Oris is one of the leading Swiss wristwatch brands. Oris history is more than 100 years old. In 1904, two men born in Le Locle, the watchmaking capital situated in the Swiss Jurassic region, Paul Cattin and Georges Christian bought the watch company Lohner & Co and with 24 workmen founded a watchmaking factory in Hölstein, a small village in the north-western part of Switzerland. Oris is the name of a valley and a brook close to Hölstein. From 1925, the watch manufacture produced rather inexpensive, however, high-quality wristwatches. Simple fasteners fixed to bracelets of pocket watches making them full-fledged wristwatches. As a result of the marketing campaign, Oris watches were sold in England, in English colonies and in South Africa. In 1937, in Bienne, Switzerland, the Oris dial factory opened. A year later, the Oris brand made its own escapements one of which was the caliber 292W 7 Jewel found in the 'Lunox' line. From 1949, all water-resistant wristwatches were marked with the special signet “Waterproof”, and water resistance became to be one of the Oris advantages. In 1952, the automatic movement 601 with power-reserve was made, which is now in demand. In 1966, the factory produced the automatic movement caliber 645 with the escapement. In 1968, “Observatoire Astronomique et Chronometrique” awarded Oris full chronometer certification of the highest distinction for the accuracy of calibre 652. In 1970, the holding ASUAG (now the Swatch Group) bought up the Oris shares. In the Holding Oris watches set place of inexpensive products – not a very successful strategy. In 1982, the controlling block of shares was bought back by the company's management, Rolf Portmann as chairman and Ulrich W. Herzog as CEO. The Oris watch brand prestige was reviving little by little. New unique models were being developed. The original design of Oris wristwatches attracts not only professional divers but also true connoisseurs of watch art. Oris watch brand also produces aviation watches and actively supports world famous aviation companies and individual aviators, to whom new watches Oris Big Crown are devoted. In 2008-2009, Oris sponsored the Âlue Eagles Helicopter Display Team, a team of helicopter aviators. As a result, a model Oris BC4 has appeared. Oris makes only mechanical watches. A distinguishing feature of the watch brand is the original distinctive design and the red rotor, the symbol of Oris mechanicals and the registered trade mark. While a watch case producing, different materials, such as gold, steel and titanium, are used. A case is tested on durability and water-resistance. A dial is guilloched with the silver coating giving watches dull luster. Straps are made from leather (bull calf, crocodile, ostrich, shark) or rubber. Bracelets are made from steel or titanium. The model ProDiver Chronograph is completed with a rubber strap, a titanium bracelet and tools for their replacement. Oris gives preference to four directions, every of which has its own specificity: motor racing, aviation, diving and culture. Oris wristwatches are very popular. Many Hollywood stars choose these watches for acting in films and for everyday life. Comments are closed.
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Old Time WatchesI enjoy collecting mechanical (manual wind and automatic) and early electric and quartz timepieces. I take great pleasure in researching and writing about the companies and people that created these beautiful watches. PF
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