First Look: Oris ProDiver Dive Control Limited Edition

Now that we’re fast approaching trade show season, watch brands are starting to unveil some of their first 2019 novelties. Oris, one of our favorite firms here at Worn & Wound, is kicking things off in a big way with the limited edition Dive Control, a new member in Oris’ high-performance professional ProDiver family. 

The Dive Control was developed with input from professional commercial diver Roman Frischknecht. This isn’t Oris’ first collaboration with Frischknecht. In fact, in 2009, the two worked closely to create the brand’s patented Rotation Safety System, which first appeared on the Oris ProDiver Chronograph. This mechanism allows the wearer to fix the bezel in place to boost safety underwater by preventing any accidental knocks that could shift the mechanism and impact timing (to learn more about this innovation and its development, click here). Oris’ newest watch incorporates this feature in a big, bold, professional dive chronograph rated to a whopping 1,000 meters. 

The Dive Control measures 51 millimeters across, which is a deceptive number. There is no doubt that this is a big watch, but it by no means wears like a 51-millimeter timepiece. The black DLC plating, the bezel, and the short downturned lugs give the perception of a smaller watch on the wrist. Still, this thing has a lot of presence, and it’s probably better suited for someone with a heftier wrist.

The case is rendered in grade 2 titanium, which is, as I wrote above, black DLC-coated for a cool, tactical vibe, and the bezel insert is black ceramic with white and yellow markings. The crown and the pushers (both screw down) are done in stainless steel. Despite its size, the Dive Control is light in hand, no doubt because of the titanium case.

Additional specs include an automatic helium valve, a solid screw down case back, and the top glass is a double domed sapphire crystal with an internal anti-reflective coating.

The dial is black and features and underlying wave pattern, which is actually quite subtle in person. Like the case, the dial features a subtle mix of white and yellow accents. Despite the apparent complexity, the dial is extremely legible because of the high contrast markers and bold hands.

Powering the Dive Control is Oris’ Cal. 774, which is based on the Sellita SW500, which in turn is based on the Valjoux 7750. To learn more about this movement, click here, but for a quick recap of the specs, the Cal. 774 features three subsidiary dials for continuous seconds at nine, a twelve-hour counter at six, and a minutes counter at twelve, and it has a power reserve of 48 hours. A date complication is neatly integrated above six. 

The whole kit includes a hard shell waterproof presentation box, two rubber straps (yellow and black) with a great quick-adjust clasp, and a strap changing tool.

Altogether, the ProDiver Dive Control is a beast of a watch with solid specs and some cool features. Ultimately, the size may be limiting for some, but for others, if the size works and you’re looking for a solid tool watch, then the Dive Control may be right up your alley. US pricing is expected to be around $5,000, and the watch is limited to just 500 units. Oris