1970s Oris Star Automatic Day Date Cal. 648 KIF 37mm

Here we have a classic 1970s Oris Star Automatic Day Date Automatic 648 KIF with a 37mm stainless steel tonneau-shaped case that sits on your wrist like a cushion. Bevel-edged curved flanks lead to flat-ended lugs with a lug-to-lug length of 40mm and a case thickness of 12mm, ensuring a comfortable fit on your wrist. On the right side, there is a coin-edged crown that you push in to change the date. The smooth bezel holds a domed crystal above a sunburst silver dial. An outer minute track has applied facet-edged baton indexes with lume pips marking the hours, at 3 o’clock a red on white background day and black on white background date. Slender steel baton hands filled with lume are complemented by a tapered seconds hand. At noon, we have the Oris ‘Star’ motif, and at 6 o’clock, 'Automatic 25 Jewels’, completing this fun and affordable vintage timepiece. On the reverse, a screw-down solid case back with the details of the watch around its edge and the Oris shield logo in the centre. Inside an automatic Oris Cal. 648 KIF, 25 jewels, beating at a leisurely 18,000 beats per hour, fitted with the KIF shock protection system, which was a direct competitor to the Incabloc protection system. It comes paired with an 18mm well-suited aftermarket quick-release leather strap and pin buckle.

This watch is sold “Watch Only” and therefore without its Oris box or paperwork. It comes paired with a well-suited aftermarket 18mm brown leather strap with a pin buckle. The watch is from Circa. 1970s and is sold in worn condition, but overall fair condition considering its age, age and wear can be seen from the photographs. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.

Vintage Oris was one of the brands that I built KibbleWatches on in the early days of the business. Back then, you could pick them up for less than £50 and a lovely pointer date for less than £100. Those days are long gone and rightfully so, collectors understand and appreciation has widened, and brands like Oris receive the attention they deserve. This is a fantastic vintage example with a rarely seen Oris calibre that allows you to quickset the date by pushing the crown in, similar to what we see from some Omegas and Seikos. I would not hesitate to add this wonderful watch to your collection today!

Reference : N/A
Movement : Automatic Oris Cal. 648 KIF
Age : Circa. 1970s
Year : Circa. 1970s
Case Size : 37mm
Case Thickness : 12mm
Lug to Lug : 40mm
Lugs : 18mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box and Papers : None
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12 Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
The wrist model's wrist size is 7inch

Oris was founded in the picturesque Swiss town of Hölstein by two visionary entrepreneurs, Paul Cattin and George Christian. In 1904, they took a significant step by acquiring a factory and formalising their commitment to the community by signing a contract with the local mayor. Initially, Oris focused on crafting exquisite pocket watches. However, in a pivotal move in 1925, they began incorporating bracelets into their pocket timepieces, which marked the beginning of their evolution towards wristwatches. By 1929, their ambition had led to establishing a robust manufacturing network, with six factories operating under the Oris name. As the decades progressed, Oris solidified its status in the watchmaking industry, becoming one of the largest watch companies globally by the late 1960s, producing an impressive 1.2 million timepieces each year. In 1982, the brand experienced a transformational moment when Dr. Rolf Portmann and Ulrich W. Herzog orchestrated a management buyout from the Swatch Group, expressing dissatisfaction with the company’s management style. This bold decision culminated in the establishment of Oris SA as an independent Swiss watch brand. The journey of Oris has been marked by several notable milestones. In 1906, they expanded their operations by opening a second factory in Holderbank, followed by a third factory in Como in 1908. By 1911, Oris had become the largest employer in Hölstein, reflecting their rapid growth and the unswerving dedication to quality craftsmanship. By 1914, they had reached another impressive feat, having produced over a million watches. Oris has a rich history intertwined with aviation. In the 1920s, the brand made significant strides in developing pilots' watches, recognising the unique needs of aviators. This commitment culminated in 1938 with the launch of the iconic Big Crown—a distinctive pilot's watch featuring a large crown designed for easy adjustment, even while wearing gloves. In 2002, they proudly registered the Red Rotor, an emblematic symbol of their watchmaking philosophy, solidifying their identity in the horological world. In recent years, Oris has continued innovating, unveiling the Calibre 400 in 2020. This marked a significant milestone as it was the brand’s first in-house-developed automatic movement in decades, underscoring Oris's commitment to enhancing its legacy of mechanical excellence.