ORIS Divers SIXTY-FIVE 42MM

By TLex Oris have released a new larger version of their vintage inspired steel Divers SIXTY-FIVE collection. At 42mm in diameter, the new Divers SIXTY-FIVE is the largest in the series that was first launched in 2015,



and for the first time comes with a choice of either rubbed-down leather or textile NATO strap that gives the SIXTY-FIVE a far more authentic vintage feel. In addition to those, there is also a full Stainless steel divers bracelet or a black vintage tropic-style rubber divers strap.



Also for the first time, the Divers SIXTY-FIVE has a dark blue, curved dial, offset by vintage-colored SuperLumiNova. The caseback offers one last vintage cue, as it is engraved with Oris’s historic shield, the company’s emblem during the 1960s. This can also be found on the presentation box.



I have to say, bigger is definitely better - 40mm was a little under what people are wearing even for retro-styled dress/desk divers. 42mm in my humble opinion is just about perfect.



But while the SIXTY-FIVE has benefited from a size increase it is still, a little lacking in the water-resistance department. I'm not saying that it should be on par with one of Oris's professional Aquis models, I understand that it should not conflict with Aquis sales,



but 100m is not a divers rating - 200 or even 150 meters would have made more sense to me - if you're gonna call it a "diver" then it should be up for the job, right? Even divers models that predate this by several decades had more water-resistance - lots more!. Imho, if you're gonna do an updated re-edition / retro revival thingy then update everything, WR included!



The Oris Divers Sixty-Five is in fact based on one of Oris's first dive watches, that was introduced in 1965 and was intended for use underwater. The 60s by all accounts was a true pioneering decade for scuba diving thanks to the likes of Jacques Cousteau, Hans Hass and Christian J. Lambertsen.



These pioneers of diving relied upon underwater timing instruments that were critical tools for them when they were exploring the ocean realms, they used the best and most technically advanced models that there were currently available at that time. If they were diving, today they might well be equipped with an Aquis or two. ;)



Oris were among leading manufacturers of diving watches in those days. Today, Oris's designers have thoughtfully updated the look of the original, however retaining a number of retro details that include its slim line case, the thin bezel with its 60-minute dive-time scale, and the trapezoid date window.



Water-resistance aside, the Divers Sixty-Five has all the modern features of current dive watch. A unidirectional black aluminum divers bezel, bubble-curved glass that is made of Sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating on its inside; and the hands and hour markers are filled with SuperLumiNova in place of tritium that was used in the 1960s.



Inside its multi-piece Stainless steel case, the new Oris Divers Sixty-Five is powered by a Swiss Made automatic movement. It will be available from June 2016, priced from 1900CHF.



Liked Oris? Why not check out some other new models from them: the ProDiver CHRONOGRAPH or the Carl BRASHEAR Limited Edition, Oris' first bronze diver.