About Oris
OUR STORY
We’re proud of our long history and heritage, and we never forget it whenever we are developing new movements and watch designs. Oris watch is an item built to last and provide a lifetime of enjoyment.
The History of Oris
Paul Cattin and Georges Christian formed Oris in Hölstein, Switzerland. They purchased the recently shuttered Lohner & Co watch factory, and on June 1, 1904, they signed a contract with the mayor of the town. Oris expanded even further in 1925, opening a factory in Ziefen as well as its own electroplating plant in Herbetswil. The company started adding bracelet buckles to its pocket watches, effectively turning them into wristwatches. As an integrated manufacturer, Oris produces its own watch escapements. The company employed a large number of highly skilled watchmakers and was one of the first to provide equal opportunities to men and women.
Fun Facts About Oris
Paul Cattin and Georges Christian named their watch company Oris, after a nearby brook in Hölstein, Switzerland.
During the Second World War, Oris kept business alive by manufacturing alarm clocks, which led to the groundbreaking eight-day power reserve model introduced at the end of the 1940s.
About Oris’s Collections
Oris’ main collections feature Aquis, Divers, Big Crown, Big Crown Propilot.
Through a combination of thoughtful design, high-performance materials, and fit-for-purpose features, the Aquis line of diver’s watches delivers real-world functionality in an imaginative package. The Divers Sixty-Five pays homage to Oris’s first diver’s watches, including a legendary 1965 edition. The new parts are engineered using state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques while maintaining their retro aesthetic. Oris started producing pilot’s watches in the 1910s, at the dawn of aviation, and has been a trailblazer ever since. Oris’ signature style, the Big Crown, was first unveiled in 1938 and continues to inspire the collection today.The Big Crown ProPilot is the pinnacle of function-based design. The series includes a number of ground-breaking timepieces aimed at pilots who appreciate the ProPilot’s cockpit-ready functionality and aesthetic.