For 2017, Oris chose to release not one, but two new versions in their Chronoris range, one of which is the subject of this review. The other, weirdly, not featuring a chronograph function but it does sport an inner rotating bezel operated via a second crown. Just like the original, although in an alternate style.
Case and strap
The 40mm wide multi-piece steel case Oris replica watches come across as very sturdy and strong, and feels substantial whilst wearing it. You literally feel this watch, as you do most Valjoux 7750 based chronograph watches. It moves, it feels heavy and you can even feel the rotations of the oscillating weight. We are often adamant about watches that while wearing them, disappear from your wrist in terms of feel. We claim that comfort is essential, and if you forget you are wearing a watch because you do not feel it anymore, it is a comfortable watch.
Well, while that is very true from an ergonomic approach, I sometimes want to interact with a watch. I’ve had this sensation time and time again with Valjoux 7750 powered fake Oris watches, and I have this again with the Oris Chronoris Williams Racing 40th Anniversary Limited Edition. It is the very same reason I appreciate a robust Oris Aquis Depth Gauge or a Porsche Design Monobloc Actuator 24h Chronotimer. That doesn’t mean I don’t love a carefully crafted Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Automatic 910P or the Bvlgari Octo Finissimo trilogy, on the contrary! It’s just that purposes are different.
The case is what we have come to expect from Oris. Well built, tough, sturdy, with alternating finishes (polished versus brushed) on different parts and surfaces of the case. The chronograph pushers need an ample amount of pressure to activate, but nothing too extreme. It ensures it is not accidentally activated or stopped when using it. Same goes for the crown, a screw-in one. It is securely fixed in place, no wiggle or play when unscrewed and adjusting time or date.
The caseback is plain, which allows for added decoration, in the form of a big “W” in relief as a hint to the Williams Racing Formula 1 team that it commemorates. A simple nod to the team and its success and heritage over a 40-year period of participating. The Oris Chronoris Williams 40th Anniversary Limited Edition copy watches come on a brown, suede leather strap with racing perforations and with an added grey Nato strap (a black rubber strap and a steel bracelet are also available). The supplied tools allow for a quick and easy exchange if desired, with extra pushpins if needed. All can be neatly stored in the leather zipped folder that the watch comes in.