Oris Watches

History of Oris

Oris traces its roots back to 1904, when Paul Cattin and Georges Christian set up a watchmaking operation in the small town of Hölstein. The name came from a nearby brook, and the company grew alongside the surrounding community through the early decades of the 20th century. Like much of Swiss watchmaking, Oris was tested during the Quartz Crisis, a period that ultimately led to a management buyout in the early 1980s. That moment reshaped the brand’s direction and reinforced its long-term commitment to mechanical watches. More than a century later, Oris remains independent and still operates from Hölstein, where the company first took shape. Explore the fascinating Oris watch history and discover why Oris has earned its place among the most respected names in the industry.

Oris Price Trends Market Report

Our sales data from recent years shows a steady rise in the market for Oris watches. Across thousands of transactions the median sale price is $1,295, with most purchases falling between $1,095 and $1,595. The brand saw a clear shift upward after 2022, when typical prices moved from around $1,195 to $1,595 by 2024 and 2025.

Average prices followed the same direction, climbing from $1,182 in 2022 to $1,789 in 2024 and $1,825 in 2025. Interest tends to concentrate around the Aquis and Divers Sixty-Five lines, with bronze cases and distinctive dial variations drawing particular attention. Vintage Oris models also continue to appeal to collectors, especially for buyers looking to step into Swiss mechanical watchmaking at more accessible price points.

Compared with many luxury watch brands, Oris pricing grows more steadily rather than through speculation. This stability is attractive to buyers who value wearability over hype. The data confirms that Oris watches hold consistent real-world value while still being very affordable.

Oris Models

Oris Aquis

The Oris Aquis is a modern dive watch that feels purpose-built rather than overstyled. The case design flows directly into the strap or bracelet through integrated lugs, giving the watch a cohesive and balanced look on the wrist. The collection was meant for real-world use and has the kind of specifications divers expect, including substantial water resistance and a unidirectional ceramic bezel used to track elapsed time safely underwater.

Recent updates to the Aquis include the in-house Calibre 400 in the flagship models. This upgrade solves common ownership frustrations by offering a five-day power reserve and high resistance to magnetic fields. Available in a range of dial colors and case sizes, the Aquis adapts easily to different settings, feeling as comfortable under a cuff as it does on a rubber strap in the water.

Oris Divers Sixty-Five

The Divers Sixty-Five is inspired by Oris’s original dive watch from 1965. A slimmer case and pronounced domed crystal give it a distinctly mid-century aesthetic, especially when compared to the larger profiles common on dive watches today. It leaves out oversized crown guards for a flatter and cleaner profile on the wrist. The silhouette feels closer to vintage than modern tool dive watches.

The Divers Sixty-Five looks intentionally antique, but it's developed to the latest manufacturing standards. The vintage-inspired domed crystal is sapphire instead of acrylic. Moreover, the movements are modern self-winding calibres. The collection looks outstanding on a variety of bracelets and straps, whether it be tropical rubber, leather, or a steel rivet-link bracelet. It's a favorite for those who love the "skin diver" aesthetic.

Oris Big Crown

Oris released the Big Crown in 1938. The name has practical origins, tying directly to the oversized crown developed for pilots wearing thick gloves in freezing cockpits. The collection's signature complication is the Pointer Date, which displays the date via a scale surrounding the dial and a dedicated arrow hand.

The Big Crown Pointer Date embraces traditional design cues without feeling fragile or dated. Elements like coin-edge bezels and cathedral hands recall early aviation watches, while modern materials such as sapphire crystals and contemporary automatic movements keep the watch suited to regular wear. In certain configurations, the model is offered in bronze, a material that gradually changes with use and gives each watch a slightly different character over time.

Oris ProPilot

The ProPilot series builds on ideas first seen in the Big Crown, reworked with a more contemporary aviation focus. Legibility is an obvious emphasis, with high-contrast dials, oversized Arabic numerals on some models, and broad hands that are easy to read without much effort. Many ProPilot cases also feature a knurled bezel inspired by jet engine turbines. That detail adds a subtle industrial texture rather than decorative flair.

This part of the lineup veers more heavily into Oris’s technical side, with models that incorporate complications geared toward travel and aviation use. Depending on the reference, that can include features like GMT displays or mechanical altimeters. The overall feel is firmly modern, appealing to those who prefer a straightforward tool watch focused on function and precision rather than vintage cues.

Oris ProPilot X

The ProPilot X departs from Oris’s traditional aviation styling in favor of a more modern, stripped-back design. Titanium cases and integrated bracelets contribute to a lightweight, comfortable feel, despite the watch’s bold geometry. The dials often favor sharp indices and openworked details over numerals, reinforcing a distinctly contemporary look.

Powering the collection is either the caliber 400 or the hand-wound caliber 115. Two of the brand's most advanced movements. The latter is visually striking.  It's a fully skeletonized movement with the 10-day power reserve barrel and gear train fully on display. Anyone who appreciates architectural design or mechanical transparency will gravitate towards the ProPilot X.

Oris Artelier

The Oris Artelier is the brand's traditional dress watch. In this collection, you'll find clean dials and elegant, rounded cases that slip easily under a shirt cuff. They're certainly dressy but they're not fragile. Artelier watches are developed to the brand's standards for robust mechanical engineering, making them suitable for daily wear.

This collection also houses some of the brand's more traditional complications. The Artelier Complication displays the day, date, moonphase and a second time zone on the dial. It might be a simple three-hander or a skeletonized Artelier that catches your eye. Either way, this collection is timeless and doesn't rely on passing trends.

Oris Artix and Artix GT

The Artix sits somewhere between Oris’s sportier models and its more traditional designs, with a contemporary look shaped by multi-piece cases and more sculpted lugs. Within the same family, the Artix GT leans further toward motorsport influences, adding details like tachymeter scales and textured bezel elements that make the watch easier to handle. The result is a series that shares a common foundation while letting each version go in a slightly different direction.

A unique feature found in some Artix GT chronograph models is the "linear seconds" display. Instead of a rotating hand in a sub-dial, the seconds are shown by a red bar that fills a horizontal aperture, mimicking the RPM gauge of a race car. This creative engineering highlights the brand's ability to add fun, functional twists to traditional watch designs.

Oris Chronoris

The Chronoris takes you straight back to the 1970s with its retro motorsport design. The modern collection was introduced in the 1970s as the brand’s first chronograph and retains the era's signature barrel-shaped tonneau case and bold orange accents. It captures the funk and speed of 70s racing culture without feeling gimmicky.

Most modern Chronoris models are actually three-hand watches with an internal rotating bezel operated by a second crown. This retro design allows the wearer to time events without the complexity or cost of a full chronograph movement. It comes on perforated leather racing straps or vintage-style steel bracelets, making the Chronoris a stylish throwback for racing fans.

Oris Rectangular

The Oris Rectangular collection takes a different approach to case design, favoring clean lines and a more elongated profile. Subtle stepped flanks and a rectangular shape give these watches a refined, dressy aesthetic that recalls early 20th-century design without feeling overly period-driven. The case curves gently along the wrist. This detail becomes more noticeable in wear and helps the watch sit comfortably despite its distinctive shape.

Recently, Oris has injected new life into this classic line with vibrant dial colors like Bordeaux red, blue, and yellow. These colorful editions are paired with matching leather straps, transforming a traditional dress watch into a funstatement piece. It is an excellent choice for anyone in the market for a unisex watch with a strong sense of geometry and style.

Oris Watch Features

Materials

Oris uses 316L stainless steel for most watches. In collections like the Big Crown and Divers Sixty-Five, the brand has also utilized bronze. Collectors really like how that metal develops a natural patina over time and gradually takes on a warmer, more lived-in appearance. For more technical designs such as the ProPilot X Oris uses titanium. That material is lighter on the wrist without sacrificing structure.

Movement

For many years Oris relied on modified Swiss movements from partners like Sellita which are known for their reliability and ease of service. Recently the brand has moved upmarket with its in-house Calibre 400 series. This proprietary movement offers a five-day power reserve, anti-magnetic components, and a 10-year warranty recommendation.

Bezel

The bezel function depends on the specific collection and purpose of the watch. The Aquis line features scratch-resistant ceramic inserts with a unidirectional rotation for diving safety. Aviation models like the Big Crown typically use fixed bezels with coin-edge knurling for better grip and visual texture.

Sizes

Case sizing across the Oris lineup varies quite a bit, depending on the collection. The Aquis, for example, spans everything from more compact options like 36.5mm to larger 43.5mm cases and even bigger formats reserved for specialized depth gauge models. More vintage-leaning designs like the Big Crown tend to stay closer to classic proportions. Most are around 38mm or 40mm for the men’s sizes.

Water Resistance

Water resistance is a key feature for the brand’s "High Mech" philosophy. The Aquis Date is rated to 300 meters (30 bar) which makes it suitable for saturation diving. The Divers Sixty-Five is rated to 200 meters (20 bar) which is sufficient for swimming and snorkeling but less than the professional Aquis.

Watch Bands

Oris puts significant effort into their strap and bracelet designs. Their steel bracelets are solid and often feature extension systems for fitting over dive suits. Strap options include well-made rubber designs with adjustable folding clasps, as well as leather alternatives sourced from partners such as Cervo Volante.

Moonphase

Oris integrates moonphase complications primarily into its Artelier and cultural collections to add a touch of celestial tracking to the wrist. These mechanical moonphases aren’t like standard displays and are developed to reflect the lunar cycle with high precision. Often they are the visual centerpiece of the dial. The display adds an astronomical element to the watch. It shows the moon’s current phase alongside the time and date in a straightforward, easy-to-read layout.

Altimeter

The brand established itself as a pioneer in aviation tools by creating the world's first automatic watch with a mechanical altimeter. Found in the ProPilot line, this function works by allowing air to enter the case to interact with a pressure-sensing capsule, which then moves a specialized hand to display the current altitude. It is a genuine instrument for pilots and mountaineers that operates purely on mechanical engineering without the need for batteries or electronics.

Expert Opinion

Oris tends to sit in a practical middle ground within Swiss watchmaking. It pairs independent production with approachable pricing that isn’t too far out of reach for the average collector. The move toward in-house movements, beginning with the Calibre 400, reflects a longer-term focus on improving mechanics rather than chasing short-term trends. Within its price segment, that approach has gradually set Oris apart without relying on aggressive positioning.

Why Choose Us

Bob’s Watches is the most trusted name in the pre-owned luxury watch market. We rigorously inspect every single timepiece to ensure it’s 100% authentic and in proper working condition before it’s listed for sale. Our team of experts examines the case, movement and dial so you can shop with total confidence.

We are committed to providing a transparent and safe buying experience for all our customers.

• Authenticity Guarantee: Every watch is verified by our in-house specialists.
• Warranty: We provide a one-year service warranty on our watches.
• Fast Shipping: We offer insured shipping to get your new watch to you quickly and safely.
• Competitive Pricing: Our prices reflect the true market value to ensure you get the best deal.

Sell Your Pre-Owned Watch

If you are looking to upgrade or simply part with your current timepiece, Bob’s Watches has a straightforward way to sell your Oris watch. Our quotes are competitive and based on real-time market data to ensure you receive a fair price.

Getting started typically begins online, where you can share a few details about your watch and receive a quote. Once the watch is sent in using our insured shipping label, our team takes care of the evaluation and follows up with payment. From vintage Big Crown models to newer Aquis references, the goal is to keep the selling experience straightforward and familiar, especially for those who’ve already purchased from us before.