Post by carl on Apr 9, 2016 13:30:13 GMT -6
The first thing that attracted me to this watch months ago when introduced at Basel 2015, was the funky font at 3, 6, 9, 12. And the fact that I didn't immediately realize it has a date function. I think it's great that it is so well disguised, although the original did have a date at 3 o'clock. So I could not be critical of a vintage reissue that adds a poorly placed date window.
I have always been interested in Oris, mainly because they are an independent company and have produced some very unique pieces, especially some limited edition culture pieces like the Louis Armstrong Limited Edition and tributes to other Jazz greats as well. And I do like the apparent robustness of their large diver collection. Just never found a model that quite appealed, until the Divers Sixty-Five.
Last Saturday, I paid a visit to a long-time favourite AD of mine in downtown Vancouver, Time and Gold. The first watch I acquired from them was my Breitling Colt SuperOcean in 1997 (the SuperOcean was then part of the Colt family). Since then, I have bought a variety of watches from them. Their great unpretentious culture and professional service, and the fact that it is a family owned business, have kept me coming back for almost 20 years. Congratulations to them for celebrating their 40th anniversary. Anyway, knowing that they now carry Oris, I thought that I might be able to see a Divers Sixty-Five in real life.
I wasn't disappointed, and bought the watch on the spot. Admittedly, it was the novelty and aesthetics that initially attracted me, which is the case with most watches for me as my knowledge of the mechanics is somewhat limited. Here is a description of the watch, quoted from the Oris website:
"Oris has dived back in time and is delighted to present the Oris Divers Sixty-Five – a revival of an iconic diver’s watch that first appeared in the Oris collection 50 years ago. The new Oris Divers Sixty-Five shares the retro looks of the 1960s original, but it’s been modernised using 21st century watchmaking techniques. The case is made of anti-corrosive stainless steel. The vintage-inspired bubble-curved glass is made of scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and comes with anti-reflective coating on the inside to reduce glare and increase legibility underwater."
The 10bar/100m water resitance is just fine for me. All of my other watches are 100m water resistance, and the most I am likely to do with them is swim. It has a perfect oversize screwed in crown, which operates effortlessly and smoothly. The movement is Oris 733, modified SW200-1 (Sellita SW200). I have read about the quality of this robust movement, with the apparent simplicity of service which allows Oris to keep the cost down. After the first week, this watch is now running at a more than acceptable +2-3secs/day.
Oris has managed a lovely presentation with a very vintage looking box as well. The whole presentation, including the watch itself, makes for a very professional and top quality product which, in my opinion, competes more than favourably with other brands costing much more:
Congratulations to Time & Gold on their 40th anniversary. Thanks to Juanita who is always a pleasure to deal with and who sold me this watch. I was presented with a souvenir Swiss Army knife as well, much appreciated:
Very exciting to note that Time & Gold is expanding into the area next door. And pretty soon they will have a Breitling Boutique!
Lots of pictures of this watch all over the web, so here are just a few of my personal ones:
Not a big fan of lume on a watch. However, it is a necessity for a dive watch, and this one is done very well:
I really love the domed crystal, which really gives a total vintage look. At first, I thought that it is hesalite/acrylic. But it is sapphire coated inside. I imagine a fairly expensive part to produce. It has a lovely effect on the dial:
A quality textile strap with brushed clasp and keepers. Textile straps are not usually my thing, but I think this one is hard to beat:
I just love how this crown protrudes slightly from the edge of the case, with no crown guards, just like the original:
Beautiful vintage, soled case back:
Loving this watch. Thanks again to Time & Gold. Especially to Jean-Jacques, Mark and Juanita who have made me feel so welcome over the years. It has been a few years since I have purchased a watch from them, and I am delighted to once again own one of their watches. Best of luck in your new expansion and will be excited to see the Breitling Boutique!
Cheers,
Carl
I have always been interested in Oris, mainly because they are an independent company and have produced some very unique pieces, especially some limited edition culture pieces like the Louis Armstrong Limited Edition and tributes to other Jazz greats as well. And I do like the apparent robustness of their large diver collection. Just never found a model that quite appealed, until the Divers Sixty-Five.
Last Saturday, I paid a visit to a long-time favourite AD of mine in downtown Vancouver, Time and Gold. The first watch I acquired from them was my Breitling Colt SuperOcean in 1997 (the SuperOcean was then part of the Colt family). Since then, I have bought a variety of watches from them. Their great unpretentious culture and professional service, and the fact that it is a family owned business, have kept me coming back for almost 20 years. Congratulations to them for celebrating their 40th anniversary. Anyway, knowing that they now carry Oris, I thought that I might be able to see a Divers Sixty-Five in real life.
I wasn't disappointed, and bought the watch on the spot. Admittedly, it was the novelty and aesthetics that initially attracted me, which is the case with most watches for me as my knowledge of the mechanics is somewhat limited. Here is a description of the watch, quoted from the Oris website:
"Oris has dived back in time and is delighted to present the Oris Divers Sixty-Five – a revival of an iconic diver’s watch that first appeared in the Oris collection 50 years ago. The new Oris Divers Sixty-Five shares the retro looks of the 1960s original, but it’s been modernised using 21st century watchmaking techniques. The case is made of anti-corrosive stainless steel. The vintage-inspired bubble-curved glass is made of scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and comes with anti-reflective coating on the inside to reduce glare and increase legibility underwater."
The 10bar/100m water resitance is just fine for me. All of my other watches are 100m water resistance, and the most I am likely to do with them is swim. It has a perfect oversize screwed in crown, which operates effortlessly and smoothly. The movement is Oris 733, modified SW200-1 (Sellita SW200). I have read about the quality of this robust movement, with the apparent simplicity of service which allows Oris to keep the cost down. After the first week, this watch is now running at a more than acceptable +2-3secs/day.
Oris has managed a lovely presentation with a very vintage looking box as well. The whole presentation, including the watch itself, makes for a very professional and top quality product which, in my opinion, competes more than favourably with other brands costing much more:
Congratulations to Time & Gold on their 40th anniversary. Thanks to Juanita who is always a pleasure to deal with and who sold me this watch. I was presented with a souvenir Swiss Army knife as well, much appreciated:
Very exciting to note that Time & Gold is expanding into the area next door. And pretty soon they will have a Breitling Boutique!
Lots of pictures of this watch all over the web, so here are just a few of my personal ones:
Not a big fan of lume on a watch. However, it is a necessity for a dive watch, and this one is done very well:
I really love the domed crystal, which really gives a total vintage look. At first, I thought that it is hesalite/acrylic. But it is sapphire coated inside. I imagine a fairly expensive part to produce. It has a lovely effect on the dial:
A quality textile strap with brushed clasp and keepers. Textile straps are not usually my thing, but I think this one is hard to beat:
I just love how this crown protrudes slightly from the edge of the case, with no crown guards, just like the original:
Beautiful vintage, soled case back:
Loving this watch. Thanks again to Time & Gold. Especially to Jean-Jacques, Mark and Juanita who have made me feel so welcome over the years. It has been a few years since I have purchased a watch from them, and I am delighted to once again own one of their watches. Best of luck in your new expansion and will be excited to see the Breitling Boutique!
Cheers,
Carl
. I found this comparison shot with the original on ABlogtowatch: