One of the interesting benefits of operating in the pre-owned watch space is the access we have to past and previously discontinued watches of all shapes and sizes. The industry moves so fast these days that it doesn’t take long before watches are forgotten by the community at large, especially when it comes to more niche/obscure models. Case in point, the current assortment of Oris watches on offer has some really interesting pieces in it, many of which you might not remember ever having seen in the market previously. With over 70 watches to choose from, I’ve narrowed down a small selection of fun, funky, and discontinued Oris models that are just as cool now as they were when they first hit the market.
Oris Chronoris Williams 40th Anniversary
Unfortunately, the partnership between Oris and Williams F1 has now gone defunct, but in 2017 this funky vintage-style chronograph hit the market in a limited run of only 1,000 pieces worldwide. The two-register chronograph forgoes a running seconds indication in favor of a cleaner 6 and 12 chrono layout, and at only 40mm across, the Chronoris Williams 40th Anniversary is very wearable regardless of your wrist size. The Oris caliber 673 that powers the watch is derived from the tried-and-true Valjoux 7750, so its case is definitely on the thicker side, but not so much that it feels cumbersome or unbalanced.
Oris Artelier Small Seconds
To be frank, before this 40mm piece landed at Bob’s Watches HQ, I had no idea that it existed. Its black and silver sector dial is a real standout, especially in a world where dress watches are consistently so plain-jane and conservative. It’s fitted on a stainless steel bracelet that is somewhat like the classic ‘beads of rice’ style, featuring a mix of brushed and polished links. It’s an odd combo, and something that feels a little ’90s at first glance, but I’d also be very curious to see what this piece looks like on a nice leather or suede strap. Coming in at just under $1k, this is a great entry-level option for someone who’s in the market for something a little out of the ordinary.
Oris Calobra Limited Edition II Day Date
Another obscure release from Oris that’s only 4 years old, the Calobra Limited Edition II came as a nod to the brand’s sponsorship of the Rally Classico in Mallorca (a partnership that kicked off in 2012). The watch takes its name from Sa Calobra, where a notorious 12km climbing section of the classic car rally is found. It’s easy to see the hints of vintage motorsport influence on this piece, from the numerals and hands resembling automotive gauges, to the choice of a dark British racing green on its bezel. Tying the package together is a vintage style perforated leather rally strap. At 44mm across, it’s a bit on the larger side, however, its case remains relatively slender.
Oris Artelier Jumping Hours
Another especially odd duck in the Oris collection, seeing a jumping hour complication from anyone, let alone a relatively affordable brand that is known for their utility-focused tool watches just doesn’t happen, yet here we are. The elegant piece sports a clean silver guilloche dial, and separate sub-dials for the minutes and seconds below an oversized aperture for its digital hours complication. This decentralized dial layout is vaguely reminiscent of the A. Lange & Sohne Lange 1 in some ways, without at all feeling like a copy. Much like the other dress watch on this list, this piece is a solid option if you’re bored with the usual oversimplified dress watches that we see far too often.
Oris Aquis Titan Chronograph
The Oris Aquis collection is still going strong, though this specific example of the Aquis chronograph is no longer on offer. A chronograph in a hefty 45.5mm diver casing can be very hefty, so Oris offered up this example in titanium in an attempt to shed some excess mass. It’s one of the sharper chronographs we’ve ever seen in the line, as the brushed steel bezel and grey dial are a perfectly matched pairing. Additionally with 500 meters of water resistance and a helium release valve, this Oris Aquis chronograph is more than capable enough to accompany you on any underwater adventures. Oris rubber straps are always quite comfortable, and as an added convenience its deployant buckle has a built-in micro-adjustment for those days where you’re feeling fussy about on-wrist fit.
