Goodbye Divers Sixty-Five, hello Oris Divers Date
Buffy Acacia- The Oris Divers Date has been released, bidding farewell to the Divers Sixty-Five.
- It’s being released in anticipation of the 60th anniversary of the original model from 1965.
- Upgrades include 200 metres of water resistance, an exhibition caseback, and a ceramic bezel insert.
At first glance, you may not think that this is a new release. It’s actually more than a release, because the start of the Oris Divers Date collection is also the end of the Oris Divers Sixty-Five. That watch has long been a crowd favourite for its 1960s skin diver aesthetic, introduced in 2015 for the original model’s 50th anniversary. But it’s time for an upgrade. Ahead of the 60th anniversary next year, the Divers Date showcases some subtle design changes along with substantial technological upgrades.
As loved as the Divers Sixty-Five has been, there were always a couple of eyebrows raised at some of its features. To have the word “Divers” in the name with only 100 metres of water resistance felt a bit strange, and the feeling of value had been slipping away as prices gradually rose. The list of references was growing exhaustive too, so a refresh is definitely welcome. Thankfully, as a fan of the range, the new Oris Divers Date hasn’t changed totally beyond recognition. The simple, legible dial retains all of its vintage charm, the 39mm case diameter hits a nice middle ground between the 38mm, 40mm, and 42mm models previously available, and the optimistic versatility is still there.
In terms of upgrades, the most relieving change is the increase in water resistance from 100 metres to 200 metres. Now it can truly consider itself a proper dive watch, as opposed to just being suitable for swimming and snorkelling. The case seems to be a little bit bulkier in the lugs, but not to any kind of detriment or loss of suaveness. The bezel is possibly the most drastic difference, with a ceramic insert and minute markers restricted to the first 15-minute segment. The insert looks a bit wider than previously too, increasing its wrist presence. As for the dial, the surreptitious bevelling on the applied hour markers contributes to a more polished look. The printed text above 6 o’clock now simply reads “DIVERS” rather than “WATER RESISTANCE” in a new, vintage-style typeface, cleaning up that area significantly.
The caseback has now been made see-through with a sapphire crystal as well, making visible the updated Oris Calibre 733. Based on the Sellita SW200-1 (itself an ETA 2824 clone), this Swiss movement has benefitted from a teensy power reserve boost up to 41 hours. The beat rate is still a smooth 4Hz, and you can see the famous Oris red on the automatic winding rotor. This also means that the new Divers Date will sit below the Calibre 400-equipped pieces, offering a more cost-effective alternative, though one that’s by no means the affordable bargain it once was.
From the back of the watch, you may also notice quick-release spring bars that have been incorporated into the stainless steel bracelet, allowing you to change it over for the supplied tropic-style rubber strap whenever you wish. On launch, the Oris Divers Date is available in three colours. There’s the standard black, a nice parchment-toned beige, and a deep blue that almost verges on a dark teal or gunmetal. The latter two are great alternatives to white and navy blue dials which are a dime a dozen in dive watches.
Oris Divers Date pricing and availability
The Oris Divers Date is available now from Oris’ website and retailers. Price: US$2,700
| Brand | Oris |
| Model | Divers Date |
| Reference | 733 7795 4054 733 7795 4055 733 7795 4051 |
| Case Dimensions | 39mm (D) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 200 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front and back |
| Dial | Black, blue, beige |
| Strap | Steel bracelet with folding clasp Black rubber Tropic-style strap, steel pin buckle |
| Movement | Calibre 733, Sellita SW200-1, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 41 horus |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | US$2,700 |