====== Oris ======
{{wst>menue|Oris}}

{{wst>image_cr|Oris|Fabrik|Oris Headquarters in Hölstein, Switzerland, since 1904}}

**Oris** is a Swiss watch manufacturer.

===== Foundation =====
Oris was founded in [[1902]] under the brand name //Lohner & Nägelin// in Hölstein as a local watch factory. In [[1903]] the company registered the brand name //Oris//. In [[1904]] Paul Cattin and Georges Christian took over the factory and till [[1960]] manufactured only watches with pin-lever escapement ([[Roskopf movement]]). As early as [[1930]] the daily production reached about 7000 watches. They were sold to Europe, New Zealand, South America and China.

After [[1945]] the company successfully participated in [[chronometer]] tests of the Swiss testing laboratory and till [[1958]] received approximately 1,500 chronometer certificates for its wristwatches.

In the sixties Oris was one of the ten largest watch manufacturers in Switzerland. In the [[quartz crisis]] at about [[1970]], which hit manufacturers of mechanical watches, Oris was taken over by the [[ASUAG]].

===== Emphasis on traditional mechanical watches =====
{{wst>image_l|Herzog, Ulrich W.|Ulrich W. Herzog, since 1978 at Oris and since 2001 managing director\\ © [[Oris]]}}

In [[1982]] the Oris SA was re-established under the leadership of Dr. Portmann and in partnership with Ulrich W. Herzog. It was one of the very first manufacturers who completely emphasized on traditional mechanics. The dials of the watches were sometimes intricately [[guilloched]] and together with the curved hands were significantly inspired by classical examples. With the slogan "High Mech" the importance of traditional mechanics was emphasised, in contrast to [[quartz]] technology, which in those days was still present even in the luxury segment. A complex, freely distributed catalog book documented history and technique of traditional watchmaking mechanics and positioned the brand clearly in this area. With this strategy it had success even in Japan. Among the classics of the brand is the model [[Oris Big Crown|Big Crown]], a [[pilot's watch]] with oversized crown, allowing the pilot to operate even with leather gloves.

===== Reorientation on masculine sports watches =====
At the end of the 1990 years the company with the new model series XXL and a TT1 reorientated towards large, heavy and conspicuous sports watches with masculine design. The model range was widely changed, and only the current version of the Big Crown still contains echoes of the earlier style. In order to increase their awareness one invested in new product lines, and a strong corresponding advertising. New distinguishing mark was now the red rotor of the mostly [[ETA]]-based [[automatic]] watch movements, which was visible through the transparent caseback. One of the most prestigious projects is the newer model [[Oris TT1 Meistertaucher|TT1 Meistertaucher (Master Diver)]] - it is [[waterproof]] up to depths of 1,000 meters.

Since [[2003]] Oris occurs as a sponsor of the Formula 1 team Williams. In honor of Ralf Schumacher and the Williams F1 team a limited edition was launched. The watches of this edition included a carbon dial bearing the signature of Ralf Schumacher. A used part from the gearbox or the engine of an F1 car was added to each watch.

The sale of shares of the different continents reflect the success of the brand in the East Europe 40%, Asia 47%, 9% Americas, Oceania 3% (in [[2009]]). Since the Financial Crisis from [[2007]] Oris, relative to other providers, increases also much on the German market.

===== Overview of the Collection =====
The Oris collection includes the ranges //Motor Sports, Aviation, Diving// and //Culture//. In the latter, there are classic models as well as the series //Miles//, designed for famous jazz musicians, which is complemented by a special model for Bob Dylan.

{{wst>image_cr|Oris|WilliamsF1 Team Skeleton Engine Date}}

==== Motor Sports ====
  * [[Oris TT3 Chronograph|TT3 Chronograph]]
  * [[Oris Chronoris|Chronoris]], chronograph in the style of the 1970s
  * //Partnership with WilliamsF1 //
    * [[Oris WilliamsF1 Team Chronograph|WilliamsF1 Team Chronograph]]
    * [[Oris WilliamsF1 Team Skeleton Engine Date|WilliamsF1 Team Skeleton Engine Date]]

==== Aviation ====
  * [[Oris Big Crown|Big Crown]], model classic
  * [[Oris Flight Timer|Flight Timer]]
  * [[Oris Hunter|Hunter]]

==== Diving ====
  * [[Oris Divers GMT Date|Divers GMT Date]]
  * [[Oris Regulateur "Der Meistertaucher"|Regulateur "Meistertaucher" (Master Diver)]]

==== Culture ====
  * [[Oris Artelier Hand Winding]]
  * [[Oris Artelier Worldtimer]]

==== Special Editions ====
  * [[Oris TT3 Formula Gold LE]], motor sports [[chronograph]]
  * [[Oris Col Moschin Limited Edition|Col Moschin Limited Edition]], [[dive watch]] / special operations watch

===== Address =====
Oris SA\\ Ribigasse 1\\ CH 4434 Hölstein

Tel. +41-61-9561111\\ Fax +41-61-9512065

===== Weblinks =====
  *[[http://www.oris.ch|Oris]], official website


{{tag>Watch_brands Watch_brands_Switzerland General_Watch_Co. ASUAG}}