Renowned for producing specialist diving watches, Oris is proud to introduce the new Oris Aquis with mechanical depth gauge. Oris proudly states that this is the “first divers watch which measures depth by allowing water to enter the timepiece.”   So is this a “poor man’s” X-Fathoms, or an innovative dive watch all its own?  You can decide for yourself, below.
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Here’s a look at a new and rather interesting dive watch from Oris, the Tubbataha Regulator.  I say interesting because this is the first that I recall seeing a dive watch in the “regulator” style;  more often a regulator is used in a Pilot’s watch (i.e. Bell & Ross WWII Bomber Regulator Watch) or other more classical styles (Patek Ref 5235 Regualtor, Glashütte Original Strasser & Rohde Regulator., Milus Zetios Regulator, etc.).  Being a regulator, the emphasis is placed on the minutes — thus on this watch the large, central-set hand which indicates the minutes; the hours and minutes are clearly indicated on the sub dials.  The model name refers to the Tubbataha Reefs National Park in the Philippines, home to some of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world, and a percentage of every Oris Tubbataha Limited Edition model sold is donated towards the conservation of the reef and its astonishing diversity of marine life.  I like it. 

Oris Tubbatha Regulator Dive Watch

limited edition 2,000 pieces

46mm titanium case, water resistant 500 meters, automatic mechanical movement (Sellita SW220 with regulator), helium escape valve, blue ceramic bezel inlay, blue dial and dark orange Superluminova indexes and hands, available with a black rubber strap with an extending titanium security folding clasp or with a multi-piece titanium metal bracelet with an extending folding clasp

Ref. No. 749 7663 7185

An nice and not oft-seen combination of metals — titanium and tungsten — the new Oris Aquis Titan Chronograph is well equipped and ready for diving.  With a scratch resistant tungsten bezel inlay, Oris’ new diving model is depth rated to 500 meters.  It has has luminous triangle at zero position, indexes and hands.  Automatic helium valve at 9 o’clock, screw down stainless steel crown and stainless steel pushers, solid screw down case back with an engraved conversion scale (feet/meter) to round it out.  A solid diver’s watch, desk diving or otherwise — if you like the look of the Oris “Aquis” line, be sure to also check out the Oris Aquis Maldives Dive Watch (Limited Edition).

ORIS Aquis Titan Chrono

43mm titanium case, automatic mechanical movement (ETA-base)

Baselworld 2012:  Looking at watches like this new Oris Big Crown Date, I can’t help but think that the monotone look has run its course, — and Oris is, by the way, late to the show.   If anything, this is surely a poor reflection on other all-black or all-grey watches of recent years that actually look good (Bell & Ross comes to mind).  Oris seems to have taken a perfectly reasonable watch and ruined it with a grey-PVD finish.  The style of the watch seems to me like that of a military Officer’s field watch — not some stealth commando.  And to top it all off they put it on a dark BROWN leather strap.  Awful.

Oris Big Crown Date “Stealth” Watch

44mm grey PVD coated steel case, automatic mechanical  movement (Sellita SW 200)

Here’s a look at the new Oris Maldives dive watch.  This watch follows in the footsteps of the popular Oris Great Barrier Reef Limited Edition watch from 2010, and while it does not have the 1,000 meter water resistance rating of the Great Barrier Reef, the Oris Maldives edition is unique in its own right with a titanium case, crown guard, and a ceramic-inlayed bezel that has a neat “brushed” finish on it (not something you see every day).  Limited to 2000 pieces, the Oris Maldives Limited Edition dive watch price is $2,450 on rubber strap and $2,650 on a metal bracelet.

Oris Maldives Dive Watch (Limited Edition)

43mm titanium case, unidirectional bezel with ceramic inlay, automatic mechanical movement, helium escape valve, screw-in crown, water resistance 300 meters, fitted on black rubber strap or titanium bracelet with folding clasp

the blue dial has applied indices filled with Superluminova in dark orange color:

the back of this unique divers watch features the Manta Ray Logo, paying homage to the endangered species:

This is the new Oris Carlos Coste Limited Edition dive watch, a sharp looking and well equipped dive watch, though with some markings whose practicality I find questionable.  As I describe below, the minutes subdial has two triangles and a circle that mark times specific to Carlos Coste’s free diving activities.  Coste is in fact a very accomplished, world record holding free diver.  Free-diving details aside, I do like the overall aesthetic and specs on this new Carlos Cost Limited Edition diver.  While not technically hitting shelves until June, wrist shots of the watch are already popping up — the Oris Carlos Coste dive watch price can be had for about $4,500 US (3150 EUR).

Oris Carlos Coste Dive Watch

Limited run of 2,000

46mm titanium case, ceramic bezel, automatic mechanical movement ETA 7750 with Oris signature red rotor, helium escape valve, 500 meter water resistance, on titanium bracelet

comes nicely packaged:

According to Oris, “The essential minute counter glows in the dark for ease of reading and to indicate the time spent under water; a triangle on the 2 minute position symbolizes that Carlos would be reaching his own breath record of 2:30 minutes for a dynamic dive at this point, whilst a second triangle at the seven minute position highlights Carlos’s record of 7:30 minutes for holding his breath during a static dive. “  Unfortunately, these features don’t really do much for anyone but Carlos Coste or another free diver, but then again many watches have markings and functions that lack modern day practicality, right?

First, the essential minute counter glows in the dark for ease of reading and to indicate the time spent under water; a triangle on the 2 minute position symbolizes that Carlos would be reaching his own breath record of 2:30 minutes for a dynamic dive at this point, whilst a second triangle at the seven minute position highlights Carlos’s record of 7:30 minutes for holding his breath during a static dive.

The case back sports the Carlos Coste logo and the watch number.

Oris is no stranger to watches inspired by elite special forces units around the world (Col Moschin, Blue Angels), and here today is another one.  This one draws inspiration from one of France’s elite aviation units known as “4ème Régiment d’Hélicoptères des Forces Spéciales” or “4th Special Forces Helicopter Regiment”.   It’s a decent looking watch with an automatic mechanical movement and not much more.  Oh, it also comes with a certificate and a key ring.  Big woop.  I don’t see much appeal for this watch outside of France, but then again that’s probably by design.  No word on price.  More at the #1 Oris Community, Friends of Oris.

Oris BC4 4e RHFS

Limited Edition 1,000 pieces

42.7mm black PVD (steel) case, chronograph, black leather strap with clasp

Note that the tip of the second hand is painted with the colors of the French flag

50,000 CHF for the Great Barrier Reef…

Did you know that tomorrow, June 8, is World Oceans Day?  Since 2008 this day is officially recognized by the United Nations as a day to promote ocean conservation.  Thus it is perhaps no surprise that I recently came across this new watch from Oris — the Oris Great Barrier Reef Limited Edition (Ref. 643 7609 8585).  For this watch Oris has teamed up with the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS), Australia’s only national charity dedicated exclusively to protecting ocean wildlife and their home.  Always a fan of great watches for great causes, I would say that this one certainly fits the bill.  The cause is to help protect and preserve the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest reef system, and will raise up to CHF 50,000 to this effect — 1,000 watches will be made and a CHF 50 donation from each watch sold will be donated to AMCS.

To mark World Oceans Day, the Australian Marine Conservation Society, The Environment Centre NT and The Wilderness Society have launched a ‘Sea Sanctuaries’ television and radio advertising campaign to highlight that the Territories seas are unique, under threat and under-protected.  The video clip is only 30 seconds, but offers some nice glimpses into the beautiful marine life that you might bump in to (literally) down under in the Great Barrier Reef:

Getting back to the watch, I would say that its design symbolism is fairly obvious, showing not only oceanic colors but also key dive watch elements such as helium escape value, dark orange superluminova, 1000 meter water resistance, and unidirectional rotating bezel.  One interesting element is that both the helium value and the crown are on the left-side of the case, which is certainly not typical.

The watch is presented in a special collector’s set that comes with a neoprene zip case, key ring, rubber strap and stainless steel bracelet, diver’s log and limited edition certificate.  Thanks Oris for your support of the world’s oceans!

1952 Jaguar XK 120 inspired…

This is a sharp looking new limited edition watch from Oris.  The scoop on this watch?  Oris is the new time keeper and Official Watch Partner of the RAID classic car rallies, and to mark the occasion of the 20th RAID Suisse-Paris Oris has created this watch.  Since 1991 this rally has been staged in Switzerland and France as a classic car rally and sees competitors cover up to 1000km on country roads in cars built before 1975.   The dial design is inspired by the dashboard of a 1952 Jaguar XK 120 (winner of the 2009 RAID rally).  The hour and minute counters have a distinctive red zone, which reflects the red danger zone of the Jaguar’s rev counter.  Very clean, very well designed, and probably decently priced — I like it.

Oris RAID Chronograph, Limited to 500 pieces, Ref: 676 7603 4084 LS/MB

43.5mm steel case, automatic mechanical movement, 30m water resistance

1952 Jaguar XK 120

Special forces watch -49mm titanium case, antimagnetic, “gun metal grey” PVD, 1,000m water resistant…

Tribute to the Italian 9th Reggimento d’Assalto Paracadutisti (9th Parachutist Assault Regiment)

This is the new “Col Moschin” Limited Edition watch from Oris.   In a testament to its worthiness, Oris had it field tested by the Col Moschin – perhaps the most elite unit of the Italian Army.  “Field tested” is perhaps an understatement given that the Col Moschin special forces wore the watch on jumps from 9,000 meters and on dives down to 40 meters, among other rugged uses.  Most striking about this watch is its size – the 49mm case is massive just like it looks.  But because the case is titanium, and it comes on a rubber strap, it is probably much lighter than you might think.  Also adding to its manly appeal is its thick, brush-finish bezel that looks very tough.  Lest you forget what country’s elite special forces this watch is inspired by, the power reserve is done in the Italian colors of red, white and green.  You may recall that Oris introduced a similar, actually slightly larger (51mm case), watch last year – the Oris ProDiver Chronograph (link here, scroll down about halfway), however I like this watch much better – it seems like a perfect Special Forces watch.  But I think it could do without all the etched text on the side of the case (close up below).

Oris Col Moschin

Limited edition of 2,000

The 9th Parachutist Assault Regiment Seal

BASELWORLD 2010 is coming soon. You can see all the hot new pre-releases on Perpetuelle.com’s Official Baselworld 2010 Forum right now! And many many more when the event starts on March 18th. Just click here!