Introducing – Oris Updates the Classic Date Collection With Slimmer, More Elegant Design

Watches are not always about fancy design, complex movements or stacking dozens of features in a single piece of wrist-accessory. Don’t forget that most customers are looking for THE watch that will be strapped to their wrist on a daily basis, and not the tenth watch in their collection. Sometimes, it’s also good to look at more essential pieces, with a classical, slightly casual look – and yet, with the right dosage of mechanical pleasure. This is exactly what the Oris Classic Date Collection offers, and this year, this model sees an interesting evolution.

What are the essential indications in a daily watch? Time of course, with hours, minutes and seconds (because on an automatic watch, it’s cool to see the second hand sweeping). A date maybe, as when wearing a watch in a business environment, it is a practical feature (maybe not on a vintage-oriented dive watch, but on such a piece which is a daily beater, it makes good sense). What else do you need? In terms of indications, probably nothing more. Anything more would be for pure horological pleasure, but nothing actually essential. In terms of design… Well, a combination of elegant details in a case that feels masculine and robust enough to be worn equally on weekends might be a plus. Of course, the slimmer and the more elegant a watch is, the better it will fit with a suit. However, if you search for the one-and-only timepiece of your collection, a bit of casualness should be considered.

This is what Oris offers with the very classical, yet well conceived Classic Date Collection – a watch that hardcore collectors will probably find a bit too “sleek”, a bit too classical, too much focussed on compromise, yet it’s a watch that makes a lot of sense for the mere customers. Indeed, while we, watch-snobs, might be more attracted by a Divers Sixty-Five or a ProPilot Altimeter, these are watches made for those who know about watches and who already own several other pieces. However, if you are looking for a nice automatic watch to be a daily companion, the Oris Classic Date is to be considered.

For 2017, the Oris Classic Date has been updated with a more elegant profile. Oris’s designers have slimmed down both the case and the bracelet, for more comfort and more elegance on the wrist. Yet, the case still measures a respectable 42mm in diameter. As such, it remains a masculine piece, with enough robustness to be worn with jeans and sneakers, however it won’t be out of place either with a suit and tie.

This new edition of the Oris Classic Date also sees several details to set it apart. The guilloché pattern in the hour chapter ring around the dial is inspired by the glazed canopy of the Great Court at The British Museum, an impressive glass structure designed by Lord Norman Foster, one of the world’s greatest living architects. The knurled ring underneath the bezel takes its cues from the Roman columns in the same building. The dial also features indexes and Roman numerals that are applied (and not painted) while being polished and faceted – as are the hands. Nice, elegant and luxurious touches.

The new Oris Classic Date Collection comprises 6 versions. 3 are equipped with leather straps and 3 feature a metallic bracelet, which is nicely integrated into the shape of the case. 2 dials are available (silvery-white or dark grey), both with gold indexes and hands. The case can be standard stainless steel, but are also available in rose gold PVD-plated bezel or a rose gold PVD-plated steel entire case. So to say, there is a large choice offered to the client.

Inside the case of the new Oris Classic Date Collection is a Swiss-made automatic movement, the Calibre 733, based on the Sellita SW 200-1. This clone of ETA, with date window at 6, is a well-known workhorse that will provide accuracy and durability. It ticks at a modern 4HZ frequency and boasts 38h of power reserve. The movement is visible through the sapphire caseback.

The updated Oris Classic Date is priced from CHF 1,130 – CHF 1,250 on a leather strap to CHF 1,300 – CHF 1,450 on a metallic bracelet (prices depending on the case – plated or not). Also note that there is also a ladies version, with a 28.5mm case, an ETA 2671 inside, and the same dial/case combinations as for men. More details on oris.ch.

Technical Specifications – Oris Classic Date Collection

• Case: 42mm diameter – stainless steel with rose gold PVD-plated bezel or rose gold PVD-plated steel case – sapphire crystal on the dial side – see-through mineral glass on the back – water resistant to 50m
• Movement: Calibre 733, based on Sellita SW 200-1 – automatic – 4Hz frequency – 38h power reserve – hours, minutes, seconds, date
• Strap/bracelet: leather strap with pin buckle – multi-link steel bracelet
• Reference: 01 733 7719 4071-07
• Price: CHF 1,130 – CHF 1,250 on leather / CHF 1,300 – CHF 1,450 on bracelet