Horological Meandering

Just yesterday Oris presented its 2010 collection first seen at Baselworld to the Singapore press. It was held at Oriole, a great cafe I like very much and which is especially known for its coffee, Oriole's baristas were national champion and runner-up (click here for a CNN feature on Oriole).

Timmy Tan of TimeWerke magazIne, note the weighing scale Timmy brought along to weigh watches - attention to detail!

The event was helmed by Irene Ang, the recently appointed General Manager of Swiss Prestige, distributor of Oris. Irene is formerly of TimeWerke magazine and having worked with her before, I expect her to do good things for Oris.

I  have always had a soft spot for Oris as my father owned five of them and still has one, with the rest being lost (literally, somewhere), so I am glad to see Oris continuing to offer watches that are honest and attractive.

Above: Oris supports Lin Bolin, a Chinese artist who literally paints himself into a scene

The Oris Artelier handwind in steel; slim, elegant and eminently affordable

The collection this year continued the themes Oris segments its range into, jazz, motorsports, aviation and diving. All the watches were typically Oris, reliable mechanical calibres (Sellita and ETA) with sober designs and excellent value for money. The new watches that caught my eye will be in follow-up posts on this thread.

- SJX

Below: a selection of watches worn by Oris staff and one spectacular watch on a journalist's wrist

 

This message has been edited by SJX on 2010-05-13 03:17:43

Created in partnership with the Italian military's elite 9th Parachute Assault Regiment 'Col Moschin', this limited edition diver's watch is features Oris' patented Rotation Safety System bezel whereby one has to lift the bezel ring to turn it and locking down the ring locks the bezel as well.

  

Members of the regiment parachuted, dived and did icy treks with the Oris Prodiver chronograph (launched last year) and subsequently Oris used the feedback received to create the Col Moschin edition. Prototypes were then given to the regiment's soliders to additional tests, resulting in some changes and the final watch presented here.

49 mm titanium case, tungsten bezel and power reserve in the colours of the Italian flag. Delivered, appropriately enough, in a Pelican case.

Equal to every challenge

The new Oris Col Moschin Limited Edition

 

During their gruelling training missions, members of the Col Moschin Italian Special Forces unit have tested an essential new tool: the Oris Col Moschin Limited Edition.

 

 

 

 

 

Based on the innovative Oris ProDiver it has accompanied these elite troops on 9000m parachute jumps and sea dives in depths of more than 40m.  It has also been tested on draining hikes and missions through inhospitable terrain.  In every situation it proved equal to the challenge. Anti-magnetic properties ensure it remains accurate during flights, 1000m water resistance makes it unbeatable in the water, and the sturdy titanium case with its tungsten top ring and crown protection system make it an awesome force on land.

 

The patented Oris developed Rotation Safety System is an extra safety element for the seas.

 

 

 

With its camouflage gunmetal colours it won’t blow your cover, but the red, white and green power reserve will make sure you stand out from the crowd.  This also makes clear the link between Oris and the Italian Special Forces.

 

If you’re a man on a mission this is the all elements watch you’ve been waiting for.

 

 

 

Product features

 

Oris Col Moschin Limited Edition

Ø 49.00mm Ref: 667 7645 7284

 

·       Automatic mechanical movement with power reserve indicator. Centralised second, minute and hour displays. Date display at 3 o’clock.

·       Multi-piece gunmetal DLC coated titanium case. Tungsten top ring. Screw down crown. Water resistant to 100 bar/1000m.

·       Sapphire glass domed on both sides with inner anti-reflective coating. Black dial with applied indices filled with Superluminova BG W9.

·       Hands with Superluminova inlay.

·       Rubber strap with adjustable extendable gunmetal DLC coated safety clasp.

·       Professional diver’s case with replica Col Moschin crest.

·       Limited to 2000 pieces.

 

This message has been edited by SJX on 2010-05-13 03:42:04

...whiz. 45m. 4.5% of "capacity". Didn't set the bezel either.

And what is going on with that guy's hoses?

Created to commemorate the late jazz pianist Oscar Peterson, this watch includes several design elements making reference to music - piano key hour indices, concentric guilloche inspired by an LP and the VIII in gold-plate signifying the eight Grammys Peterson won.

Jazz giant honoured by Oris
The new Oris Oscar Peterson Limited Edition

Oris’ track record in producing limited edition watches is almost as distinguished as the track record of the man to whom Oris dedicates its latest jazz watch: Oscar Peterson.

 

Regarded by many as the greatest jazz pianist of all time, his career and chosen instrument inspired the special design features of this elegant watch.

 

The delicately applied indices take the form of piano keys and sit atop a central dial ring with concentric grooves.  This dial ring is reminiscent of an LP and refers to the hundreds of recordings Oscar Peterson made during his career.

Oscar Peterson loved watches with Roman numerals and this limited edition honours that – even displaying the VIII in gold plate – a reference to the eight Grammys he won during his lifetime. 

The case back carries the Oscar Peterson lion logo and the limited edition number from 0001/1925 to 1925/1925, chosen because it was the year the great man was born.

Oscar Peterson’s talent knew no bounds: the Oris Oscar Peterson Limited Edition is a fitting tribute to a jazz giant.

Product Features

Oris Oscar Peterson Limited Edition
Ø 42.00mm Ref: 733 7642 4084

• Automatic mechanical movement. Centralised second, minute and hour displays. Date display at 6 o’clock.
• Multi-piece stainless steel case with stainless steel crown. Water resistant to 10 bar/100m.
• Sapphire glass domed on both sides with inner anti-reflective coating.
• Black dial with applied ‘piano key’ indices.
• Black dial with applied Roman numerals. VIII plated in rose gold plated.
• Nickel hands with Superluminova inlay. Second hand with ‘O’ counterbalance.
• Black calf skin leather strap with croco imprint and stainless steel folding clasp.
• Varnished wooden box, certificate and DVD.

This message has been edited by SJX on 2010-05-13 03:37:42

Oris is the partner of RAID classic car rallies hence this automobile inspired watch. The chronograph counters start at an unusual place due to their Jaguar XK120 rev counter inspiration.

Classic time keeper
The Oris RAID Chronograph Limited Edition

Oris is the new time keeper and Official Watch Partner of the RAID classic car rallies.  To mark the occasion of the 20th RAID Suisse-Paris Oris is launching a limited edition chronograph with a dial design inspired by the rev counter of a 1952 Jaguar XK 120.

 

RAID was originally carried out as a quality test in Africa by French car manufacturers.  Since 1991 it 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 of the Oris RAID Chronograph is based on the dashboard of the winning car from the 2009 rally – a 1952 Jaguar XK 120.  The hour and minute counters have a distinctive red zone, which reflects the red danger zone of the Jaguar’s rev counter.

The design features are classic car, but the stainless steel case is classic Oris Artelier: elegant, beautifully crafted and gently curved to ensure a perfect fit on the wrist.

The competitors in the RAID rally put themselves and their cars through a number of challenges that test their skills as navigators, drivers and mechanics.

The Oris RAID Chronograph is reliable, resilient and equal to the challenges of RAID, one of Europe’s biggest classic rallies. It matches the cars in terms of beauty and craftsmanship. Limited to just 500 pieces it’s a classic.

Product features

Oris RAID Chronograph Limited Edition
Ø 43.50 mm Ref: 676 7603 4084 LS/MB

• Automatic mechanical movement with chronograph function. Centralised minute, hour and stop second displays. Decentralised counters for minutes and hours plus small second. Date display between 4 and 5 o’clock.
• Multi-piece stainless steel case with stainless steel crown and pushers. Water resistant to 3 bar.
• Sapphire glass domed on both sides with inner anti-reflective coating.
• Case back engraved with RAID logo and limited edition number.
• Nickel hands with Superluminova inlay.
• Black calfskin leather strap with croco imprint or multipiece stainless steel bracelet with stainless steel folding clasp.
• Luxury wooden box and certificate.

This message has been edited by SJX on 2010-05-13 03:38:42

No message body

The BC3 is Oris' aviator watch, very clean and very well priced. This is the updated version of the BC3, it now sports a larger case and a screw down crown.

 

The new Oris BC3 Sportsman

Make no mistake

The Oris BC3 Sportsman is a redesign of one of Oris’ most popular pilots’ watches, which was first launched ten years ago.  The 2010 version has a completely new 42mm case and slick, sporty proportions.

 

‘Sportsman’ refers to the first classification level for aerobatic pilots and was influenced by Oris’ partnership with pilot Don Vito Wyprächtiger.  A test pilot for world air race champion Hannes Arch, Vito is a young gun with aspirations of his own in the world of aerobatics.  Practical, cool and, of course, purely mechanical the BC3 Sportsman fits Vito’s life perfectly and reflects his success to date.

Reliable, dependable and lacking frivolity this watch pulls no punches and makes no mistakes.  The screw-down crown, high water resistance (10 bar/100m) and choice of three straps – classic leather, elegant stainless steel and sporty rubber – make the BC3 Sportsman at home in every environment.

Product Features

Oris BC3 Sportsman
Ø 42.00 mm Ref: 735 7640 4164

• Automatic mechanical movement. Centralised second, minute and hour displays. Day and date display at 6 o’clock.
• Multi-piece stainless steel case, screw down crown with red inlay. See through case back. Water resistant to 10 bar/100m.
• Flat sapphire glass with inner anti-reflective coating.
• Black dial with Superluminova BG W9 numerals and indices.
• Black matt hands with Superluminova inlay.
• Available with leather or rubber strap or metal bracelet.

This message has been edited by SJX on 2010-05-13 03:40:43

The BC3 Advanced appears to have an all black dial but it lights up at night with a dark green glow. This is a cool watch.

An eye catching display
The Oris BC3 Advanced with luminous dial.

The BC3 Advanced is the latest addition to the Oris BC3 collection, which has been redesigned for 2010 after ten successful years. Advanced by name and advanced by design it has some eye catching design features to add to its mechanical prowess.

‘Advanced’ is the aerobatics class for experienced pilots and was influenced by Oris’ partnership with display pilot Don Vito Wyprächtiger.  Vito competes to show something outstanding to the judges during his performances, and the BC3 Advanced always stands out in a crowd.

The black DLC coated case is heavy duty, containing the dynamic power of the quality mechanical movement. The watch is protected against accidental adjustment by the crown buffer, which is secured with specially developed screws. Even the dial is coated with black Superluminova for a stand out look.

With a choice of rubber or leather strap the BC3 Advanced is cool, sporty and lets its look do the talking.  Outstanding.

Product features

Oris BC3 Advanced
Ø 42.00 mm Ref: 735 7641 4764 LS/RS

• Automatic mechanical movement. Centralised second, minute and hour displays.  Day and date display at 6 o’clock.
• Multi-piece black DLC coated stainless steel case. Screw down crown with red inlay.  See through case back.  Water resistant to 10 bar/100m.
• Flat sapphire glass with inner anti-reflective coating.
• Black Superluminova coated dial.
• Black nickel hour and minute hands with Superluminova BG W9 inlay. Black second hand with a white pointer.
• Available with black rubber strap or black gaucho leather strap, both with black DLC coated stainless steel buckle.

This message has been edited by SJX on 2010-05-13 03:40:22

Oris watches and LIU Bolin: a new partnership in art

Swiss watch brand Oris has worked on an exciting project exploring the concept of time with emerging Chinese artist LIU Bolin.  The result is a series of stunning and thought provoking artworks, which will be presented at Baselworld 2010.

Oris is known for its sponsorship in the field of music.  Now Oris’ engagement in culture has evolved to include the intriguing and compelling world of contemporary art.

LIU Bolin’s work represents contemporary but timeless emotions.  His work looks at how we, as individuals, fit into the world we’ve created.  Our technological age has provided a particularly rich source of inspiration.

In many of his works LIU Bolin is painted to be ‘hidden’ and becomes an almost unseen but integral part of each work he creates.  He is inextricably linked to the environment.

LIU Bolin’s work is immediately accessible, due to his use of everyday settings and familiar situations.  However, each piece has a depth that warrants further investigation.

LIU Bolin: “I am very happy about this work with Oris about the spirit, the concept of time. Time and the human element are essential to my art and they are essential to Oris so this really is a great partnership.”

With this new partnership in art, Oris also introduces its new concept of ‘Real watches for real people’.

LIU Bolin factfile:

LIU Bolin was born in China in 1973 and graduated from the Shandong Art College in 1995 before continuing his education at the Chinese Central Academy of Fine Arts.
He has exhibited his works widely in China and began showing internationally in 2008.  He has had successful solo shows in Paris, New York and Miami.
His work has received international critical acclaim and he is one of China’s most famous up and coming artists.

This message has been edited by SJX on 2010-05-13 03:23:30

Thanks.

 made me forget about the watches, i love the innovation of it.

 

 Thanks for the report on the watches and the brief on the artist.

 

 Faisal

No message body

NT

Any more photos? I love this watch, but at 46mm, I think it is too big for me.

and was on the wrist of one of the Oris staff so I didn't take more photos.

- SJX

Thanks SJX!!! Good warm and comprehensive report on their 2010 offering. I hope your dad finds all his Oris watches. But sorry, do correct me if wrong, i think i saw a Fortis B-42 Black somewhere in one of your pics... hmmmmm what is going on...???

The Oris BC3 Advanced and the Fortis B-42 Black Knight. Opinions at the table were divided as to which was more attractive but I personally preferred the Oris, the green lume is cool and I like the white hands and minute markers on the dial. The white hands on the Fortis seem to float disconcertingly in a sea of black and look out of place, in my opinion.

- SJX

Oris on the left and Fortis on the right:

Some cool looking watches and a fun looking event.

How come there is a picture of an FP Journe slipped into the lot?

Very nice oris's though.

Regards,

George