Oris BC3 Chronograph — view 1 of 6 — View 1 of 6 · Image: Analog/Shift · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

View 1 of 6 · Image: Analog/Shift · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Oris BC3 Chronograph

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.

Maker / attribution: Oris (maker)
Date: c. 2001
Historical period: Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)
Country of origin: Unrecorded in source
Object type: Wristwatch
Dealer: Analog/Shift (dealer), New York
Stock no.: 40990270
Credit line: Dealer listing, Analog/Shift (40990270)
Catalogue title (original): Oris BC3 Chronograph (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Analog/Shift (dealer), New York (stock number 40990270), this is a wristwatch by Oris, dated c. 2001. The Atlas places it in the Mechanical Renaissance period (1990 – 2010) of its Wristwatches collection. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Analog/Shift

Oris is a darling amongst watch enthusiasts today. With hits such as the Diver 65, Pointer Date, and Big Crown Pilot line headlining their collection, a slew of awesome special limited-edition models released annually, and a decidedly community-facing way of doing business rounding them out, Oris is appreciated - if not beloved - by beginner and tenured collectors alike. With all of the attention Oris is getting these past several years, however, it is easy to forget that they have been making exceptional watches for nearly 120 years, and there are quite a few forgotten hits from the recent past. This model, a BC3 Chronograph, dates to circa 2001 and offers a tremendous bang for the buck in terms of styling and mechanics. With a look that blurs the lines between aviation and diving, the BC3 series combined brushed and polished stainless steel case elements with a highly legible and clutter-free dial. Powered by a Valjoux 7750 automatic winding chronograph movement, the BC3 is no slouch on the movement side, either. Utilizing a triple subsidiary register layout with a color-matched date wheel, barrel pushers, and an oversized winding crown, its function-forward layout is playfully contrasted by its hooded lug case design and stepped bezel.

Historical context

Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)

Mechanical watches return as cultural objects; independent watchmaking flourishes.

Mechanical watches returned as cultural and luxury objects. Complications, tourbillons and new materials proliferated; independent watchmakers such as George Daniels, F.P. Journe and Philippe Dufour revived artisanal watchmaking; collecting vintage watches became a major field.

Read the period in the timeline More wristwatches from this period Earlier: Quartz Revolution

Atlas type guide

Chronographs and split-seconds watches

A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.

Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.

What to look for

Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).

Dating clues

Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
Automatic chronographs: from 1969.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

Mechanisms mentioned

Chronograph — Complication
Self-winding (automatic) mechanism — Component

Record completeness

Maker or attributionRecorded
DateRecorded
Place or countryNot in source
MaterialsNot in source
DimensionsNot in source
Narrative descriptionRecorded
Inscriptions / marksNot in source
ProvenanceNot in source
Several photographsRecorded

Editorial status: Documented — facts as published by the source; not independently verified by Atlas editors.

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Sources & image rights

Record source: Analog/Shift (dealer), New York (opens another website in a new tab).

Image rights: © Analog/Shift — dealer photographs; permission required (opens another website in a new tab).

Images are hosted by the Atlas for study and credited to their owner. Rights holders may request correction, credit changes or removal, or grant permission, via the editorial office.

Cite this record

"Oris BC3 Chronograph." Analog/Shift (dealer), New York, 40990270. Catalogue record in The Horology Atlas, WatchMuseum.org, https://atlas.watchmuseum.org/museum/oris-bc3-chronograph-52fe9e.