Oris Chronoris Movember Edition Watch Review - (01 733 7737 4034)

Besides making great watches, Oris prides itself on being involved in charities with which they can make a meaningful difference. Men's health charity Movember is one such charity. Participants are encouraged to grow a moustache for the month of November while raising money for the cause.

Starting in 2017, Oris has collaborated with the Movember Foundation to release a special edition watch each year. Each of the Movember edition watches feature unique dial colors, as well as a very cool three-color NATO. There is also the option of a bracelet or a brown leather strap with a subtle moustache logo.

The Oris Big Crown Movember Edition 2018. Image courtesy of oris.ch.

This year, I joined Diamond Cellar (my local Oris dealer) to help raise money for their Movember team. They were generous enough to give away a Chronoris, the most recent Movember collaboration from Oris, to one of the participants. Through a Zoom call with Oris North America and Diamond Cellar, I learned that I had won the watch! Big thanks to them!

UPDATE: If you'd like to read a review of the Oris Roberto Clemente Limited Edition Big Crown Pointer Date that we gave away to a Movember supporter, click here.

The Oris Chronoris Date

As with many manufacturers, the Oris catalog can be split into two categories. Some of its collections, such as the Aquis and ProPilot lines are decidedly modern. Oris has also been on a roll in recent years, releasing models styled after vintage watches from their back catalog that have become very popular with watch enthusiasts.

The Chronoris line falls into the latter category, styled after the Chronoris chronograph originally released in 1970. Oris does offer the modern version as chronograph, but appearance-wise, the current Chronoris Date most closely resembles the original. Despite not having the chronograph function, the original featured an internally rotating bezel, and had a three hand layout with no sub-dials like the new one does.

1970s Oris Star Chronoris Chronograph, image courtesy of morningtonwatches.com

Oris categorizes the Chronoris as part of its Motorsports collection. While its timing bezel and 70s styling give it hints of a racing connection, it does not scream motorsports like many others do. You won't find any tire treads on the strap, or racing stripes on the dial in the Chronoris collection. The result is a more versatile watch that can be worn in a variety of situations.

The Chronoris Date's case features a 70s-style radially brushed top surface, with crisp edges and polished sides. The finishing and modest dimensions (39mm diameter, 12.3mm thickness) add to its versatility. It is subtle enough to be worn with stylish business casual, or semi-dressy situations. The pop of orange, and racy minute track mean that it will also be fun to wear on the included NATO with casual clothes on the weekend.

The Movember Edition colorway is actually the most versatile. Unlike on the standard black or gray dial versions, the bright orange is limited to the seconds hand, and 60 minute triangle on the rotating bezel. The text and markers, as well as the hour and minute hands are finished in a muted gold color. The result is a toned down aesthetic compared to the other Chronoris models.

Speaking of the dial, the legibility is quite good. The hour markers, as well as the rectangular hour and minute hands are made visible with large white, lumed rectangles. Oris uses blue Superluminova BG W9 lume. A black on white date is also neatly integrated at three o'clock.

The movement is wound and adjusted by the coin-edged, non-screw down crown at two o'clock. Interestingly, the crown at four that operates the bezel has a different pattern, and screws down. This ensures that the bezel won't be accidentally turned, but it also makes it more cumbersome to use for timing while on the wrist. The bi-directional bezel features 120 crisp clicks, and is a joy to turn.

The case has a unique barrel shape with integrated lugs that add some visual heft. The result is that it appears bigger on the wrist than its 39mm diameter indicates. Because the lugs are so short, even someone with a very small wrist could wear it.

The domed sapphire crystal has a faint blue AR tint on the inside. it curves down at the edges to meet the sloped case, giving the entire watch a smooth profile. This makes the watch wear thinner than the dimensions indicate, and it should be able to slip under any cuff.

The reference that I received is the leather strap version. The medium brown color works well with the dial, and I like the moustache logo. It's subtle enough that most observers might think it is part of the stitching, but a fun nod to those in the know. The additional NATO strap (and included springbars) is a fun way to add some color to the watch, and is quite comfortable. It has only one metal keeper, again with a moustache (this time laser engraved). The other keepers are fabric loops (one floating), making it quite lightweight and comfortable. The watch comes packaged in a very nice (and useful) leather and canvas carrying case.

I've also been wearing it on a few different StrapHabit 19mm straps.

Brodinkee x StrapHabit Real Men Wear Pink Premium Sailcloth Watch Straps. The entire purchase price is donated to the American Cancer Society for the fight against breast cancer:

Summary

 At an MSRP of $2000 USD ($2200 on bracelet), the Chronoris Date Movember Edition is priced in-between a lot of vintage styled competition with a racy dial. Hamilton offers the Intra-Matic Auto for $995. Based on my experience with Hamiltons in the past, the Oris should be a much better package if you consider finishing, crystal quality, lume, etc. The Hammy also loses the trick internal bezel. The Tag Heuer Autavia features a COSC version of the same movement as the Oris, but also costs an extra $1100.

Oris watches tend to offer very good value, and the Chronoris Date is no exception. You're getting a nicely finished watch for the price, and one that is very versatile. It's a great watch for someone who is looking for something unique, and something other than the typical dive watch or field watch. The racing connection is subtle enough that the watch can be worn in a lot of situations. The watch stays true to the look of the original, but is modernized enough to look contemporary.

Specifications:

Name: Oris Chronoris Movember Edition 

Reference Number: 01 733 7737 4034

Price: $2000/$2200 (strap/bracelet)

Dimensions: 39mm diameter, 42.8mm lug-to-lug, 12.3mm thick, 19mm lug width

Movement: Oris Calibre 733 (Sellita SW 200-1)

Water Resistance: 100m

Crystal: Sapphire, domed on both sides, anti-reflective coating inside