[F]Introducing the Oris Divers Date

In 2015, Oris re-introduced a diving watch based on the 1965 design. Since then, the Oris Divers 65 has become a popular and beloved model line in the brand’s portfolio. Now, almost a decade after its reintroduction, it’s time for an update. Introducing the new Oris Diver’s Date. Although the “Sixty-Five” name is gone, the 60’s inspired design remains. However, both style and performance have been significantly upgraded.

Oris offers some great watches on the more accessible end of the spectrum. The brand’s Divers Sixty-Five was no exception. But with other brands, especially micro-brands, coming up short in terms of both design and functionality, Oris needs to make sure it stays ahead of its competitors. The new Oris Diver’s Date looks like exactly the upgrade people like me have been waiting for. So let’s take a look.

The new Oris Diver’s Date

Let’s start with the new 39mm stainless steel case. Like the current model, the top is vertically brushed, while the sides and case back are polished. The length from tip to tip of the lugs is 46 mm, and the thickness of the watch including the double-domed sapphire crystal is 12.1 mm. The unidirectional rotating bezel has more pronounced teeth for better grip, and the bezel insert is ceramic instead of aluminum on previous models. Additionally, the elegant and sophisticated riveted bracelet has also been upgraded. It has polished (real) rivets that stand out more than other matte links and has a (removable) quick-release spring bar.

The dial of the new Oris Diver’s Date is also more sophisticated. At the moment, you can choose between black, very dark grey-blue, and beige. The applied indexes are beveled and reflect light beautifully. The Oris logo still stands proudly at 12 o’clock, and the brand has updated the font for the model name and water resistance rating. Looking at the last model, we see that the new Diver’s Date jumps in water resistance from 100 meters to 200 meters. This is a direct result of the new case structure. A screw-down crown at 3 o’clock operates the Oris 733 movement inside.

Sellita with red rotor

Basically, this automatic movement is a Sellita SW200-1 with a red Oris rotor. You can view it through the sapphire crystal on the back of the display case. Equipped with 26 jewels, it has a power reserve of 41 hours and operates at a frequency of 28,800 beats per hour. I’m almost certain that a new Oris Diver’s Date caliber 400 version is in the works, but I think it’s great that Oris is still catering to less demanding watch enthusiasts. Additionally, Sellita movements are inexpensive and can be repaired by virtually any watch manufacturer.

on your wrist

When you put the new Oris Diver’s Date on your wrist, you can immediately feel the difference between it and the Diver’s 65. Somehow, its proportions work better than before, and the Diver’s Date feels more substantial on the wrist. While previous models sometimes felt like ornaments on the wrist, the new Diver’s Date is more compact and, as a result, more comfortable to wear. We also noticed an improved level of finish on the beveled hour markers and ceramic bezel insert.

I’m also glad that Oris didn’t forget about the bracelet. I’ve always liked it because of the slim profile and rivets. But now it’s even better with real polished rivets and quick release spring bars. The only thing missing here is the ability to tweak on the fly. However, this is probably something Oris will reserve for the more expensive Caliber 400 version in the future.

final thoughts

Another thing I like is the white luminous color. This is a feature only available on the limited edition Oris Divers 65 model. But now it’s also available in the new Diver’s Date, and it looks great, especially when paired with its beautiful dark grey-blue dial color. Can you imagine the yellowish Fortina color that Oris used to use on this dial? This brings with it other small but significant changes, making the new Oris Diver’s Date more appealing than the previous Diver’s 65. It feels more like an adult watch.

It’s certainly not a revolution, but it’s also not what you would expect from a watch with a vintage-inspired design like this one. It’s great to see that the folks at Oris were able to maintain the charm and elegance of the Diver’s 65 while significantly improving its style and performance.

The new Oris Diver’s Date is currently on sale for CHF 2,450. In addition to the stainless steel bracelet, your money also gets you a black rubber Tropic-style strap. Like the bracelet, it comes with a quick-release spring bar.

What do you think of the new Oris Divers Date? Is it a worthy evolution of the Divers Sixty-Five? Or are you already nostalgic for the more retro outgoing model? Let us know in the comments!