Fergus Nash
The Oris Divers Seventy-Five Calibre 400 C.04 for Collective puts a 70s twist on a crowd-favourite skin diver.The oranges and browns are complimented by bronze accents on the bezel and bracelet.Powered by Oris' in-house Calibre 400, it has a 120-hour power reserve and chronometer-level accuracy.To call Collective Horology a prolific collaborator would be one hell of an understatement, given that this new watch with Oris is their ninth collaborative release. You won't find anyone complaining though, as loyal followers of the site continue to be spoiled with new variations and fantastical colourways. The Oris Divers Seventy-Five Calibre 400 C.04 for Collective hybridises the skin-diver case style of the Divers Sixty-Five with the bombastic colours of the 1970s, creating a dial fit for the sunset strip.As a retailer with a focus on independents, Collective Horology clearly have a keen sense of what wristwatch enthusiasts value. Beyond the profit margins and marketability which most brands prioritise, they're focused on providing something special for a small number of people. That's where this limited edition of 250 pieces comes in, picking out a super-specific style and pulling no punches. The colour palette lies perfectly in that 1970s ambiguity of orange and brown, spread across four different tones. The centre is a light, zesty shade, while the outer sector runs closer to rust. The beige markers in their quirky typeface nicely mirror the rose gold tone of the hands, and the metallic brown of the bezel insert catches the sunlight to blazed copper.While the dial of the Seventy-Five clearly bears the influence of Collective Horology, the Oris Divers Sixty-Five was the perfect platform to choose. The metals of the case and bracelet compliment the colours well, with a bezel and centre-links made of bronze. Not only does the rosy metal match the theme, but it will also gather a patina over time depending on your wearing habits or treatment. Salt water will accelerate it, and the Seventy-Five is begging to be worn at the beach. 100 metres of water resistance with a screw-down crown means it can be safely taken swimming, too.In terms of specifications, the Oris Divers Seventy-Five Calibre 400 C.04 is definitely a crowd-pleaser. The 40mm diameter and 48mm lug-to-lug length hit the sweet spots for average wearability, and the 12.8mm thickness isn't overbearing. If you want to play around with straps, then the 20mm lug width makes it easy to find aftermarket options of any kind. Powering the watch is the titular Calibre 400, an automatic movement that Oris produce in-house. It boasts a whopping 120-hour power reserve beating at a smooth 4Hz, as well as a 10-year warranty. It's also regulated by Oris to within chronometer standards, at -3/+5 seconds per day.Oris Divers Seventy-Five Calibre 400 C.04 for Collective pricing and availabilityThe Oris Divers Seventy-Five Calibre 400 C.04 for Collective is limited to 250 pieces, with pre-orders exclusive to Collective Horology's online store. Price: US$4,500 (Pre-order price US$4,150)BrandOrisModelDivers Seventy-Five Calibre 400 C.04 for CollectiveCase Dimensions40mm (D) x 12.8mm (T) x 48mm (LTL)Case MaterialStainless steel and bronzeWater Resistance100 metresCrystal(s)Sapphire front and backDialBrown and orangeLug Width20mmStrapSteel and bronze braceletMovementOris Calibre 400, in-house, automatic, Oris-regulatedPower Reserve120 hoursFunctionsHours, minutes, secondsAvailabilityLimited to 250 pieces from Collective Horology’s online storePriceUS$4,500 (Pre-order price US$4,150)
08.11.23