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Oris Star Automatic, Tiger Eye Green Dial, Automatic, circa 1970s — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Oris Star Automatic, Tiger Eye Green Dial, Automatic, circa 1970s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Oris (maker)
Date
c. 1970s
Country of origin
Unrecorded in source
Object type
Wristwatch
Stock no.
vws3728
Credit line
Dealer listing, Vintage Watch Specialist (vws3728)
Catalogue title (original)
Oris Star Automatic - Tiger Eye Green Dial - Automatic - c.1970s (English)

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

Record summary

Catalogued by Vintage Watch Specialist (dealer), United Kingdom (stock number vws3728), this is a wristwatch by Oris, dated c. 1970s. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) 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 — Vintage Watch Specialist

A Superb Oris Star Automatic Calendar With a Stunning Petrol Green Tiger Eye Dial in Fantastic Preowned Condition, c.1970s Oris, established in 1904 by Paul Cattin and Georges Christian in Hölstein, Switzerland, has carved a distinctive niche in the realm of horology. Named after a nearby brook, the brand quickly flourished, becoming a significant employer in the region. By 1911, Oris operated multiple factories. The introduction of the pin-lever escapement in its watches marked a significant evolution, as it increased reliability and affordability. During the 1930s, Oris expanded its repertoire to pilot watches, gaining military contracts. Despite challenges during the quartz crisis of the 1970s, Oris chose to stay true to mechanical watchmaking, which later became its defining trait. The brand's decision paid off as mechanical watches surged in popularity in the late 20th century. What's on Offer I love this unique and rather retro piece from Oris and there doesn't seem to be many, if any, available that compare. Just look at that stunning tiger eye dial in petrol green with the piercing pop of zesty orange on the hour plots - this colour wheel combination looks great! The dial is in great shape and offers a date wheel at 3 o'clock and chunky stick hands with luminous inserts giving visibility in low light along with the luminous pips each hour marker. Encapsulated underneath an acrylic crystal, the polished steel bezel looks well against the matt finish of the straight-edged tonneau case. The original steel bracelet is also in good shape and the combination of the unique colourway, case shape and the bracelet look fantastic on the wrist. An Oris is a must for any watch collection worth its salt and this would be a great piece to choose!

Historical context

Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)

Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.

Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology

Atlas type guide

Automatic (self-winding) watches

Self-winding watches use the wearer's motion to wind the mainspring. Abraham-Louis Perrelet and Breguet made 'perpétuelle' pocket watches with oscillating weights in the late eighteenth century, but the principle only became practical in the wristwatch. John Harwood patented a bumper automatic in 1923; Rolex's Perpetual rotor (1931) winding in one direction, and later bidirectional rotors (Eterna, Felsa Bidynator), established the modern form. Micro-rotors (Universal Genève, Buren) and peripheral rotors made automatic watches thinner.

What to look for

  • A semicircular rotor turning 360° over the movement, or a 'bumper' weight that rebounds between springs.
  • 'Automatic', 'Perpetual' or 'Self-winding' on the dial.
  • A sealed screw-back case, since automatic watches are wound less often by the crown.

Dating clues

  • Bumper automatics: 1923–c. 1955.
  • Full rotors: from 1931 (Rolex); widespread after c. 1950.
  • Micro-rotors: from 1954–1958.

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.

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