Oris vs Christopher Ward - advice needed
Folks, like many on this forum, back in late 2022 I paid my deposit to CW for what at the time seemed like an amazing watch for circa 3K - a Bel Canto. After waiting for as long as a Rolex AD would keep me on that proverbial waitlist, I finally got the call (an email in this case) to pay up the rest of the amount - circa 25 or 27 hundred dollars (depending of the exchange rate I suppose) and collect me watch 😉 Whi awaiting, I got myself several watches including the "hyped ones" such as MAD1. And cant say that I haven't cooled off towards the bel canto now that everyone and their mother has them...
In parallel, earlier today I was browsing some watches and remembered that about a year or so ago, Oris released a watch that I really liked - a Diver 65 12 hr with cal 400, 5 day power reserve and a 10-year warranty. At the time I thought the watch was a little "boring" and I wanted to wait until Oris released it in a different dial color. It seems like, so far they still have only a black dial version. This evening I watched some YouTube "collector conversation" that featured some schmuck editor of some online trading platform who owned that same watch in their company's special edition version and it got me thinking... I really like Oris as a brand and thought about buying their watches several times but they were never an exact match...
I just checked chrono24 and this Oris watch can be had brand new on a steel bracelet for around 2600 dollars brand new. Basically the amount that I have to add to what I already forked over to CW.
Yes, I see that Bel cantos trade for over their retail price but this is a fad just like those alain silverstein collab watches were. They are listed but nobody buys them for those prices (trust me - I had one listed for 2 years). Besides, I don't buy watches for resale. Bel Canto I can wear socially, maybe with a suit, etc. The Oris on a bracelet with 10 ATM and basically the 2nd time zone on the bezel can be a great all rounder from the beach to travel to the office. You know what I mean? Oris retail is higher but trades less than what seems to be the darling of the moment - Christopher Ward.
So question is what do I do - cancel my order with CW and pick up the Oris, or stick with the order?
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They’re very different watches, which one speaks to you more?
Go for the CW. Oris is boring looking and divers are better around and tons of choices.
CW
Which one do you think you’d enjoy more? Which one fits you and your lifestyle better?
Me? While I appreciate the Bel Canto for what it is and what they were able to do for the price, it’s just not my thing. It doesn’t fit my lifestyle, or my generally casual, beachy wardrobe. Oris for me.
Go for the CW. Oris is boring looking and divers are better around and tons of choices.
That's the thing. Generally dont like divers. This oris is the least divery diver to me and has a serious movement inside.
Bel Canto no question
More unique both in looks and complication.
There is a reason it’s the watch of the year
#christopherward
Oris
Cancel
Which one do you think you’d enjoy more? Which one fits you and your lifestyle better?
Me? While I appreciate the Bel Canto for what it is and what they were able to do for the price, it’s just not my thing. It doesn’t fit my lifestyle, or my generally casual, beachy wardrobe. Oris for me.
That's the thing. I have 2 of those - cheap, I wonna-be-a-high-end-watch looking watches already between the MAD1 and Lousi Erard Alain Silberstein. Honestly, neither happens to be my fav timepiece in the collection because neither is an actual Silberstein or MB&F. Point #2, a lot of us like Bel canto because it resembles a certain MB&F watch. well, while drying on the waitlist, I did acquire the aforementioned MAD1 which at least has the MB&F DNA. I am a lawyer, I don't have a beachy lifestyle but hopefully someday 😉 Until then, it could be a good allrounder with a long power reserve and even longer warranty...
That's the thing. Generally dont like divers. This oris is the least divery diver to me and has a serious movement inside.
Have you considered the new LLD? It’s also not a super “divery diver”. Seems a little more versatile than the Oris.
https://www.longines.com/en-us/landing-page/longines-legend-diver
Depends on what else is going on in your life and finances
I have the bel canto. It’s unique, well made, and fun. There will be plenty dive, gmts, field watches etc in the future. Keep the bel canto!!!
They’re very different watches, which one speaks to you more?
VC 222, speaks to me, says, "Neva, neva, neva gonna get it..." ;)
between these two, I have no idea. I know Oris is more versatile and worry-free with the warrantee and 5 day power reserve. CW is GPHG and overall more pretentious if you would. I want to say that the CW would be more of a conversation starter but we all know that nobody notices our watches. And it seems like everyone's got a Bel canto already... Oris has that rolexy universality to it without being a rolex or a rolex lookalike. I hate rolex... I have a sizable collection of different style watches (mostly 2nd tier just below holy trinity). Oris has intrigued me for the past several years with their no-nonsense, no hype, value proposition. Family owned, good quality, over a 100 years of history, etc. I am not into micro brands and new start-ups which CW certainly is. They also offer good value watches... I mean if we were to say Tudor vs CW, everyone would be saying Tudor, right?
You have to go for what you like the most, not others choices , buy what you like.
But anyway, on my personal taste, I don't get that CW dial at all.
I know ) I am just bouncing ideas from fellow watch collectors.
Oh I get that dial if it was an MB&F. Otherwise, it almost feels a little like getting a Skoda Kodiak when you really want a Lambo Urus
Depends on what else is going on in your life and finances
a thousand dollars wont break the camel's back. The significant other will give me THE LOOK no matter what lol
I must say the Bel Canto is striking, if not my personal thing. Solid though the Oris might be, it does suffer by looking like so many other dive watches. Bel Canto for me, since it’s a purely academic decision from here. 🤝
Both 🤷🏼♂️
Both 🤷🏼♂️
Nah. need a heavy hitter mid summer for the big birthday
A lot has already been said. But here is my 2 cents.
If you like the Bel canto as a pastich for another watch (MB&F) then you will not be satisfied woth it.
Also if you want the Oris as a replacement for a sub then neither of them would do.
IMHO, the Bel Canto if looked at as a CW, not as a replacement for another watch is pretty awesome. BTW I don't think the Bel Canto was designed to be an everyday watch, it's a play thing to put a smile on your face when you look down at your wrist.
If you want a nice novel smiles per dollar watch it's a winner , if you want a GWDA watch, look at the Oris or maybe a tudor diver😊
you're 100 percent spot on. And originally I placed the order for Bel canto as that playful watch that every collection could have 1. But between the time I ordered it and CW got around to making it, I already acquired a MAD1. It gives me that silly smile thing. That and the Louis erard x alain silberstein. Add the 3rd one and my collection can easily be rebranded into Miles & Smiles (and then turkish airlines will sue me for trademark infringement LOL)
Oris is not a replacement for a sub. I don't like submariners. Oris I want to have in the collection for all the good things they do. and this one happens to be the one I can respect - i e not a 38 hr, off the shelf Sellita 200 but a cal 400 movement. Nor a cotton candy but a design that is quite timeless and universal, etc. I don't like tudors. I have a things with hands. Both Merc and snowlake hands drive me crazy. So I go on debating
Cancel. Then hold cash until something else GRABS you. The $3k + puts you the the arena for some really cool pieces. I’m underwhelmed by that Oris (hang on, I own and love my Aquis Staghorn)
I was thinkin the same thing. Maybe just wait till my birthday and then get something really big. Aquis I like with the recycled plastic dials but they don't come in cal. 400. So I never pulled the trigger.
Everybody is different. It depends what you want to have. If you want a practical watch to wear regularly, that will last for a long time, I think Oris is the right choice. But, I think you a wrong about Bel Canto being a fad. It is quite unique watch that will always be highly regarded. I think it is something special to have for special occasions, like a nice piece of jewelry. And since you are not buying watches for re-sale, who cares about trading value.
I would keep Bel Canto just because of its uniqueness.
I got burnt on that logic twice. Forst Louis Erard x Alain Aliberstein which was supposed to be a limited edition thing but they keep making them more and more... Then the MAD1, which also looks like is going to keep happening until the color palette runs out. I have a creeping suspicion, CW is going to keep milking this for years to come. So I am not sure if it will remain that special down the line. But I could be wrong.
Super different watches but with your mad 1 I’d argue that you already have this kind of watch in the bag, and a far better one at that.
Alleluia! You got my point. Most people are missing this. When I ordered the BC, MAD was not even a dream, it was just an impossibility. But then MBF released the red MAD. Actually MBF did 2 releases of MAD () red and green) while CW was still dicking around with making one BC happen for me. And now the dynamic of that watch vis-a-vis my collection is totally different.
Watches are meant to be worn and worn well, id personally go for buying the piece I can enjoy on the daily vs one I'd put on only on occasions and the rest it's in my watch box looking pretty
Yup. And I find pressing myself to wear either the MAD1 or the Louis erard silberstein edition. Now there will be the 3rd contender for that limited wrist time.
I meant it in the sense that you can acquire watches with the cal 400 pretty quickly and easily
aaa ok
you're 100 percent spot on. And originally I placed the order for Bel canto as that playful watch that every collection could have 1. But between the time I ordered it and CW got around to making it, I already acquired a MAD1. It gives me that silly smile thing. That and the Louis erard x alain silberstein. Add the 3rd one and my collection can easily be rebranded into Miles & Smiles (and then turkish airlines will sue me for trademark infringement LOL)
Oris is not a replacement for a sub. I don't like submariners. Oris I want to have in the collection for all the good things they do. and this one happens to be the one I can respect - i e not a 38 hr, off the shelf Sellita 200 but a cal 400 movement. Nor a cotton candy but a design that is quite timeless and universal, etc. I don't like tudors. I have a things with hands. Both Merc and snowlake hands drive me crazy. So I go on debating
Some people wiser than me have given great advice.
Hold on, watches and wonders is only a few months away.
I’m actually a big fan of Otis 65…but am boring. I tend to like simple watches that aren’t flashy
I’m actually a big fan of Otis 65…but am boring. I tend to like simple watches that aren’t flashy
I like them all except for hype watches. I'm a contrarian
Go for the CW. Oris is boring looking and divers are better around and tons of choices.
This is exactly my opinion. You will not have anything like the Belcanto, but a lot of divers...
Oris!
The Bel Canto is a hype watch, you're basically paying for a pointless gimmick, & I'm sure the novelty will soon wear off. It's a poser's watch.
That silly little dial at the top & the chiming mechanism either float your boat or leave you cold. I'm clearly in the latter camp.
The Oris is far more practical, much more understated and cool imho. A useful tool 👍
Good luck whatever you decide to get, look forward to seeing your wrist shots 😁
To me , those watches are in different category. I prefer CW over this Oris.