More relatively affordable Swiss watch action from Oris. New for 2010 is this updated BC3 Sportsman model in a 42mm case. This is about as no nonsense as you’d want to get with a watch, and Oris keeps all the functionality you’ve come to expect in this collection. For years that have been centrally aligning the day and date windows for a nice clean look. As you can see, at 6 o’clock you have two stacked windows with the calendar information. Done well with white text on black discs to match the dial. Hands are long and easy to read, almost as though the watch were a dive watch. The hands and some of the numeral markers are coated in SuperLumiNova for ease of reading. That combined with the well placed markers make this one highly legible watch. The Arabic numerals on the dial are polished steel, and applied to the dial.

Oris watches never forgo at least some decoration. The 42mm wide steel case has a thin polished ring around bezel that matches the polished crown. The case design is functional, but not sexy – though you don’t always want sexy for sports activities. Oris isn’t trying to make a watch fit for the club and the cabin. The red inlay in the screw-down crown is a hint at the Oris signature red automatic rotor, that is visible through the sapphire caseback window. The crystal over the face is also sapphire (AR coated).

Attached to the watch here is a classic three-link steel bracelet, that Oris makes relatively well. The BC3 Sportsman will also be available with a rubber or leather strap. It will look more sporty on the rubber strap, but I happen to like the sober look of it on the metal bracelet. Its makes a hell of a reliable no-frills timepieces.

Inside the watch is a Swiss automatic mechanical movements. Likely here an ETA 2834-2, or similar. For the guy who does not like things that are too flashy, but will do the job right (and want a good Swiss name), this is a good choice from Oris. Plus, it will be pretty reasonably priced for what you get. Look for this new Oris BC3 Sportsman watch soon.