Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. Oris Dive Control Limited Edition – A Robust Chronograph with Bezel-Locking Device
An evolution of the Oris high-performance ProDiver watch, made for professional divers.
There’s no denying that Oris has a consolidated background in diving watches. While recent introductions have been more “lifestyle” (yet very good) watches, the brand makes a comeback to rugged, professional-oriented, purpose-built watches today. An evolution of Oris’?high-performance ProDiver watch, made for professional divers, this new piece proves that a chronograph can be a proper diving tool too. Say hello to the?Oris Dive Control Limited Edition, featuring a practical safety device for the bezel and a water-resistance of “just” 1,000m.
The combination of a chronograph and a dive watch has always been regarded as rather irrelevant. Not that this function can’t be useful for a diver – it actually makes a lot of sense – but a chronograph is,?inherently, a watch with multiple holes in its case… and that isn’t the best situation for a dive watch. However, Oris believes that a diving chronograph is relevant and proves it with this new?Dive Control Limited Edition and its robust, ultra-waterproof case.
Design-wise, this new model is based on the other ProDiver watches already in the collection. It means a hefty case of 51mm – yet still sort of wearable, as the lugs are extremely short – and full black attire, with a titanium case and PVD coating. The dial also relies on the usual?wave pattern in the background and multiple yellow accents on the dial and pushers.
Being a robust diving watch, the?Oris Dive Control Limited Edition features a screw-in crown and screwed pushers, as well as a plain titanium caseback and an automatic helium escape valve -? the required elements of a watch capable of fathoming depths of 1 kilometre. The watch is delivered on a black rubber strap and an additional yellow rubber strap is included in the box.
What makes this watch unique is the presence of both a chronograph – a device that will be more precise than the rotating bezel when it comes to timing elapsed times – and a safety device on the bezel. In order to avoid false calculations, the bezel features the Oris-patented Rotation Safety System, or RSS, a signature device that securely locks the unidirectional rotating bezel in place during a dive. If you want to rotate the bezel, you first have to pull it up, then rotate and finally put it back securely in place.
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- Bezel secured – step 1
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- Bezel unlocked – step 2
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- Bezel rotated and back securely in place – step 3
Inside the case is the?Oris Calibre 774, a slightly modified movement based on a Sellita SW-500 (itself a Valjoux 7750 clone). This means a solid automatic chronograph with a 48h power reserve and the usual 6-9-12 chronograph?layout and date at 6 o’clock.
The?Oris Dive Control Limited Edition (ref. 01 774 7727 7784-Set) will be produced in 500 pieces. It will be available at retailers in the coming days and priced at CHF?4,850. More details at oris.ch.
6 responses
Quite a nice watch. And finally not another desk diver.
Not sure about the ?uniqueness? though. The specs (including the bezel) sound much like a Sinn U1000 S – and that one having the advantage that the chronograph pusher can actually be used under water.
But I habe to check, whether it also has a helium valve.
I have to check. For the amount, a Seamaster Planet Ocean would be a more pocket justified purchase.
Marco
I’m a fan of Oris, but ain’t feeling this one. For one, the design of the various hands seem all over the place; thin and sharp subdial hands vs stubby and round hour-minute hands. Then we have the strap integration, which looks like an afterthought. Can’t imagine what it’ll look like on wrists smaller than 7 inches. Don’t even get me started on the date window. Maybe it’s just me…
this would be perfect in 42mm
I too have a soft spot for Oris and I own one myself. It is well-made and keeps good time. However, I feel this particular watch is a bit pointless. I mean sure, there are people out there with 9″ wrists who want a chronograph, but I don’t think many who make their living underwater are going to buy this. Oris’ recent in-house calibre models are also huge. I sincerely hope they are not becoming The New Breitling!
51mm – certainly not a desk-diver and as such sensible to make it in limited numbers. However, limited numbers are for short production runs, that sort of defeats the object. Why not rather consider a special ‘made-to-order’ program – then it will be there for those whom enter the market somewhere in the future.