Oris is a well-established Swiss watch company, and although they’ve been through some turbulent times since the company was founded in 1904, they’ve gained a reputation for making very good, reliable watches. Their dive watches, and in particular the Aquis and ProDiver ranges, have been especially popular in recent years, but none of them come with a leather watch strap from the factory – they are all supplied with either a rubber strap or a metal bracelet. So what to do if you want to wear your Oris dive watch on leather?
I’ve been making leather straps for Oris dive watches for many years and regardless of the case size (and there are several) it is possible to make a leather strap to fit. The attachment is a standard screw bar, so a screwdriver is all you need to fit the strap, but the strap has to be “notched” at the point it attaches to the watch to fit properly.
Rod, from Alberta, Canada, contacted me to ask if I could make a strap for his Oris Aquis Date recently and after discussing the options he decided to go with Storm blue leather with natural stitching. On receiving the strap and fitting it to the watch he was pleased enough to send me the photograph above, and tell me he thinks “This is the perfect strap for the Oris” (thanks Rod).
Because the width of the strap that actually attaches to the watch is so narrow, it needs a leather with a firm structure, so not all of the leathers I stock are suitable. Of course I’m happy to advise you if you want to contact me before you order, but below are a few of the leathers that I hold in stock at the moment that are suitable and would make an ideal strap for either the Aquis or ProDiver watches (there are others, but these are some of my favourites).
Some suggestions for suitable leathers for Oris dive watches
Update – Since writing this blog post I have written another giving instructions on how to order a strap for an Oris Aquis.
Further update – the “Storm Blue” leather in the photograph above has sold out and is no longer available, but I have over 80 leathers that are available currently. You can see all available leathers on my website store. If you are in any doubts whether a leather is suitable for a strap for an Aquis, please email me at rich@toshi-straps.co.uk and I’ll be happy to advise (and offer alternatives if necessary).