Samar, Author at Exquisite Timepieces - Page 5 of 5

 

Author: Samar

Oris vs Breitling brand comparison

When it comes to watches, everyone strives to attain a status that classifies them as a luxury brand.

There are several brands with great watches – Breitling and Oris are among them and they each have their own set of fans.

Both are wonderful, but people are curious to know which one among Oris vs. Breitling is the best.

The answer is not as easy as one may assume and depending on personal preferences, the answer can change. 

Swiss watchmaker Breitling is recognized for many great qualities that have made them a leader in the field gor generations: their pilot, racing, and chronograph watches.

Breitling is a well-known and pursued name in the watch industry, and its popularity alone may considerably increase the profit potential of its timepieces. 

While less well-known in the Swiss watch industry, Oris is a well-respected brand that makes excellent diving watches like the Oris Aquis at a more modest price point. Breitling timepieces start at $2,500 and go up to $5,000, although Oris timepieces start at around $1,500.

However, this does not mean that Oris is weaker since you cannot ignore a brand with such a long history as Oris.

When it comes to watches, the price tag is not the lone indicator of quality and overall superiority and this is why it is important to break down the components in order to decipher what makes a great watch and what options are must-haves. 

Breitling Started With Humble Beginnings

Breitling watch and a laptop

A young German immigrant from St. Imier, Switzerland named Leon Breitling launched Breitling in 1884.

When producing chronograph watches, the young watchmaker apprentice’s talent was focused more on it than anything else.

The fact that Leon Breitling saw the necessity for timepieces to keep up with the times shows how forward-thinking he was instead of following the crowd.

Breitling clocks are still built with this mindset in mind today. This is one of the main reasons why the brand has remained head and shoulders above others – their abililty to stress these qualities and never compromise them have endeared them to a certain set of watch connoisseurs.

These consumers become lifelong investors in the country and will have no other brand before them. 

Breitling’s brand is now known for more than just chronograph watches; it now makes diving and pilot timepieces.

They are on par with Omega and Rolex regarding reputation and brand awareness as one of the most well-known Swiss watchmakers.

Breitling is among the top 15 or perhaps 10 watch manufacturers in today’s market.

Breitling is most known for its chronometer clocks, but it also makes other types of watches that fall under several watch categories.

On the other hand, Breitling watches tend to be bigger and bulkier. Depending on what size of a watch one desires, this may be an important component to consider for making a personal list.

The Breitling watch is also known for its great functionality and professional appearance. With the name Breitling, you think of a timepiece that is both useful and durable.

Oris Continues To Grow In Prominence

Oris Aquis Cherry watch

Oris was created in 1904 by Paul Cattin and Georges Christian in Switzerland. Since its inception in 1997, Oris has grown tremendously as a business and has already opened its second facility.

During this period, Oris had six plants, making it the leading employer in Holstein. These days, the brand has made significant headway in becoming a noteed and valued brand for those that know the intricacies of watch production inside and out. 

While producing 1.2 million watches a year, Oris achieved its peak in the 1960s. They have also grown their brand worldwide, cementing their status as one of the most popular Swiss watch companies in the world today.

Oris has the distinction of developing and manufacturing all of its clocks in-house. As Switzerland has a record of quality testing tactics, Oris has guaranteed the quality of each watch.

These assurances are what watch aficionados look for when they are looking to invest signifcant amounts of money in an accessory that is meant to last for a lifetime. 

Additionally, Oris is one of the few watch manufacturers only to produce mechanical timepieces.

The distinctive red rotor architecture, one of Oris’ trademark features, has become the company’s calling card regarding their watch mechanism artistry.

For those that truly know their watch brands, the Oris look is undeniable, and an instant reminder of what quality and precision are. 

Oris’ high-quality mechanical timepieces have kept it firmly rooted in the mid-range market. This elegant and prominent watch will uplift your personality and overall appearance. 

Oris Vs. Breitling Watches

We will list a few types of watches here and compare both the brands’ watches to understand which one is doing the best in the respective genre.

Dive Watches

Breitling Superocean Automatic 44 Watch

Breitling’s Superocean collection is the company’s longest-running and most popular watch line.

As a diving watch for professional divers and military personnel, the Superocean was initially presented in 1957 and has since proven to be one of the most durable and dependable.

As with its predecessors, the Superocean 44 is a stunning watch that delivers both functions and looks. This style features gorgeous two-tone gold and black design.

Arabic numbers and polished silver hands adorn the black dial (6 and 9). The gold highlights on the hands let them stand out against the black background.

The 44mm stainless-steel casing of this diving watch, which features a unidirectional case, is also rather big. It has a 40-hour battery and analog display working mechanically.

Underwater, the Superocean 44 can withstand up to 2 Kilometers of water pressure. It’s a monster of a diving watch, to put it mildly.

Oris Aquis Watch

Oris is popular for its Aquis watches. In addition to its practicality, dependability, and affordable pricing, this product is well regarded. It’s a mid-range watch with just enough bells and whistles to propel it to the rankings.

The consumer that desires a dependable watch that comes with all the bells and whistles necessary to be designated as a luxury piece will appreciate what Oris has done in crafting such an excellent watch. 

Limited-edition models of the Aquis line, which has been around for a while, have gorgeous designs and top-tier performance.

The Automatic Blue Dial model from Oris Aquis showcases the brand’s heritage, which is still very much visible in the current generation of watches. Because of the clasp’s length, the bracelet may be worn even while not wearing a wetsuit.

When wearing a stainless-steel bracelet watch, you may want to swap out the band with leather or rubber if you find it uncomfortable.

This is the type of versatility that many brands claim to offer, but few actually execute to perfection.

For this series, Oris has gone beyond the standard and set a new one, a key component that their fans will appreciate. 

Mechanical movement, analog display, and huge power reserve are the great attributes of this model. The power reserve is up to 38 hours and runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour.

Pilot Watches

Breitling Colt SkyRacer

The fact remains that there are many people that would like to elevate their look with accessories that are classified as luxury, but may not have as much disposable income to do so.

Breitling has answered the call by producing for this group with a superior, yet affordably priced solution.

As an entry-level pilot watch, the Breitling Colt SkyRacer from Breitling is a watch that delivers performance much above what you’d expect from an “entry-level” watch.

Compared to Breitling’s offerings, the Colt SkyRacer is an entry-level timepiece. It is a great option for those who don’t have a lot of money but want to wear a high-end watch like Breitling.

Additionally, its look and precision are just as notable as higher-priced pieces in their line, confirmation that they can offer great features for all of their consumers without compromising style and functionality. 

The design of the Colt SkyRacer is straightforward and the perfect watch to consider for those that want a great option that gets right to the point.

As a result, individuals who appreciate the classic approach will enjoy this watch and the style it offers.

This black-tone innovative plastic polymer with a compose-fiber casing and dial showcases the dynamic blend of heritage and current design.

The red accents, white markers, and hands make it easier to read the time on this watch. Without a question, this is an edition that makes a definitive style statement at an affordable price for a luxury watch. 

Even though the material is light, it’s also quite sturdy and long-lasting. For those types that lead fairly lifestyles yet still want the ultimate fashion piece for an accessory, this watch delivers across the board.

Additionally, the Colt SkyRacer’s structure makes it naturally anti-magnetic, a component that should not be overlooked for the true aficionados of fine watches. The horologe movement provides a running life for the watch for around 70 hours.

Oris Big Crown ProPilot Watch

Big Crown ProPilot X by Oris describes itself as a high-end and visually appealing timepiece and upon initial glance, that is readily apparent.

Oris developed this pilot watch at no cost and fans of the style will appreciate the extra care taken.

The skeleton shape of this watch makes it more than just a pilot’s watch, despite its aviation functions.

One of the greatest movements within an Oris watch is the company’s movement. The in-house chronometer caliber 115 can be seen through the bare dial on the inside.

The power reserve of this watch mechanism is staggering at 240 hours. In other words, it has a ten-day self-sufficient life span. 

A sapphire domed crystal pane shields the watch’s eye-catching skeleton chronograph face from damage.

The most unexpected thing about this watch is its lightweight regardless of its 4.4 cm diameter case. It is mostly because the whole casing is constructed out of titanium.

There are few watches in this price range that can deliver such great features, but Oris has dedicated itself to producing a line that brings the style that their fans have come to expect, combined with the functionality that they need. 

The Oris ProPilot X is a must-have if you’re looking for a stylish pilot watch that will turn heads. And with an attractive price point to match, it is worthy of anyone’s collection of accessories. 

FAQs

How to choose ORIS vs. Breitling?

Consider a few things before settling on either Oris or Breitling as your timepiece of choice. First and foremost, you have to decide depending on your preferences and requirements because they are among the greatest and most expensive brands in the market today.

Choose a timepiece that matches your style as the first step and then go through all of the components that ultimately factor into your decision.

When deciding on a design, don’t forget to consider the intended audience and where you will be wearing it the majority of the time.

It’s best to get a sport or outdoor watch if you’re doing a lot of physical activity and keep an active schedule.

If you want to wear it to work regularly, you should choose something more official and more suitable for formal occasions. 

The movement of a watch is also critical and should not be taken lightly. Most luxury timepieces employ either a mechanical or quartz movement.

However, there are many more factors that are to be researched. You need to determine which watch movement you want and which manufacturer has the finest selection.

High-quality components are used in a complex mechanical watchmaking process, so your watch’s movement will run smoothly.

In contrast, battery-powered analog timepieces employ Quartz. Regarding watches, mechanical ones are for you if you’re a fan of meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail.

On the other hand, quartz is the preferable choice for those looking for an excellent timepiece with the same level of accuracy.

Which one is more prestigious, Breitling Vs. Oris?

This is where great marketing comes into play, and separates the boys from the men. Breitling timepieces have always been associated with strong, self-assured men who exude a good dosage of testosterone.

Those who wear Breitling are accomplished businesspeople, combat pilots, and world-class sportspeople – men who make definitive statements through their clothing and are the movers and shakers of their industries. 

Breitling is noted for its premium quality and meticulous clocks. Quality control and rigorous testing are hallmarks of Breitling’s “Made in Switzerland” designation. It’s a symbol of almost a century of experience and classic style.

However, although Oris is a top-notch watch brand, many watch lovers don’t regard it with the same level of importance, but it must be noted that Breitling is more of a household name by far. 

Which one is better, TAG Heuer VS Oris Watches?

For professional scuba divers, Oris makes many models, including some special releases, of high-quality dive watches that you may buy. In honor of Carlos Coste, an 11-time scuba diving nationwide record holder, a special edition has been made available. Although TAG produces water-resistant timepieces, they fall short of Oris’s standard.

Is Oris a luxury brand?

f you compare Oris’ Swiss-made watches with similar characteristics to those from other luxury watch companies, you will find that they are far superior in quality.

A two-year warranty is included as well. Oris may be viewed as a premium brand with extra value that is also quite inexpensive.

What’s a better brand than Breitling?

Omega is a far stronger watch brand than Breitling in the worldwide market. With an in-house movement and creations by a well-respected watchmaker, a watch from Omega is guaranteed to be of the highest quality.

Is Rolex owned by Oris?

Rolex is not owned Oris; it is an independent company. As a private corporation, Oris SA has been in business since 1906.

The company that manufactures Oris timepieces goes by the name of Oris SA. Genuine Swiss Made watches, such as those from Oris.

Are Oris watches worth anything?

They’ve become the most popular watch brand for people participating in water activities because of their unique rotation safety feature created specifically for divers.

Oris is now one of the most reputable names in luxury and diving timepieces. Oris timepieces are an excellent investment because of their renown in a certain field.

Who wears Oris?

Oris is the best fit for every individual. No matter the initial price, you will enjoy the benefits in the long run. Wealthy individuals typically wear Oris watches due to their promising finest quality timepiece.

Conclusion

Watch is one of the few appropriate accessories for males and the most overt manifestation of their individuality. Even if it’s a component of their jewelry, it’s also a representation of their personality.

Numerous instances of luxury watches might be considered works of art. However, purchasing a cutting-edge watch is the best way of expression. It denotes how committed and disciplined someone is towards money and time.

Tag Heuer vs Seiko brand comparison

The watch industry is full of several renowned brands continually fighting for your loyalty and attention. Many of these brands have contrasting styles and target varying audiences. 

While you may get a solid low-priced watch, watch lovers know that the best craftsmanship and best value watches belong to mid to high-end brands.

Regarding excellent watch designs that fit the bill, Tag Heuer and Seiko are some of the best brands to consider. 

In today’s world, the Tag Heuer Vs. Seiko comparison is essential since the two brands have the wealthiest heritages.

Additionally, these brands have continually flourished, and it’s pretty difficult to tell which one is the best.

While Tag Heuer is a Swiss brand much older than the Japanese Seiko, not much separates their reputations. 

Before you get carried away on which brand is the best, there are some factors you must consider.

These factors will enlighten you on the best luxury watch between Seiko and Tag Heuer. In today’s comparison, we will explore both brands in detail to see how they compete against each other in various aspects like function, style, movement, price, and durability. 

Keep reading this article if you’ve been stuck with both brands and don’t know which to pick. We are certain that you will have a better perspective as to which brand to patronize in a few minutes. 

Tag Heuer and Seiko: Background History

The first and most important thing to help you develop the proper connection with a watch brand is its background history. We will dive into each watchmaker’s story to help you gain more perspective.

Tag Heuer

Tag Heuer Carrera Red

Tag Heuer is a Swiss brand founded in 1860 by one of the most renowned luxury watchmakers, Edouard Heuer. From its inception, the company has had a thing for sports timing.

Hence, you will find that the watches have outstanding precision, so much so that it is the official timekeeper for many prestigious sporting events like Formula 1, Olympic Games, and IndyCar.

You will love Tag Heuer’s watches if you are an enthusiast of racing car designs. Tag Heuer has designed some very interesting watches since their inception over 160 years ago. Such watches include Tag Heuer Aquaracer, Monaco, Carrera, and Link. 

For several reasons, the brand has earned its bragging rights in the luxury watchmaker industry.

First, John Glenn, a renowned astronaut, wore the watch to the moon, making the brand one of the earliest on the moon. Additionally, the brand was the first to design a water-resistant watch case. 

Also, Tag Heuer was the first luxury smartwatch and the brand with the first micro-winding chronograph watches.

LVMH acquired the brand in 1999 and has continued with its age-long tradition of producing the most outstanding luxury watches. 

Seiko

Seiko vs Citizen Seiko-SKX007

Seiko is another luxury watch brand with lots of history. Kintaro Hattori founded Seiko in Tokyo, Japan, in 1881.

Initially, Seiko started as a jewelry shop before Kintaro Hattori, and his team eventually moved into watchmaking. Seiko is the first Japanese company to produce and export luxury watches to other countries. 

Seiko was just another brand until it released one of its watch designs that revolutionized the history of watchmaking forever.

The brand provoked the Quartz revolution, which we all love and cherish. It was in 1968 that the brand first released its first quartz watch (Seiko Quartz Astron 35SQ). 

The invention of the quartz watch impacted the industry and single-handedly put many Swiss watchmakers out of business.

Over time, the brand has released remarkable models from lines like Prospex, Grand Seiko, and Astron. 

Seiko has also produced some of the world’s first inventions, like the first GPS solar watch. In addition, the brand has produced the world’s first Diver’s 1000m watch.

Another notable invention under their belt is the introduction of the world’s first Spring Drive watch

Seiko Vs. Tag Heuer: The Comparison

Tag Heuer and Seiko are both very interesting brands. Hence, we understand why you will get confused trying to pick a side.

We will now compare these brands using some factors. Hopefully, these factors will act as the gentle nudge you need to help you decide.

Style

Considering the style, Tag Heuer and Seiko have various designs to complement various tastes. However, Seiko has more traditional designs while Tag Heuer has a more contemporary and modern outlook.

Hence, both brands have their aesthetic uniqueness, which makes them easily distinguishable. Often, people prefer Seiko watches for their simplicity.

The Japanese brand creates elegant, yet classic dress watches with modest dials and thin profiles.

If you need a watch that speaks of class with a touch of simplicity, Seiko watches are your best bet. Although Seiko watches have simple models, you can also find a sportier line of dive watches.

However, most of Seiko’s watches are for formal occasions. You can see this in their Seiko Presage watches or the luxury Grand Seiko sub-brand. You can go with the Seiko Prosper and Seiko 5 Sports for casual outings. 

Tag Heuer, on the other hand, produces more diverse forms of luxury watches. The brand has many watches for dresses but has gained popularity for producing some remarkable sports watches with a beam of elegance and class.

Tag Heuer, due to its ruggedness, has ties with motorsports. Perhaps this is the reason for the sustained sports designs on their watches. 

The brand’s collections, such as the Tag Heuer Aquaracer, Formula 1, and Tag Heuer Carrera, are some common examples of watches with sporty designs under this brand.

However, it does not mean Seiko has watches for formal occasions while Tag Heuer focuses on Sporty designs. Perhaps you could also consider that perspective too.

But, the designs give you an idea of how each brand has pitched its tent. Additionally, it shows each brand’s strength based on the watch design.

Verdict Based on Style

From our perspective, a tie is based on the watch design and styling. We can’t pick one brand over another because it has to do with taste.

Each brand here offers a unique yet satisfying design that could match several occasions. Additionally, they both seem to have collections that overlap between the formal and sports world. We would pick either watch brand because they look good on the wrist. 

Movement and Technology

Both Seiko and Tag Heuer have state-of-the-art technology and avant-garde movements. As noted earlier, Seiko is a popular brand introducing the quartz movement.

The brand was the first to introduce solar-powered watches when they launched their Seiko Astron GPS Solar watch. Recently, Seiko has focused on mechanical movements like the popular Spring Drive releases.

Some notable mechanical movement designs they’ve released include Seiko Prospex Diver’s 300m Hi-Beat SLA017. It’s also impossible not to mention the brand’s kinetic timepieces when discussing Seiko watches.

These kinetic timepieces generate electrical energy from the wearer’s body. The watches use this energy to power the watch by combining the quartz and automatic model designs.

Thus, you don’t need to worry about battery changes or manually winding the watch because the watch automatically takes care of these problems.

Interestingly, Seiko is one of the few brands that manufactures all its watch components in-house. The brand manufactures its balance wheel, the mainspring, and escapement.

With such autonomy, Seiko has full control over the quality of its products. Hence, the brand’s movements have gained the commendation of watchmakers like Orient, Dan Henry, and Invicta. Tag Heuer, like Seiko, is not a stranger to innovation and technology.

The Swiss brand was the first to develop water-resistant watch cases and automatic chronograph movements that use micro-winding mechanisms. Thus, you can also enjoy precision and class with Tag Heuer.

While Seiko has several automatic and quartz models, Tag Heuer produces top-quality Swiss automatic calibers.

Since most of Tag Heuer’s watches have sporty designs, most people appreciate the chronograph models like Formula 1, Monaco, and Carrera. 

Tag Heuer has recently ventured into the smartwatch industry and released some notable pieces.

One of its most popular timepieces includes the Tag Heuer Connected Modular 45. Additionally, the brand introduced some new movements like the Heuer 02T Tourbillon Chronograph. This movement features in some of Tag Heuer’s high-end watches. 

Verdict Based on Movement and Technology

Both Seiko and Tag Heuer offer the best movements in the watch industry. The movements ensure that you enjoy value for your money.

Who would we pick based on the movements and techniques used in these watches? Again, we would say it depends on your taste.

We would go for Seiko if we needed GPS standard dive watches and Tag Heuer if we needed nanosecond precision.

Affordability

Seiko is the more affordable brand compared to Tag Heuer. You can find many entry-level Seiko watches that cost less than $500. Interestingly, some of Seiko’s cheapest watches cost about $100.

However, there are some luxury Seiko watches that cost over a few thousand dollars, but these are usually limited editions or pieces with unique movements. 

One such limited edition watches with unique movements is the Grand Seiko line. Grand Seiko competes with Rolex and other brands regarding reputation and complexity. Overall, Seiko watches are quite affordable and classy, too. 

Tag Heuer is more a luxury brand than Seiko and costs a tad more. Most of Tad Heuer’s watches cost over a few thousand dollars. There are also more affordable pieces, but they do not have these complex mechanisms and are not so popular.

Additionally, these cheaper watches are much older, and you wouldn’t want to buy them once you know they don’t have those cool features you desire. 

Verdict Based on Affordability

You already know who won this category – Seiko. Regarding affordability, we would prefer Seiko a few times over.

The brand has some affordable collections, such as Seiko 5, which sell for about $100. You may have to spend about four figures if you get an affordable Tag Heuer watch of similar standards.

We advise you to go for a Seiko watch if you need a budget-friendly timepiece with good enough features. 

Warranty

We have considered the most important aspects of these brands and compared them. We will look at the warranty, a factor that may affect your final decision.

Why is the warranty so important? The warranty somewhat tells you what to expect when you buy the watch. Here’s a secret: warranties also tell you how confident the brand is in its products. 

Now that you know why a warranty is so important let us find out which brand offers the best warranty for its watches. Seiko offers a two-year warranty for an affordable watch brand, which is more than enough.

The warranty tells you how confident Seiko feels about its watches. However, you must note that the warranty does not cover normal wear and tear damages. 

Tag Heuer, the costlier brand, also offers a two-year warranty on all its watches. The warranty covers manufacturing defects and other follow-come issues.

But that’s not all; Tag Heuer also offers an extra two-year warranty if you register your watch within 30 days of purchase. This warranty extension isn’t surprising because of the money spent on these watches. 

The warranty from Tag Heuer also tells you that the brand has curated products they are happy to share with everyone.

Thus, you can purchase these watches confidently because you have a sure warranty backing.

Verdict on Warranty

Although both brands offer the same warranty, Tag Heuer has room for a two-year extension. If you can register the watch within 30 days of purchase, the option should be Tag Heuer.

However, if you cannot register your watch, it’s a tie, which means you can choose whichever brand you prefer.

Please note that these warranties do not cover normal damages due to wear and tear. Additionally, warranties are not insurance. Hence, you will not get watch replacements or refunds if your watch gets stolen. 

Is Seiko Better than Tag Heuer?

Seiko and Tag Heuer are two outstanding timepieces with unique designs. It would be quite erroneous to pick one brand over the other. As we have seen, each of these brands has a unique standpoint, making them successful. 

You will need to consider the factors we compared above to make your pick. For instance, based on affordability, we can say Seiko is the most affordable.

However, when we consider warranties, Tag Heuer has one over Seiko. Thus, depending on your perspective, we can say each brand bests the other.

Tag Heuer Formula 1 Vs. Seiko Dive Watches: What’s The Difference?

The difference between Seiko dive watches and Tag Heuer Formula 1 is in the design, tech, and movement. However, the most telling difference is in their usage.

Seiko dive watches such as the Seiko Marinemaster are efficient for divers. You can use these watches for deep diving. On the other hand, Tag Heuer’s Formula 1 works best for racing activities. 

The Tag Heuer brand best works on land where they were designed to function. Thus, if you need a watch for deep diving, you can pick Seiko’s Marinemaster.

However, if you need a precision watch for sporting activities, we advise you to go with Tag Heuer’s Formula 1. 

Seiko Vs. Tag Heuer: Which Should You Buy?

The Tag Heuer and Seiko debate will never end. We have outlined some factors to help you understand which brand best suits your preferences.

Going by our comparison, it is hard to pick out an outright winner. What we can say, for sure, is that both brands have quality high-end watches. 

It’s hard to pick a brand because each has its strengths and weaknesses. For example, Seiko has cheaper watches and offers a wider range of products than Tag Heuer.

Contrastingly, Tag Heuer has more luxury watches than Seiko. Another subtle difference is that Seiko watches come from Japan while Tag Heuer is a Swiss brand. 

If you need a budget watch with cool features, getting familiar with watches from Seiko lines is not bad.

We can say taht Seiko has some of the coolest budget-friendly watches you could confidently wear. Tag Heuer, on the other hand, does not have enough budget-friendly watches. 

Tag Heuer has a line of luxury watches with cool dials and classic designs. If you need a classy, luxurious watch, you should familiarize yourself with Tag Heuer’s watch lines.

If you do not love the designs from Tag Heuer, you could always go for Seiko’s sub-brand, Grand Seiko. Grand Seiko has some of the most expensive watches, which compete with luxurious brands like Rolex. 

Both Seiko and Tag Heuer have a rich history filled with innovation and technology. Hence, you can always feel like family when you don any of these brands’ watches.

To answer the question, which brand should you patronize? Well, we would say it depends on perspective. 

Both brands have unique features that make them outstanding watches. While Tag Heuer has sportier and more rugged watches, Seiko’s designs suit formal and casual occasions. You can go through our comparisons to decide which brand appeals the most to you. 

Oris vs Hamilton

Searching for your first Swiss luxury watch? Need something to give your boss or dad? Want to have a casual everyday watch to wear?

Oris and Hamilton offer incredible value with its high-quality material and sleek designs making both of them attractive options.

Getting started may prove intimidating and overwhelming. Do you want an experimental or large timepiece? 

With both brands releasing many models over the years, this guide will help you select the right brand and model for you.

Oris Design & Style

Osris designs are innovative yet traditional and modern. Refined and simplistic offering that won’t intimidate. 

Many aficionados have Oris timepieces as part of their weekly rotation. Perfect for daily and weekend wear with the family, it also works well for conferences, church, and casual dating.

Timepieces are available in six iconic collections.

Artelier

This collection embodies the company’s commitment to heritage and innovation with timeless elegant timepieces. These versatile designs include minimalist mid-century to futuristic skeleton watches. You can find chronographs, moon-phase displays, and 10-day power reserves.

Aquis

These diver’s watches were designed with sub-aqua practicality in mind. Clear legibility and the classic unidirectional rotating bezel, a hallmark of a diver’s watch. Offered in a wide variety of materials and sizes, it is the brand’s most extensive collection.;

Combining stunning design with high-performance materials and fit-for-purpose functions. They include day-date complications and chronographs.

Vintage-inspired pilot waters with pointer date display

Big Crown

This vintage-inspired pilot watches pay homage to the a signature design, the Big Crown. Released in 1938, it featured an oversized crown that was designed to be operated while wearing leather gloves. 

The collection resembles old-school aviator watches, but have state of the art mechanical technology. Most are distinctive pointer-date models with a full view of the month around the dial.

Available in a range of sizes and styles, including a few limited editions.

Divers

Drawing inspiration to the company’s first diver’s watches, particularly the iconic 1965 model that had a bubble-curve crystal and rainbow of mid-century dial tones.

These are elegant timepieces that are vintage inspired and have innovative watchmaking techniques. You can find chronograph models in a wide variety of sizes, range of dial colors and bracelets. 

Vintage-inspired diving watches

Propilot

This collection updates the Big Crown series with larger case sizes, more complex mechanical configurations such as chronographs and week-dates.

It is geared towards pilots that value cockpit-ready functionality and aesthetically. These come in a range of colors, case materials, and strap options.

Propilot X

This is the brand’s most limited and exclusive series. With only two models, ProPilot X watches have skeletonized movements, built entirely in titanium, and are light and high-tech. They feature a 10-day power reserve and Oris patented non-linear power indicator.

Hamilton Design & Style

Khaki Field

Inspired by Hamilton’s WWI timepieces, this military collection was a staple for U.S. soldiers that shipped out 1914.

This marked the transition from the brand’s pocket watches to wristwatches to accommodate soldiers on the battlefield.

The collection evolved over the years to become one of the most robust watches on the market for modern wear.

Khaki Field Mechanical

Available in stainless steel or leather strap variants, it is perfect for sportsmen and those seeking action in great outdoors. An incredibly durable watch.

Khaki Field Auto

It uses hand-winding for superlative reliability and readability with hard-wearing materials and luminescent numerals.

Khaki Aviation

These modern timepieces are a creative take on the brand’s 1918 timepiece that was designed to keep the U.S’ airborne postal system running smoothly and on time.

Khaki Navy

Another timepiece that pays homage to the brand’s history, these timepieces are perfect for mariners, sailors, and divers.

These timepieces are waterproof, highly wearable, and made to the most stringent technical specifications and ready for any maritime endeavor.

Broadyway

This collection includes various movement and color options designed for urbanites and style-conscious men. Watches have clean metal finishes and refined faces.

Broadway Day Date Auto

A versatile piece, it is available in a variety of straps with both water resistance and a stainless steel surface. It also has an 80-hour power reserve.

Broadway GMT

With an adjustable bezel equipped with 24 different city destinations, a 24-hour display, with an 80-hour power reserve, the Broadway GMT is the ideal travel watch for the cosmopolitan man.

American Classic

Although the company has since moved to Switzerland, it’s long standing American history is found in their modern designs, especially the American Classic.

Intra-Matic Auto

Has a two-tone cream and black colorway with an 80-hour power reserve. It also houses an automatic watch movement with anti-magnetic allow to prevent interference.

Boulton Small Second Quartz

Preserving the American style found on the original design in 1949, it has Roman numerals, discreet second ticker and a vintage buckled leather strap. It also has a modern look with the PSR Digital Quartz.

Jazzmaster

The collection has an extraordinary suite of contemporary watches that blends exceptional craftsmanship with intrepid innovations and traditional touches.

Jazzmaster AutoChrono

The perfect blend of old and new, the Jazzmaster Autochrono utilizes an automatic movement with a 60-hour power reserve.

Viewmatic Skeleton Lady

This unveils the watch’s intricate movement that uses a skeletonized dial and has stainless steel bezels with a mother of pearl face.

Open Heart Auto

An elegant companion to any woman’s wrist, it combines a white leather calf strap with four diamond indexes on a flower-design mother of pearl watch face.

Ventura Line

The Ventura still remains an unconventional classic with its triangular face and electrical movement for an effortlessly cool look.

A reinterpretation of the original 1957 model, the stainless steel watch is battery-powered with stylized markers, and a distinct tri-tier bezel.

Ventura Auto

Using the identical technology found in the Khaki collection, the Ventura auto uses the wrist’s natural movements to help the internal battery. It also contains a glass window for a glimpse at the sophisticated movement.

Oris vs. Hamilton – Build Quality

Oris Build Quality

Oris has a sterling reputation due to its rich history, diverse offerings and overall vibrant and rich catalogue of vintage inspired timepieces.

With its respective heritage, it is highly regarded as a brand every collector should own among aficionados. They are also a great entry point for a Swiss timepiece.

Stylish, innovative, versatile, and meticulously crafted pieces, Oris models are renowned for being one of the best values in the Swiss watch industry.

Sensible-prices timepieces with ETA, Sellita, and in-house movements and available in a range of sizes, colors, and designs make it an exceptional value.

The brand maintains its unwavering commitment to mechanical movements and is one of the few Swiss horology houses that only makes mechanical watches.

It’s destinct red rotor design is easily recognizable and an insignia for the brand’s dedication to high-quality mechanical movements.

In juxtaposition to high-end competitors, Oris is a better investment due to exceeding expectations and features than considerably lower priced watches with similar features.

Water resistance ranges from 30 to 500 meters.

They come with a 2 year warranty.

Hamilton Build Quality

There are only a few brands that are more versatile, well-known, and have extensive U.S. history than Hamilton.

The brand is well known by aficionados and collectors to be a great value with attention to detail, solid performance, and overall great build quality. 

The brand produces analog mechanical automatic and analog quartz and digital watches. Usually made of stainless steel with dial windows of sapphire crystal. They use ETA movements 

Watches house reliable, mass-produced ETA movements with the latest tech such as silicon parts and extended power reserves with premium sapphire crystal.

With a vast range models, wide variety of dial colors, many strap materials in multiple colors. 

Water resistant between 30 to 100 meters.

They come with a 2 year warranty.

Verdict on Brand Quality

They are similar, however, Oris has more variety of movements and offers more water resistance in some models.

Oris vs Hamilton – Price/Quality ratio

Oris Price/quality ratio

The brand’s unrelenting dedication to using high-quality materials to preserving traditional mechanics makes it unique and one of the best on the market.

In juxtaposition to other Swiss brands, it has affordable price points, especially at their entry-level watches.

Retail prices begin at $800 for its TT1 model and upwards to $19,000 for its limited edition Carysfort Reef desin.

Middle tier watches with more complicated functions range from $3,000 to $6,000 

Topping out the price range are expensive options such as the yellow gold limited edition Carysfort Reef Oris, which retails for $19,000, along with the solid 18k rose gold Artelier Calibre 111, which retails for $15,500. There is certainly an option for every budget within the current Oris lineup.

Hamilton Price/quality ratio

The brand’s American heritage design watches are made of high-quality material and its combination of many styles make its offering extremely versatile. With dressy, sporty, and even futuristic timepieces that make it for a great casual watch. 

Its distinctly American ethos and thematic designs like aviation, and cinema make it popular choice for mid-priced watches, especially when more expensive brands use identical movements and materials. 

Hamtilon watches start at $325 for its Khakhi Field Mechanical and upwards to $6,195 for Jazzmaster

Verdict on Price/Quality Ratio

If you are looking for the brand that gives you the best value for your money, Oris is almost unmatched. It offers possible the best value in the Swiss-made industry. 

So far we have compared both the brands in terms of design, build quality, and pricing. But now let’s go back in time and explore the history behind Oris and Hamilton.

History of Oris

With its unwavering commitment to affordable timepieces that are stylish and technical, the company is popular in the enthusiasts market.

Even the highest of the brand’s offerings are an incredible valuable that cannot be found on other Swiss brands within the price range. Highly regarded by many, it is a perfect choice for everyday wear. 

Since its inception, Oris has taken pride in creating and engineering watches at affordable prices. Many aficionados have come to love the brand for its unrelenting commitment to value and perfect for everyday and any occasion wear.

The beginning

In 1904, Paul Cattin and Georges Christian come together to purchase the recently closed Lohnre & Co. watch factory and partner with the local mayor as Manufacture d’Horlogerie de Hölstein Christian & Cattin on June 1st, 1904.

Along with several trademarks, the pair created Oris after the nearby Orisbach tributary of the Ergolz river. It’s mission was to create modestly priced watches.

In 1925, the company produced leather straps to match the growing wristwatch market. They featured an additional bund-style piece with a leather cage to securely hold a pocket watch to the wrist.

Aviation and Military

Oris created its first pilot watch in 1938, which combined signature design elements – an oversized winding crown and a pointer calendar display.

WWI decreased the sales and production of timepieces and to combat that, Osris produced alarm clocks that featured a central alarm-setting hand. It came in various shapes, colors, and sizes.

Innovation and Technology

The brand created its first automatic watched that was powered by in-house Oris Caliber 601 in 1952. The 601 was a self-winding movement with 17 jewel rotor automatic and operated at 18,000 beats per hour.

It had running seconds and power reserve indicator that assured the rotor was functioning properly. This eviscerated the need for hand-winding.

Introduced in 1965, the Oris Waterproof 36mm was the brand’s first purpose-built diving watches. It featured uni-directional rotating bezel, black dial, and a water-resistant case up to 100 meters.

It was powered by an in-house movement with a frequency of 18,000vph and had a power reserve of 46 hours. These early models served as inspiration for the modern and popular Oris Divers Sixty-Five.

Oris’ first chronograph, the Chronoris 38mm was introduced in 1970. Housing a 17-jewel caliber 725 engineered by Dubois Depraz, it required manual winding and featured a clean display without elapsed minute and hour counters. An individual could align the bezel with a minute hand if needed.

Quartz Crisis of 1970-1980s

Like many others, the brand had difficulty navigating through the quartz crisis of 1970-1980s.

With cheap watches from Asia infiltrating the market and other hardships like unemployment, it was carelessly acquired by ASUAG (presently known as Swatch Group).

Antithetical to Oris’ heritage, THE ASUAG forced the company to create quartz watches.

It would gain its independence in 1982 and returned to mechanical timepieces. It also introduced its first mechanical watch using Point Calendar complication from the 1930s in 1984.

Playfulness and Novelty

The company’s first alarm wristwatch was introduced in 1988. The 34mm watch housed the caliber 418 and was available in an assortment of dial colors, indices, and case finishes.

Drawing inspiration from soccer and golf, the 40mm Player’s watches were introduced in 1990. They featured a timing bezel and movement model that had fourth push-button sport specific counters and an ETA 2824 caliber.

In 1997, the brand patented the innovative Oris Worldtimer that allowed wearers to adjust local time in 1-hour loops. Ideal for traveling between time zones.

The 2000s

The inauguration of the millennium marked the brand producing larger watches like the iconic Oris XXL to match fashion trends. The red rotor was trademarked and used as an insignia for the brand.

To celebrate its 100th anniversary, the Centennial set was released in 2004. Limited to 1904 pieces, it included a 42mm Atelier Worldwide that housed a caliber 690 and 8-day mechanical alarm clock. 

2010 and beyond

Oris introduced many introduced innovative technology like a sliding sledge clasp that kept a timepiece on a wrist and the Oris Aquis Depth Guage in 2013. 

In 2014, the brand highlighted its 110th anniversary with an in-house movement Calibre 110. This hand-wound movement features 40 jewels, 21,600vph frequency and a ten-day power reserve. 

Recently in 2020, Oris introduced its first in-house developed automatic movement in decades, Calibre 400. It features antimagnetic movement, five day power reserve, and 28,800vph frequency. 

History of Hamilton

Rise from the ashes

Hamilton has a long standing America heritage. Popular, well-respected, precise, reliable, and stylish, its watches are perfect for daily wear.

This Swiss brand with American roots offers aficionados and collectors incredible value. It also is approachable and fun for those who want to build a collection. Solidly built and reliable

Hamilton was a product of several failed watch companies – The Adams & Perry Watch Company, the Lancaster Watch Company, and the Keystone Standard Watch company. They inhabited the same manufacturing facility in Lancase in 1875.

A group of investors purchased the Keystone Standard brand and facilities, as well as the struggling Aurora Watch Company of Aurora, Illinois in October 1892.

They merged the two companies and transported Aurora’s machinery to Lancaster, Pennsylvania and extended the facilities with a new wing. They chose the name Hamilton as a tribute to the original owner and its first planners, Andrew Hamilton and his son James.

Railroad Industry Partner

The company’s Broadway Limited pocket watch helped mitigate the increasing number of railway accidents and fatalities that occurred during the late 19th century.

Its relationship with the railroad industry and train conductors secured its place among others as the maker of “the Watch of Railroad Accuracy”.

The company’s bread and butter, Grade No. 936, was accurate, reliable, and provided legibility. Most had beautiful white dials with stark black Arabic numerals and high-contract had for readability.

WWI & United States Military

Two years later, Hamilton shifted its focus from railroads to supporting American industrialism throughout WWI by becoming the sanctioned pocket watch supplier for the United States Military.

These could be depended upon in the trenches and battlefields, however, proved to be impractical for soldiers on the move.

Infantrymen preferred the ease of strapping a watch to the wrist because they needed to use both hands to load his weapon while simultaneously checking his watch.

This resulted in Hamilton installing pocket watch movements in smaller cases that were sized for wrist wear.

Additionally, produced timepieces that were powered by the Hamilton caliber 983, a 17-jewel 0-size pendant movement. 

Some of the first “trench watches” were re-engineered pocket watches with lugs that were soldered strips of wired that connected the case to a strap of leather or canvas for wearing on the wrist.

In 1912, the company created “wristlets” for women using 0-size pendant watch movements. Company began modifying the pieces for soliders and men.

Although it was vogue for society gentlemen in early 20th century, troops that came home after the War ended continued to wear their wristwatches and the style caught on contrary to the accepted feminine look.

This established a relationship with the U.S. Armed forces lead to one of its most iconic and enduring product lines.

Aviation and travel

Hamilton transitioned from the railroads and military to being the preferred timepiece for skies. Pilots who made the first U.S. airmail run from Washington D.C. to New York began wearing Hamilton watches on their wrist in 1918. 

In 1926, a Hamilton watch accompanied Admiral Richard E. Byrd on his a little under 16 hour flight to the North Pole.

He then set out for his first Antarctic expedition in 1928 with 60 of the brands watches accompanying him and his crew. These were powered by the Hamilton caliber 992.

Throughout the 1930s, the company became the official timepiece provider for four major airlines in the early 1930s, Eastern, TWA, Northwest, and United. Its timepieces are still preferred by pilots today.

Yankees and expansion

Hamilton released its Piping Rock model in the late 20s and early 30s. It would eventually become one of its most popular designs.

After the Yankees won the world series in 1928, it presented its Yankee design to each team member. Both the Yankee and Piping Rock established Hamilton as a pioneer in watch design.

Hamilton also purchased the Illinois Watch company for over $5,000,000.

Art Deco

Inspired by the Art Deco movement 1930s timepieces were designed with Arabic numeral hour markers and many featured rectangular or geometric cases.

Housing Hamilton’s own calibers, the watches were available in platinum, solid gold, or gold-filled cases.

WWII Watches

WWII started in 1939. The U.S. military prognosticated its involvement and made requests to watch manufacturers to create accurate marine chronometers for Navy ships.

Hamilton was the only company to provide marine chronometers that met accuracy standards. Hamilton supplied nearly 11,000 marine chronometers to the U.S. Armed forces.

1942, Hamilton ceased producing watches for civilizations and focused entirely on the military. It supplied over one million timepieces that had variations of caliber 987, the brand’s finest movement.

Due to its dedication and exceptional timepieces, the Army-Navy “E” was awarded for excellence in production.

Technology and innovations

1957, Hamilton created one of the most dramatic changes to a design with the Hamilton Electric, the first electric watch. This began the end of windup watches.

The company developed the Venture in 1959, a sleek timepiece that was inspired by the Cadillac tailfins of the 50s. 

1969, the company developed the first automatic chronograph, Calibre 11. This was a breakthrough for the company which was followed by the successful Pulsar model, the brand’s first digital watch.

Present Day Hamilton

1974, it was sold to SSIH (later became Swatch Group).

The company would eventually build relationships with air racing and aerobatics industry with watches  created for Red Bull Air Race and Swiss Aerobatic Association.

During the 1980s, the brand revived some classic watch designs

2000s to present

2006, Hamilton celebrated the Odysee 2001 timepiece by releasing a limited series of 2001 pieces of ODC-X-01.

In 2019 to the present, the brand continues re-issuing some of its famous vintage watches such as Hamilton Chrono-Matic 50 and Field Mechanical.

Oris vs Hamilton – Conclusion

With in-house movements and a myriad of styles to select, Oris wristwatches are ideal for anyone that wants to begin their collection with quality timepieces without a steep price tag.

The brand’s appealing case designs and technical features make them a great option for everyday wear.

Although a little bit more expensive, it’s high-quality materials and durability make it the easy choice to pick.

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