Oris vs Longines: Which Swiss Watch Brand Should You Choose?

Choosing between Oris and Longines can be challenging due to their rich histories and excellent craftsmanship. Oris is known for its robust, purely mechanical watches, ideal for adventurers. Longines, on the other hand, offers a blend of classic elegance and modern precision with both quartz and mechanical options. 

This guide compares their key aspects, including design, technology, and performance, to help you decide which brand suits your style and needs best.

Comparison Table

The following comparison table highlights the key aspects of each brand to help you decide which suits your preferences best.

Aspect	Oris	Longines
Brand History and Reputation	• Founded in 1904 • Focus on mechanical watches • Known for robust and innovative designs like the Aquis and Big Crown	• Founded in 1832 • Diverse range including quartz and mechanical watches • Known for elegance and involvement in sports timing
Craftsmanship and Technology	• Specializes in mechanical movements • Notable for durable and precise calibres like Oris Calibre 400	• Utilizes both quartz and mechanical movements • Features high precision technology such as V.H.P.
Design and Aesthetics	• Rugged and sporty designs • Focused on functionality with models like the ProDiver	• Elegant and classic designs • Offers a broad range including the refined Heritage Classic and sporty Hydroconquest
Performance and Durability	• High water resistance up to 1000 meters in ProDiver models • Uses robust materials like titanium	• Offers substantial water resistance up to 300 meters in Hydroconquest models • Uses durable materials like stainless steel and sapphire crystal
Price Range	S$400 – S$9,000	S$200 – S$8,000

Both Oris and Longines provide Swiss watchmaking excellence, catering to different preferences. Oris specializes in mechanical watches with in-house movements, delivering robust, well-engineered timepieces. Longines, on the other hand, offers more accessible entry points and a variety of automatic and quartz movements. 

If you value technical prowess, Oris is often considered a purist’s brand. For those seeking elegance and variety, Longines provides broader selections.

Brand History and Reputation

Oris Watches History

• 1904: Founded in Hölstein, Switzerland by Paul Cattin and Georges Christian.
• 1920s: Began developing pilot watches, becoming a key player in the luxury watch industry.
• 1938: Launched the iconic Oris Big Crown, designed for pilots.
• 1952: Introduced an automatic movement with a power reserve display.
• 1956: Added an alarm function in the Calibre 601 model.
• 1965: Released the first Oris Divers Sixty-Five.
• 1970s-1990s: Endured the Quartz Crisis by sticking to mechanical watchmaking.
• 1984: Released the purely mechanical Oris Moonphase.
• 1982: Became an independent brand again through a management buyout.
• 1991: Introduced the Oris Calibre 581 with a moonphase complication.
• 2003: Launched the Oris Artelier and Oris ProDiver collections.
• 2013: Unveiled the innovative Oris Aquis Depth Gauge.
• Recent Years: Increased focus on environmental sustainability and limited edition “green” watches.

Longines Watches History

• 1832: Founded in Saint-Imier, Switzerland by Auguste Agassiz.
• 1867: Opened its first manufacturing factory; adopted the name Longines.
• 1880: Received a trademark for the Longines name.
• 1889: Registered the iconic winged hourglass logo.
• 1919: Named the official supplier of timepieces for the International Aeronautical Federation.
• 1927: Collaborated with Philip Van Horn Weems; developed the Weems Second-Setting Watch.
• 1931: Created the Lindbergh Hour Angle Watch with Charles Lindbergh.
• 1983: Merged with SSIH, later becoming part of the Swatch Group.
• Modern Era: Continues to produce a wide range of Swiss-made watches and plays an active role in sports timing.

Craftsmanship and Technology

Oris prides itself on exclusively producing mechanical watches, focusing on the robust and intricate calibres like the Oris Calibre 400, which offers a five-day power reserve and heightened anti-magnetism, reflecting their commitment to durability and precision. Their watches are crafted to ensure reliability, especially under extreme conditions, which is evident in their diver’s collections. 

On the other hand, Longines showcases a blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern precision technology, utilizing both mechanical and quartz movements. Longines is renowned for the precision of its chronographs and the sophistication of its automatic movements, like those found in the Master Collection, which often include complications such as moon phases and chronographs. 

Their approach integrates advanced technological features, such as the V.H.P. (Very High Precision) technology in their quartz watches, which offers exceptional accuracy and stability against external elements and shocks.

Design and Aesthetics

Oris leans towards a design philosophy centered on rugged, sporty, and professional aesthetics. The Aquis, for example, is celebrated for its robust and functional design, making it a favorite among divers and adventure enthusiasts who require durability and water-resistance. 

The ProDiver series takes this a step further with even more enhanced features such as a rotation safety system, tailored for professional divers.

In contrast, Longines offers a broader range of designs, which mirror a more refined and classic aesthetic. The Hydroconquest line is designed with the elegance of a sports watch that fits perfectly both underwater and at a formal event, showcasing Longines’ ability to blend functionality with style. 

Meanwhile, the Heritage Classic collection appeals to those who appreciate a vintage or retro look, drawing on Longines’ long history to recreate appealing classics with modern watchmaking technologies.

Performance and Durability

Oris, particularly with its ProDiver series, offers exceptional water resistance up to 1000 meters (3280 feet), making it an ideal choice for professional divers and serious underwater adventurers. 

This level of water resistance underscores Oris’s commitment to producing watches that endure extreme conditions, leveraging robust construction materials like titanium and innovative design features such as the rotation safety system, which locks the bezel in place during dives.

Conversely, Longines’s Hydroconquest series, while still highly competent in aquatic environments, offers a water resistance of up to 300 meters (1000 feet). This resistance level is more than adequate for most recreational diving activities, showcasing Longines’s ability to balance performance with elegance. 

The design and materials reflect a refined aesthetic, utilizing stainless steel and scratch-resistant sapphire crystals, which enhance the watch’s durability while maintaining a sophisticated look.

Top Model Comparison

This comparative overview seeks to delve into the nuances of both Oris and Longines, examining how their top models stand up against each other in terms of design, technology, performance, and overall aesthetic appeal.

Oris Top Models

1. Oris Aquis Date, Ref. 01 733 7732 4157-07 8 21 05PEB

About

The Oris Aquis Date 39.5mm features a striking green sunburst dial, complemented by a ceramic rotating bezel. Generally, i its design, it resembles the Tudor black Bay and Rolex Sub. This retails at S$2,600 and available at a market price of S$1,532.

2. Oris Aquis Date, Ref. 01 733 7730 4135-07 8 24 05PEB

About

The Oris Aquis Date excels as an everyday toolwatch. Featuring a 43.5mm stainless steel case with a ceramic minute scale top ring and a vibrant blue dial, this retails at S$2,500.

3. Oris Big Crown Pointer Date, Ref. 01 754 7679 4361-07 8 20 32

About

The Oris Big Crown Pointer Date 40 features a 40mm stainless steel case with a rose-gold PVD coating and a leather strap. Available at a retail price of S$2,400 and a market price of S$935, it offers exceptional value for a sophisticated timepiece.

4. Oris Aquis Date Ref. 01 733 7770 4155-07 8 18 05P

About

The Oris Aquis Date showcases a stunning blue mother-of-pearl dial encased in a 36.5mm stainless steel body. Equipped with the Oris caliber 733, this watch features a rotating dive watch bezel and sapphire crystal, offering water resistance up to 300 meters. This is priced at S$3,200 retail and S$2,165 on the market.

5. Oris Aquis Small Second Ref. 01 743 7673 4137-07 8 26 01PEB

About

The Oris Aquis Small Seconds Date ref. 01 743 7673 4137-07 8 26 01PEB features a 46mm stainless steel bracelet and case, ceramic bezel, and matte grey dial with advanced functionality. Water-resistant to 500 meters, it’s priced at S$3,100 retail and S$1,635 on the market.

Longines Top Models

1. Longines HydroConquest, Ref. L3.742.4.56.6

About

The Longines HydroConquest 41 features a 41mm stainless steel case, black dial, and rotating bezel. Retailing at S$1,800 with a market price of S$1,144, it delivers both performance and style.

2. Longines Master Collection, Ref. L2.793.4.78.3

About

The Longines Master Collection Date 40 (L2.793.4.78.3) features a classic 40mm stainless steel case with an open back and a silver dial adorned with Arabic numerals. This is priced at S$2,900 retail with a market value of S$1,897.

3. Longines Conquest V.H.P., Ref. L3.716.4.76.6

About

The Longines Conquest V.H.P. 41 offers cutting-edge precision with its highly accurate quartz movement, achieving near-perfect timekeeping within approximately 5 seconds per year. Water-resistant up to 50 meters, it’s priced at S$1,400 retail with a market value of S$772.

4. Longines Heritage Classic, Ref. L2.828.4.73.2

About

The Longines Heritage 38.5 Small Seconds has a 38.5mm stainless steel case and a distinctive silver sector dial. Powered by the Longines caliber L893.5, this watch is priced at S$3,200 retail with a market price of S$2,050.

5. Longines Spirit, Ref. L3.810.4.53.0

About

The Longines Spirit Automatic 40 features a 40mm stainless steel case, a matte black dial with oversized Arabic numerals, and is powered by the reliable Longines caliber L888.4. This chronometer is available for S$3,900 retail, with a market price of S$1,889.

Comparative Analysis of Popular Models

Here is a comparative table of top models from Oris and Longines, designed to help you assess key features, retail pricing, and market value for each, making it easier to determine which brand and model best suit your preferences and needs.

Watch Model	Key Features	Retail Price	Market Price
Oris Aquis Date ref. 01 733 7732 4157-07 8 21 05PEB	39.5mm, green sunburst dial, ceramic rotating bezel	S$2,600	S$1,532
Oris Aquis Date ref. 01 733 7730 4135-07 8 24 05PEB	43.5mm, vibrant blue dial, ceramic minute scale top ring	S$2,500	N/A
Oris Big Crown Pointer Date ref. 01 754 7679 4361-07 8 20 32	40mm, rose-gold PVD coating, silver dial	S$2,400	S$935
Oris Aquis Date ref. 01 733 7770 4155-07 8 18 05P	36.5mm, blue mother-of-pearl dial, water resistance up to 300m	S$3,200	S$2,165
Oris Aquis Small Second ref. 01 743 7673 4137-07 8 26 01PEB	46mm, matte grey dial, water-resistant to 500m	S$3,100	S$1,635
Longines HydroConquest ref. L3.742.4.56.6	41mm, black dial, rotating bezel	S$1,800	S$1,144
Longines Master Collection ref. L2.793.4.78.3	40mm, silver dial with Arabic numerals, open back	S$2,900	S$1,897
Longines Conquest ref. V.H.P. L3.716.4.76.6	41mm, high precision quartz movement, water-resistant to 50m	S$1,400	S$772
Longines Heritage Classic ref. L2.828.4.73.2	38.5mm, silver sector dial, powered by Longines caliber L893.5	S$3,200	S$2,050
Longines Spirit ref. L3.810.4.53.0	40mm, matte black dial with oversized Arabic numerals, chronometer	S$3,900	S$1,889

Final Word

Both Oris and Longines boast impeccable craftsmanship and a deep-rooted history, ensuring that you are investing in a legacy of quality and precision regardless of your choice. Hare are some final considerations:

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