The Oris Divers Sixty-Five is a vintage-inspired dive watch. In an industry where there is an ever-growing interest among collectors for vintage watches, the Divers Sixty-Five fits right in. On the other hand, one of the most successful Oris watches is the Aquis, which focuses more on a modern aesthetic with many more style options. In this article, we will compare these two Oris dive watches and explore what sets them apart from other timepieces on the market.
The Oris Divers Sixty-Five
Oris released their first diving watch in 1965. At the time, the dive watch was considered state-of-the-art with a rotating timing bezel, a 100-meter depth rating, and a bright Tritium luminous display on the dial. Oris also held the title as one of the 10 most successful watch companies in the world during this time, which contributed significantly to the model’s success when it was first released. The line included two notable variations of the Diver, one with “Waterproof” inscribed on the dial and an in-house Cal. 654 manual-winding movement within the case, and the other with the distinction “Super” on the dial and a similar Cal. 484 powering the watch.
50 years later, Oris would release a tribute watch to honor the original 1960s model with the Divers Sixty-Five. The original dive watch featured an acrylic crystal, a chromium-plated brass case, and a smaller 36mm case size. The Oris Divers 65 is similar in design while also offering modern, vintage-inspired amenities such as a domed sapphire crystal, colored Super-LumiNova plots that resemble the patina found on many vintage watches, and a stainless steel case with the option of 36mm, 40mm, or 42mm sizes. An automatic Sellita SW-200 Oris Cal. 733 movement powers the newest generation and offers users a 38-hour power reserve. Similar to the original model, the Oris Divers Sixty-Five is also waterproof up to 100 meters.
The Divers 65 also features a unidirectional bezel equipped with an aluminum insert and a solid caseback that is engraved with an emblem that is similar to the one found on Oris’s original 1960s dive watch. Early references were only produced with a NATO or tropic strap option with the stainless steel retro rivet link bracelet in steel coming to market a short while later. There are also a couple of dial variations that feature either older-style dots or baton/Arabic hour markers that both closely resemble the original diver from the 1960s. Between the different case sizes, dials, bezels, and bracelet/strap options, there are quite a few configurations to choose from when considering the modern Oris Divers 65.
The Oris Aquis
The Oris Aquis is the brand’s signature dive watch. Thoroughly modern in its design, the Aquis collection is varied and includes several metal options, bezel types, dial colors, bracelet/strap options, and movements. Depending on your lifestyle, there is an Oris Aquis available to suit your wrist, whether you seek a bold tool watch or one that is slightly more sophisticated and refined.
While the Divers 65 is a heritage-inspired watch that showcases a retro design, the Aquis puts contemporary luxury watch design front and center. It features modern crown guards, sleek hour markers and hands, and several bezel insert options ranging from ceramic and Tungsten to black DLC-plated. Remaining true to its vintage aesthetic, the Oris Divers 65 does not have crown guards and keeps the bezel simpler with either bronze or aluminum insert options, depending on the model.
The Oris Aquis collection also showcases an impressive selection of models, which range from straightforward time and date references and sophisticated chronographs to the brand’s clever Aquis Depth Gauge that measures diving depths via an innovative tunnel that is integrated into its sapphire crystal. There are several movements available, each showcasing Oris’s ingenuity and ability to stay current with modern watch trends. The Aquis also includes dressier, diamond-set versions, whereas the Divers 65 does not. While the Divers 65 maintains the same 100-meter depth rating as the original 1960s model, the Aquis can withstand depths of up to 500 meters on certain models.
Whether you choose to go vintage-inspired or modern for your next luxury watch investment, the consensus seems to be that Oris is a smart investment either way. The Divers Sixty-Five and Aquis are both powered by reliable mechanical movements and benefit from Oris’ reputation for excellence that dates all the way back to 1904. Oris is also an attractive option because the brand represents great value for money, delivering a degree of quality that far exceeds the brand’s price point, and doesn’t require as much of an investment as other luxury watch brands, such as Rolex or Omega.
