As part of Oris‘ ongoing relationship with Audi Sport, for 2015, we get the Oris Audi Sport GMT watch that offers one of the more simple driving-themed GMT watches around. In fact, at a glance, the watch doesn’t necessarily look like it is a GMT at all. Last year, Oris released the Oris Audi Sport Limited Edition Chronograph as part of celebrating their new relationship with Audi Sport. With its attractive all steel-toned dial, it was a success that this year is followed-up by the Oris Audi Sport GMT which is not a limited edition.
Based on the larger Artix collection of racing-inspired timepieces, the Oris Audi Sport GMT’s brushed “matte silver” dial and applied lume-filled hour markers are both distinctive and very legible. I also find the dial to be rather attractive, given the similarity in all the tones. Oris does a good job at keeping reflectivity levels down and the raised inner portion of the dial keeps the watch from looking boring.
As you’ll notice, the GMT hand with its small red arrow tip could just as easily be a seconds hand if you only saw the watch in pictures. The GMT hand uses a relatively discreet 24 hour marker scale that is placed on the periphery of the dial on the flange ring – and not the rotating bezel as you might expect. That makes the Oris Audi Sport GMT among the rare GMT watches that have both a 24 hour scale as well as a traditional 60 minute diver-style rotating bezel. Oh, and in an uncommon move, the bezel rotates in both directions.
The bezel is produced with a very hard tungsten insert with a rubber outer liner which adds some black color and a pleasant tactile experience when operating it. For the seconds indicator, Oris sticks with the “linear gauge” style subsidiary hand which actually uses a disc under the dial. A small red line appears to fill up the linear dial as time goes on. In my opinion, Oris did a nice job ensuring that the dial design is a positive mixture between being busy enough, but also having enough white space for your eyes to calmly move around from element to element.
Interestingly, Oris is now not using its brushed silver dial exclusively for Audi Sport edition watches. The also new-for-2015 Oris Artix GT watch has a day/date dial and isn’t associated with Audi Sport, but has the same case and a very similar dial with different complications.
On the wrist, Oris uses the same 44mm-wide steel Artix-style case that we’ve seen on the limited edition chronograph, and other past models. I’ve always found this case design to be versatile and modern, while still rather classic and subdued. Oris certainly makes a contemporary racing watch but one that doesn’t feel as though it needs design cues from car engines or brakes.
Available attached to the Oris Audi Sport GMT is a perforated black leather strap as well as a five-link steel metal bracelet. I have a feeling that given the theme of the watch, most people will opt for the slick-looking black leather strap, but the bracelet should not be discounted given how nicely the design is integrated into the shape of the case.
Through the sapphire crystal caseback window, you can see the Swiss mechanical automatic movement in the Audi Sport GMT watch. Oris calls it their caliber 747, but this just a Swiss Sellita SW220-1 automatic that has the time, date, and 24-hour GMT hand. Nothing too fancy in the movement department, but nothing to frown about either. All in all, the Oris Audi Sport GMT watch is a fine addition to the brand’s larger racing watch collection. There are some unique elements to this watch such as the GMT hand and rotating timing bezel which might hit a sweet spot for some people and which make the model just that much more interesting. Price for the reference. 747 7701 4461 Oris Audi Sport GMT watch is $2,400. oris.ch
