer’s warranty if longer.
