The history of the brand of watches oris

Finally free

Oscar Herzog, General Manager of society, is recruiting a young lawyer: Dr. Rolf Portmann. During his first 10 years within the company, he is responsible for putting pressure on the Swiss government to abandon the law of the "watchmaker", which prevents oris from using anchor exhaust movements. In 1966, Rolf succeeds in his mission and concludes in the history of Swiss watchmaking.

Birth of a legend

Oris has a forward-thinking dive watch equipped with a waterproof case up to 100 meters, a unidirectional rotating bezel and large luminescent figures. Fifty years later, a reissue of this watch, the sixty-Five various oris, becomes one of the best-sellers of the brand and engenders the creation of a successful collection.

The first oris stopwatch

For more than thirty years, the Swiss law on the "watchmaker" prohibited Oris from introducing new technologies into its watches. In 1968, two years after the repeal of this law, the Manufacture unveils the Caliber Oris 652, with an anchor exhaust of superior quality. The prestigious astronomical and chronometric observatory of Neuchâtel awards a Certificate of Chronometry - the highest distinction in terms of precision at the time.

Golden age

In the late 1960s, Oris is one of the ten largest watchmakers: it employs 800 people in its factories and produces 1.2 million watches and wakes a year. The company develops its own tools and machines. It even offers each year a learning program to 40 watchmakers and engineers.

1970-1988

A group spirit

In 1970, Oris joined ASUAG, which will later become the Swatch Group. The moment could not be worse, while the quartz crisis strikes the watch industry full by the watch. The house goes through difficult years as it is forced to dismiss its staff, passing 900 employees to just a dozen, due to a significant production drop. Fortunately, Oris covers its independence thanks to the acquisition of society by its executives a few years later.

Chronoris

Oris ventures for the first time in the field of motor sport, today's key universe of the brand, with the launch of the Chronoris: the first chronograph and now emblematic of society. Thirty-five years later, the instrument is reissued and has a resounding success.

A turnaround

In the early 1980s, Oris is serious difficulty and his future is more than Incertain. Dr. Portmann then sees an exit door and enlightened in Ulrich W. Herzog to organize the acquisition of the company by its executives. Shortly after, oris SA, newly formed, makes the decision to produce more than mechanical timepieces and definitively abandon the quartz movements.

A bold vision

Ulrich W. Herzog, which became general manager, regularly travels to Japan and notes the growing craze of the population for mechanical watches. Aware of the Japanese influence on the global trend, Ulrich proposes a new strategy: to become the world leader in mechanical watches by offering unique movements at competitive prices. In 1984, he reintroduced the Pointer Calendar function, which was already equipped with the Big Crown watches of the 30s. This function therefore becomes the "signature" complication of Oris.

Innovations that will make noise

Mechanical innovations follow one another. In 1988, ORIS creates its first alarm mechanical wristwatch. A strong stage, which marks the renewal of the watchmaking house.

1990-2003

High-mech

Oris invents its "high-mech" slogan, in order to communicate on the quality and integrity of its Swiss Made mechanical movements. The same year, Oris markets the "Players Watch", a watch inspired by the world of football and endowed with four independent counters.

A world of complications

In 1991, the order of Oris to produce only mechanical watches is reinforced by the launch of the very successful 581 caliber. At the time, this ingenious movement equipped with a moon phase mold developed internally, becomes the caliber. the most complicated of the house.

Oris at the rhythm of jazz

With the London Jazz Festival, Oris signs a first important partnership that marks the birth of a strong link between the watchmaking house and this style of music. For the occasion, Oris produces a first jazz watch, in tribute to the English saxophonist and songwriter Andy Sheppard.

A world first

Oris edits the WorldTimer watch. This Innovative GTM Function Timepoint has a two-push system for setting the second time zone, forward or backward and by notch. The watch also has a date change mechanism that automatically adapts at the local time.

Designed for drivers

Oris adds the automatic BC3 model to its aviation universe. With this instrument, the independent house takes a new aesthetic direction. The BC3 presents a dial with optimum readability and has a housing with the specific lines and design: a set that brings a real breath of modernity in the world of pilot watches. Among its main features: a brushed stainless steel case, which absorbs the surrounding light more than it reflects it and the ability to choose the bracelet (metallic or rubber).

Think

The independent watchmaking house presents the ERIS XXL sports collection, causing the trend of "large format" watches that does not look long. This new line is the first at Oris to offer customers the ability to choose from three different sizes of housings and three types of mechanical movements. True freedom, without having to compromise style or quality.

"Birth of the cool"

Oris is undoubtedly the watchmaking brand that maintains the closest links with the world of jazz. In 2001, the house creates a watch in honor of Miles Davis, one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. Through this elegant rectangular shape, Oris again illustrates its attention to detail. A female version, set with diamonds, and a masculine model of barrel shape, complement this range.

For sports lovers

With the launch of the ORIS TT1 watch, the company gives a new impetus to its motor sport world. This timepiece has a black rubber telescope and a stainless steel case. Its bracelet, also rubber, is textured in the image of the grooves of a tire of Formula 1.

The red rotor

In 2002, the red rotor becomes a registered trademark oris. This element, iconic, symbolizes the philosophy of the Hourloère House: Design Swiss Made High Performance mechanical watches at accessible prices.

A timeless classic

The independent house Oris presents the Artelier collection, composed of classic and elegant and elegant watches. Most of them are equipped with innovative high-performance calibres, designed by ORIS watchmakers.

On the starting grid

In 2003, ORIS signs a partnership with the Formula 1 Williams stable and serves its first WILLIAMS F1 Team watches. This collaboration, more than fruitful, gives rise to many innovative timepieces. In 2015, the watchmaking house creates the Oris Williams collection: a new range of watches dedicated to the formula 1 icon.

2004-2009

A century !

To celebrate its centennial, ORIS presents a birthday box. The Centennial Set 1904 Limited Edition includes a stainless steel workshelier worldwide and a clock with 8 days of power reserve: two of the most emblematic creations of the independent house. This box is limited to 1904 numbered copies

Crown Quick Lock

In 2004, Oris develops the ingenious Quick Lock crown system, which stands out traditional screwed crowns. To lock it, simply turn it 120 ° clockwise.

At full speed

Oris comes out a limited edition watch to celebrate promising beginnings of a young WILLIAMS stable pilot: Nico Rosberg. Equipped with a titanium case and a carbon fiber dial, this instrument reflects the performance and ingenuity of the monoplaces of Formula 1.

Always further

Oris becomes in 2006 the official watch partner of the Venezuelan senezuelist Carlos Coste. This high-level sportsman establishes the same year a new snorkeling record, in the variable weight category, down to a depth of 140 meters and rise to the surface without resuming his breathing. In 2010, it enters the Guiness World Record by making the longest snorkeling by traveling 150 meters in the heart of the Cenot of Dos Ojos: a gigantic underground network stretching about fifty kilometers under the Yucatán Peninsula, in Mexico. . Carlos had sole equipment a flashlight and a monopalm. With the Oris Carlos Coste Limited Edition watches, the independent house pays tribute to the outsourcing prowess of this apneist.

The vertical crown

In 2008, ORIS unveils its innovation: the BC4 Flight Timer. This watch displays three time zones, one of which adjusts with a vertical crown, located at 2 hours on the middle. In 2009, the Timepotters wins the "Best of the Best" price of the Red Dot Awards.

The Safety System rotation

Oris collaborates with his ambassador, the professional diver Roman Frischknecht, to conceive the prodiver. This dive watch is equipped, among others, from the RSS system (ROTATION SAFETY SYSTEM) developed by OR: a unidirectional rotating bezel which locks in position and prevents any accidental manipulation during diving.