Oris has presented yet another member of its growing collection of “divers”. Delivered in a mildly oversized stainless steel case, the 2008 Divers GMT Date Automatic is available both on a trendy rubber strap (ref. 01 668 7639 8454-07 4 24 34EB) and a more practical solid steel bracelet (ref. 01 668 7639 8454-07 8 24 01PEB, it also has the cities disk replaced with more convenient 24-hour scale) that features security folding clasp with a wetsuit extension.
Although like most of its siblings, looking really busy, the dial of the Divers GMT Date Automatic (Ref. 01 668 7639 8454-07 4 24 34EB) will always keep you in the know what time is now in London or Tokyo even if you are enjoying yourself 300 meters beneath the surface.
Being packed into a rather large 44 mm stainless steel case, which is equipped with a thick sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective coating inside, the timekeeper’s Oris 668 automatic movement features a date window at 6 o’clock and a second time-zone (also known as GMT) complications.
It is a version of the well-known ETA 2893-2 automatic movement (the same caliber is used in the much more expensive Omega Seamaster GMT,) so, like its more expensive competitor, the timekeeper displays the second time zone with a usual secondary hour hand.
Although thin and colored black, the GMT hand features a huge triangular-shaped tip, which is generously covered with an orange luminous substance.
To make using the complication even easier, Oris has also printed the 24-hour second time-zone scale in orange color.
The black dial features nice looking ‘waves’ decor and there is a thick layer of pale-green Superluminova C3 coating on the hour markers and the hands.
Just like most diving watches of this class, the Oris Divers GMT Date comes equipped with a black rubber strap with stainless steel security folding clasp with a special wet suit extension.
The only usability problem that I can see with this watch is its unidirectional rotating bezel.
Sporting the names of all major time zones, the bezel doesn’t have space for the usual diver’s scale, which somewhat diminishes its value as a real diving tool.
On the other hand, nobody in his right mind will buy this kind of watch for real diving.
The MSRP of $2245 seems to be a bit over the top in this particular instance, but if you’ll manage to find one with a good discount, this ruggedized beauty could be a nice addition to any collection of diving companions.
See also: DOXA SUB 600T-Graph series of diving tools
Photos: Oris
Oris Divers GMT Date specification
Price range: $2245 (MSRP, ref. 01 668 7639 8454-07 8 24 01 PEB with bracelet)
Movement: Automatic, caliber Oris 668 (base ETA 2893-2), Swiss Made
Functions & Complications: Hours, minutes, central seconds, date, GMT with two time zones
Power reserve: 42 hours
Case material: stainless steel
Size: 44.00 mm
Case height: 13.75 mm
Dial: Black, decorated with waves pattern
Hands: Luminous
Hour markers: Luminous, applied
Water resistance: 300 meters
Strap: Black rubber strap or Stainless steel buckle; Both with extension folding clasp
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective coating on both sides
Back: Transparent, mineral glass
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Bought my first mechanical watch in 1986 and it took me ten more years to realize that I have a problem: at some point in time watches became my passion. Well, it could be worse.