Oris

In June 1904, watchmakers Paul Cattin and Georges Christian founded Oris in Hölstein, Switzerland. They bought the former Lohner & Co. watch factory and named their new company after a nearby stream. From the beginning, the firm has remained closely connected to the village where it began and to the tradition of mechanical watchmaking.

Production grew quickly: by 1911, Oris was Hölstein’s largest employer, and in the decades that followed it opened facilities in several Swiss towns. The company’s history also includes regulatory and technological changes that shaped the watch industry. Through those shifts, the brand built an identity around mechanical watches and industrial-scale manufacturing.

One of its best-known designs is the Big Crown, introduced in 1938 as a pilot’s watch. Its oversized crown made adjustments easier while wearing gloves, and the Pointer Calendar marked the date with a central hand. That combination of clear reading and practical use still defines a collection that now includes multiple sizes and variations.

The current catalog is organized into families with distinct profiles. Big Crown retains aviation references; Aquis and Divers bring together dive watches; ProPilot draws on aircraft instrumentation, and Artelier offers dress designs and complications. Special editions and collaborations also appear, with product pages detailing materials, case diameter, movement, and availability for each model.

Oris describes itself as an independent company devoted exclusively to mechanical watches. That focus is reflected in its emphasis on automatic and in-house movements, as well as the specifications published for each piece. Some models feature extended power reserves, calendar functions, or technical solutions tied to diving and aviation use.

The website lets shoppers browse collections, compare models, and check straps, after-sales service, and authorized dealers. Purchasing and availability depend on country and seller: some references are offered online, while others direct shoppers to a store. To choose well, review the case size, water resistance, movement, and warranty options for the specific model.

The Big Crown’s history shows how a functional decision can become a lasting design signature. The large crown was created for easier operation with gloves; the Pointer Calendar added a different way to read the date. In other lines, such as Aquis and ProPilot, the brand again starts with intended use to shape the case and dial.

Oris may appeal both to someone looking for a mechanical everyday watch and to enthusiasts who follow Swiss watchmaking for its movements, complications, and history. Its roots in Hölstein, distinct collections, and mechanical focus create a broad catalog to compare, from pilot’s watches to dive models and dress pieces.