Category: Oris

Oris vs. Breitling (EVERYTHING to Know From Past to Present)

Posted on August 7, 2022August 7, 2022 by William Boyd

When it comes to watches, everyone strives to attain a status that classifies them as a luxury brand. There are several brands with great watches – Breitling and Oris are among them and they each have their own set of fans. Both are wonderful, but people are curious to know which one among Oris vs. Breitling is the best. The answer is not as easy as one may assume and depending on personal preferences, the answer can change.

Swiss watchmaker Breitling is recognized for many great qualities that have made them a leader in the field gor generations: their pilot, racing, and chronograph watches. Breitling is a well-known and pursued name in the watch industry, and its popularity alone may considerably increase the profit potential of its timepieces.

While less well-known in the Swiss watch industry, Oris is a well-respected brand that makes excellent diving watches like the Oris Aquis at a more modest price point. Breitling timepieces start at $2,500 and go up to $5,000, although Oris timepieces start at around $1,500. However, this does not mean that Oris is weaker since you cannot ignore a brand with such a long history as Oris.

When it comes to watches, the price tag is not the lone indicator of quality and overall superiority and this is why it is important to break down the components in order to decipher what makes a great watch and what options are must-haves.

Breitling Started With Humble Beginnings

A young German immigrant from St. Imier, Switzerland named Leon Breitling launched Breitling in 1884. When producing chronograph watches, the young watchmaker apprentice’s talent was focused more on it than anything else. The fact that Leon Breitling saw the necessity for timepieces to keep up with the times shows how forward-thinking he was instead of following the crowd.

Breitling clocks are still built with this mindset in mind today. This is one of the main reasons why the brand has remained head and shoulders above others – their abililty to stress these qualities and never compromise them have endeared them to a certain set of watch connoisseurs. These consumers become lifelong investors in the country and will have no other brand before them.

Breitling’s brand is now known for more than just chronograph watches; it now makes diving and pilot timepieces. They are on par with Omega and Rolex regarding reputation and brand awareness as one of the most well-known Swiss watchmakers. Breitling is among the top 15 or perhaps 10 watch manufacturers in today’s market.

Breitling is most known for its chronometer clocks, but it also makes other types of watches that fall under several watch categories. On the other hand, Breitling watches tend to be bigger and bulkier. Depending on what size of a watch one desires, this may be an important component to consider for making a personal list. The Breitling watch is also known for its great functionality and professional appearance. With the name Breitling, you think of a timepiece that is both useful and durable.

Oris Continues To Grow In Prominence

Oris was created in 1904 by Paul Cattin and Georges Christian in Switzerland. Since its inception in 1997, Oris has grown tremendously as a business and has already opened its second facility. During this period, Oris had six plants, making it the leading employer in Holstein. These days, the brand has made significant headway in becoming a noteed and valued brand for those that know the intricacies of watch production inside and out.

While producing 1.2 million watches a year, Oris achieved its peak in the 1960s. They have also grown their brand worldwide, cementing their status as one of the most popular Swiss watch companies in the world today. Oris has the distinction of developing and manufacturing all of its clocks in-house. As Switzerland has a record of quality testing tactics, Oris has guaranteed the quality of each watch.

These assurances are what watch aficionados look for when they are looking to invest signifcant amounts of money in an accessory that is meant to last for a lifetime. Additionally, Oris is one of the few watch manufacturers only to produce mechanical timepieces. The distinctive red rotor architecture, one of Oris’ trademark features, has become the company’s calling card regarding their watch mechanism artistry.

For those that truly know their watch brands, the Oris look is undeniable, and an instant reminder of what quality and precision are. Oris’ high-quality mechanical timepieces have kept it firmly rooted in the mid-range market. This elegant and prominent watch will uplift your personality and overall appearance.

Oris Vs. Breitling Watches

We will list a few types of watches here and compare both the brands’ watches to understand which one is doing the best in the respective genre.

Dive Watches

Breitling Superocean Automatic 44 Watch

Breitling’s Superocean collection is the company’s longest-running and most popular watch line. As a diving watch for professional divers and military personnel, the Superocean was initially presented in 1957 and has since proven to be one of the most durable and dependable. As with its predecessors, the Superocean 44 is a stunning watch that delivers both functions and looks. This style features gorgeous two-tone gold and black design.

Arabic numbers and polished silver hands adorn the black dial (6 and 9). The gold highlights on the hands let them stand out against the black background. The 44mm stainless-steel casing of this diving watch, which features a unidirectional case, is also rather big. It has a 40-hour battery and analog display working mechanically. Underwater, the Superocean 44 can withstand up to 2 Kilometers of water pressure. It’s a monster of a diving watch, to put it mildly.

Oris Aquis Watch

Oris is popular for its Aquis watches. In addition to its practicality, dependability, and affordable pricing, this product is well regarded. It’s a mid-range watch with just enough bells and whistles to propel it to the rankings. The consumer that desires a dependable watch that comes with all the bells and whistles necessary to be designated as a luxury piece will appreciate what Oris has done in crafting such an excellent watch.

Limited-edition models of the Aquis line, which has been around for a while, have gorgeous designs and top-tier performance. The Automatic Blue Dial model from Oris Aquis showcases the brand’s heritage, which is still very much visible in the current generation of watches. Because of the clasp’s length, the bracelet may be worn even while not wearing a wetsuit. When wearing a stainless-steel bracelet watch, you may want to swap out the band with leather or rubber if you find it uncomfortable.

This is the type of versatility that many brands claim to offer, but few actually execute to perfection. For this series, Oris has gone beyond the standard and set a new one, a key component that their fans will appreciate. Mechanical movement, analog display, and huge power reserve are the great attributes of this model. The power reserve is up to 38 hours and runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour.

Pilot Watches

Breitling Colt SkyRacer

The fact remains that there are many people that would like to elevate their look with accessories that are classified as luxury, but may not have as much disposable income to do so. Breitling has answered the call by producing for this group with a superior, yet affordably priced solution. As an entry-level pilot watch, the Breitling Colt SkyRacer from Breitling is a watch that delivers performance much above what you’d expect from an “entry-level” watch.

Compared to Breitling’s offerings, the Colt SkyRacer is an entry-level timepiece. It is a great option for those who don’t have a lot of money but want to wear a high-end watch like Breitling. Additionally, its look and precision are just as notable as higher-priced pieces in their line, confirmation that they can offer great features for all of their consumers without compromising style and functionality.

The design of the Colt SkyRacer is straightforward and the perfect watch to consider for those that want a great option that gets right to the point. As a result, individuals who appreciate the classic approach will enjoy this watch and the style it offers. This black-tone innovative plastic polymer with a compose-fiber casing and dial showcases the dynamic blend of heritage and current design.

The red accents, white markers, and hands make it easier to read the time on this watch. Without a question, this is an edition that makes a definitive style statement at an affordable price for a luxury watch. Even though the material is light, it’s also quite sturdy and long-lasting. For those types that lead fairly lifestyles yet still want the ultimate fashion piece for an accessory, this watch delivers across the board.

Additionally, the Colt SkyRacer’s structure makes it naturally anti-magnetic, a component that should not be overlooked for the true aficionados of fine watches. The horologe movement provides a running life for the watch for around 70 hours.

Oris Big Crown ProPilot Watch

Big Crown ProPilot X by Oris describes itself as a high-end and visually appealing timepiece and upon initial glance, that is readily apparent. Oris developed this pilot watch at no cost and fans of the style will appreciate the extra care taken. The skeleton shape of this watch makes it more than just a pilot’s watch, despite its aviation functions.

One of the greatest movements within an Oris watch is the company’s movement. The in-house chronometer caliber 115 can be seen through the bare dial on the inside. The power reserve of this watch mechanism is staggering at 240 hours. In other words, it has a ten-day self-sufficient life span. A sapphire domed crystal pane shields the watch’s eye-catching skeleton chronograph face from damage.

The most unexpected thing about this watch is its lightweight regardless of its 4.4 cm diameter case. It is mostly because the whole casing is constructed out of titanium. There are few watches in this price range that can deliver such great features, but Oris has dedicated itself to producing a line that brings the style that their fans have come to expect, combined with the functionality that they need.

The Oris ProPilot X is a must-have if you’re looking for a stylish pilot watch that will turn heads. And with an attractive price point to match, it is worthy of anyone’s collection of accessories.

FAQs

How to choose ORIS vs. Breitling?

Consider a few things before settling on either Oris or Breitling as your timepiece of choice. First and foremost, you have to decide depending on your preferences and requirements because they are among the greatest and most expensive brands in the market today. Choose a timepiece that matches your style as the first step and then go through all of the components that ultimately factor into your decision.

When deciding on a design, don’t forget to consider the intended audience and where you will be wearing it the majority of the time. It’s best to get a sport or outdoor watch if you’re doing a lot of physical activity and keep an active schedule. If you want to wear it to work regularly, you should choose something more official and more suitable for formal occasions.

The movement of a watch is also critical and should not be taken lightly. Most luxury timepieces employ either a mechanical or quartz movement. However, there are many more factors that are to be researched. You need to determine which watch movement you want and which manufacturer has the finest selection.

High-quality components are used in a complex mechanical watchmaking process, so your watch’s movement will run smoothly. In contrast, battery-powered analog timepieces employ Quartz. Regarding watches, mechanical ones are for you if you’re a fan of meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail. On the other hand, quartz is the preferable choice for those looking for an excellent timepiece with the same level of accuracy.

Which one is more prestigious, Breitling Vs. Oris?

This is where great marketing comes into play, and separates the boys from the men. Breitling timepieces have always been associated with strong, self-assured men who exude a good dosage of testosterone. Those who wear Breitling are accomplished businesspeople, combat pilots, and world-class sportspeople – men who make definitive statements through their clothing and are the movers and shakers of their industries.

Breitling is noted for its premium quality and meticulous clocks. Quality control and rigorous testing are hallmarks of Breitling’s “Made in Switzerland” designation. It’s a symbol of almost a century of experience and classic style.However, although Oris is a top-notch watch brand, many watch lovers don’t regard it with the same level of importance, but it must be noted that Breitling is more of a household name by far.

Which one is better, TAG Heuer VS Oris Watches?

For professional scuba divers, Oris makes many models, including some special releases, of high-quality dive watches that you may buy. In honor of Carlos Coste, an 11-time scuba diving nationwide record holder, a special edition has been made available. Although TAG produces water-resistant timepieces, they fall short of Oris’s standard.

Is Oris a luxury brand?

f you compare Oris’ Swiss-made watches with similar characteristics to those from other luxury watch companies, you will find that they are far superior in quality. A two-year warranty is included as well. Oris may be viewed as a premium brand with extra value that is also quite inexpensive.

What’s a better brand than Breitling?

Omega is a far stronger watch brand than Breitling in the worldwide market. With an in-house movement and creations by a well-respected watchmaker, a watch from Omega is guaranteed to be of the highest quality.

Is Rolex owned by Oris?

Rolex is not owned Oris; it is an independent company. As a private corporation, Oris SA has been in business since 1906. The company that manufactures Oris timepieces goes by the name of Oris SA. Genuine Swiss Made watches, such as those from Oris.

Are Oris watches worth anything?

They’ve become the most popular watch brand for people participating in water activities because of their unique rotation safety feature created specifically for divers. Oris is now one of the most reputable names in luxury and diving timepieces. Oris timepieces are an excellent investment because of their renown in a certain field.

Who wears Oris?

Oris is the best fit for every individual. No matter the initial price, you will enjoy the benefits in the long run. Wealthy individuals typically wear Oris watches due to their promising finest quality timepiece.

Conclusion

Watch is one of the few appropriate accessories for males and the most overt manifestation of their individuality. Even if it’s a component of their jewelry, it’s also a representation of their personality. Numerous instances of luxury watches might be considered works of art. However, purchasing a cutting-edge watch is the best way of expression. It denotes how committed and disciplined someone is towards money and time.

Oris vs Hamilton (Brand Comparison Including ALL Collections!)

Posted on July 6, 2022August 7, 2022 by William Boyd

Searching for your first Swiss luxury watch? Need something to give your boss or dad? Want to have a casual everyday watch to wear? Oris and Hamilton offer incredible value with its high-quality material and sleek designs making both of them attractive options.

Getting started may prove intimidating and overwhelming. Do you want an experimental or large timepiece? With both brands releasing many models over the years, this guide will help you select the right brand and model for you.

Oris Design & Style

Osris designs are innovative yet traditional and modern. Refined and simplistic offering that won’t intimidate.

Many aficionados have Oris timepieces as part of their weekly rotation. Perfect for daily and weekend wear with the family, it also works well for conferences, church, and casual dating.

Timepieces are available in six iconic collections.

Artelier

This collection embodies the company’s commitment to heritage and innovation with timeless elegant timepieces. These versatile designs include minimalist mid-century to futuristic skeleton watches. You can find chronographs, moon-phase displays, and 10-day power reserves.

Aquis

These diver’s watches were designed with sub-aqua practicality in mind. Clear legibility and the classic unidirectional rotating bezel, a hallmark of a diver’s watch. Offered in a wide variety of materials and sizes, it is the brand’s most extensive collection.;

Combining stunning design with high-performance materials and fit-for-purpose functions. They include day-date complications and chronographs.

Vintage-inspired pilot waters with pointer date display

Big Crown

This vintage-inspired pilot watches pay homage to the a signature design, the Big Crown. Released in 1938, it featured an oversized crown that was designed to be operated while wearing leather gloves.

The collection resembles old-school aviator watches, but have state of the art mechanical technology. Most are distinctive pointer-date models with a full view of the month around the dial. Available in a range of sizes and styles, including a few limited editions.

Divers

Drawing inspiration to the company’s first diver’s watches, particularly the iconic 1965 model that had a bubble-curve crystal and rainbow of mid-century dial tones.

These are elegant timepieces that are vintage inspired and have innovative watchmaking techniques. You can find chronograph models in a wide variety of sizes, range of dial colors and bracelets.

Vintage-inspired diving watches

Propilot

This collection updates the Big Crown series with larger case sizes, more complex mechanical configurations such as chronographs and week-dates.

It is geared towards pilots that value cockpit-ready functionality and aesthetically. These come in a range of colors, case materials, and strap options.

Propilot X

This is the brand’s most limited and exclusive series. With only two models, ProPilot X watches have skeletonized movements, built entirely in titanium, and are light and high-tech. They feature a 10-day power reserve and Oris patented non-linear power indicator.

Hamilton Design & Style

Khaki Field

Inspired by Hamilton’s WWI timepieces, this military collection was a staple for U.S. soldiers that shipped out 1914. This marked the transition from the brand’s pocket watches to wristwatches to accommodate soldiers on the battlefield.

The collection evolved over the years to become one of the most robust watches on the market for modern wear.

Khaki Field Mechanical

Available in stainless steel or leather strap variants, it is perfect for sportsmen and those seeking action in great outdoors. An incredibly durable watch.

Khaki Field Auto

It uses hand-winding for superlative reliability and readability with hard-wearing materials and luminescent numerals.

Khaki Aviation

These modern timepieces are a creative take on the brand’s 1918 timepiece that was designed to keep the U.S’ airborne postal system running smoothly and on time.

Khaki Navy

Another timepiece that pays homage to the brand’s history, these timepieces are perfect for mariners, sailors, and divers.

These timepieces are waterproof, highly wearable, and made to the most stringent technical specifications and ready for any maritime endeavor.

Broadyway

This collection includes various movement and color options designed for urbanites and style-conscious men. Watches have clean metal finishes and refined faces.

Broadway Day Date Auto

A versatile piece, it is available in a variety of straps with both water resistance and a stainless steel surface. It also has an 80-hour power reserve.

Broadway GMT

With an adjustable bezel equipped with 24 different city destinations, a 24-hour display, with an 80-hour power reserve, the Broadway GMT is the ideal travel watch for the cosmopolitan man.

American Classic

Although the company has since moved to Switzerland, it’s long standing American history is found in their modern designs, especially the American Classic.

Intra-Matic Auto

Has a two-tone cream and black colorway with an 80-hour power reserve. It also houses an automatic watch movement with anti-magnetic allow to prevent interference.

Boulton Small Second Quartz

Preserving the American style found on the original design in 1949, it has Roman numerals, discreet second ticker and a vintage buckled leather strap. It also has a modern look with the PSR Digital Quartz.

Jazzmaster

The collection has an extraordinary suite of contemporary watches that blends exceptional craftsmanship with intrepid innovations and traditional touches.

Jazzmaster AutoChrono

The perfect blend of old and new, the Jazzmaster Autochrono utilizes an automatic movement with a 60-hour power reserve.

Viewmatic Skeleton Lady

This unveils the watch’s intricate movement that uses a skeletonized dial and has stainless steel bezels with a mother of pearl face.

Open Heart Auto

An elegant companion to any woman’s wrist, it combines a white leather calf strap with four diamond indexes on a flower-design mother of pearl watch face.

Ventura Line

The Ventura still remains an unconventional classic with its triangular face and electrical movement for an effortlessly cool look. A reinterpretation of the original 1957 model, the stainless steel watch is battery-powered with stylized markers, and a distinct tri-tier bezel.

Ventura Auto

Using the identical technology found in the Khaki collection, the Ventura auto uses the wrist’s natural movements to help the internal battery. It also contains a glass window for a glimpse at the sophisticated movement.

Oris vs. Hamilton – Build Quality

Oris Build Quality

Oris has a sterling reputation due to its rich history, diverse offerings and overall vibrant and rich catalogue of vintage inspired timepieces. With its respective heritage, it is highly regarded as a brand every collector should own among aficionados. They are also a great entry point for a Swiss timepiece.

Stylish, innovative, versatile, and meticulously crafted pieces, Oris models are renowned for being one of the best values in the Swiss watch industry. Sensible-prices timepieces with ETA, Sellita, and in-house movements and available in a range of sizes, colors, and designs make it an exceptional value.

The brand maintains its unwavering commitment to mechanical movements and is one of the few Swiss horology houses that only makes mechanical watches. It’s destinct red rotor design is easily recognizable and an insignia for the brand’s dedication to high-quality mechanical movements.

In juxtaposition to high-end competitors, Oris is a better investment due to exceeding expectations and features than considerably lower priced watches with similar features.

Water resistance ranges from 30 to 500 meters.

They come with a 2 year warranty.

Hamilton Build Quality

There are only a few brands that are more versatile, well-known, and have extensive U.S. history than Hamilton. The brand is well known by aficionados and collectors to be a great value with attention to detail, solid performance, and overall great build quality.

The brand produces analog mechanical automatic and analog quartz and digital watches. Usually made of stainless steel with dial windows of sapphire crystal. They use ETA movements

Watches house reliable, mass-produced ETA movements with the latest tech such as silicon parts and extended power reserves with premium sapphire crystal. With a vast range models, wide variety of dial colors, many strap materials in multiple colors.

Water resistant between 30 to 100 meters.

They come with a 2 year warranty.

Verdict on Brand Quality

They are similar, however, Oris has more variety of movements and offers more water resistance in some models.

Oris vs Hamilton – Price/Quality ratio

Oris Price/quality ratio

The brand’s unrelenting dedication to using high-quality materials to preserving traditional mechanics makes it unique and one of the best on the market. In juxtaposition to other Swiss brands, it has affordable price points, especially at their entry-level watches.

Retail prices begin at $800 for its TT1 model and upwards to $19,000 for its limited edition Carysfort Reef desin.

Middle tier watches with more complicated functions range from $3,000 to $6,000

Topping out the price range are expensive options such as the yellow gold limited edition Carysfort Reef Oris, which retails for $19,000, along with the solid 18k rose gold Artelier Calibre 111, which retails for $15,500. There is certainly an option for every budget within the current Oris lineup.

Hamilton Price/quality ratio

The brand’s American heritage design watches are made of high-quality material and its combination of many styles make its offering extremely versatile. With dressy, sporty, and even futuristic timepieces that make it for a great casual watch.

Its distinctly American ethos and thematic designs like aviation, and cinema make it popular choice for mid-priced watches, especially when more expensive brands use identical movements and materials.

Hamtilon watches start at $325 for its Khakhi Field Mechanical and upwards to $6,195 for Jazzmaster

Verdict on Price/Quality Ratio

If you are looking for the brand that gives you the best value for your money, Oris is almost unmatched. It offers possible the best value in the Swiss-made industry.

So far we have compared both the brands in terms of design, build quality, and pricing. But now let’s go back in time and explore the history behind Oris and Hamilton.

History of Oris

With its unwavering commitment to affordable timepieces that are stylish and technical, the company is popular in the enthusiasts market.

Even the highest of the brand’s offerings are an incredible valuable that cannot be found on other Swiss brands within the price range. Highly regarded by many, it is a perfect choice for everyday wear.

Since its inception, Oris has taken pride in creating and engineering watches at affordable prices. Many aficionados have come to love the brand for its unrelenting commitment to value and perfect for everyday and any occasion wear.

The beginning

In 1904, Paul Cattin and Georges Christian come together to purchase the recently closed Lohnre & Co. watch factory and partner with the local mayor as Manufacture d’Horlogerie de Hölstein Christian & Cattin on June 1st, 1904.

Along with several trademarks, the pair created Oris after the nearby Orisbach tributary of the Ergolz river. It’s mission was to create modestly priced watches.

In 1925, the company produced leather straps to match the growing wristwatch market. They featured an additional bund-style piece with a leather cage to securely hold a pocket watch to the wrist.

Aviation and Military

Osris created its first pilot watch in 1938, which combined signature design elements – an oversized winding crown and a pointer calendar display.

WWI decreased the sales and production of timepieces and to combat that, Osris produced alarm clocks that featured a central alarm-setting hand. It came in various shapes, colors, and sizes.

Innovation and Technology

The brand created its first automatic watched that was powered by in-house Oris Caliber 601 in 1952. The 601 was a self-winding movement with 17 jewel rotor automatic and operated at 18,000 beats per hour.

It had running seconds and power reserve indicator that assured the rotor was functioning properly. This eviscerated the need for hand-winding.

Introduced in 1965, the Oris Waterproof 36mm was the brand’s first purpose-built diving watches. It featured uni-directional rotating bezel, black dial, and a water-resistant case up to 100 meters.

It was powered by an in-house movement with a frequency of 18,000vph and had a power reserve of 46 hours. These early models served as inspiration for the modern and popular Oris Divers Sixty-Five.

Oris’ first chronograph, the Chronoris 38mm was introduced in 1970. Housing a 17-jewel caliber 725 engineered by Dubois Depraz, it required manual winding and featured a clean display without elapsed minute and hour counters. An individual could align the bezel with a minute hand if needed.

Quartz Crisis of 1970-1980s

Like many others, the brand had difficulty navigating through the quartz crisis of 1970-1980s. With cheap watches from Asia infiltrating the market and other hardships like unemployment, it was carelessly acquired by ASUAG (presently known as Swatch Group). Antithetical to Oris’ heritage, THE ASUAG forced the company to create quartz watches.

It would gain its independence in 1982 and returned to mechanical timepieces. It also introduced its first mechanical watch using Point Calendar complication from the 1930s in 1984.

Playfulness and Novelty

The company’s first alarm wristwatch was introduced in 1988. The 34mm watch housed the caliber 418 and was available in an assortment of dial colors, indices, and case finishes.

Drawing inspiration from soccer and golf, the 40mm Player’s watches were introduced in 1990. They featured a timing bezel and movement model that had fourth push-button sport specific counters and an ETA 2824 caliber.

In 1997, the brand patented the innovative Oris Worldtimer that allowed wearers to adjust local time in 1-hour loops. Ideal for traveling between time zones.

The 2000s

The inauguration of the millennium marked the brand producing larger watches like the iconic Oris XXL to match fashion trends. The red rotor was trademarked and used as an insignia for the brand.

To celebrate its 100^th anniversary, the Centennial set was released in 2004. Limited to 1904 pieces, it included a 42mm Atelier Worldwide that housed a caliber 690 and 8-day mechanical alarm clock.

2010 and beyond

Oris introduced many introduced innovative technology like a sliding sledge clasp that kept a timepiece on a wrist and the Oris Aquis Depth Guage in 2013.

In 2014, the brand highlighted its 110^th anniversary with an in-house movement Calibre 110. This hand-wound movement features 40 jewels, 21,600vph frequency and a ten-day power reserve.

Recently in 2020, Oris introduced its first in-house developed automatic movement in decades, Calibre 400. It features antimagnetic movement, five day power reserve, and 28,800vph frequency.

History of Hamilton

Rise from the ashes

Hamilton has a long standing America heritage. Popular, well-respected, precise, reliable, and stylish, its watches are perfect for daily wear.

This Swiss brand with American roots offers aficionados and collectors incredible value. It also is approachable and fun for those who want to build a collection. Solidly built and reliable

Hamilton was a product of several failed watch companies – The Adams & Perry Watch Company, the Lancaster Watch Company, and the Keystone Standard Watch company. They inhabited the same manufacturing facility in Lancase in 1875.

A group of investors purchased the Keystone Standard brand and facilities, as well as the struggling Aurora Watch Company of Aurora, Illinois in October 1892.

They merged the two companies and transported Aurora’s machinery to Lancaster, Pennsylvania and extended the facilities with a new wing. They chose the name Hamilton as a tribute to the original owner and its first planners, Andrew Hamilton and his son James.

Railroad Industry Partner

The company’s Broadway Limited pocket watch helped mitigate the increasing number of railway accidents and fatalities that occurred during the late 19^th century.

Its relationship with the railroad industry and train conductors secured its place among others as the maker of “the Watch of Railroad Accuracy”. The company’s bread and butter, Grade No. 936, was accurate, reliable, and provided legibility. Most had beautiful white dials with stark black Arabic numerals and high-contract had for readability.

WWI & United States Military

Two years later, Hamilton shifted its focus from railroads to supporting American industrialism throughout WWI by becoming the sanctioned pocket watch supplier for the United States Military.

These could be depended upon in the trenches and battlefields, however, proved to be impractical for soldiers on the move. Infantrymen preferred the ease of strapping a watch to the wrist because they needed to use both hands to load his weapon while simultaneously checking his watch.

This resulted in Hamilton installing pocket watch movements in smaller cases that were sized for wrist wear. Additionally, produced timepieces that were powered by the Hamilton caliber 983, a 17-jewel 0-size pendant movement.

Some of the first “trench watches” were re-engineered pocket watches with lugs that were soldered strips of wired that connected the case to a strap of leather or canvas for wearing on the wrist.

In 1912, the company created “wristlets” for women using 0-size pendant watch movements. Company began modifying the pieces for soliders and men.

Although it was vogue for society gentlemen in early 20^th century, troops that came home after the War ended continued to wear their wristwatches and the style caught on contrary to the accepted feminine look. This established a relationship with the U.S. Armed forces lead to one of its most iconic and enduring product lines.

Aviation and travel

Hamilton transitioned from the railroads and military to being the preferred timepiece for skies. Pilots who made the first U.S. airmail run from Washington D.C. to New York began wearing Hamilton watches on their wrist in 1918.

In 1926, a Hamilton watch accompanied Admiral Richard E. Byrd on his a little under 16 hour flight to the North Pole. He then set out for his first Antarctic expedition in 1928 with 60 of the brands watches accompanying him and his crew. These were powered by the Hamilton caliber 992.

Throughout the 1930s, the company became the official timepiece provider for four major airlines in the early 1930s, Eastern, TWA, Northwest, and United. Its timepieces are still preferred by pilots today.

Yankees and expansion

Hamilton released its Piping Rock model in the late 20s and early 30s. It would eventually become one of its most popular designs.

After the Yankees won the world series in 1928, it presented its Yankee design to each team member. Both the Yankee and Piping Rock established Hamilton as a pioneer in watch design.

Hamilton also purchased the Illinois Watch company for over $5,000,000.

Art Deco

Inspired by the Art Deco movement 1930s timepieces were designed with Arabic numeral hour markers and many featured rectangular or geometric cases. Housing Hamilton’s own calibers, the watches were available in platinum, solid gold, or gold-filled cases.

WWII Watches

WWII started in 1939. The U.S. military prognosticated its involvement and made requests to watch manufacturers to create accurate marine chronometers for Navy ships.

Hamilton was the only company to provide marine chronometers that met accuracy standards. Hamilton supplied nearly 11,000 marine chronometers to the U.S. Armed forces.

1942, Hamilton ceased producing watches for civilizations and focused entirely on the military. It supplied over one million timepieces that had variations of caliber 987, the brand’s finest movement. Due to its dedication and exceptional timepieces, the Army-Navy “E” was awarded for excellence in production.

Technology and innovations

1957, Hamilton created one of the most dramatic changes to a design with the Hamilton Electric, the first electric watch. This began the end of windup watches.

The company developed the Venture in 1959, a sleek timepiece that was inspired by the Cadillac tailfins of the 50s.

1969, the company developed the first automatic chronograph, Calibre 11. This was a breakthrough for the company which was followed by the successful Pulsar model, the brand’s first digital watch.

Present Day Hamilton

1974, it was sold to SSIH (later became Swatch Group).

The company would eventually build relationships with air racing and aerobatics industry with watches created for Red Bull Air Race and Swiss Aerobatic Association.

During the 1980s, the brand revived some classic watch designs

2000s to present

2006, Hamilton celebrated the Odysee 2001 timepiece by releasing a limited series of 2001 pieces of ODC-X-01.

In 2019 to the present, the brand continues re-issuing some of its famous vintage watches such as Hamilton Chrono-Matic 50 and Field Mechanical.

Oris vs Hamilton – Conclusion

With in-house movements and a myriad of styles to select, Oris wristwatches are ideal for anyone that wants to begin their collection with quality timepieces without a steep price tag. The brand’s appealing case designs and technical features make them a great option for everyday wear.

Although a little bit more expensive, it’s high-quality materials and durability make it the easy choice to pick.

Oris vs Tudor: Brand Comparison

Posted on February 19, 2021February 28, 2023 by Ethan Richardson

Making watches is nothing less than a fine art. The mechanical piece of equipment made diligently and pragmatically by an extensive craftsman is something worth admiring. There is a certain feeling of euphoria when we stop for a while to admire our watch. People can relate to the magic of luxury timepieces every time they put them on. Every watch has its own aura created from the time and energy the craftsman put in to contemplate the design and structure. This is why people seek out hand-made watches. Your luxury timepiece reveals a lot about your personality and taste. Oris and Tudor are among the brands currently at the top of the list of renowned luxury timepiece brands in the world. In this article, we will be taking a look at a comparison of the two brands: Oris vs Tudor.

Oris vs Tudor: Comparison

Both the brands have their own specifications, and the problem with the comparison between these two brands is that there are no benchmarks to determine the scale of the qualities they offer. No measure could supplant these brands’ quality; it is just up to the purchasers’ opinions. Therefore, we will compare two of these brands’ common timepiece products, dive watches and dress watches.

Oris ProDiver Moon Pointer vs Tudor Pelagos

Both dive watches are made up of titanium parts that make the watches more durable and lighter. The precision and accuracy of the watches are exceptional. However, there are some differences in the specifications. Tudor has water-resistance durability up to 500 meters, and Oris ProDiver Moon Pointer exceeds the range by two times with a water-resistance up to 1,000 meters. Oris ProDiver Moon Pointer is the first luxury watch brand to feature the tidal range and lunar cycle feature. The watch is mechanical, so we can assume that Oris has an advantage over Tudor when it comes to dive watches.

Oris Artelier 01 Automatic vs Tudor Glamour Date and Day Diamond Dial

First, let us discuss the aesthetics of Oris Artelier 01 Automatic. The watch is designed with absolute dedication; the craftsman has meticulously designed each part of this extensive watch. It poses an exquisite fashion statement for the wearer and also a robust metallic design. When you look at it, you can envision all the aspects of aesthetics you could find in a mechanical watch. It is designed with a sapphire crystal window—no element could match the quality. The window is scratch-resistant.

Tudor Glamour Date and Day Diamond Dial comes with a diamond-studded dial. The name of the watch tells you all about this luxurious watch. This watch’s aesthetics are quite overwhelming; you will indeed feel that you haven’t seen any watch like this one. This watch is so exquisite that it contains all the features of the Oris timepiece. It comes with a 43 mm case, which is similar to the size of Oris. The functionalities and features of the watch are beyond compare. Whoever wears this watch will be astounded by its fine architecture and elegant parts.

Oris: Brand Review

Oris is a Swiss-based watch manufacturing brand with principles intact with the bygone era of constructing fine pieces of mechanical equipment. The brand has been serving us since 1904 with quality watches. Each timepiece created by the brand tells a different story and provides the person with a nostalgic feeling of the bygone era’s lost culture.

Quartz watches currently dominate the watch market as they tend to be more accurate, reliable, and long-lasting. These features make the watch uninspiring, and a true watch lover would agree with that. People that see the watches as simple pieces of equipment would never appreciate fine art. Oris is still endowed with its former glory, and it is known for manufacturing the world’s most accurate mechanical watches that never lose their integrity.

A timepiece is responsible for telling accurate time, and that feature gets compromised with mechanical watches as they do not use batteries or cells for powering the mechanism. It has been noticed that the brand has strong intentions for preserving the environment, such as raising funds for protecting the integrity of oceans and their ecosystem. The brand actively participates in a lot of charity organizations like this.

The brand is quite famous for restoring the traditional values of watch-making, and its motto is to manufacture and retail the world’s best mechanical watches at an affordable price. The price of these watches is more affordable than brands such as Rolex and TAG Heuer. However, the price is not a matter of concern here. All that matters is the impeccable quality of Oris Watches.

Tudor: Brand Review

The brand was founded in 1926, and you can easily presume all the qualities and features of a typical Tudor watch because it is a Rolex sister company. Everyone knows about Rolex and its integrity. Rolex is the most formidable watch manufacturing company, providing us with the best watches since 1905. Tudor was founded 20 years after the foundation of Rolex.

The founder, Hans Wilsdorf, was the person behind this extensive brand. You might ask why Rolex needs a sister company at all. Rolex was meant to produce only the world’s most formidable watches, and sometimes, the prices could reach the level beyond anyone’s imagination. No one would fathom to afford those watches except for the minted people of that generation.

That is why the founder thought of building a new company that could offer the same quality at an affordable price. However, Tudor has successfully impacted the market independently without the need to gain recognition in Rolex’s name. Tudor is just as formidable as Oris, and it won’t be easy to compare these two brands.

Indeed, it would be a poor choice to compare the brands’ functionalities in terms of the mechanics because these brands’ accuracy and functions are top-notch, and they exceed the scale of perfection. Both brands are unique and formidable.

Oris vs Tudor: Conclusion

Since both Oris and Tudor excel in different ways and are exceptional in their own right, the comparison between the two brands seems to end with a tie. Both the brands are formidable in their own way. It ultimately depends on the buyer’s perspective and taste because both brands redefine the epitome of aesthetics in watch manufacturing.

Oris vs Tag Heuer: Brand Comparison

Posted on February 4, 2021August 7, 2021 by Ethan Richardson

When it comes to classy attire, the timepiece accessory says a lot about your personality and taste. Friends and clients often make inferences on your worth, circle, and alpha qualities based on your clothes and accessories. Besides, a premium watch brand elevates your status faster since it is easily noticeable. Regarding Swiss watches, Oris and Tag Heuer go head-to-head in terms of structure, features, class, and overall brand equity, making the Oris vs Tag Heuer debate a difficult decision to make. In this comprehensive article, we have highlighted the similarities and peculiarities of each deluxe watch brand. In the end, we give our verdict on which of the watchmakers is better and why.

Oris vs Tag Heuer: Origin of the Brands

Oris

Oris boasts of impeccable quality, evidenced in their watches that always stand out. They subject their products to superior manufacturing processes with zero tolerance for error. This commitment to excellence allowed them to grow from a modest workshop into one of the watchmakers to beat in the timepiece industry. As part of their commitment to culture, they belong to a selected group of producers that design, build, and sell mechanical watches. Meanwhile, the founders got the inspiration for the name from the Hölstein-based river, Oris. The company ensures a premium customer experience whenever you pick any of their products. Also, you get maximum value for every dollar spent.

Tag Heuer

With experience amounting to almost two centuries, Tag Heuer stands tall as an exquisite watch producer. It has enjoyed exclusive, strategic deals with governmental organizations, sports bodies, and critical stakeholders in the industry. Courtesy of the 1985 merger, Tag Heuer has been able to leverage both individual companies’ strengths to create an iconic brand. Interestingly, it has woven itself into the annals of world history. When it released the original Mikrograph in 1916, it raised countless eyeballs, thanks to its unrivaled accuracy. In 1962, John Glenn strapped the Heuer 2915A to his wrist as he circled the earth.

Oris vs Tag Heuer: Superior Engineering Dynamics

Design Dimensions

For different product categories, both brands have almost equivalent dimensions, which further drives the comparison. For instance, the Oris Aquis and Tag Aquaracer check similar boxes. In terms of versions, the 41.5 mm and 41 mm sizes are favorite customer choices, respectively. The former has a robust bracelet that adds to its stability on your wrist. Besides, Oris has a wider lug compared to its Tag equivalent with a 3 mm increment. This slight addition gives extra firmness and balance to the watch. However, other dimensions, like the case width, are relatively the same.

Crystal Arrangement

Both towering watchmakers utilize sapphire glass for the production of the timepiece crystal. To add a sophisticated outlook, Oris deployed a double-dome shape for its Aquis model. This inventive design gives it a unique edge over its Tag equivalent, Aquaracer, and inspires more confidence in the wearer. Besides, sapphire materials have a reputation for high reflectivity. To eliminate this characteristic, Oris added a pro-visibility coating to the internal chamber of the watch. On the other hand, Tag uses a traditional flat shape for its Aquaracer model. Although sleek, it lags behind Oris in terms of customer delight and appeal.

Structure of the Hands

Tag Heuer employs the common “sword” design for the hands of its watches. This decision makes it a bit commoditizing, although it has some inherent advantages. You can spot the configuration at any instant and identify what the time says. Besides, it looks more authentic and stable for a regular user. However, Oris uses unique hand designs that are exclusive to the brand. You will not find it on any other timekeeping brand. Thus, if you are looking to stand out from the crowd, the Oris hand design will make it possible.

Casing

For its Aquis model, Oris fused four-sided crown guards into the casing, enhancing its visual appeal in the wearer. Conversely, Tag has stylish crown guards that are both flawless and cool. Once strapped on your wrists, it elevates your confidence. Furthermore, Tag used traditional lugs for its Aquaracer model, making it slightly less appealing to the wearer. It looks quite big for the 43 mm timekeeping device. For its equivalent, Oris employed a specialized design that is unique to its products only. This highlight creates a feeling of class and distinction in the user. You can find an easy replacement for the Tag lugs, which is impossible for Oris.

Bracelet

Oris prioritized comfort and aesthetics in the design and production of its exquisite timepieces. The bracelet featured in the Aquis model has a sleeker arrangement. It breaks out of the Jubilee or Oyster design that is commonplace. Produced under superior machining and quality control processes, the Oris bracelet features a classic clasp. There is an allowance to extend it depending on your activity. However, for the Tag brand, they are fixed, and it has an outstanding lug design. In Oris watches, the taper is visible and unique. Contrarily, Tag uses a more traditional approach in the arrangement of its lugs.

Oris vs Tag Heuer: Brand Equity and Resale Value

Currently, Tag Heuer is a division of the world-renowned luxury fashion brand, Louis Vuitton Moet Hennesy (known as LVMH for short). Names such as Louis Vuitton, Fendi, and Dior are signature products from this company. They have an extensive product brand that spans several nations of the world and different customer categories. Tag emerged as the 12th wealthiest and most popular Swiss watch company globally in research carried out by Interbrand, a Swiss fashion-analyzing company. Meanwhile, Oris is a privately-held company without the spending power and popularity of a global brand. This highlight makes the Oris story even more interesting because they have carved out a distinct reputation in their users’ minds.

Resale value refers to the amount customers are willing to pay for a used timepiece. It means the price at which you can sell your possession whenever you choose to do so. Oris has little luck in this department because of the extensive coverage enjoyed by Tag Heuer’s worldwide customer base. Whereas Tag wristwatches can get up to a 70% resale value, Oris manages a meager 50%. However, if you intend to keep your timepiece for a longer period, you have little or nothing to worry about how much you can make back from selling your precious watch.

Racing Timepieces – Historical Artifact vs. Contemporary Masterpiece

To evaluate both brands, we selected the Oris Chronoris Date model and the Tag Heuer Carrera.

Oris fused an iconic design with an impressive mechanical arrangement to produce the Chonoris. This superb engineering and art combination gives it a unique appearance, a visual wonder for both users and fans. The inspiration came from the retro-racing industry, giving it even wider acclaim. It sports stainless steel covering and a distinct dial, and it captures the spirit and emotions of that fading period with its skillful color-matching featuring orange, silver, and black. The Oris-designed caliber with 733 automated travel paths powers the Chronoris, and it features an analog style.

On the other hand, the Tag Heuer Carrera features a contemporary design, thanks to inspiration from some of the world’s best racing vehicles. Compared to its Chronoris counterpart, it uses an ultra-thin dial, which adds to its customer appeal. Furthermore, it reflects the sophistication and supersonic speeds of deluxe racing cars. It incorporates multiple dials. The iconic caliber 01 powers the device, providing an energy reserve that lasts over two days. By adopting the skeletal arrangement, Tag Heuer allows you to see how the impressive timepiece works. The chronograph ensures that it measures time with 100% precision.

Diving Timekeepers – Ingenious Ruggedness vs. Extreme Precision

For the best diving clocks, we selected the Oris Aquis Great Barrier Reef and the Tag Heuer Aquaracer Calibre 5.

Oris released this edition as a campaign for the preservation and restoration of the oceanic ecosystem. This insight helped increase awareness about the diversity of this water habitat and the danger of losing it. As a result, it featured the latest engineering breakthroughs of that time to create a powerful device. You can dive up to 300 meters below sea level with the Aquis while providing accurate time measurement. Scuba divers, deep-ocean swimmers, and snorkelers have the perfect device for all their diving preferences. Its blue layout represents the ocean theme, evoking thoughtful emotions.

On the contrary, the Tag Heuer Aquaracer Calibre 5 embraces an out-of-the-box arrangement with its structure. It implements the chronograph like its other models to improve efficiency and timeliness. Here is where the Oris Aquis scores another excellent point. Whereas the Aquaracer sports a special combination of silver and black, the refreshing ocean blue layout of the former stands out. It has a huge dial and three mini dials for faster time checking. These mini dials display the reading for minutes, seconds, and microseconds, and it uses an analog display mode. The casing is a 42 mm stainless steel material.

Oris vs Tag Heuer: Conclusion

As seen in the detailed analysis above, the brands are similar in several features. Although Tag Heuer has widespread brand equity spanning several countries, Oris leveraged ingenuity, innovation, and sophisticated craftsmanship to produce exciting designs that you cannot wait to put on your wrist.

Oris vs Omega: Brand Comparison

Posted on January 22, 2021February 27, 2023 by Ethan Richardson

Oris and Omega are two competitive brands known for manufacturing luxury watches in today’s market; watch enthusiasts consider these brands to be the best. Both brands have achieved considerable successes in terms of technology, watchmaking art, and innovations, which makes the Oris vs Omega debate a difficult one to answer.

Oris and Omega are among the legendary and iconic Swiss watch brands, and because of their outstanding reputations, the two are always compared. In this article, we will compare the two brands and find out the most luxurious among them. But first, let’s take a quick look at the history of both brands.

History of Omega

This well-known brand was established in 1848; the year alone will give you a clue of how reputable it is. It is mostly considered an upper echelon of the watch industry. Throughout the 1800s, Omega focused on building and spreading its brand with its high-quality handy watches. The company had managed to maintain an incline in its customer trust and reputation in the watch industry.

The brand is well-known for perfecting watchmaking and delivering the most outstanding watches in the market both functionally and aesthetically. In 1932, Omega further welded their name by being the official timekeeper of the Olympics in Los Angeles, California. In 1948, during their 100th anniversary, the brand introduced the Seamaster, one of their most flagship watch series. The Seamaster is considered one of Omega’s most popular series to date.

In 1962, the brand introduced Speedmaster, another famous watch line and the first to reach outer space when Wally Schirra wore it during the Mercury Sigma 7 mission. In 1969, the brand earned more reputation when an astronaut, Buzz Aldrin, wore it during the historic moon landing. The brand’s reliability and resiliency were further reinforced when the Speedmaster watch played an integral part in the rescue mission of the Apollo 13 crew.

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional

However, the company didn’t hit mainstream popularity until the ‘90s. At that time, Omega becomes the official watch of the 007 franchise, and it was used in the James Bond film. This significantly helped in increasing Omega’s brand recognition.

History of Oris

Founded in 1904, the Swiss-based watchmaking brand forms its reputation exponentially within one year. Within this period, the company further boosted its productivity by expanding its number of employees to over 300. The company entered the big market in the year 1938 after launching their Big Crown model. A decade later, Oris introduced Oris Caliber 601, their automatic watch, one of their most popular models.

However, they didn’t spend much time in the limelight before the ‘70s came in with the quartz movement technology. This sudden change hit Oris hard as brands like Seiko quickly beclouded it. Oris didn’t come into the limelight again until the early ‘80s, when the company gained its independence after management buyouts. By 1999, that brand became more popular after launching their automatic BC3 pilot watches. Their modern, accurate, and designer sleek watches helped Oris to get back on track.

Lately, the company has made good prestige with its impressive dive watches. Their signature rotation safety system designed explicitly for divers has made them the number one watch brand to those who engage in water sports.

These days, Oris is one of the most trusted brands in terms of luxury and dive watches. Indeed, their big shift to a new direction has paid off.

An In-depth Comparison Between the Two Swiss Watch Brands

People often argue between the best among Oris and Omega, but better can mean different things to different people: better accuracy, better waterproof resistance, better resale value, or better design. This article will look deeply into the differences between the two renowned, reputable Swiss watch brands.

Oris vs Omega: Brand Recognition

People often argue which brand is more famous between Oris and Omega. Well, the more popular brand of the two is Omega. Of all the Swiss watch brands, only Rolex can best Omega when it came to international recognition. Unlike Omega, Oris is a privately owned company that is not owned by a multinational watch conglomerate. So if you want people to notice your watch and make compliments, choose Omega!

Oris vs Omega: Value

You can get a good mechanical watch from Oris for considerably less than Omega. While many think the value of a watch can be measured from what comes in the box, many variables either add to or take away from the watch’s value.

An excellent way to compare the two brands’ value is how Oris has a two-year warranty, but all Omega watches have a five-year warranty. On the other hand, Oris also offers a lot of value in their watches because you can get more watches to suit your preference.

Oris vs Omega: Resale Value

Which among the two brands have more resale value? Though most of those that can afford Oris or Omega will hardly think of selling their product, it’s good to compare the resale value. The fact is that Omega will deliver a higher resale value. Mostly, when people buy luxurious watches for the first time, they’re looking forward to starting a collection or looking for something good to pass down from generation to generation. Omega is far more reputable and stylish and has a higher resale value.

Oris vs Omega: Craftsmanship and Innovation

Have you been wondering which among the two respected brands have the best innovations and craftsmanship? Omega is among the first, if not the first, in significant innovations in the watch industry. It has made the most progress in fighting the foe of a mechanical watch: electromagnetic force (EMF), which is the most known hazardous thing for an analog timepiece.

Omega offers a level of magnetic resistance that no other brand offers, not even Rolex! Likewise, Omega has received recognition from third-party testing facilities for mechanical movement, a certification from COSC and the Master Chronometer designation from METAS. This means that Omega watches offer outstanding accuracy, expected water resistance, and resistance against the harmful effects of magnetic fields.

Oris vs Omega: Brand Prestige

You might have heard people arguing on which among the two reputable watch brands is more prestigious. Well, the prestige of a brand has a lot to do with its history, positioning, and brand marketing. The more you market your business, the more it is recognized, and the more prestigious it will be. Omega is an older and more predominant brand; it has been in the limelight even before Oris opened its business’s first door. And since then, Omega has been at the forefront of the watch industry.

Oris vs Omega: Water Resistance

In this aspect of water resistance, Omega reigns over Oris. Oris does have dive watches, but it’s important to remember the Omega Seamaster. While Oris has excellent diving watches, the Omega Seamaster has better water resistance than Oris watches.

Omega Seamaster Diver Chonograph in Blue

While Oris diving watches like the Oris Aquis are equipped for extreme diving expeditions, the collection offers considerable water resistance for light diving and is limited to water resistance between 100 meters to 1,000 meters. The Omega Seamaster Ploprof has a water resistance of 1,200 meters/4,000 feet (1.22 kilometers) of water.

Oris vs Omega: Mechanical Movements

Both Omega and Oris makes good mechanical watches. But there are still variations between the mechanical movements each brand offers. While Oris uses only mechanical calibers in their timepieces, Omega offers both mechanical and battery-powered quartz movement.

Oris vs Omega: Conclusion

By now, I think you’ve finished analyzing and have fully made your mind about the best among the two reputable Swiss watch brands. While both Oris and Omega are high-class and prestigious brands, Omega has better brand recognition, higher average resale value, unbeatable craftsmanship and innovation, high water resistance, and a perfect mechanical movement. Omega is the watch that will make a fashionable statement and earn the wearer compliments. Oris is still a good brand, but when compared to Omega, Omega comes out ahead.