Recently serviced, this Dual Time Chronometer was one of just 250 18k rose gold models Oris ever made. Model reference 7489-60
HOW DO WE DATE THIS WATCH?
Oris launched the World Timer in 1997, and with just 250 made and retailing at £4,750 the 18k rose gold cased versions are likely to have been the ones to have so will have sold quickly – this is number 48, so in the first 20% of production. They also did PVD gold plated versions and stainless steel, but these were general models and not the limited edition nor chronometer rated.
CONDITION
In the 1950’s and 1960’s Oris made watches for the working man, competing with Smiths and Ingersoll (and working with Services). after the Quartz crisis put the company in trouble the new management buy out team made a radical decision – mechanical watches only and no more quartz. This was counter to the general market, and the polar opposite to companies like Zenith who were going full quartz. Oris’s vision was ultimately correct, and not only did they succeed but they also raised the brand, and price point, in a market that was very competitive. It should not be underestimated how difficult that is – imagine Marks and Spencer selling better quality clothing at Gucci or Prada prices? As the company flourished and the customers tired of quartz it found itself in a very good place, making their own movements and complications, and to celebrate this in 1994 they launched their first solid gold watches in a very long time. In 1997 the World timer movement, calibre 690, added extra functionality by showing a second time zone and day night indication, ideal when the internet was making the global market more accessible.
Recently serviced by Oris’ approved UK service centre, everything on this Dual Time is working as it should. The case has light marks on the left hand side, and the glass is new. The dial has a guilloche pattern to the middle, which has slightly faded at the centre. The leather strap in the photos has been replaced with a crocodile black leather strap, but we could not export this due to CITES regulations. International customer can choose a strap of their preference free of charge. We have of course swapped the 18k rose gold Oris buckle to the new strap. We have not opened the case to show a movement photo so as not to invalidate the warranty.
This watch will be supplied with the Oris branded service box and our Certificate of Authenticity.
Please see the HD video for more detail. All photos and videos are part of the description and are of the actual watch unless mentioned. We do not photoshop any pictures, and the images are copyright of birthyearwatches.com and should not be used without permission.
SIZE
Width with crown 39.1 mm
Width without crown 36.0 mm
Between lugs 18 mm
Lug to lug length 43.4 mm
Case Thickness 11.6 mm
All sizes are approximate.
Included with this watch is a 3 month guarantee and free delivery to UK addresses. If you live outside the UK we can still deliver to most countries. Please see our Worldwide Shipping information, or Contact Us. Payment can be made by most credit or debit cards, bank transfer or PayPal.
From 1st September 2021 we will be planting a tree for every watch we sell, working with the International Tree Foundation (Est 1922) to make this business positive on carbon. By buying anything pre owned you are effectively reusing what already exists, but this takes it further and makes us feel good.
