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Date 15. 2. 2024
Category Watchmaking
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Swiss Oris watches are a perfect example of master craftsmanship spanning more than a century. In 1904, Paul Cattin and Georges Christian laid the foundations of a brand that has become a symbol of precision, innovative design and mechanical excellence.
Built in the quiet town of Hölstein, the manufactory, named after a nearby river, remains on its original site today as living proof of a tradition that has endured for generations. Discover with us the magic of Oris Swiss watches, whose mechanical heart beats for all lovers of fine watchmaking.
The origins of the Oris brand lie in the picturesque Swiss town of Hölstein, where two visionaries decided to found a watch company that would soon change the economic profile of the entire region. Paul Cattin and Georges Christian named their manufacture after the nearby Oris river, unaware that they were laying the foundations for one of the world's most respected watch brands.
Within just a few years, Oris became the region's main employer and its fame began to spread far beyond the borders of Switzerland. From the beginning, the brand has prided itself on Swiss watchmaking in its purest form, combining traditional techniques with modern technology. This philosophy persists to this day and is the reason why Oris maintains its position among the elite of Swiss watchmaking.
Oris is renowned for its uncompromising commitment to purely mechanical watches. At a time when many traditional brands have succumbed to the trend for quartz movements, Oris has remained true to the mechanical heart of its timepieces. This dedication to traditional watchmaking has become one of the main pillars of the brand's identity.
Each Oris movement is a perfect testament to Swiss precision - its components are manufactured, assembled and inspected with extreme care. This mechanical perfection is complemented by modern aesthetics and innovative design, creating watches that are functional, reliable and beautiful at the same time.
If there's one category in which Oris truly excels, it's dive watches. The models in the Oris Diving range represent the perfect synergy of functionality, durability and elegant design. These waterproof timepieces are not just for professional divers, but for anyone who appreciates a rugged, reliable watch with character.
The Aquis collection offers an impressive breadth of models with a variety of complications, dials in different colours, different case sizes and alternative bracelet types. The common denominator of this series is the extreme water resistance of up to 500 meters, which makes Aquis watches a reliable companion for professional divers.
The designers at Oris have equipped the Aquis models with a robust case with a distinctive unidirectional lunette, which allows for accurate timekeeping underwater. Luminescent elements on the dials and hands ensure perfect legibility even in low-light conditions. The sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment protects the dial from scratches while improving visibility.
Aquis watches are powered by reliable mechanical movements that have undergone rigorous tests for accuracy and durability. With a power reserve of up to 38 hours, this dive watch is ready for weekend adventures without the need to re-wind.
For those who prefer a more classic dive watch look, Oris offers the Divers Sixty-Five range. As the name suggests, this watch draws inspiration from the original Oris model from 1965, but brings it in a modern take using contemporary materials and technology.
The Divers Sixty-Five stands out with its sleek, slim profile that contrasts with the more robust Aquis models. Their retro design is supported by a bombarded sapphire crystal that evokes the original Plexiglas case. The dial, with its distinctive vintage indices and hands, ensures legibility and aesthetic appeal.
Although this diver's watch is designed for underwater adventures with a water resistance of up to 100 meters, its versatile design makes it an ideal companion for everyday wear. The combination of historic aesthetics and modern functionality makes the Divers Sixty-Five one of the most desirable timepieces in the Oris portfolio.
With respect to the tradition of aviation watches, Oris introduces the Aviation collection, which combines functionality, precision and bold design. Developed for pilots and aviation enthusiasts, these timepieces stand out for their excellent legibility, robust construction and special features designed for use in the air.
The ProPilot series represents the pinnacle of the Orisaviation watch category. The models feature a distinctive design with a characteristic textured lunette inspired by the turbine blades of aircraft engines. This unique aesthetic is backed by outstanding functionality and technical innovation.
The ProPilot range offers many practical complications including chronographs, GMT functions for tracking multiple time zones and even an altimeter on specialised models.
The dials are designed with the utmost attention to legibility - large Arabic numerals and distinctive hands with luminescent coating allow for quick orientation in all lighting conditions.
The top model of this collection is the ProPilot X Calibre, which reveals the beauty of the mechanical movement through a skeletonised dial. This groundbreaking design represents a new aesthetic dimension in the aviation watch category and demonstrates Oris' mastery of watchmaking technology.
The Big Crown collection has been an iconic line of Oris aviation watches since 1938, when it was introduced with an enlarged crown that pilots could easily operate while wearing gloves. This practical feature gave the collection its name and remains its hallmark to this day.
The Big Crown models combine classic aviator aesthetics with modern engineering solutions. They are characterised by clear dials with distinctive numerals, robust cases and multi-function movements. Over the years, Oris has expanded the Big Crown collection with many variants, including models with date display, multi-time functions and even Pointer Date, an original Oris complication that shows the date using a special hand around the perimeter of the dial.
Oris often releases limited edition aviation watches dedicated to important personalities and milestones in aviation history. These exclusive models, such as the Big Crown ProPilot Coulson Limited Edition, celebrating the heroism of firefighting air units, or the ProPilot X Kermit Edition with its playful design, are sought-after collector's pieces.
Each limited edition brings unique design elements and often uses special materials, such as carbon fiber in the Coulson. These exclusive aviation watches are not only accurate timepieces, but also a way to honor the rich history of aviation and the heroism of those who pushed the boundaries of what was possible in the air.
The Artelier collection represents the pinnacle of elegance in the Oris portfolio. Designed for formal occasions, this men's luxury watch reflects the brand's commitment to traditional watchmaking and modern innovation.
Watches from the Artelier collection are characterised by clean lines, elegant proportions and impeccable craftsmanship in every detail. Their steel cases with a perfectly polished finish contrast harmoniously with the precisely crafted dials, which often use guilloche and other traditional decorative techniques.
The dials of Artelier watches exemplify minimalist elegance - simple indices and hands combined with subtle complications create a balanced, timeless look. Many models are equipped with a date display, while some offer more advanced functions such as moon phase indicators or a power reserve.
At the heart of this men's luxury watch beats exclusive in-house Oris calibres that have passed rigorous tests for accuracy and reliability. The brand often showcases its latest technological innovations in the Artelier collection, such as movements with extended power reserve or special complications.
The Artelier Calibre 111 model delivers an impressive ten-day power reserve and a power remaining indicator, while the Artelier Pointer Date offers a unique way of displaying the date using a special hand.
The Oris Arteliermen's luxury watch is the ideal accessory for formal wear. Its elegant design with a case diameter usually between 38 and 42 mm ensures comfortable wear even under the cuff of a formal shirt. The watches come as standard with high-quality leather straps or elegant steel bracelets that underline their luxurious character.
Although primarily designed for formal occasions, the versatile design of many Artelier models allows them to be worn in less formal situations. This adaptability makes Artelier watches the ideal choice for men looking for a single watch for all occasions.
Do not hesitate to visit one of the BENY boutiques in the centre of Prague and see the watches in person.
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