Pre-Baselworld 2016 – Introducing the Oris Artix Skeleton (specs & price)

Most of you may know Oris for their sports watches, with some robust dive watches (like the Aquis), very cool vintage-inspired pieces (e.g. the Divers Sixty Five), highly functional pilot watches (think Big Crown ProPilot Altimeter) or race-oriented pieces (the Audi Sport Limited Editions). However, as we have already showed you, Oris also has some interesting dress watches in the collection, and some even featuring an in-house movement. For Baselworld 2016, the brand will come with a modern dressy piece, featuring a nice automatic skeletonized movement, the Oris Artix Skeleton.

The new Oris Artix Skeleton is part of a collection composed of rather classical but contemporary watches called Artix – see all the models here. However, if all the other models have some complications – date, moon-phase indicator or a complete calendar – and a traditional silvery white dial, this new open-worked edition plays more on the modern-side. Visible technical parts, nicely opened bridges in a modern way with dark colours… This Oris Artix Skeleton is not as traditional as you would normally expect from a skeleton watch. Opened watches are an old tradition but we see more and more manufactures offering this type of decorum in an architectural and sportier way. Just like a watch we recently reviewed, this Oris mixes old-school opened movement with a modern attitude – and for an accessible price.

The Oris Artix Skeleton is based on the same case as the rest of the collection, a modern and contemporary design, with sharp angles, a mix of brushed and polished surfaces (note the nice polished chamfer on the lugs, to give a more refined look) and a large opening for the dial. However, while the rest of the collection relied on a 42mm diameter, the Oris designers chose to go for downsizing, as the Artix Skeleton only measures 39mm – and that is something we highly encourage. It will be available in two editions: a dress one, with black alligator strap and a sportier one, with metallic bracelet (which will be pleasant in warmer parts of the globe).

The main attraction remains of course the view through the movement. The dial is composed of a blackened brushed inner flange, on top of which some steel indexes are applied – thus, even if opened, this watch remain highly legible. The Oris Artix Skeleton features as a base a Sellita SW 200-1, then transformed by Oris to become the Calibre 734. It is a self-winding movement, with 38 hours of power reserve, beating at 4Hz. All the bridges are hollowed to reveal the mainspring, the beating escapement and balance wheel as well as the gear train. A real horology lesson to be worn. What is appreciable is the way these bridges are opened and decorated. First, the shapes are modern and balanced. Then, you don’t get the too-traditional engravings on the bridges. Finally, the entire movement is black-plated, creating a good contrast with the mechanical parts and the hands.

In the tradition of accessible luxury applied by the brand, the Oris Artix Skeleton will be priced at a reasonable 2,600 Swiss Francs. It will be available from March, 2016. More details on the official website of Oris.

Specification of the Oris Artix Skeleton

• Automatic movement Oris Cal. 734, based on Sellita SW 200-1, black-plated
• Multi-piece stainless steel case with stainless steel crown. Water resistant to 10 bar/100m
• Sapphire crystal domed on both sides with anti-reflective coating inside
• Screwed stainless steel case back with mineral crystal
• Dark grey/black skeleton dial and applied indices filled with Super-LumiNova®. Nickel hour and minute hands filled with Super-LumiNova®
• Black leather strap with stainless steel folding clasp. Also available with a stainless steel bracelet with butterfly folding clasp
• Swiss retail price CHF 2,600