Oris isn’t chasing hype.
It’s not trying to look like anyone else.
And it’s one of the last real-deal independent Swiss brands still building watches that punch above their price — without cutting corners, and without joining a conglomerate.
Whether you're into dive watches, pilot chronographs, or in-house movement development, Oris has something for you — and they’ve probably been doing it longer than you think.
Founded in 1904 in Hölstein, Switzerland, Oris spent most of the 20th century making reliable, robust mechanical watches — for working professionals, soldiers, and civilians who wanted something they didn’t have to baby.
Even during the quartz crisis, Oris stuck with mechanical watchmaking, and by the 1980s, it had fully doubled down on automatics. Fast-forward to today, and Oris is still proudly:
They also launched their own in-house caliber development program in 2014 — something most mid-tier Swiss brands wouldn’t even attempt.
They also love a collab or special edition — but usually tied to legit causes (ocean conservation, mountain rescue teams, reef cleanup) instead of hype drops.
It’s rare to find a brand that’s this consistent, this community-driven, and this committed to staying mechanical.
Modern Oris production is centered around:
You can spec a clean Aquis for under $2K — or go full titanium dive beast with Calibre 400 for under $5K.
Oris is one of the few modern brands that keeps its promises.
You’re not buying it for hype. You’re buying it because it’s honest, well-built, and thoughtfully designed. I’ve sold Divers Sixty-Fives to people who never wore dive watches before — and they end up wearing them more than anything else. I’ve handled Aquis chronos that feel like mini Submariners with better case geometry. And I have a lot of respect for how they rolled out the Calibre 400 — slowly, intentionally, with real-world specs collectors actually care about.
If you want Swiss mechanical legitimacy without the drama, Oris delivers.
Oris doesn’t just make watches.
It makes watches for people who actually wear watches.
Delray Watch frequently sources both modern and vintage Oris models — especially Aquis, Divers Sixty-Five, Big Crown, and Calibre 400-equipped pieces.
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