How We Helped a First-Time Buyer Land the Perfect Swiss Dive Watch
Buying your first luxury watch can be overwhelming—especially when you’re not exactly sure what you’re looking for. That’s where our custom watch sourcing service comes in.
Recently, we had the pleasure of helping a client purchase a luxury watch as a gift for her husband. He was a first-time buyer and wanted something that checked a few key boxes:
Swiss-made
Automatic movement
Dive-style watch
Rich history and legacy rooted Brand
Budget between $3,000–$7,000
With just those preferences in mind, we created a custom sourcing report and presented two recommendations from one of our favorite independent Swiss watch brands—Oris (Est. 1904).
The Winner: Oris Divers Sixty-Five Chronograph
After reviewing both options, the client chose the Oris Divers Sixty-Five Chronograph, a striking and versatile Swiss dive watch that blends vintage style with modern performance. The brand has been committed to precision, innovation, utility, and quality. The Divers Sixty-Five line has always leaned into retro charm. But the chronograph variant takes it a step further, combining the silhouette of a classic diver with the muscle of a precision timekeeper.
What you get is a twin-register layout that feels plucked straight out of a 1960s regatta, framed by a rich domed sapphire crystal and a unidirectional bezel—a nod to its aquatic roots. It’s a heritage look, but nothing about it feels dated.
Form Meets Function
Under the hood, the watch is powered by the Oris Caliber 771, based on the tried-and-true Sellita SW 510. This automatic movement delivers a smooth sweep and a reliable 48-hour power reserve—making it just as capable on dry land as it is in the surf.
Functionally, the chronograph is no slouch:
A 30-minute counter sits at 3 o’clock,
A running small seconds at 9,
And a crisp central chronograph seconds hand ready to time everything from espresso pulls to intervals between sets.
Built to Wear, Built to Last
The case—available in a handsome mix of stainless steel and bronze—measures a wearable 43mm. Despite the throwback design, you’ll find thoroughly modern touches throughout: Super-LumiNova® on the dial for low-light visibility, 100m water resistance, and a well-finished caseback that speaks to Oris’s attention to detail.
It’s more lifestyle diver than hardcore tool watch, but for most collectors, that’s the sweet spot.
The Oris Divers Sixty-Five Chronograph is proof that Oris isn’t just reviving the past—they're refining it. It’s a watch that speaks to collectors who value character just as much as complication. With its mid-century aesthetics and mechanical reliability, this chronograph isn’t just a nod to history—it’s a new chapter.
Whether you're timing dives, laps, or simply days, the Divers Sixty-Five Chronograph is a reminder that style and substance aren’t mutually exclusive.
Even better, we were able to source an unworn model that’s no longer available new from Oris—at 20% below retail, with box and papers included.
Watch Specs:
Model: Oris Divers Sixty-Five Chronograph
Model Number: 01 771 7744 4354-07 8 21 18
Case: 43mm stainless steel
Bezel: Bronze unidirectional timing bezel
Dial: Black with luminous hour markers and hands
Movement: Oris Caliber 771 (automatic chronograph)
Crystal: Sapphire
Bracelet: Stainless steel with deployant clasp
Water Resistance: 100m / 10 bar
Condition: Pre-owned/unworn with full box and papers
This Oris chronograph dive watch turned out to be the perfect balance of style, functionality, and value. It gave the buyer an excellent entry into the world of fine timepieces—and at a price that was well below what you'd expect to pay for a luxury Swiss watch under $7,000.
Why Work with a Watch Concierge?
Whether you're buying your first Swiss watch or hunting down a rare model, our sourcing service makes the process easy, personal, and pressure-free. We take time to understand your preferences and budget, then match you with pieces that truly fit—often including hard-to-find or discontinued watches at below-retail pricing.
Thinking about your first luxury watch—or shopping for a special gift?
We’d love to help. Contact us to get started with your own personalized watch sourcing report.
