THE SPIRIT OF THE 1990S

In celebration of its 118th anniversary, Oris introduces the Hölstein Edition 2022, inspired by the iconic Full Steel Worldtimer from 1998

-  KC YAP

BORN AND RAISED in the remote Swiss village of Holstein on 1 June 1904, Oris has grown to be a world-class watchmaker in its own right. It was conceived from the vision of two brave, pioneering watchmakers from Le Locle, deep in the French-speaking heartland of Swiss watchmaking. Their concept was to embrace the industrial practices that by then were fuelling the mighty Swiss German-speaking city of Basel. By bringing their watchmaking skills and romantic sensibilities together with state-of-the-art, highly efficient manufacturing, they believed they would be able to deliver high-quality Swiss Made watches to the world citizens of the day.

This was an unconventional step. Oris, named after a nearby brook, had a path of its own. It would go its own way. There was more to it. Hölstein was surrounded by the Waldenburg Valley, a spectacularly beautiful area. Its people would come to work at Oris, and those who came from Basel and beyond would soon come to appreciate its power to inspire them.

Today, 118 years on, Oris’ founder’s vision remains; the valley continues to inspire the watchmakers at Oris; and its factory is still on the same site. For the third year, Oris celebrates its anniversary with a limited-edition watch for the global Oris community, this time inspired by the Full Steel Worldtimer, a stainless-steel sports watch introduced in 1998 that picked up on an extraordinary movement Oris had debuted a year before.