My prize catch in Geneve

ORIS Small Seconds Pointer Date (NOS)
Caliber 644 Twenty seven jewels


I chanced upon this Oris in a small family run watch shop in Geneve. The shop also sells another five new-old-stocks, all in gold and silver rotors! If only funds were to allow, I can only purchase this one after a night of deep thought in the Geneve Minotel. Maybe when I return to Geneve in the future, the watches may still be lying in the showcase as shoppers will be more interested in the modern F1 and BC4 designs. Well, I certainly hope so!

This Oris has a radiant blue sunburst with contrasting red second hand and date hand. The hour hand is of a triangular semi-skeleton with lumed tip. Although the leather strap is of the Oris brand, I suspect this watch originally came on a metal bracelet. Maybe the watchmaker was in a situation to sell the stainless steel bracelet alone and then he later bought an Oris leather strap from the distributor.


Is there a correlation between "7476" and the caliber "644"?
Can the serial number reveal the production date?

If any Oris experts happen to read this post, please enlighten me!

The Pointer Date - An ORIS Milestone

ORIS Big Crown Pointer Date
Caliber 754 Twenty five jewels


In 1938, Oris launched the Pointer Calendar movement for the date display. 70 years, the Pointer Date remains a classic. In each of her range, Oris will include at least one which features this unique movement.

With the big pilot crown and coin-edged bezel, this model is a must-have for Oris lovers!

An "Automatic Winder"

ORIS Chronograph Automatic Winder (NOS)
Caliber 7415 (?) Seventeen jewels
Textured black dial


I was caught between the white dial and the black version. Finally I bought the black as it looked more evergreen and easier match with off-market straps.

It is unusual to see the words "Automatic Winder" on an Oris dial and I understand from the watchmaker this being an early model, as seen from the plain golden rotor. The president-like stainless steel bracelet has plished centre links giving this watch a business elegant look.


The gold plated pushers compliment the gold bezel, the gold hands and the gold indices perfectly. Black & gold - an unfallible combination!

The White Dolphin

ORIENT Divers 200M "Dolphin"

Caliber 46D 21 jewels

I seldom see a white, really white dial diver. The clean look of this Orient appealed to me. The red tipped second hand and the red "200m" wording add a nice touch. However a blue bezel plus a white dial is a challenging task to match straps. Looks like only a steel color will do and so comes this mesh bracelet.

I gave the name "Dolphin" as there are a pair of dolphins insignia on the caseback with the number "200". I read in a particular forum that the Dolphin is an ISO-rated diver. Even the Mako is not ISO-rated. How correct is this statement I am not exactly sure as I am no diver myself. However one can trust the water rating as both the Mako and the Dolphin have screw-in crowns.

This is the first time I encounter this caseback pattern of two dolphins. Most Orient casebacks are either clear or bear the Orient logo.

The Blue Mako

ORIENT "Blue Mako" 200M
Caliber 469 Twenty one jewels


The Black Mako was my first Orient watch. The Mako series comes in 3 colors - Matt Black, Electric Blue and Screaming Orange. The Mako is a well-built watch and my black one took a lot of daily "abuse" and still ran strong when I sold it.

Having missed the Mako so much, I recently purchased the Blue Mako which was highly praised and sought after by the Orient community. It is a robust watch fitted with heavy solid stainless steel double lock bracelet. The blue dial takes a little getting used to (I have not fully warmed up to it yet) and is an acquired taste. The blue bezel on the contrary, is easier to accept.


I remember when I was wearing the Black Mako while drinking at a pub. A lady aproached me to take a closer look (at the watch). She commented that she has never seen this brand before yet the presence of the large arabic numerals is outstanding! In fact, compliments on my watch are more frequent when I wear Japanese brands. Puzzling indeed!

Diving with Oris

ORIS Divers
Caliber 733 Twenty six jewels
Wave-patterned dial
Water resistant 300M


The Oris Diver has a unique rounded case uncharateristic of the common diver watches like the Rolex Submariner and the Omega Seamaster. In fact, the Oris carries a huge presence on the wearer. Indeed a substansial piece of steel for the serious divers!


Till now, I am still puzzled to why watchmakers would use clear casebacks for certain divers watch. Any one can enlighten?

My Dad's early Oris

ORIS Classic Roman indices Gold date

Caliber 7453 (?) 25 jewels

Solid gold bezel Oris stamped

My Dad bought this Oris in 1993 but stopped wearing it a couple of years back when the double lock clasp broke. I put her on leather strap. It was a beaten watch as Dad wore it daily back then.

The unique feature of this Oris is the solid gold bezel. I understand from the Oris Service centre that the Oris logo will only be stamped on to show solid gold. Thus it is not advisable to polish the bezel for fear of buffing away the gold!

After I sent the watch for repair and overhaul at Oris (which cost me $250!), this watch regained a new lease of life!

Can you see the gold rotor? Now this is an example of an even earlier Oris movement. I do not know the 3-digit caliber number and I assumed the movement to be the number shown on the caseback. If anyone knows more about this caliber, please feel free to email me.

ORIS XXL Date

ORIS XXL Date
Caliber 633 Twenty five jewels
40mm diameter dress watch


I have two pieces of the XXL series. The XXL line has been discontinued so I reckoned it will be beneficial to have them in my collection. The XXL Date was the first Oris XXL that I purchased. I have a weakness for full arabic numerals and this watch suits my desires.

The XXL date comes with a steel bracelet but I thought it will look more classic in brown leather. The 20mm lug proved to be challenging as in actual fact, it is 21mm! Having a 20mm leather strap will reveal the spring bars slightly

Overall a watch that has presence!

Once again, silver rotor! In my quest for Oris watches to add to my collction, one of my guiding criteria is to locate Oris watches without the red rotor.

ORIS XXL Chronograph

ORIS XXL Chronograph
Caliber 675 Twenty five jewels
44mm diameter with Day date


I had initially wanted to buy the BC3 Chronograph Date. However upon inspection using my 20x loupe, the lume was cracked unfortunately. Being a true WIS, I must spend my watch proceeds (I had earlier sold another watch) on another watch. The massive XXL series caught my eye as it bear a very slight resemblance to an IWC Spitfire.

The watchmaker told me it is a discontinued model and being an ardent Oris fan, I have to have it in my collection!


Note the silver rotor. Newer Oris are fitted with their trademark red rotor. The earlier models have either the steel caseback, silver rotor or the gold rotor for even earlier models.

ORIS WilliamsF1 Team

ORIS WilliamsF1 Team Day Date
Caliber 635 Twenty-five jewels


The Formula-1 fever was in Singapore during September this year. I believe Oris F1 range of timepieces hit a spike in sales revenue! I had this black carbon-fibre dial day-date model before. In fact the bezel is of dark blue color under sunlight and not very obvious in this picture. However, the tapered stainless steel bracelet did not conform to my wrist comfortably and since I did not want to get the rubber strap, I sold this watch shortly after.


The caseback has 4 screws and gave this watch a tool-like feel. Oris trademark red rotor clearly visible!

Some beautiful evergreen classics

This morning is another lazy Saturday so I called upon a friend, who graciously allowed me to photograph his two watches.

IWC Spitfire Chrono-Automatic 3717

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date

In a Holiday mood!

Ok, I have got my passport, map and compass ready! So which way is it to the North Pole??

Season's Greetings to One & All!