Military collaborations often turns up interesting watches. Some are historical like Panerai and IWC for wartime efforts. But peacetime offerings can be interesting too. Sinn is one house which specializes in these, with their EZM series. Luminox have their Navy Seals collaboration, and now we see Oris getting into the game with the United States Marine Corps with the Oris Force Recon GMT Diver.
Oris Force Recon GMT Diver
The US Marines have a reputation as the toughest, meanest, most respectable fighting force on Earth. Oris designed this special watch in collaboration with one of the most esteemed and elite of USMC companies: the USMC Force Recon, a Special Operations Capable Force within the Marines. Using their Diver Pro as the base, the Oris Force Recon GMT Diver is one formidable watch. So lets come straight out and say it. This is a seriously handsome watch. It certainly looks the part. Handsome (we already said that), tough, rugged, strong, bold. And add to the list horology attributes: legible, functional with dual timezone, diving depth of 1000m. Perfect for a US Marine? Perhaps. Perfect for the collector looking for a distinctive dive or tool watch. Definitely!
the Oris Force Recon GMT: one tough watch, designed for the tough men and women of the USMC.
The dial
As a military operational instrument, the dial of Oris Recon GMT is a paragon of legibility. The dial is clearly and boldly marked where it is essential. The primary function of the hour and seconds markers are large, clear and immediately takes center stage for its presence. The secondary functions of the second timezone are smaller, but equally legible, but more subtle. A continuous seconds hand takes the place of a moving disc visible through an aperture at 9 o’clock.
The dial has a subtle, raised wave pattern, to indicate the nautical origins of the Marines as an amphibious component of the US Navy. A USMC Force Recon logo adorns the center of the dial, but the print contrast is such that does not leap out, but rather more subtle. Operational functions first.
Oris Recon GMT dial detail. While the dial looks plain black, it is not. Waves, a subtle reminder that the Marines are part of the US Navy and the USMC logo.
The case
The case is in titanium, black plated with a ceramic bezel carrying the minutes scale.
Based on the Oria Diver Pro, the Force Recon GMT case is equipped with a ceramic bezel which is locked by the Oris Rotation Safety System allowing the bezel to be locked in any desired position.
The ceramic bezel can be locked in any desired position by the Oris patented Rotation Safety System, an important safety feature in a dive watch. The watch is tested to 1000m depth. A heavy duty NATO strap is attached, and a spare silicon strap is provided with the purchase.
The caseback, engraved with the logo of the USMC.
The matt black DLC coating renders the titanium case almost scratch proof, and the ceramic bezel insert makes for one tough watch. The thick, chunky and masculine looks helping with the impression. The watch measures some 49mm in diameter.
The movement
The movement is the Oris Caliber 747, which is actually the Selita SW220-1 which is a plug alternative to the venerable ETA 2824. The movement is certainly not one to win in the beauty stakes for the desiign, nor its finishing, but there is no opportunity for the owner to view the movement as it is encased in the large, thick, and very strong case, but it is decidedly very robust, and reliable, and well chosen for its task.
Concluding thoughts
We think the watch is very well designed and suited for its intended purpose. Although it is not an official issue for USMC Force Recon personnel, it takes on the attributes of the elite fighting force – tough, rugged, strong, and handsome good looks. It also permits its owner, perhaps for a fleeting moment, to imagine himself in a deep reconnaissance and surveillance mission or in an offensive strike mission. This alone might be worth the price of entry.
The watch is well constructed, and is tough in both appearance and in construction. The movement is well selected, a basic movement providing all the necessary functions, and is tough and reliable. And at a MRSP of CHF3800, we think its a rather good buy in the category of a diver or tool watch. Highly recommended.
On the wrist, the watch has great presence, and a strong masculine feel, perhaps a nod to the tough job of a USMC Force Recon personnel.
Visible in this picture is the subtle wave pattern on the dial.
Oris Force Recon GMT Specifications
Case: Multi-piece titanium case, black plated, ceramic minutes scale top ring
Diameter: 49.00 mm
Top Glass: Sapphire, domed on both sides, anti-reflective coating inside
Case Back: Titanium, screwed, special engravings
Operating Devices: Stainless steel screw-in security crown, black plated
Water Resistance:100 bar
Interhorn Width: 26 mm
Movement: Oris 747, base SW 220-1
Dimensions: Ø 25.60 mm, 11 1/2’’’
Functions: Centre hands for hours, minutes and 24 hours, subsidiary second at 9 h, date window, instantaneous date, date and 24 hour corrector
Winding: Automatic winding, bi-directionally rotating red rotor
Power-Reserve: 38 hrs
Vibrations: 28’800 A/h, 4 Hz
Jewels: 28
12 Comments
hey Carlos, are you still enjoying the watch has the movement held up to its own? Im thinking about buying but not sure about the quality of the movement.. Also how does the gmt hand function? is it a hacking function to the hour? Is the gmt hand connected to the hour hand of the watch?
I love the watch but normally take it off when I am working (office job!). I often find that I need to manually rewind towards the end of the day if I expect the watch to keep time by morning. If I do that, is there a guide as to how much the watch takes manually winding? How do I know when to stop?
I would like to no the operating temperature range e.g -40 to + 80 also dose it have a magnetism-shielded.
Stewart, just got this from Oris:
· There is no specific temperature range for this watch, but as per our manual (for all watches), we are recommending to avoid temperatures outside of -5 to +60.
· There is no special magnetism-shield
On the back ‘safety sys.’ is spelled ‘savety sys’. That’s a pretty poor showing, and that lack of attention to detail is concerning.
Hi Charles
This was the prototype we photographed. The spelling mistakes were noted by Oris 🙂
correct me if i’m wrong,
is it suppose to be ‘Reconnaisance’ or ‘Reconnaissance’ in the logo?
whot is the cost ?
Hello i am in spesial forses i am from cyprus how much cost to me to have in euro the oris forses ps
Antreas, you have to contact the authorized dealer for Oris in Cyprus please.
What is the price ?What i the maximum depth?Thanks .
Marcelo, as stated in the article, retail is CHF3800, water resistance is 100ATM (1000m).