Hands-On With the Oris x Collective Horology C.04 Divers Seventy-Five
We love a good riff on an existing concept around here, and there’s one candidate in particular that’s ripe for experimentation. The Oris Divers 65 (or Divers Sixty-Five if you’re not into the whole brevity thing) has proven rather malleable in recent years, hosting a variety of colorways, material combinations, dial designs, and even movements. And to its credit, all of them seem to work pretty well. Enter Collective Horology, who are using this watch as a base for their latest collaboration, the C.04, in a shaggy ’70s-inspired take on the watch dubbed, naturally, the Divers Seventy-Five.
The Divers Seventy-Five brings back the dateless dial with retro Arabic numerals marking the cardinal hours. The design feels right at home in the new color scheme, which consists of brown and orange tones throughout the steel case and bracelet. The result is a look that certainly won’t be for everyone, but offers one of the more inventive takes on the watch we’ve seen yet. The color scheme takes inspiration from ’70s California design according to Asher Rapkin and Gabe Reilly of the Collective, and when set into that context, takes on a slightly different character than your typical brown dial or two-tone watch.
The Divers Seventy-Five is built into a 40mm steel case that’s accented by Oris’ bronze bezel and affixed to their bi-metal steel and bronze bracelet, leaning fully into the funky vibes that start at the dial. This is a case we’re fond of around here thanks to its 12.8mm thickness and, more importantly, curved case profile. This is a very comfortable watch on the wrist and doesn’t seem to make any compromises to that shape even with the addition of an exhibition caseback. That said, if you’re not crazy about the dial here, there’s likely no level of wearability that will win you over.
The star of the show here is undoubtedly the dial, which is rendered in three tones. The hour track is a warm yet deep brown, into which the old-school Arabic numerals are placed to represent 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock in a light cream lume. The center portion of the dial lands in mahogany or sand territory and brings a delightfully soft presence that balances out the darker tones at the perimeter.
Inside, things remain interesting with the use of Oris’ own caliber 400 movement, rocking 5 days of power reserve and high resistance to magnetism thanks to the use of non-ferrous materials including a silicon escape wheel and anchor. Because of this movement, the limited edition C.04 Divers Seventy-Five is priced at $4,500 with a $4,100 pre-order price.
Key Points
- The Oris Divers 65 has become a popular base for collaborations
- The Collective Horology C.04 Divers Seventy-Five is a ’70s-inspired take on the watch
- The color scheme is inspired by ’70s California design
- The watch features a 40mm steel case with a bronze bezel and a bi-metal steel and bronze bracelet
- The dial is rendered in three tones and features retro Arabic numerals
- The watch is powered by Oris’ caliber 400 movement
- The limited edition watch is priced at $4,500
This is the fourth watch in Collective Horology’s Collective Series, which has previously collaborated with brands like Zenith, H. Moser, and IWC. The Oris collaboration represents the most accessibly priced watch in the series so far, and it’s a step towards working with more small independent brands in the future.
Overall, the Oris x Collective Horology C.04 Divers Seventy-Five is a playful and inventive take on the Divers 65 that will appeal to those looking for a unique and retro-inspired timepiece. While the color scheme may not be for everyone, the combination of the brown and orange tones, along with the retro Arabic numerals and the curved case profile, make for a standout watch that captures the spirit of ’70s California design.
