Offering sophisticated Art-Deco vibes and Swiss watch manufacture, Oris have re-launched their arguably unknown Oris Rectangular collection which offers new case sizes, colourful straps, retro dials and the Oris 561 automatic winding calibre.
When you think of Oris collections, you’ll likely conjure up their sporty Aquis line or aviation-inspired Big Crown. The Oris Rectangular on the other hand is unfamiliar to many. Although it’s hard to recall exactly when the collection was launched, I can distinctly remember a range of Oris Rectangular Date watches unveiled in 2008 followed by a limited edition model designed in honour of Bob Dylan. But even before that, Oris’ first rectangular-shaped watch came in 1996 with a collection of watches launched in celebration of musician Miles Davis. Somewhere along the line, the distinctively retro design lost traction and Oris stopped releasing it all together.
For 2021, the Swiss watch brand has revived the lost Oris Rectangular watch but with new proportions, a new peppy dial design and luxurious leather straps. The quartet of watches are designed as unisex, so perfectly suited for both male and female wrists and are almost entirely distinguished by their rare four-sided stainless steel cases which measure in at 25.5mm in diameter and 30mm in length, notably smaller than previous Rectangular Oris watches. The cases feature handsome flanks at the sides for a nice touch of geometry as well as tapering lug tips that allow for the straps to curve comfortably around the skin.
The case of each Oris Rectangular watch also features a 30 metre water resistant rating and domed sapphire crystal glass on the front with anti-reflective coating on the inside. There is also a glass case back, this time in mineral crystal, presenting a view of the automatic winding movement inside. The movement in question is the Oris Calibre 561 based on the ETA 2671. It provides hands for the hours, minutes and seconds, a date complication at 3 o’clock, a power reserve of 38 hours, 25 jewels and a frequency of 28,800vph.
For me, the most appealing part of the new Oris Rectangular watch collection is the dials. They beautifully evoke the vintage appeal of 1940[‘s watches with rectangular-shaped railway tracks perfectly in line with the silhouette of the case. The railway tracks and Arabic numerals are offered in white on three of the dial colours, Bordeaux red, blue and anthracite, while the white dialled variant is printed with black markings. Three numerals for 12, 3 and 9 o’clock border the dial while the 6 o’clock position is saved for the date window. At the centre, the hours and minutes sword-shaped hands are completed with Superluminova reaching out to a second railway track adorned with large dots for the hour markers.
To complete the Oris Rectangular watches, the cases are fitted with integrated quick change leather straps and stainless steel pin buckles. The red, blue and anthracite dials are paired with matching coloured bands while the white dialled model stands out once again for its contrasting yellow leather strap.
If you’d like to learn more about the new Oris Rectangular watch collection and order one for yourself, head over to the Jura Watches website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
Specifications: Oris Rectangular Watches
- Case Size: 25.5mmx 30mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Bezel: Fixed
- Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
- Crown: Non-screw locked
- Case Back: Mineral glass
- Water Resistance: 30 metres
- Movement: Oris 561 automatic
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
- Power Reserve: 38 hours
- Jewels: 25
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Available in white, blue, anthracite or Bordeaux, Superluminova hands, printed indices
- Strap: Leather
- Buckle: Pin
- RRP: £1,450
