The next installment in the TGN Challenge series, Episode 151 is devoted to Oris and how Jason and James would each spend a fixed budget on a handful of their fav watches from Oris. Before the challenge, Jason reports back from his Depth Charge book launch, James is back up at the cottage, and both of the TGN boys have uncommon picks for this week’s Wrist Check.
Just revisiting some old posts and decided to replay this one. I own the quirky ChronOris Star, with the finicky hand wound movement, no sub register dial, and the monopusher chrono function. I absolutely love this watch but can't find much history on it. I have it on an orange NATO but would like to source one of the Tropic Star straps for it, so if anyone knows of a good one please let me know. Great posts guys!
Sold my HODINKEE 65. Beautiful, but a screw-down handwind was just a bit odd for me. Picked up a ProPilot 41 and couldn't be happier. The Roberto Clemente LE would be my second Oris choice, but I wish the hands were treated to the same tobacco coloring to increase legibility against the white dial.
What an awesome episode. I have no experience with ORIS but thought about getting one of the Williams F1 collaborations many years ago and then a RC Pointer when I saw it at a local AD. I am really trying to stick to the one watch thing but if I waiver I might need to get a ORIS. I love that they are still going strong as an independent.
This one is easy for me. My first choice is a watch I own, the Roberto Clemente Big Crown Pointer Date. I agree with Jason. The two tone indices on that watch are unlike any other pointer date and the white dial is so versatile. I swapped out the leather strap for the OEM bracelet, which fits the watch perfectly and is so high quality for the price. It's the perfect everyday wearer. My second choice would be the Aquis Calibre 400 in green in 41.5mm. That watch wears so well. Also, how do you argue with 5 days of power reserve and a 10 year warranty? That's $3500 and brings me to $5450. My final choice puts me $50 over, but I can live with that. It's the Art Blakey limited edition Artilier. That watch is so unique, so classy. You'd never know it's the framing of a bass drum until you got up close to it, so it's almost like a secret only the wearer knows. That watch is $2100. That gives me an everyday wearer, a diver and a dress watch from a great brand. A perfect three watch collection. Great episode guys!
Great episode, I'm such an Oris fan. My first Swiss watch was an Oris (Regulator Big Dial, which at the time I think was 37.5mm across!) that I bought it new in 2005. I really do feel like Oris has been killing it lately. I don't think the Aquis Lake Baikal got nearly enough press, beautiful fume dial, and that all bronze monster that James reviewed is on my short list for favorite bronze watches.
Thanks for the Tipp with the vintage gear catalogues. Inspired me to dig for my old catalogue collection. I have nearly all German Patagonia catalogues from 1990 to 2013
Aquis Clean Ocean LE, Big Crown Clemente LE, and Chronoris is a tidy 3 watch setup. Puts me about $300 over budget, but maybe having the right bottle of scotch in hand for the AD can make that overage disappear.
Jason took over my evening . After spending a couple hours reading “Depth charge” I was itching to listen to TGN & Oris, but then the Hodinkee/James interview popped up. What a great listen! Most interviews tend to be too serious, too silly (or sometimes too pandering). Jason’s was a guy who loves watches, uses watches, and is very down to earth. Loved listening to this Hodinkee interview! Highly recommended!!!
Loving that you guys are weekly now, and loved Jason’s talking watches Ep. Wondering which Minneapolis Rolex shop you brought the Tudor Submariner into, since I’m also a Minneapolis guy. (Apologies on the off chance this is addressed in the Oris Ep, I’ll be listening to it at work tomorrow!) Thanks as always for making my favorite watch podcast of the 8-10 or so I listen to.
J & J, I’m a huge fan of Oris. I picked up a ChronOris Date with a grey dial in 2018 after reading Jame’s review on Hodinkee. It looks great on the bracelet or NATO. I’m not wearing it as much after I picked up a Sinn 556 I this fall. But, my fiancé wears it nearly everyday 😉.
You hit the nail on the head with the Aquis Carysfort Reef GMT. You captured my thoughts perfectly. I went to my AD with the intention of purchasing a BB58 (he had both colors), but the Oris stole my heart. The way the blue and orange play on opposite ends of the color wheel, the way it looked on that Orange strap, that gorgeous dial - it took my heart. I do agree, it would get more wrist time if it was a touch smaller (although the short lug to lug help). If I were to spend that bounty on Oris, I'd be tempted to get this, and the CARL BRASHEAR bronze, and call it a day.
What's not to love about Oris? I've never handled one in the metal, but am totally fascinated with what they make. My three would be the first edition of the Diver 65 reissue (the one with the funky 3, 6, 9, and 12) with a black face and a bracelet, a "vintage" Oris John Coltrane dress watch, and a Big Crown Pro Pilot Big Date with a gray dial on bracelet. I think I'm way under the $7,500. :)
I have to admit Jason you nearly nailed it perfectly, the only change I would make is getting the Carysfort Reef on a bracelet, and then hope to get ahold of the orange rubber strap with the money left over for s as n occasional change of pace. Great episode guys, when you started the “challenges” I hoped you’d get to Oris.
Just revisiting some old posts and decided to replay this one. I own the quirky ChronOris Star, with the finicky hand wound movement, no sub register dial, and the monopusher chrono function. I absolutely love this watch but can't find much history on it. I have it on an orange NATO but would like to source one of the Tropic Star straps for it, so if anyone knows of a good one please let me know. Great posts guys!
I really enjoy the brand specific challenge episodes! Great fun.
For my picks:
1. ORIS CARL BRASHEAR CALIBRE 401 LIMITED EDITION
then
2. Donate the remainder to one of their conservation projects.
(random acts of kindness immediately improve ones sense of wellbeing... and hopefully decrease the guilt of buying another watch?)
Cheers.
Sold my HODINKEE 65. Beautiful, but a screw-down handwind was just a bit odd for me. Picked up a ProPilot 41 and couldn't be happier. The Roberto Clemente LE would be my second Oris choice, but I wish the hands were treated to the same tobacco coloring to increase legibility against the white dial.
What an awesome episode. I have no experience with ORIS but thought about getting one of the Williams F1 collaborations many years ago and then a RC Pointer when I saw it at a local AD. I am really trying to stick to the one watch thing but if I waiver I might need to get a ORIS. I love that they are still going strong as an independent.
This one is easy for me. My first choice is a watch I own, the Roberto Clemente Big Crown Pointer Date. I agree with Jason. The two tone indices on that watch are unlike any other pointer date and the white dial is so versatile. I swapped out the leather strap for the OEM bracelet, which fits the watch perfectly and is so high quality for the price. It's the perfect everyday wearer. My second choice would be the Aquis Calibre 400 in green in 41.5mm. That watch wears so well. Also, how do you argue with 5 days of power reserve and a 10 year warranty? That's $3500 and brings me to $5450. My final choice puts me $50 over, but I can live with that. It's the Art Blakey limited edition Artilier. That watch is so unique, so classy. You'd never know it's the framing of a bass drum until you got up close to it, so it's almost like a secret only the wearer knows. That watch is $2100. That gives me an everyday wearer, a diver and a dress watch from a great brand. A perfect three watch collection. Great episode guys!
Great episode, I'm such an Oris fan. My first Swiss watch was an Oris (Regulator Big Dial, which at the time I think was 37.5mm across!) that I bought it new in 2005. I really do feel like Oris has been killing it lately. I don't think the Aquis Lake Baikal got nearly enough press, beautiful fume dial, and that all bronze monster that James reviewed is on my short list for favorite bronze watches.
Thanks for the Tipp with the vintage gear catalogues. Inspired me to dig for my old catalogue collection. I have nearly all German Patagonia catalogues from 1990 to 2013
Aquis Clean Ocean LE, Big Crown Clemente LE, and Chronoris is a tidy 3 watch setup. Puts me about $300 over budget, but maybe having the right bottle of scotch in hand for the AD can make that overage disappear.
great selections! couldn't agree more on all points made about the Aquis GMT. the world just needs a 39.5mm case for it!
Jason took over my evening . After spending a couple hours reading “Depth charge” I was itching to listen to TGN & Oris, but then the Hodinkee/James interview popped up. What a great listen! Most interviews tend to be too serious, too silly (or sometimes too pandering). Jason’s was a guy who loves watches, uses watches, and is very down to earth. Loved listening to this Hodinkee interview! Highly recommended!!!
Great episode!
Here are my Oris picks for $7350:
1) Sixty-five Bronze (green dial, bracelet): $2750
2) Big Crown Pointer Date (36mm, black dial, strap): $1750
3) 157th Reno LE: $2850
Loving that you guys are weekly now, and loved Jason’s talking watches Ep. Wondering which Minneapolis Rolex shop you brought the Tudor Submariner into, since I’m also a Minneapolis guy. (Apologies on the off chance this is addressed in the Oris Ep, I’ll be listening to it at work tomorrow!) Thanks as always for making my favorite watch podcast of the 8-10 or so I listen to.
J & J, I’m a huge fan of Oris. I picked up a ChronOris Date with a grey dial in 2018 after reading Jame’s review on Hodinkee. It looks great on the bracelet or NATO. I’m not wearing it as much after I picked up a Sinn 556 I this fall. But, my fiancé wears it nearly everyday 😉.
Another great episode!
You hit the nail on the head with the Aquis Carysfort Reef GMT. You captured my thoughts perfectly. I went to my AD with the intention of purchasing a BB58 (he had both colors), but the Oris stole my heart. The way the blue and orange play on opposite ends of the color wheel, the way it looked on that Orange strap, that gorgeous dial - it took my heart. I do agree, it would get more wrist time if it was a touch smaller (although the short lug to lug help). If I were to spend that bounty on Oris, I'd be tempted to get this, and the CARL BRASHEAR bronze, and call it a day.
What's not to love about Oris? I've never handled one in the metal, but am totally fascinated with what they make. My three would be the first edition of the Diver 65 reissue (the one with the funky 3, 6, 9, and 12) with a black face and a bracelet, a "vintage" Oris John Coltrane dress watch, and a Big Crown Pro Pilot Big Date with a gray dial on bracelet. I think I'm way under the $7,500. :)
I have to admit Jason you nearly nailed it perfectly, the only change I would make is getting the Carysfort Reef on a bracelet, and then hope to get ahold of the orange rubber strap with the money left over for s as n occasional change of pace. Great episode guys, when you started the “challenges” I hoped you’d get to Oris.