Reviving History: My Journey with a Vintage Art Deco Oris Watch
Last year, I shared the incredible story of discovering an Art Deco Oris watch tucked away in a suitcase. While browsing a vintage shop in Sydney, something shiny caught my eye. Upon closer inspection, I found a worn-out Oris watch—rusty and non-functioning, but with a dial that intrigued me. I decided to purchase it, hoping to breathe new life into this vintage piece.
A Passion for Vintage Treasures
One of the most rewarding aspects of watch collecting is the opportunity to appreciate not just the latest models, but also vintage pieces steeped in history. Sure, events like Watches and Wonders are thrilling as they unveil the newest timepieces from top brands. But there’s something truly special about diving into the world of vintage watches. Each find, whether obscure or charming, adds a layer of depth to our love for horology.
My friend Jack joined me in the hunt, picking up a vintage Enicar during our trip.
I genuinely enjoy exploring new watch designs, but I find myself gravitating toward particular vintage brands. Names like Seiko, Citizen, Tudor, Doxa, and IWC resonate deeply with me, both as a collector and a writer. While I appreciate their contemporary offerings, it’s usually their vintage models that truly capture my heart.
Discovering the Art Deco Oris Watch
My fondness for vintage items reflects in my shopping adventures. In Australia, “op-shops,” or opportunity shops, offer a treasure trove of secondhand goods, often at great prices. While it’s a challenge to find quality watches in these stores—most are cheap quartz models from lesser-known fashion brands—it’s worth exploring them. When I stumbled upon the Art Deco Oris, it felt like a hidden gem amidst the ordinary.
Finding this Oris at the bottom of a suitcase felt like destiny. The dial, adorned with clear Arabic numerals and a charming sub-seconds feature, was stunning. I often wonder about its previous owner and the stories it could tell, considering it first graced wrists in the 1940s.
The Restoration Journey
Bringing this Oris back to life wasn’t an overnight project; it took nearly six months. Finding a watchmaker familiar with older models in Sydney is quite the task, especially given the rarity of parts. The rust damage was significant—a common issue for watches in this humid environment.
Finally, after months of anticipation, I held the restored watch in my hands. The hour hand’s lume had fallen off, but winding the large crown was pure joy. The tactile sensation was unlike anything else!
The Details of the Restoration
The restoration process was a labor of love. The movement required several replacements due to rust, and the spring bars were nearly useless. I fitted the watch with a strap featuring built-in spring bars. While the dial received a gentle cleaning, I chose not to repaint it. The case is primarily chromed metal, while the back is made of steel.
Despite its history of being forgotten in a suitcase, the watch was surprisingly well-preserved. The unique Art Deco style of the numerals, especially the distinctive 9 and flat-topped 4, shines through beautifully now. The sub-seconds hand ticks steadily, and the accuracy is impressive—about 10 seconds fast per day!
Final Thoughts
The heart of this Oris is driven by the caliber 297, a seven-jewel hand-wound movement typical of Oris watches from the 1940s. I can happily say that the restoration journey was well worth it.
How about you, fellow collectors? Have you come across vintage watches that you’ve restored? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments. For now, this lovely Art Deco Oris will make a fantastic gift for a friend down the line, but until then, I’m relishing every moment of wearing it, knowing it’s back to its ticking glory.